How to Make a Small Bathroom Look Larger
I’ve lived with my fair share of small bathrooms. It can be tricky to design a space that feels open and functional. Luckily, no matter the size of your bathroom- it’s easy to squeeze the maximum amount of function from it… making it appear larger than it actually is. I’m sharing design strategies from my own renovations and client projects, showing you how to make a small bathroom look bigger with the right lighting, fixtures, and finishes. Bathrooms are hardworking spaces, and when square footage is limited, every design choice matters. With the right paint colors and a few clever styling tricks, you can create a space that feels open, airy, and intentional. Here are some of my favorite designer hacks to maximize style and function in a small bath.
If you’re renovating or are about to dive into your bathroom makeover, be sure to read my 20 Bathroom Remodeling Tips… Before You Begin Your Renovation! These will come in handy as you’re planning and getting started.
What Makes a Small Bathroom Feel Larger
Before we talk solutions, here’s what I’ve learned: space feels larger when…
- Light can move freely (both natural & artificial).
- There aren’t visual breaks or contrast that “cut up” the room, making it feel segmented.
- The eye can see the floor & wall edges uninterrupted.
- Storage is smart, so surfaces stay organized and uncluttered.
- Height is emphasized (drawing your eye upward).
My Design Tricks to Open Up a Small Bathroom
Here are my best designer tips, from finish choices to fixtures, that help “stretch the room” visually and functionally…
1. Paint the Ceiling for Height
If your bathroom has an average height (or lower) ceiling… do NOT paint the ceiling white. It may seem counterintuitive, but painting the ceiling the same color as the walls (like our basement bath) or an even a darker color, like in our previous bathroom (pictured above) will visually elongate the ceiling height, making it seem taller. Would you believe me if I told you the ceiling shown above is slightly lower than standard height? This trick completely changes the perception of the room’s height.
2. Keep Things Open
When designing a small space, keep the larger pieces feeling visually lighter. Installing a vanity with open storage is a good way to make a small bathroom feel bigger, while also providing function. Bulky cabinetry and heavy vanities can overwhelm and crowd the bath. Choose a lighter color vanity and one with open storage.
Similarly, when designing the shower, select shower glass instead of a fully tiled enclosure. Even a partially open shower design or a floor-to-ceiling curtain will help the room feel more open. If you do plan to use a shower curtain, make sure it hangs from floor to ceiling (here is my tutorial for an extra long shower curtain). Leave the curtain open when the shower is not in use. The bottom line? Keep things open and airy to make the room feel larger!
3. Choose Paint Colors Thoughtfully
Does your small bathroom get any natural light? If so, that’s amazing and you can be a bit more creative with your paint color. I know everyone’s inclination is to grab bright white paint, but it doesn’t work well in small spaces. Instead of stark white in a windowless bathroom, go for a mid-range hue with a higher light reflective value (LRV). It bounces light while adding warmth and depth. You can also try a percentage of your preferred paint color. Check out this post on how paint color percentages work and when to use them!
4. Install Tile Vertically
Install tile in a vertical pattern to draw the eye upward. This subtle shift makes ceilings appear taller and gives the illusion of more space. Vertical subway tile is a classic, timeless option that works with nearly any aesthetic.
5. Add Bold Details
Small bathrooms are the perfect place to experiment. Play with dramatic finishes, bold hardware, patterned wallpaper, or custom millwork. By giving the eye something special to land on, you take the focus off the room’s size.
FAQ
Floating vanities or vanities with open storage, recessed niches, and slim open shelving are all great options that keep things functional without closing the room in.
Absolutely! Layered lighting- overhead, vanity, and even accent lighting, can brighten dark corners and instantly expand the feel of the room.
Paint! A fresh coat on walls and ceiling is a quick, affordable change that can completely change how the space feels.
100%! Wallpaper adds character and creates a focal point that makes the size less noticeable.
Opt for glass panels instead of solid walls, or hang a shower curtain floor-to-ceiling to visually elongate the room.
