BATHROOMS are notorious for being small areas in the home – and can feel even more cramped when you add your fixtures.
But now an interiors expert has revealed that there are things you can do to give the illusion of a larger space without needing to carry out any extensive DIY projects or renovations.
A design expert has shared their tips on how to make your bathroom feel bigger[/caption]
George Manders, bathroom design expert and senior sales consultant at Haddon, revealed the four specially selected hacks he swears by to make the most of a small.
George said: “Bathrooms are typically the smallest room in the house. And for privacy reasons, there’s not often a lot of natural light. These two issues frequently combine to make bathrooms feel small, dingy, and uninviting.
“Here’s how to make even the smallest bathrooms feel more spacious and appealing.
“The instinctive reaction to enhance small spaces is to fill them with light.
While this works to a degree in small bathrooms, the effect can be clinical if not judiciously applied.
“There are other things that can be done, however, to create the impression of space.”
1. Colour scheme considerations
Choosing the colours for a room can have a big impact, and can fool your eye into thinking the space is bigger, according to George.
Opting for lighter colours can really open up a room and make it feel more spacious.
However, he warns not to go too light or the bathroom will look clinical.
George explained: “Darker colours inevitably create a greater sense of enclosure. When lighter shades are used, the opposite is true.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean uninterrupted white, which can make the room feel cold.
“Mineral grey, sky blue, light green, and soft earthy tones are all light enough to lift the space while giving it depth and character.”
2. Use ‘clever’ storage
We all need some space for storage in our bathrooms, even if it is on the smaller side.
Having somewhere to put towels, extra toilet roll or even toothbrushes can make a massive difference rather than leaving things strewn around the room.
But there are clever ways of incorporating it into the room without it taking up too much space.
George advises: “Clutter will make any room look smaller.
“By incorporating smart storage solutions, it becomes possible to keep the room clutter-free, without taking up valuable floor space.
“For example, seats with integrated storage, and shelving that fits under the basin or within the wall cavity behind the mirror.”
Swapping out a bath for a shower can really save on space[/caption]
3. Replace the bath with a shower
For families with young kids or pets, this one might not be possible.
But George has said that if you can, opting for a shower instead of a bath can instantly change the size of the bathroom.
The expert says: This won’t be a viable solution for every homeowner.
“For some, a long, hot bath is the epitome of relaxation. And when there are young children in the family, baths can be invaluable.
“However, replacing a bath with a sleek walk-in shower can create the visual impression of lengthening the room.”
5 mistakes to avoid or your bathroom will look cheap
WHEN it comes to sprucing up your home, the bathroom often takes a backseat. Yet it’s a space that, if neglected, can significantly detract from your home’s overall charm.
Faye Leeming, design coordinator and interiors expert at Where Saints Go, has pinpointed six cardinal sins that cheapen the look of a bijou bathroom.
- No mirror – “No mirror or badly lit or hung mirrors really detract from a put together bathroom, Ideally hang the mirror above the sink or vanity.”
- Poor lighting choices – “Poor lighting can make a bathroom feel stark, harsh and uninviting – provide the perfect lighting for different tasks and areas from the mirror to the shower to the bath.”
- Ignoring the power of paint – “Earthy tones can build a real sense of cosiness while light, neutral colours can make the room feel airy and more spacious.”
- Skimping on fixtures – “Cheap taps, showerheads, and handles can tarnish quickly and make the whole bathroom feel downmarket.”
- The wrong tiles – “Large tiles work really well in a small bathroom, they bring a real modern feel to the space and a sense of sophistication while little, mosaic tiles, can actually make a bathroom feel smaller.”
4. Use a small selection of materials
One thing you might not know is that using a small selection of materials can also trick your eyes into thinking the room is bigger than it really is.
“By selecting a limited number of materials to work with, it becomes possible to create a cohesive aesthetic in a bathroom.
“And this can smooth the visual perception.
“This can, in turn, ensure that décor isn’t mistaken for clutter.”
Experts have warned against having an all-white bathroom as this can look clinical[/caption]
