The bathroom is traditionally known as the smallest room in the house, but there are all sorts of ways to make the most of the space, even if you haven’t got much room. Lighting, fixtures and clutter are all elements that you can vary to make the area seem more spacious, read on to find out more.
Lighten and brighten
Light plays a major part in creating the illusion of space, and there are various ways of brightening up the bathroom. Using light colours is a tried and tested method of making interiors seem bigger, as pale shades are more reflective than darker tones. Meanwhile, installing spotlights can brighten up even the darkest corners better than a central ceiling light, so this could be something to think about.
Another option is to increase the natural night coming into the room by installing a skylight, which can be extra-useful in an interior bathroom that has no windows, while installing a lighting tube – also known as a sun tunnel – can add light. Lighting tubes consist of a clear dome on the roof and a tube beneath that shines natural light from outside down the tube and through a diffuser fitted to the bathroom ceiling.
Keep things proportionate
Installing regular-sized fittings in a small bathroom can make the space seem enclosed and dwarf the area, so think about investing in scaled-down fixtures for the bathroom, like a shorter-than-standard bath and a small corner sink.
Smaller units will be proportionate with the space and avoid looking incongruous, while you can also make the most of the room you have by choosing modern wall-hung units. Some bathroom brands have created a wide range of wall-mounted lavatories and sinks that give the bathroom a contemporary look while taking up less space than conventional, pedestal-mounted alternatives – floating suites from Ideal Standard are just one example to consider.
Avoid clutter
For an open and welcoming bathroom, a top tip is to remove clutter and any unnecessary items that take up valuable floor space. Even a laundry basket or weighing scales can contribute to a bathroom feeling enclosed, so remove these or find useful ways of combining them with other items in the space. Weighing scales can be stored out of sight under a standing cupboard, for example, while you could replace the laundry basket with a designated laundry bag hanging from a hook on the back of the door.
Invest in clever storage
Storage can be an issue in small bathrooms, but there are some clever features that you could utilise to enhance the feeling of space. Bulky cupboards in rows can take up lots of space, so instead, consider having a cabinet built into the room that goes right from the floor up to the ceiling. This will give you plenty of compartments for keeping things in and also draw the eye upwards, enhancing the illusion of space. A mirrored cabinet can be handy for storing medicines while also doubling up as a mirror and reflecting light to make the space seem bigger.
Have recesses built in
Another way of enhancing the space in the bathroom is to create extra room by building recesses into walls. You could add a recess in the wall of the shower and tile it for a handy place to keep toiletries, while items like toilet roll holders can also be built into little alcoves, keeping the walls smooth and other areas of the bathroom, like the floor, uncluttered.