Leading bathroom fittings specialist Caroma suggests a few ideas to make the bathroom appear more spacious.

Five easy tips and tricks to make bathrooms appear bigger:

1. Use light wall colours 

Lighter colours on the walls can help create the illusion of a larger bathroom. Suggestions include pale colours, especially pastels and off-whites since they reflect light and increase the room’s brightness. It’s best to avoid wallpaper with heavy patterns and dark colours. A white base with a soft-wall pattern would be the best option.

2. Brighten up the room with lights

Additional lighting can definitely add some openness to the bathroom without taking up any space. Try incorporating natural lighting through skylights or bigger windows. Alternatively, consider additional light fixtures in low-light areas, as well as higher wattage bulbs.

3. Add mirrors 

Mirrors on the walls can visually transform a small bathroom into a larger room. Placing a mirror opposite an outside window, for instance will help capture the incoming light and reflect it back in the room. Full-length horizontal mirrors will produce an effect of a wider space, while vertical mirrors give a sense of raised height.

4. Replace floor cabinets with wall cabinets

Switching floor cabinets with wall-hung storage units will dramatically help create more floor space by eliminating the bulky appearance. Installing floating shelves in the shower and around the toilet is a great place to store shampoo and toiletries. A towel rack can be hung on the back of the bathroom door.

5. De-clutter

Reducing the clutter in the visible area will open up the space visually. Use the cabinet to store beauty items instead of the vanity.

A few extra pointers

  • Wall-hung behind-the-wall toilet suites, where the plumbing and cistern are smartly hidden in the wall cavity or roof space are recommended
  • Wall basins are ideal for small bathrooms as they create an illusion of space
  • Replace the traditional bathroom door with a sliding door that hides within the wall