If you’ve ever stood in your tiny bathroom wondering how on earth you can make it look bigger, better, and more functional, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there too—wrestling with towels falling off a cramped rack, bumping into the sink while brushing my teeth, and dreaming of spa vibes in a space barely big enough to turn around.
1. Install a Floating Vanity
One of the smartest tricks to make a small bathroom feel bigger is floating vanities. Since they’re mounted on the wall instead of sitting on the floor, they create the illusion of more floor space.
When I swapped out my bulky cabinet for a floating vanity, the difference was instant. I could see more of the floor, which gave the whole room a lighter feel. Plus, the space underneath is great for tucking away a small basket for towels or extra toilet paper.
Pro tip: Choose a vanity with built-in drawers rather than doors. Drawers give you easier access to items without you crouching down to dig through a dark cabinet.
2. Use Large Mirrors to Double the Space
If you can only do one thing to make your bathroom look bigger, let it be a large mirror. Mirrors bounce light around the room and visually double the space.
Think hotel bathrooms—why do they always feel larger than they are? It’s the wall-to-wall mirrors. I replaced a tiny medicine cabinet mirror with a frameless, oversized mirror and honestly, it felt like the room expanded overnight.
Stat to know: According to Houzz design surveys, 74% of homeowners renovating small bathrooms opt for larger mirrors for this exact reason.
3. Switch to a Sliding Door
Traditional swing doors eat up valuable bathroom real estate. If your door swings inward, it probably blocks part of the floor or even smacks into the sink.
Enter the sliding door (barn-style or pocket). It frees up space and makes movement easier. When my cousin swapped her bathroom door for a barn door, she gained enough room to finally fit in a narrow shelving unit.
If you’re remodeling and don’t want to deal with construction, barn doors are easier to install than pocket doors. But if you’re up for the project, pocket doors are sleek and completely out of the way.
4. Opt for a Pedestal or Wall-Mounted Sink
Sometimes vanities just don’t fit. In super-tiny bathrooms, a pedestal sink or wall-mounted sink can give you the breathing room you need.
When I moved into my first apartment, the bathroom was so small I could touch the sink and shower at the same time. The bulky vanity had to go. A slim pedestal sink instantly freed up space and made it easier to move around.
Of course, you lose storage. But that’s where wall shelving or a medicine cabinet comes in (more on that later).
5. Choose Light, Bright Colors
Here’s the thing about dark colors: they shrink a room. In a small bathroom, light tones like white, beige, pale gray, or soft pastels open things up.
When I painted my bathroom a crisp white, it went from feeling like a cave to feeling like a spa. Pairing light walls with a glossy finish on tiles makes the room reflect light even better.
If plain white feels too sterile, you can mix in soft blue or sage accents. According to Zillow, bathrooms painted light blue sell for an average of $5,400 more on the market—proof that color matters.
6. Use Vertical Storage
One mistake many people make in small bathrooms is ignoring the walls. Don’t just think horizontally—think vertically.
Install tall cabinets, floating shelves, or ladder-style racks. Over-the-toilet shelving units are lifesavers in cramped spaces. In my small bathroom, I added a vertical cabinet that almost touched the ceiling, and suddenly I had a home for everything—towels, cleaning supplies, even extra toiletries.
The rule is simple: when floor space is tight, look up.
7. Add a Glass Shower Door Instead of a Curtain
A shower curtain might be cozy, but it cuts your bathroom in half visually. A glass shower door keeps the sightline open and makes the room look bigger.
If you can’t do a hinged glass door due to space, consider a sliding glass panel. I upgraded from a patterned shower curtain to clear glass, and it completely transformed the vibe. The bathroom instantly felt more modern and spacious.
Bonus: Glass doors are easier to clean than fabric curtains that trap moisture and mold.
8. Incorporate Recessed Shelving
If you’re short on storage, go into the walls. Recessed shelves inside the shower or near the sink save precious inches.
When I had a recessed niche built into the shower wall, I finally got rid of the cluttered shower caddy hanging awkwardly from the showerhead. Shampoo and soaps had their own neat spot, and the bathroom looked instantly tidier.
It’s a construction project, yes, but totally worth it in the long run if you’re renovating.
9. Hang Hooks Instead of Towel Bars
In tiny bathrooms, towel bars can hog wall space. Instead, try hooks.
Hooks let you hang more items in less space—towels, robes, even a hairdryer if you get creative. I swapped out a towel bar for three sleek black hooks, and suddenly the wall became multifunctional.