Yes, it really can… vertical tile patterns draw the eye upward, instantly giving the illusion of height.
Related Posts
If you’re looking for more ideas to improve your bathroom, I’m going to link some reader favorites for you below:
- How to Style a Bathroom That Feels Like a Boutique Hotel
- Standard Bathroom Dimensions To Know Before Renovating
- Why an Exhaust Fan & Light Combo Is the Best Choice for Bathroom Renovations
- How to Properly Light a Bathroom for Function and Design
- Stocking a Guest Bathroom: Essentials for Visitors
- Bathtub Refinishing Process & Reglazing A Tub White
- Classic Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures from Wayfair
- The Best Classic White Bath Towels for Any Budget
- Tips for Making a Cold Bathroom Feel Cozy
- How to Plan and Design a Shower Niche
Have you used or implemented any of these design tricks in your small bathroom? If you have any questions at all, let me know in the comment section below! I’d be happy to help. Small spaces can be challenging (especially high functioning bathrooms), but they also force us to get more creative… and because of that, I honestly think they’re the most fun to design.
All of these tips make perfect sense! I’ve never lived in a house with a large bathroom; some model homes I’ve visited felt like you could hold a soccer match in the master bath! Mostly, I think of ours as medium-sized. I guess I focus primarily on what I find beautiful, so your suggestions meet that criteria. Attention-grabbing details and nary a white surface would probably be my signature.😉 All of your baths really showcase a genius use of tile! If I ever get to tile a bathroom, you’ll be my inspiration, for sure! So, so pretty. Happy…whatever day it is. Thanks to you and my breakfast brownie, I’ve got a good start! (PS I found the yummiest egg-free recipe!)😋💖
Our master bath is exactly- GIANT, and it makes zero sense. I hate having all of that wasted negative space that feels like a soccer field. Haha! Then again- I’ve only ever lived with tiny bathrooms until now, so there’s that. I do love experimenting with tile- thanks for noticing :) Day made! A breakfast brownie?!! You’re speaking my love language- I’m a little jealous. Sweets for breakfast is what Emmett and I do best. Ha! Have a great day, Peggi! xo
Thank you for these tips–super helpful! I will be using the paint the ceiling trick and installing tile vertically trick for sure in my 2 new small bathrooms. How do you find the LRV value on a paint color–I would like to use that trick as well as our bathrooms will be windowless. Thanks so much!!
So happy the tips were helpful, Beth! I love hearing that. You can find the LRV on the back of the paint swatch. I know Sherwin-Williams states the LRV, along with a “low, medium, or high” rating. I like to stick to the medium / high range for small windowless bathrooms. Hope this helps :)
Yes Sarah!! This is what I’ve been needing!! I’m in a tough spot with my own bathroom renovation. We have a medium sized master bath, with two large windows; average height ceilings. I painted the walls bright white, because the previous color was such a hideous brown. But the choice hasn’t sat right. It is brighter, and does look bigger, but I think I may end up painting the walls the color I originally chose for the vanity (creamy mushroom by Behr). My question and challenge is this: how do you keep the bath and room cohesive when they open up to each other? Our master sits in front of our master bath; there is no door separating one space from the other. It’s a huge challenge when it comes to things like wall and ceiling paint. Where is the cut off? Also, do you use the same paint finish on the ceiling as you did for the walls? I almost feel like our water closet is easier to plan than our bathroom; it’s completely self contained! These tips are super helpful! I have two smaller bathrooms that have no light, both needing updating down the road. I will have to keep this post in mind when I hit the planning phase for those! Thank you for sharing; as always your tips and rooms are impeccable and really showcase your design talent. I hope I can create a space half as pleasing!
