9 Ways to Make Your Small Bathroom Feel Bigger

Big or small, the bathroom is a centerpiece of the home—a place for starting the day, winding down at night and at other times retreating and relaxing. When the bathroom is small, however, it presents unique challenges. It might lack storage, or its tight quarters make it difficult to accommodate a busy family’s daily needs.

Instead of giving up on the space just because it’s compact, you can reimagine the room, bringing in elements that celebrate its small size and leverage its limitations. Here are nine small-bathroom ideas for making your space seem larger without knocking out any walls.

PICK PRODUCTS SIZED FOR YOUR SPACE.

Installing ill-fitting toilets, sinks and tubs is a quick way to make a small bath feel even smaller. Consider getting a toilet with a round bowl (they tend to be smaller) instead of an elongated one, or go for a mounted, wall-hung bowl (they open up the floor underneath). Shop for vanities specially designed for small spaces.

INSTALL A FLOATING VANITY.

Make the footprint of your bathroom feel larger with a floating vanity. When the floor extends all the way to the wall under the cabinet, your eye will perceive more space.

GET RID OF THE BATHTUB.

For some people, like parents of young children, a tub is nonnegotiable. But if you can live without it, reclaim some of the space in your small bath by installing a shower that’s properly sized for the room. If possible, opt for a barrier-free shower or one with glass shower doors. The lack of visible walls will make the space feel more open. If you must keep the tub, use a simple clear shower curtain or a sliding glass door, which is less wall-like and gives the impression of openness.

CONSIDER A WALL-MOUNT FAUCET.

If your bathroom countertop is small, you can save space by moving the faucet to the wall. Mounting the faucet will open up storage behind the basin, helping you reclaim precious inches of countertop. The clean, uncluttered look of a wall-mount faucet creates more visual space, which is key to promoting the illusion of a vast bathroom.

ADD A WALL-MOUNTED MEDICINE CABINET.

Medicine cabinets provide extra storage for small items, often in an unobtrusive way. For narrow bathroom storage, this is a great option. You’ll keep your precious counter space free and clear of personal items and make the area feel less cluttered and crowded.

ADD HOOKS FOR MORE STORAGE.

If your bathroom is so small that adding towel racks presents a problem, install hooks. One for every person in your home should suffice—each hook can be used to hang multiple items, such as towels, clothes and bathrobes.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LINEN STORAGE.

If your home lacks a linen closet, consider storing linens and towels in a hallway closet, chest or armoire. If you prefer to keep towels in the bathroom and need more space, floating shelves or a nook converted into a built-in are prime locations for keeping regularly used items. Under the sink is another good place to store a basket filled with fresh towels.

ADD AN EXTRA MIRROR ON THE WALL.

Create the illusion of a larger space by adding more mirrors. A larger mirror increases the amount of reflected light in a room, especially if you can position it to reflect natural light from a window. Experiment with size and placement to get the effect you’re looking for.

GET RID OF THE EXCESS.

Clutter instantly overwhelms a space. Start by getting rid of excess bottles, tattered towels and unused products. Making space through decluttering is an important step in feeling as though you have extra room. Store what’s left in an in-shower organizer, and consider limiting the number of products you keep in the bathroom.

For additional help with your small bathroom, our measurement guide will give you the information you need to create an optimally functioning space.