From a master bathroom to a powder room, it’s only normal to wonder how you can make your bathroom feel bigger. Bigger bathrooms are more luxurious, comfortable and, typically, more valuable in the eyes of potential buyers. While, of course, you could remodel your bathroom from the ground up, knock down some walls, and renovate it into a larger space, that isn’t always an option for all homeowners. If you want to make your bathroom feel bigger without taking on a time-consuming, costly project, what can you do? Here are some simple, effective ideas for maximizing your bathroom space:
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Go white on white. Sticking to one color throughout a space is a way to trick the eye into seeing it as larger. Rather than breaking up the room into sections of light and dark, a white-on-white theme will create a seamless look. Bright and light is the way to go when you’re trying to make the most of the space. White walls against white tile against white towels and shower curtains will only expand your bathroom’s sense of space.
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Or, at least go monochromatic. If you want a small bathroom to feel bigger, but don’t love the white-on-white theme, take the same idea and try it with another neutral. Any way you can repeat the same color and style throughout your bathroom, the better. Whether you go with a cream or a soft blue, take a light, bright color and use it everywhere. This prevents the room from feeling choppy and, by extension, smaller.
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Pick a bigger mirror. Mirrors bounce light around a room and increase its overall sense of space. Use the largest mirror you can above your vanity — or even go with a wall-to-wall, counter-to-ceiling mirror, if possible.
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Install a glass shower door. Glass doors lengthen your bathroom’s visual space by expanding the sight line into the shower. As a benefit, glass shower doors are trendy, attractive and a great, modern choice.
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Hang longer curtains higher. If you go with a shower curtain, make it feel a little more luxurious by hanging it higher. Install the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible, and buy a longer curtain that will go all the way to the floor.
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Opt out of a swinging door. If you have a bathroom door that swings into the bathroom when it opens, you are wasting valuable space. Go with a sliding or pocket door to expand the room’s spacious feel.
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De-clutter. The more you have on surfaces, the more congested your bathroom can feel. First, remove everything that doesn’t need to be in the bathroom: knick-knacks, those 10 extra towels you always have on hand, etc. Then, move all necessary toiletries and appliances to appropriate storage areas — under the sink, in the cabinet, in containers, on shelves or elsewhere — out of sight. Try to free counter space and floor space so the room feels bigger and more open.
Even when you can’t take on a full-scale renovation, there are still so many ways you can make a bathroom feel bigger. Use the seven ideas above to make the most of the square footage you have — and turn your bathroom into a room that feels bigger and more comfortable in the process.