How to Take Your Small Bathroom to the Next Level

December 29th, 2023

Homeowner Guides | Selling | Buying
How to Take Your Small Bathroom to the Next Level

How to Take Your Small Bathroom to the Next Level

Are you tired of your boring bathroom? Check out our guide to help you take your small bathroom to the next level.

Most apartments and small homes have bathrooms that might lack square footage and natural light. This can make it difficult to keep clean, and decorating can seem impossible. But, if you follow this simple guide, you can easily take your small bathroom to the next level. 

Redecorating or renovating your small bathroom doesn't have to be expensive; a whole bathroom remodel costs between $6,624 and $16,892. However, if you want to spruce up your small space, it doesn't have to cost anywhere near that much. This is the same with a guest bedroom

There are many easy and simple ways to take your small bathroom to the next level, from utilizing bright colors to adding shelves. You'll want to love every room in your house, and you can't overlook the bathroom. 

While upgrading or remodeling your small bathroom, you can use this guide to learn more about how to take your small bathroom to the next level. 

Keep reading to learn how to take your small bathroom to the next level.

1. Bright and Inviting Colors

One of the key ways to make a room appear larger is to utilize bright and inviting colors. Most bathrooms are white or eggshell, but if you want to add more, you can use light or neutral colors to spruce it up. 

Adding bright colors doesn't always mean you have to paint the walls; you could add bright colors throughout the room with small decorations or a shower curtain. Consider adding light floor tiles as well to create a timeless bathroom. 

If bright colors aren't your style, you can still create the illusion of a larger and inviting space by utilizing different colors or even patterns. In recent years, accent walls have become increasingly popular as they are easy to do and add depth to any room. 

Accent walls or decorating may seem daunting initially, but there are many ways to do it on your own, which can be much more cost-efficient. Whatever color scheme you decide, ensure it fits your personality and the rest of the house. The best bathrooms flow with the rest of the home, and this is the perfect opportunity to add some personal touches to your small bathroom. 

Eye-catching bathroom colors

2. Add a Glass Shower Door

Depending on your shower type, adding a glass door can make the small bathroom appear much larger. The key with a glass shower door also keeps your shower clean. You wouldn't want guests looking through the glass to a mess of shower products. 

Also, a glass shower door may become costly, depending on your budget. A remodeled shower can cost anywhere between $500 to $5,000. Many people have started removing the shower door entirely. However, this can become a pain if you don't want water all over the bathroom.

If you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a remodeling shower, opt for a brightly colored shower curtain as well. 

If you opt for the shower curtain, this is another great way to incorporate colors into the bathroom, and many people would rather do this to create more privacy. No matter which you pick, ensure the colors match the rest of the bathroom to create a room that flows. 

Beautiful small bathroom with glass shower door

3. Patterns

Adding patterns to your bathroom walls can add a lot of character and make the room feel bigger. Most homeowners use tiles throughout the flooring and even continue the tiles up the walls. This is a great way to incorporate color with fun colored tiles.

If you don't like the look of tiled walls, try using patterns to create a focal point. Patterns and prints play a significant role in adding personal touches to a bathroom. Try experimenting with different patterns to find the perfect one for you. 

Add stripes, monochrome patterns, or bold colors to catch your guests' eyes. Many people use wallpapers for an easy and fast small bathroom upgrade. This might seem a bit strange, but it can really help you to transform the space and is easy to DIY. 

No matter what type of pattern you use, try not to go overboard on the patterns. Too many patterns can make the room seem cluttered or even smaller. This is why a simple accent wall can go such a long way in remodeling your small bathroom. 

4. Add Closed Storage

Many apartments in big cities are known for their small bathrooms, which is why most come with storage space behind the mirror. If you don't already have this in your bathroom, installing one to add hidden storage and keep your bathroom decluttered is a great idea. 

The majority of people have a lot of bathroom necessities, and it can be hard to find a place for everything in a small bathroom without making the room feel even smaller. In addition to storage behind the mirror, try adding floating shelves. 

Floating shelves can be a great place to store small bathroom items like perfume or hairbrushes that you need easy access to. If you decide not to keep bathroom items there, you can use the extra space for decoration. Ensure that you keep the decorations to a minimum. Too many knick-knacks can be hard to keep clean and make the room cluttered. 

In the shower, you can also add more shelves for extra space. If you have a glass shower door and don't want your shower to seem cluttered, this is where shelves come in handy.

Try even buying a matching set of shower accessories to put your shampoo, conditioner, or body wash in. This is also an easy way to add color and personalization to a small space. 