It also gave me the chance to play with style since hooks come in so many finishes—brass, matte black, chrome.
10. Install a Corner Sink or Shower
Corners are often underutilized. If you’re desperate for space, a corner sink or corner shower can work wonders.
In one of my rentals, the bathroom was practically a closet. The landlord installed a triangular corner sink, and it was a game-changer. It left enough space to open the door fully and even fit a small storage cart.
Likewise, corner showers with curved glass doors free up walking space. It’s a clever way to maximize every inch.
11. Use Pocket-Sized Furniture and Fixtures
In small bathrooms, scale matters. Oversized fixtures overwhelm the room. Go for compact toilets, slim vanities, and narrow bathtubs designed specifically for small spaces.
Manufacturers now make shorter bathtubs and space-saving toilets with sleek tanks. My neighbor swapped her old tub for a compact Japanese soaking tub, and not only did she save space, but she also got a spa-like upgrade.
12. Maximize Natural Light
If your bathroom has a window, celebrate it. Natural light makes any room feel more spacious.
Instead of heavy curtains or frosted film, try sheer blinds or frosted glass that still lets light through. In my small bathroom, I swapped out opaque blinds for sheer ones, and the difference was jaw-dropping—it suddenly felt airy, not boxed in.
If your bathroom doesn’t have windows, mimic natural light with layered lighting (ceiling + vanity + wall sconces).
13. Use Clear or Floating Storage
Avoid bulky storage cabinets that weigh down the room. Instead, try clear acrylic organizers, wire baskets, or floating shelves.
I keep my everyday items in clear containers on a floating shelf, so they’re accessible but don’t visually clutter the space. It’s like tricking the eye—storage without heaviness.
14. Add a Large Rug
This might surprise you, but larger rugs can actually make a bathroom feel bigger. Tiny bath mats chop up the floor space visually.
When I upgraded to a runner rug that stretched nearly across the room, it created the illusion of length. It also added warmth, which made the bathroom feel cozy instead of clinical.
15. Choose Open Shelving
Closed cabinets are great for hiding clutter, but they can also make a small bathroom feel boxed in. Open shelving creates depth and makes the space feel airy.
I added a couple of floating wood shelves above the toilet, stacked with neatly rolled towels and a small plant. Suddenly, my bathroom felt more spa-like without feeling cramped.
The trick: keep open shelves neat. If they’re messy, the effect backfires.
16. Add Vertical Tiles
Tiles aren’t just about durability—they shape perception. Installing vertical tiles draws the eye upward, making the bathroom look taller.
I once helped a friend redo her small bathroom with vertical subway tiles in the shower, and the effect was dramatic. It felt like the ceiling was higher, giving the room a fresh sense of airiness.
17. Incorporate Multipurpose Furniture
When every inch counts, double-duty furniture is your best friend. Think vanity mirrors that double as storage, benches with hidden compartments, or laundry hampers that also work as side tables.
In my bathroom, I use a stool that holds extra toilet paper inside. It’s practical, space-saving, and oddly satisfying.
18. Use Statement Lighting
Small bathrooms can still pack a punch. A bold light fixture can draw attention upward and distract from the tight dimensions.
When I swapped a basic flush mount for a modern pendant, guests actually commented on how chic the bathroom looked. It was the same tiny space, but the vibe had leveled up.
Lighting isn’t just functional—it’s design magic.
19. Add Plants for Freshness
Plants instantly bring life to cramped bathrooms. They purify the air, soften hard lines, and add personality.
I keep a pothos on my bathroom shelf, and it thrives even with low light. My friend swears by hanging eucalyptus in her shower—the steam releases a spa-like aroma.
Choose plants that handle humidity, like ferns, orchids, or snake plants.
20. Keep It Minimal
Last but not least: less is more. In small bathrooms, clutter is the enemy. The fewer items you have on display, the bigger and cleaner the room feels.
When I finally decluttered my bathroom, keeping only daily essentials on the counter, the transformation was insane. Suddenly, the space felt intentional, not chaotic.
Think of it this way: your bathroom should feel like a calming exhale, not a junk drawer.
Conclusion
Designing a small bathroom doesn’t mean settling for cramped or boring. It’s about being clever with space, making smart swaps, and embracing simplicity. From floating vanities and oversized mirrors to vertical storage and glass shower doors, each of these 20 ideas can stretch your bathroom beyond its square footage.
The key is combining function with style. Don’t just add storage—make it beautiful. Don’t just brighten the room—choose colors that uplift. Even the tiniest bathroom can feel like a personal retreat if you approach it with creativity and intention.