Transform even the smallest of shower rooms with these clever ideas
Feature Anna-Lisa De’Ath Image courtesy of @amazingtelly
Fit space-enhancing flooring
Choosing the right flooring design for a small bathroom can have a big impact. Laying vinyl or tiles with stripes going across the room – either horizontally or on the diagonal – can make a narrow bathroom feel wider, while laying wood-effect tiles or laminate planks along the length of the room can make it appear longer. Alternatively, choosing the same large format ceramic tiles for the floor and walls creates a seamless look that can also make the room seem bigger than it really is.
Wake up your walls
In many homes, the bathroom is not only the smallest room in the house, but often the darkest, especially if it’s an internal bathroom with no windows. So, it’s important to increase the feeling of light and space by choosing your wall colour wisely. White is an obvious choice and always a winner when it comes to making an area feel larger than it really is, but soft chalky shades also work well. Whichever colour you choose, look for paints with soft satin sheen or light reflective particles, such as Dulux Light + Space, to help maximise the existing light in the room. If you choose to tile your walls, opt for high gloss, mirror or iridescent finishes. And, if your bathroom has poor ventilation, choose a specially formulated bathroom paint which can cope with humid conditions and will prevent mould from forming.
Choose compact fixtures
One of the most impactful ways to make your bijou bathroom feel bigger is to opt for space-saving sanitaryware. Look for back-to-wall toilets with concealed cisterns which create a streamlined look, or short-projection designs that won’t jut out into the room too much. Wall-hung designs help the eye to travel further around the room, creating the illusion of more space. If your bathroom is narrow, consider adding a slimline wall-hung basin and corner toilet to maximise the floor space.