5. Add Large Mirrors

Large or multiple mirrors can create the illusion of a larger space. This can also brighten up the space by reflecting the natural light. Many interior designers use this trick to make the room seem bigger. 

If you want to add a personalized touch, you can opt for a bold mirror with beautiful designs. If you want, you can add a mirror wall, which can act as a window to reflect even more light, as some bathrooms don't have windows. 

Behind the mirror, try adding extra light to brighten up the space even more. Full-length mirrors might not be the best choice for a small bathroom, but you could try multiple mirrors if you have the extra wall space. 

Visually expanding the bathroom is vital; mirrors are perfect for this and can cover any extra wall space you don't need. 

Beautiful mirror in a small bathroom

6. Consider a Floating Vanity

A floating vanity might be the perfect solution if your bathroom lacks floor space. This is great for bathrooms with storage behind the mirror and can open up the room much more than you would think.

When choosing a new vanity, stick to simple lines and colors. Or, if you want a vanity that attracts the eye, you can experiment with fun colors or designs. The great thing is that this is all up to you, and you can personalize the room as much as you want. 

A floating vanity makes you more likely to keep the room clean. A floating vanity doesn't have to mean that you don't have storage under it; you can still add drawers or boxes to keep everything organized. 

Make sure to keep your day-to-day necessities in places that are easy to access. Sometimes, the space under your vanity can become cluttered and unorganized. You can buy organizer containers to keep everything clean and easily accessible. 

Floating vanity in small bathroom

7. Focus on the Details

After doing any remodeling or bigger tasks, you can tackle the decorations. Focus on the minor details and try to stick to intentional decorations. Ensure you match the embellishments to the overall color scheme. 

Small decorations can also act as a great way to add pops of color throughout the space. You can use bright or bold decorations to add your own personal touch. 

Keep in mind the color of your bathroom fixtures, such as the door knobs and faucets. These are easy to replace if you live in an apartment or house and don't like the fixtures. 

Don't forget about the floor; add rugs with interesting designs or plain colors depending on your style and preferences. Both look great as long as they go well with the rest of the room. 

As you decorate, try not to let it get out of hand, and coordinate fixtures, cabinets, and furniture. If you want a minimalistic and sleek bathroom look, you should opt for neutral colors, but if your bathroom lacks color, you can add some throughout the room. 

Consider adding a ladder for your towels to keep them organized and clean. 

Clean and decluttered bathroom vanity

FAQ: How to Take Your Small Bathrooms to the Next Level

Here are some commonly asked questions about how to take your small bathroom to the next level. 

How can I make my small bathroom luxurious?

There are many ways to make your small bathroom luxurious, like adding lighting, avoiding clutter, using a white or light color scheme, and opting for tile. 

How do I get the most out of my small bathroom storage?

One of the key ways to create more storage in a small space is to store things vertically with a bath caddy or shelves. This creates more floor space and room to move around while giving you plenty of room for bathroom necessities or decorations.

What color makes a small bathroom look bigger?

Similar to most rooms, white or light colors make rooms look bigger. You can paint your walls white or add white finishes to the floor or wall to make the room appear larger.

What is the best color for a bathroom in 2023?

Light green has been an extremely popular color in 2023 because it creates a refreshing atmosphere, but you can do this with almost any light color.

What floor tile never goes out of style?

Classic white floor tile will never go out of style and remains timeless, but if you want your bathroom to pop, you could always opt for a black and white checkerboard floor tile to make it more eye-catching. 

How to Take Your Small Bathroom to the Next Level - The Bottom Line

Whether building a new home or just redecorating, maximizing a small space is essential. Many homes and apartments have small bathrooms, and finding the right balance between decorating and keeping them clean can be difficult. Keep in mind that this is all up to you; you can decorate and remodel however you want. You'll know you did it right as long as you love it. 

Don't be afraid to put your own personal touch on it; after all, it is your space. If you decide to move, a clean and appealing bathroom can really increase your home's value and allow you to sell it much faster. 

If you're considering buying your first home, there are many things to consider, from the location to the individual rooms. Raleigh, NC, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, and there are many different home styles to pick from. However, you'll have to act fast if you want to buy your dream home in one of Raleigh's best neighborhoods

As you search for your next home in the Triangle, don't hesitate to contact one of our helpful Real Estate Specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know buying a new home can be stressful and overwhelming, so ensure you are well-prepared beforehand. 

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Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald

Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!

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