Small Bathroom Ideas to Make Your Space Feel So Much Bigger

Small Bathroom Designs — Design: House of Chais

No offense to whoever said "bigger is better," but our guess is that person just lacked in the creativity department. Just because your bathroom is short on square footage doesn't mean it's doomed to lack style or functionality.

With the right design tricks anyone can bridge the gap between form and function, regardless of the bathroom size they've been dealt. Whether you have a tiny powder room or a single shower stall, these 20 easy storage and styling solutions will make you forget how small your bathroom actually is.

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Install a Gallery Wall

There's no better way to maximize your wall space than by creating a gallery wall. A full, almost-cluttered composition made of cohesive frames can make a half bath look spacious and expensive. We especially love the use of mirrors in this small washroom.

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Embrace Awkward Spaces

Unconventional spaces can be intimidating, but rather than work around unwieldy lines, make those awkward angles work for you. Don't compromise the pieces you love; instead, find a way to make them fit.

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Elongate Your Space

Look for pieces to draw the eye up, like this tall mirror positioned above the bathroom sink. Doing so elongates the room, giving the illusion of taller ceilings and a bigger space.

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Don't Stray Away From Bold Patterns

Don't let anyone tell you your bathroom is too tiny to handle a bold floor-to-ceiling wallpaper print. In fact, the smaller the bathroom, the bigger the impact. We love this leopard-print powder room with a touch of '80s glam.

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Don't Write Off Dark Colors

Small Bathroom Design — Design: Pulp Design Studios, Photo: Stephen Karlisch

Dark colors have a reputation for being gloomy, moody, and claustrophobic. But actually, painting your walls black can open up your small space, making it feel larger, airier, and more open than you'd expect. Incorporate shiny surfaces to bounce light around the room and make your powder room pop.

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Prioritize Style

Let's get real: It doesn't matter how small a space is—if it's gorgeous, nobody will miss a few extra feet of square footage. This floor-to-ceiling scallop tile in contrasting colors is pretty enough to outdo even some of the most sprawling bathroom setups.

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Swap Your Mirror For A Medicine Cabinet

Small Bathroom Ideas — Desiree Burns Interiors

Never underestimate the space-saving solution that is the age-old medicine cabinet. Stock up on your favorite products while maintaining a sleek and clean look in your small space.

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Install a Large Window

Say it with us: "Natural light is our friend." If the budget allows for some light renovations, the installation of a bigger bathroom window will instantly open up the space, making it appear larger.

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Set Up Shelves

Whether you're in need of extra storage or just looking to add character to a bland bathroom, the addition of shelves gives the illusion of a bigger space. Style them with your prettiest products and hide less attractive essentials in canisters for a chic and functional storage solution.

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Incorporate Tons of Texture

From the natural elements of grasscloth wallpaper and a seagrass lampshade to softer fibers via handtowels and a rug, the textures in this washroom add a homey feel often seen in larger spaces. Play with a cohesive color palette to avoid making your small bathroom look cluttered.

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Paint a Statement Ceiling

A single pop of color strategically placed on the ceiling will draw your eyes up, making your basic bathroom look taller. This primarily white washroom with a coat of cobalt on the ceiling proves the higher the contrast, the bigger the payoff.

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Evaluate Your Storage Needs

If storage isn't a priority for you, opt for a console sink over bulky vanity drawers. Leaving the space under your sink open will visually expand your square footage.

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Find Unconventional Storage Solutions

If storage is limited and you don't have much wall space for shelving, take note from this little loo and get creative with placement. A few shelves in a window not only save space but highlight your most-used products in an Insta-worthy way.

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Choose Drawers Over Cabinets

If you're looking to optimize your space for a large collection of toiletries, extra towels, and cleaning supplies, choose a vanity with drawers rather than cabinet doors. It won't take up more space, but the horizontal storage surprisingly houses much more. Just trust us.

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Skip The Shower Curtain

A shower curtain acts as a visual room divider, essentially splitting your bathroom in half. If it's in the budget, upgrade your bathroom to include glass shower doors to open up your small space.

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Hang a Pendant Light

It's not often you see a pendant light hanging from a bathroom ceiling—those are usually reserved for more-spacious areas. Hanging one in your powder room will make it feel glamorous but more importantly, much bigger in a snap.

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Try a Neutral Color Palette

A light and airy color palette will instantly brighten and visually widen even the smallest of spaces. Go with white, taupe, and gray shades and incorporate natural surfaces like wood and slate for an open feel.

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Utilize Every Inch Of Space

When you install a bathroom vanity, find one that fits your existing dimensions to a T. The drawer unit in this bathroom nook fits from wall to wall like a glove. If need be, build a custom unit to optimize every inch of space.

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Utilize Hooks

The more solutions you use to keep items off the floor and countertops, the less cluttered and bigger the space will look. Wall hooks act as a catchall for towels, accessories, robes, and much more.

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Let Great Design Take The Floor

You don't have a ton of floor space in your tiny bathroom, so the little bit that you do have better look extra good. A gorgeous tile install will instantly elevate the feel of your entire space. And the best part is you're working with less square footage, so it won't cost you a fortune.

37 Smart Bathroom Storage Ideas We Wish We’d Thought of Sooner