You can make your bath seem more spacious without knocking out walls or refitting it entirely, says May Lau*
1. Take a neutral stance
Because pale colours reflect light, soft whites, pastels and neutrals make a bath feel bigger. Woodwork, trim and doors will “disappear” if they are painted the same hue as the walls. This is enhanced if cabinets and counters are the same colour as the walls. For variety, use a light tile for the walls and a lighter emulsion for the ceiling. This combination will make surfaces recede from view and make the bathroom seem larger.
2. Treat windows simply
No matter what their size or style, windows help enlarge the feel of a room — if they’re allowed to transmit light. Mini-blinds, matchstick blinds or shades that can be drawn to the top of the window are sleek, modern solutions.
3. Scale down fixtures
You’ll find small basins or slim-and-trim pedestal sinks designed especially for small baths. If you can handle a major remodelling, consider replacing a typical tub with a model that’s deeper but smaller in circumference. And if you rarely use your tub and want to gain space, replace it with a sleek shower stall.
4. Lead the eye upward
Make a ceiling look taller with some visual tricks. Wood mouldings, wallpaper borders and tile designs, placed where the walls and ceiling meet, will provide a splash of colour and help draw the eye upward. Otherwise, choose a wall tile with a small airy print or lattice design. Avoid large or busy patterns that will diminish the scale of the space.
5. Let the sun shine in
Look, too, for window designs to welcome sunlight yet protect privacy. Skylights, clerestory windows and glass block are all options that maintain privacy. Glass also makes a dramatic, light-transmitting interior wall. Other room-brightening options include frosted-, ribbed- or stained-glass panels.
6. Be reflective
Mirrors stretch space by reproducing it. Mirroring the long wall of a narrow bathroom, for example, can change the room’s proportions and make it seem wider. Be sure to place mirrors so they reflect the bath’s assets — whether that’s a panoramic view, or the widest room angle. Two mirrors positioned opposite each other create the illusion of a never-ending room.
7. Put clutter in its place
Pare down your bath countertop to the things you really like or need to have handy, then store the rest. Customise your closets and cupboards with wire racks, bins and shelves. By putting possessions in order, you make the most of the space you have.
8. Streamline storage
For a sleek, clean look, keep storage flush with walls whenever possible. Narrow, built-in shelving, can easily corral accessories, from shaving gear to perfume bottles. Deeper built-ins — shelves, drawers, and cabinets tucked into a niche or nook — are ideal for linens.
9. Stretch out the floor
Maintaining an unbroken sweep of floor is a good way to stretch visual space. But bulky components can make this a difficult task. If possible, use pedestal or console sinks rather than a vanity. Or fool the eye with cabinetry that “floats” by using a wall-mounted vanity rather than a model that sits on the floor.
10. Match don’t mix
By coordinating your accessories, like soap dishes and toothbrush holders, to match the faucets and door handles, you’ll cut out any unnecessary “visual noise” and therefore make the room seem larger. Monotone towels will also help to create a streamlined effect and pull the space together.
May Lau* is the director of Design by Layout Ltd.
