Visually Expanding Bathroom Space: 7 Tips

How to arrange everything you need in a bathroom without turning the already small space into a cramped and uncomfortable one? We asked designer Anna Elina to share her tips and hacks.

Anna Elina — designer, founder of ElinaProDesign studio

Pay attention to finishing

An unusual combination of tiles or color visually changes the dimensions of a bathroom. Look at the photo below: the narrow and elongated space upwards was transformed thanks to color lines transitioning from wall to floor. They are placed at a certain angle and visually expand the tiny space.

Design: Anna Elina

Use mirrors

To enhance the effect, you can create a mirror wall or place a mirror in a narrow passage — this trick visually "spreads" walls that are too close to each other.

Design: Anna Elina

Glass surfaces

If you want to zone a small bathroom, glass partitions for the shower area and curtains with transparent inserts for the bathtub are an excellent solution. They are almost invisible in the interior but help define functional zones.

Design: Anna Elina

Add more light fixtures

Light should evenly fill the bathroom and avoid dark spots, making the space appear spacious. Place light fixtures at different levels: on the ceiling, above the mirror and sink, and additionally illuminate the ceiling. The most effective trick is perimeter floor lighting.

It's ideal if there is a window in the bathroom. Natural light creates a feeling of more space.

Plan storage

Too many items clutter the space and visually reduce it. Use every centimeter productively: built-in cabinets, niches, and vanities help maintain order and hide extra bottles and tubes.

Design: Julia Chernova

Choose compact furniture and fixtures

Opt for minimalist-designed furniture — such pieces look compact and neat. To save space, replace the bathtub with a shower cabin, and regular toilet and sink with wall-mounted or built-in installations.

Place proper accents

Focus on color in the finishing — properly placed color or texture accents divert attention from the modest size of the space.

For example, a low ceiling can be painted the same color as the walls, making its boundaries literally dissolve into space. Visually enlarging the room can also be achieved by transitioning one color from floor to wall.

Don’t be afraid to choose large-format tiles — in a small bathroom, they will only work in your favor. On the other hand, small tiles or mosaic visually reduce space due to many grout lines.

Pastel and light tones help expand the space. Bright furniture and decor items will draw all attention and make the room seem even smaller.

Hacks

Laid vertically, tiles lift the ceiling but narrow the space. Conversely, horizontally laid tiles reduce ceiling height but expand the bathroom.

Also, a slight "spread" of walls can be achieved with floor tiles laid diagonally.

On the cover: Anna Elina's design project