Let’s face it – we all spend at least some part of our day in the bathroom. Many people aren’t exactly excited about that already, and that’s only going to be made worse walking into a bathroom which feels cramped, dark and unwelcoming.
So if you’re building or renovating, but only have a small space to work with, here are some ways you can help make your bathroom look bigger.
Tile Size
It’s generally agreed that big tiles tend to make a room look smaller. Which is great when you have a cavernous space for your bathroom and want it to feel cosier.
With a small bathroom, then, you’d think the simple solution would be to use smaller tiles. But wait – that means you end up with lots more grout lines, and that effect tends to make your bathroom look smaller.
Confused yet? The solution is moderation. Choosing a medium sized tile is easy to do. If you really can’t resist larger tiles, then choose one with rectified edges, and use a matching grout to try and make the tiles flow better without disrupting the scale of the room.
Tile Layout
If you’re going with rectangular tiles, then which direction you lay them is important. If you want the room to look wider, lay them horizontally. Laying the same tile vertically will elongate the height of the room, or make the room look longer if used on the floor.
Here’s a fun one if you’re feeling a little adventurous – lay the tiles diagonally. Again, it’s all about drawing the eye across the space. Your brain also can’t draw on experience to calculate how many tiles there are, so the two combined give the illusion the space bigger.
Colour Scheme
You probably already guessed it, but light neutrals is the way to go. Cooler shades of white, cream or light grey help create the impression of a bigger space. Lighter colours reflect more light, making the room feel more welcoming, as well as larger.
Fixtures
Finally, the fixtures you choose are important. Like any room, using big furniture and accessories can look crowded and overwhelming if the space is small.
Stick with modern, slimline fittings that are in proportion to the space, rather than large sinks, taps and other fixtures.
As with anything, guidelines are helpful, but it’s always important to design a space that works for you. If you can find a way to have a bathroom you love and also have it feel bigger and more inviting, that’s a bonus!