In an ideal world, your bathroom would be a spacious, spa-like retreat with a double vanity, a separate shower and tub, and ample storage for all your essentials. But in reality, your bathroom might just be a small, primarily functional space. But don’t worry—if expanding isn’t an option, you’re not entirely out of luck. With a few smart design tricks, you can create the illusion of a larger, more comfortable space. Here’s how to make a small bathroom look bigger, according to interior designers. 

Replace That Shower Curtain With a Glass Door

Shower curtains cut off your bathroom, making the space appear smaller. So, swap it out and add a glass door instead. “A glass door instantly can add a few more square feet into the space visually,” says interior designer James Pearse Connelly. “Now you can see more of the room!” Don’t forget, however, that the more you can see, the more you need to keep tidy, he warns.

If you don’t have the budget to install a new shower door, you can, at the least, swap your opaque shower curtain for a transparent option that will still allow you to expand the space visually.

Reflect as Much Light as Possible

Another trick to making your bathroom look bigger is to reflect light. Connelly suggests using big mirrors, which means it’s time to replace that small, dated medicine cabinet with a much more substantial mirror.

Another way the designer advises reflecting light is to choose chrome hardware. “It will make the light dance around the room,” he says.

Go Monochromatic

Connelly recommends opting for either a very dark or very light color scheme in the bathroom to expand the space visually. “For instance, an all-white or an all-black bathroom can affect lighting differently and dramatically make the space look larger while taking the space to new dimensions,” he explains.

As for specific hues, the designer likes incorporating deep navy blues and dark burgundies, as well as ivories and creams. “These shades offer a sophisticated yet spacious feel,” he says.

When It Comes to Sinks, Less Is More

The sink and vanity can mean the difference between feeling like you’re in a crammed closet or not. Designer Shannon Askinasi of Ash and Pine Interiors says floating wood or marble vanities are always a great choice for small bathrooms.

“When you can see the floor below the vanity, it makes the room feel larger,” Askinasi says. “Pedestal sinks are also a space-saver, but they lack the storage potential of a floating vanity.”

Connelly also recommends keeping the sink proportional to the room. “If the room is small, keep the sink small,” he says. “I prefer to see as much floor as possible in small rooms.”

Install Patterned Wallpaper 

While it’s a different approach than the monochromatic look Connelly suggests above, Askinasi is a big fan of installing vinyl wallpaper in smaller bathrooms. “I find that vertical stripes, chevrons, and large repeating patterns—with a lot of negative space—are the perfect way to make a small bathroom appear larger,” she says.

Don’t Be Afraid to Go Bold

“When designing a small bathroom, I always try to include a few design elements that pack a punch,” notes Askinasi. “Whether it’s a fluted vanity, a beautiful accent wall, interesting lighting, or all of the above, I give the eye multiple places to look in order to make a small space feel larger. I also like to include glass pendants or sconces in order to reflect light and create the illusion of depth.”

Keep Your Finishes Consistent Across All Surfaces

Connelly tells me it’s best to avoid emphasizing specific details, like the molding, ceilings, or flooring, and instead aim to create a cohesive look. “Let your floor tile come up on the wall,” he recommends. “Paint your ceiling the same color as the walls. Bring your countertop stone behind the mirror.”

Keep It Clutter-Free

While it’s necessary to have some items out, like a soap pump and perhaps a toothbrush, keeping out too many decorative items (and all your skincare products) is only going to make your bathroom look more cluttered and crammed.

Lastly, while you probably need a garbage can, it’s best to keep the plunger and toilet brush off the floor and stored away, out of sight.