Yay!! So glad it was helpful and timed appropriately, Lauren. Great question on keeping elements in your combined master suite cohesive. I like to repeat design choices: color, textiles (maybe they share the same window treatments, etc), light fixtures, flooring material, etc. They don’t have to match, but they need to feel like they belong together or are apart of the same family. To answer your question about ceiling paint- I do NOT use the same finish on the walls and ceiling. Ceiling paint is typically very flat / matte. I think since your master is larger, you have room to play. I’d maybe apply the majority of these tips to your smaller baths in the house :) Hope this helps!! xo
Our cramped 5×7 full bathroom budget remodel has been a long time coming (because of slowly saving and because my husband is a reluctant though very capable remodeler). We have the funds now and are just on pause because of the pandemic… but I’ve spent well over a year studying small bathrooms, pinning, and learning the details you line up in this post! I seriously considered a black ceiling after your example but it feels too dramatic for our natural-style California ranch house – and I do love a light and airy bathroom! It has a smallish window, so I’m doing a pale greige paint that’s light but not white on vertical paneled walls and the ceiling, handmade-look wobbly, glossy white subway tile in the shower/tub, a hanging plant above the toilet to draw the eye up and add more organic texture, and a stained wood vanity. OMG I cannot wait to get started.
I think your paint color choice is perfection! It will be perfect in that space. The vertical wall panels are also a smart move to make the room look taller. It sounds like it’s going to be beautiful, Julie!! xo
Perfect timing for this post! I’m currently debating what to do with our small windowless bathroom. We’re doing a phase 1 refresh. I painted the vanity white, we removed the big ugly medicine cabinet, replaced with a nice flat mirror, new lighting, and we’re installing some open shelving above the toilet. I’m toying with painting the entire room Hale Navy, or would it be better to do 2/3 vertical shiplap in white and then do the Hale Navy on the top 1/3 and ceiling?
Woohoo!! Perfect timing, Laura :) If it were me, I wouldn’t break up the wall with millwork in a short / small room. Segmenting it like that will actually make it feel smaller. Your best bet is to run the shiplap from floor to ceiling rather than on thirds, and keep it the same color. Hope this helps!
Oh that’s a good point… Maybe we should go without any wall treatment? Do you think a dark navy is too dark for a small windowless room though?
Maybe the navy would be a good choice for the ceiling as above and use a lighter color on the walls?
I can’t believe how amazing Kilim Beige can look! Our previous home was a new build and everything was painted Kilim beige. I thought it was the definition of ‘builder beige.” I actually repainted 75% of the house because I disliked the color. I stressed over needing white ceilings. Now I see that it wasn’t the color, but all the other warm brown/tan tones and surfaces that just made the house feel boring.
Isn’t it crazy how a paint color can look TOTALLY different depending on the home and its surroundings? That’s why I never recommend paint colors virtually… you really have to be IN the space to determine what works best. You make such a good point, Michelle- sometimes it’s not the paint color that is “off”, but the other materials, finishes, and furnishings. Hope this post helped :) xo
The black ceiling looks like it’s closing in on you. Bloody awful.
I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one, Hannah! No hard feelings.
Sarah, I love the look of the dark ceiling trick! How dark do you have to go?
Thank you, Judy! You don’t have to go super dark like mine, but I’ve found the darker the better for making the ceiling height LOOK taller (black and navy also tends to hide imperfections while elongating).
I completely agree with the black ceiling making a room seem taller. We did NOT finish out basement ceiling and just painted it black. Rafters, wires, pipes all of it. It looks amazing and everyone who comes down for the first time really like it and comment on how tall it looks. We also did two accent walls of very dark blue to extend the width, visually. Looks great. We love it… But with that said, in the bathroom too? Not sure I can do it in the bathroom. We are getting ready to paint this weekend and picking out colors. We already have the vertical tile, so that’s a no brainier. The tile has blue in it and will look really cool on the wall. White tile on the floor, laid the same direction as the tile in the shower (going long ways from door and continuing up through shower). We are looking at a light blue for the walls to coordinate with the shower… To much blue yet? For the ceiling I was going to do the normal white, but after reading was thinking dark. I don’t think I can do a black ceiling, or at least I don’t think the wife will like it as it won’t gel with anything else. Can I do a dark blue (again to much blue) or a dark brown to match cabinets? I don’t see that working. Thoughts? We have opened up the shower, so wall to wall shower, glass doors. Will do a couple of fun pieces for the wall. Just stuck on the lightness if blue for the wall (unless you can think of a different color, not grey) and the ceiling color. Thanks for the thoughts!
