Opt for shades of white to make a small bathroom look larger.
There are several decorative tricks, including arranging diminutive furniture just so or artfully hanging portraits and photos, to make a room seem bigger. Unfortunately, the limited space and naturally utilitarian purpose of bathrooms doesn't leave much room for decorative license. Instead of replacing the large bathtub or tearing out the toilet, use color to make your bathroom appear larger.
Neutrals
Cover the bathroom walls with neutral colors, such as taupe, beige, light gray or olive. Choose warmer tones in this group and stay away from stark whites that give the space a generic, institutional feel. Add depth and the illusion of size to the room by covering the wall with horizontal stripes in a neutral palette. Incorporate darker colors that complement the neutral shades through the room's trim, borders and accessories, including hand towels and artwork. Aside from making the room seem brighter, neutral colors are a blank canvas that adds potential resale value to the home.
Lighter Colors
Lighter shades of almost any color, including brown, blue, yellow or green, trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it really is. This is because lighter colors reflect light, as opposed to darker shades that absorb it, creating a cavernous feel to the space. Choose the color based on the home's décor or opt for a lighter shade of your favorite color to give your small bathroom a light, airy feel. Once again, save darker colors for the room's accessories and trim.
All-Over Color
Trick the eye into thinking the space is larger by using the same color on the walls, trim and accessories in the room. Start by finding the ideal lighter shade of paint and use it to cover the walls. Paint the bathroom's trim with the same paint color or a shade lighter to add dimension to the space. Fill the room with accessories and artwork of the same color or a single shade darker or lighter. Filling a room with several different colors breaks up the room's flow, making it seem smaller.
Other Tricks
Use other decorative tricks to make your small bathroom seem larger. Replace a larger, bulky vanity with smaller pieces or pedestal sinks. Hang a translucent shower curtain to prevent adding a sudden block of disruptive color into the space. Incorporate several mirrored surfaces, including medicine cabinets, into the room to reflect more light. Remove unnecessary clutter from the bathroom by only housing the essentials on the vanity.
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