How Do You Decorate a Small Bathroom? 14+ Expert Ideas

The sizes of rooms in our homes vary depending on the number of people who use them and the activities that take place there. Bathrooms are generally among the smaller rooms. If the space allocated for your bathroom is quite small, you need to consider many important points when organizing it. We know that a well-organized small bathroom can be much more functional and comfortable than a poorly arranged large one. There are numerous tips you can use to decorate your bathroom and use the room more effectively. In this article, we've shared tips on how to turn your small bathroom into a high-performance, functional space.

Part 1: Creating the Illusion of Space

The primary goal in a small bathroom is to make it feel larger. This can be achieved through clever visual tricks involving light, color, and reflection.

1. Use a Large Mirror

Wide and large mirrors are an effective way to create an illusion of spaciousness in small areas. You can achieve a more open bathroom by choosing a large model. A big mirror will also reflect more light, helping you create a brighter atmosphere. 

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2. Opt for Monochrome Colors

A minimal decoration scheme can be created by choosing decoration elements like tiles, stone surfaces, bathroom textiles, and accessories in different, harmonious shades of a single color. With this monochrome harmony, you can avoid visually distracting details in your small bathroom. For example, you can achieve a simple and chic look by featuring different shades of gray.

3. Take Advantage of Tiles

You can make this small environment look larger than it is by choosing light-colored and non-distracting tiles for the bathroom walls. Bright white, glossy tiles are particularly suitable for this, as they reflect a lot of light. We can also recommend creating an illusion of ceiling height by choosing long, thin rectangular tiles.

4. Go for Transparent Shower Enclosures

We recommend choosing a transparent glass shower enclosure instead of a frosted glass look or a shower curtain in your small bathroom. This way, you avoid dividing the already small space with opaque, dark materials and ensure the area looks spacious and bright. You'll also achieve a much more modern and minimal environment and increase light transmission.

5. Decorate in All White

Although it can sometimes be described as boring, a bathroom decorated entirely in white will make this small space look bigger and brighter than it is. Also, don't forget that all-white decoration styles are timeless choices that never go out of fashion. You can easily diversify the white decoration with interesting and soft details like a marble sink countertop, light-colored cabinet doors, and neutral-toned tiles.

6. Install a Skylight

Increasing the amount of natural light is one of the easiest ways to make a small space look bigger and brighter. A skylight is an interesting option when windows are not sufficient. If your apartment allows, you might consider creating a skylight in your bathroom.

7. Add More Mirrors

Thanks to their reflective properties, mirrors reflect light and help environments look larger. Therefore, placing mirrors of various sizes in different parts of your bathroom can help you achieve a more spacious and open room.

8. Maintain Visual Unity

We recommend continuing the tile you choose for the bathroom walls across as many surfaces as possible without breaking it up. For example, by using the same wall tile on the shower base cladding, you can provide integrity in the decoration and prevent a visually tiring, cluttered environment.

Part 2: Smart Storage & Organization

A cluttered bathroom will always feel small. Clever storage is key to a functional and serene space.

9. Create Extra Spaces (Niches & Shelves)

You can store your bathroom items much more effectively with useful areas you create in your small bathroom. Consider opting for functional wall niches and open or hidden shelving systems. This way, you can evaluate a small amount of empty space as effectively as possible. We also want to remind you that placing bottled products like shampoo and shower gel in wall niches is a very modern decoration trend.

10. Use Boxes and Baskets

You can achieve order and organization within open shelves, cabinets, and drawers with wicker baskets and boxes. This way, every item has a specific place, and you can prevent clutter from quickly accumulating. Moreover, you can achieve a more harmonious and less visually distracting decoration with baskets and boxes displayed on your open surfaces.

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11. Differentiate Your Sink

 If you have a very small bathroom, you can save space with a freestanding vessel sink setup instead of classic sink systems with large cabinets. If you choose a vessel sink, you can create storage solutions with different cabinets and shelves in various corners of the bathroom. Furthermore, you can achieve a very chic and stylish look with the bathroom mirror you'll pair with the vessel sink.

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12. Organize with a Ladder

You can create a space to hang towels, bathrobes, and other textile products with a decorative ladder placed in a suitable corner, against a wall, or behind the toilet. This way, you not only create hanging solutions without further narrowing your small bathroom but also enrich the decoration with a ladder that also functions as a chic accessory.

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Part 3: Layout & Fixtures

How you lay out the room and the fixtures you choose have a huge impact on the perception of space.

13. Extend the Sink Countertop

Double sink countertops are very useful for large families, but there may not be enough empty space in small bathrooms for them. Instead, bathroom countertops designed to be longer than normal can provide a considerable amount of extra space. Thanks to the wide area obtained with a long counter, two people can easily get ready in front of the mirror, and bathroom items and decorative products can also be placed in this area.

14. Utilize Shower Curtains Wisely

 If you prefer shower curtains in your bathroom decoration, we recommend you choose curtains made of more natural fabrics that can be gathered in ample folds, instead of classic plastic shower curtains. You can also try creating a symmetrical look by hanging the curtains from both sides of the tub. This way, you can easily gather the shower curtains when not in use and prevent your small space from being divided and made even smaller.