It’s really an amazing trick, Tim! The basement or an unfinished ceiling is the perfect application for this. So happy to hear it worked well for you! I’d keep your ceiling the same as the wall color, so there isn’t a hard edge. I love a good, monochromatic space.
Hey Tim what about a deep dark navy? Done right it could be some serious monochromatic bathroom inspo! I think it all sounds lovely!
Yup, these are genius tips and advice. The before-and-after photos speak volumes as to just how genius they are. I hope those of you working toward or on such remodels enjoy the process as much as the results. Cheers to everyone, Ardith
Thanks so much, Ardith :)
Thank you for the tips! What about tile work versus paint in the small bath? Is it okay to tile half wall only? What should be color scheme (dark versus light ) if tiling is some on the half of the wall?
Typically, you want to avoid taking anything halfway up the wall- especially in a small space. I’d either tile the entire thing (floor to ceiling) or paint it. Hope this helps, Natasha :)
Hi, I was wondering how high are your bathroom ceilings? My husband and I are going to finish our basement soon. The problem is that we have air duct right above the bathroom area that we cannot change or move, which will make our finished ceiling height to be 6’ 8”. We are trying to figure out how to layout the bathroom with such low ceiling height.
They’re 81.5″, Cami! Pretty close to your ceiling height.
Hey Sarah, Love the Black ceiling! Do you use a semi-gloss or eggshell paint? Also, if we are painting the walls white (pure white or an off-white)? Semi-gloss or gloss?
Thanks, Kim! I used a flat black paint for the ceiling. I like to do flat, eggshell, or satin on the walls. For trim, I use semi gloss or gloss.
Always revisiting your posts for inspiration! Considering adding some panel molding to our teeny tiny half bath and painting the walls, ceiling, trim and all one color. Did you use paint all the same finish in your basement? Or did you stick with flat on the ceiling and semi gloss on the trim? Thinking keeping it all eggshell in our little bath would be easy but want to do it right. XO
I love hearing that, Christiane! In the basement bath- all of the millwork (and ceiling) is the same color and finish! In a super small space like that, I prefer to keep it consistent so it doesn’t get overwhelming. That’s exactly what we did- eggshell all over. It’s soft, warm, and cozy!
Hi, Sarah! Thanks so much for this post! We are in a bathroom remodel right now and am excited about the design elements I am planning to bring in. Seeing your post about the ceiling being painted dark is something I’m now considering – our bathroom is small. The plan is the Delle Torre tile in charcoal that you have in your bathroom for the floor, wainscoting in peppercorn paint and the Montgomery Ribbon Tile in black for the shower. I am planning Alabaster for the section of wall above the wainscoting and was thinking about painting the crown molding the peppercorn color. But now, I’m wondering if I should do the Peppercorn on the crown molding AND the ceiling? With the wainscoting being peppercorn, the only lighter paint color in the bathroom would be the space above it with the alabaster. Also, I think you used the Montgomery Ribbon tile somewhere for a shower? if so, what grout did you use for the black? I’m thinking black non-sanded, but wanted your opinion. Thanks so much! —Shelley
The first bathroom, are all three of the picture frames above the toilet gold? I love how they look together
Thanks, Courtney! They’re kind of a champagne gold color! I had those custom framed.
