No matter how much or how little square footage you have to work with, making any room in your home appear bigger is beneficial. If you have a cramped bathroom that you’d like to make appear larger without going through the hassle (and cost) of extensive renovations, there are a few key design tips you can follow to make any small bathroom look and feel much bigger than it really is.

1. Choose Light Colors

It’s a simple but crucial design rule that has long stood the test of time: light colors make a room feel bigger, and dark colors make a room feel smaller. If you want to make your bathroom look as big as possible, paint it with light colors such as white, cream, or beige. Choose white subway tiles for your shower or incorporate light-colored wallpaper for something more whimsical. These light colors will reflect more light, making the room feel brighter and more spacious. And you don’t need to restrict yourself to neutrals if you’re a color lover — pale colors such as pastels will work just as well! Try an icy blue or spring green for a relaxing at-home spa feel, or opt for a soft yellow to start your day with some cheer.

2. Minimize Contrasts

Accent colors are a popular design trend, and they can offer great visual appeal, but using dark or bright colors in contrast with light paint can serve to make the room look smaller than light colors on their own. Transitions and contrasts will stop and start your eye moving around the room, making it look choppy and smaller than it actually is. Clean lines with light colors and glass accents will open up the room and offer versatility without hindering your goal of expanding the space.

3. Increase Lighting

You may have noticed that making your bathroom look bigger focuses on one main thing: light. The lighter and brighter the room, the more spacious it will appear. To help expand the appearance of your bathroom even further, increase the lighting in the room. Opt for privacy glass windows rather than obstructing natural light with blinds. Install a ceiling light that features multiple bulbs for 360 degree light dispersion. Add a vanity light over the sink for extra illumination when getting ready in the mornings. The more light — natural or artificial — that you can welcome into your bathroom, the larger it will appear.

4. Add Mirrors to Reflect Light

Adding more mirrors to the space or undergoing mirror replacement can help enhance the effects of your new and improved lighting. Mirrors reflect light and create the illusion of more square footage, so adding mirrors throughout your bathroom will help it appear more spacious. If you have a small powder room or half bath, install a custom mirror along the wall rather than tile or a contrast paint color. For any bathroom, exchanging your vanity mirror or medicine cabinet with a large statement mirror can help take your bathroom to the next level. Choose a statement mirror frame to add a decorative touch without taking up more space and risking closing off the room.

5. Switch From Shower Curtain to Glass Shower Enclosure

One of the most significant changes you can make to your bathroom interior is to replace your shower curtain with glass shower enclosures. Whereas shower curtains block light and block your eye movement when scanning the room, frameless glass shower enclosures make all of the space in the bathroom visible and allow more light to enter the room. Frameless glass shower enclosures are a more modern option for standing showers that will open up your bathroom and even increase your overall property value.

If you’re looking to transform your too-small bathroom into something more spacious and comfortable, contact the experts at Golden Glass for all of your glass and mirror needs. We can add custom mirrors and frameless glass shower enclosures that will revolutionize how you see your bathroom without the crazy costs typically associated with extensive bathroom renovations. To find out more about our residential glasswork services, give us a call today at (800) 64-GLASS. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and provide you with a free quote for your next project.