Hi Sarah,
Your remodeled bathrooms look great. I’m wondering if you’ve come across any dos and don’ts regarding artwork in the bathroom. I have a photograph behind glass that seems to fare well in one of our bathrooms, but have shied away from hanging acrylic or oil paintings for fear that the steamy location might not be good for them. Any thoughts you can share would be appreciated! Thanks-
Thank you, Patrick! Great question. I think it depends on a variety of factors… what does your bathroom ventilation look like, what size is the space, artwork material, etc. All of our bathrooms are on the larger size and have adequate ventilation / exhaust fans in place, so they don’t tend to hold steam. I’ve found most works of art to do fine in a bathroom. If it’s a really valuable or special piece and you’re worried about it, you could always install it elsewhere. That said, I’ve had works of all kinds installed in bathrooms over the years with zero issues! I hope that helps!
Hi! I love your designs! In our new house, the basement bathroom is right under a duct so the ceiling is 6’7″, there is no natural light, and there’s no lighting by the shower in the back because the builder said they can’t add light by the shower. It literally feels like you’re showering in the dark. Any ideas for that? Is there a too short point for the dark ceiling idea?
Thank you so much, Jessica! I’ve got an idea for you… I’d give this exhaust fan that doubles as a light a try (it can be installed in wet rated spaces): https://roomfortuesday.com/why-an-exhaust-fan-light-combo-is-the-best-choice-for-bathroom-renovations/ You could even try the dark ceiling in combination with that. Hope that helps!
Hi! I’m in the middle of an unplanned bathroom remodel (long story). The bathroom is tiny and I’m trying to find a great vanity (18″-24″). I love the first before-after so much; can you please share a link or model info for the gorgeous vanity? I’ve been browsing your site and love your content!
I just painted my small, narrow, and windowless bathroom Benjamin Moore’s Paris Rain. It feels so much lighter than with our former dark accent wall. We added walnut fixtures and a linen shower curtain so now it feels like a tiny spa. 100% agree on the small, bold details. The walnut TP holder is punching above it’s weight in drama.
Love to hear that, Margot! Your bath sounds beautiful.
This is so helpful! I am 24 and just bought my first house ~2 months ago. We have pulled out the carpet, refinished the original wood flooring, and repainted the whole house so far. Right now, I have no running water because my bathroom is down to the studs, and has been sitting for weeks. I’ve been looking into the shower tile and floor tile I want lately, and I’m so glad to know that I had already planned to follow a couple of your tips!
My house was built in 1951, and I only have 1 full bath. The bathroom is narrow and deep, and the ceilings in this house are only like 7-feet. The bathroom is only as wide as the bathtub, which is in the very back (but does have a small window!). I planned to do a curved shower curtain rod, and then also bought brackets to try hanging it from the ceiling if I can get it to work? And I also picked vertical subway tile! I really like the Satori Regent Paladium glossy ceramic tile from Lowe’s. I am nervous about it being too shiny, but the photos in the reviews are what sold me on it. I also liked the Stainmaster Harbor Gray Matte Porcelain floor tile for the floors. I already have a white vanity with a marble top, and I’m going with matte black faucets, fixtures, shower accessory set, wall hooks, etc. What do you think? Any tips? Specifically, thoughts on potential wainscoting (I’m obsessed and have none so far!! Lol), wall color, and shower curtain color? I really wanted a moody pop of a forest-y green or a dark blue on the wall opposite of the toilet and vanity (because i got my fill with the trendy monochrome gray, black, + white with pops of gold + silver at my last apartment that i lived in for 2.5 years, and now i know i do NOT want to live in that forever!), but so far, everything in my house is very simple as far as wall colors go (bleh). And as much as I am dying to get the basics finished so I can get to making this place feel more my own, I’m still kind of scared to get moody! Lolol. Do you think either of those colors would go okay with the tiling I mentioned?
Also, designing my bathroom is very scary since I know that if I ask for something and end up hating it, the cost will be on me to change it again😂 Any tips at all are SO appreciated! It’s so hard to imagine this. My stepdad moves as slow as a snail lol but he is a total G for literally making my house my home and doing everything for me. He is willing to learn anything to give me what I want (even built in nooks for my shower🥰). So for cabinet space, built-in shelving, whatever else… you let me know what you think would work well and look great!! Thank you SO much! 💜😊