How to Make a Tiny Bathroom Feel Twice as Big

The Best Space-Saving Ideas for Maximizing Your Small Bathroom Space

Your bathroom should be a place of relaxation, but when space is tight, it can feel more like a daily struggle. Don’t worry—whether you’re sharing the space with others or just looking to maximize every inch, these small bathroom design tricks and updates will help you create a room that feels twice as big and just as beautiful as your dream retreat. 

If a larger bathroom is not in your future, there are many small bathroom remodeling ideas you can use to help your space feel bigger, giving it the spa-like feeling and helping your tiny bathroom feel twice as big.

TL;DR: 

Our best space-saving tips for maximizing your small bathroom space include:

1. Smart Storage Ideas for Small Bathrooms
2. Best Fixtures to Save Space in a Small Bathroom
3. Design Tricks to Visually Expand Your Bathroom

Read more about each bathroom updating tip below.

Smart Storage Ideas for Small Bathrooms

Smart storage solutions are key to cutting back on the clutter in your small bathroom and helping the space feel bigger. This tip is especially important if the bathroom is shared by multiple people. The storage solutions below will ensure everyone has the space they need to store their bathroom necessities.

• Bathroom Vanities - A vanity can offer beauty and functionality - it’s important to select a product that offers both. Look for a small bathroom vanity that utilizes all the space available, ideally one that doesn’t have false fronts (this may be more difficult to find). Alternatively, a vanity that utilizes both drawers and cabinets will offer more storage options, even with a false front. Sometimes your space simply won’t allow for these features - opt for the color and style that matches your vision and create storage in other ways.
  
  A couple of our bathroom vanity picks for small bathrooms include:
  
• The GHI Walnut Rustic Shaker 24” Vanity Base for a warm, on-trend but classic look.
• The Aurifina 24” Forest Green Blair Shaker Vanity for a slight pop of color in a tranquil, natural tone. 
• If you have more room, the EBP Regal White 36” Vanity Base offers a timeless style that pairs well with other fixtures.
  
• Floating Shelves - The addition of floating shelves in a small bathroom space can create a beautiful focal point that offers more storage. Installing floating shelves is also an easy DIY project if you feel up to the task. Our kit comes with the hardware you need and pre-drilled holes for quick installation. 

We recommend stocking the shelves with the same jar, canister, or small basket style to create a cohesive look. This uniform look can also help with the illusion that the space is bigger than it is. Add a touch of greenery or other decorative items that match your personal style.

• Recessed Niches & Built-in cabinets - Sometimes bathroom spaces, especially in older homes, have recessed niches or small nooks. You may wonder how you can use this random space in your small bathroom. If they aren’t functional as is, they present a great opportunity to add in a cabinet and/or shelving to create more storage.
  
• The floating shelves mentioned above could create additional shelving - consider creative ways to use these in the space you have. One idea for a narrow, unused nook is to create floor to ceiling open shelving. 
• If the space allows, our Unfinished Oak Cabinets are a great storage solution. The cabinets are quality products that can be painted or stained to create the look you want. This 12” cabinet with four drawers is a great option! 
• Or, if you have a narrow but taller space, our linen cabinets could be the perfect product. We personally love the Aurafina Cunningham Linen Cabinet in Harbor Blue with furniture style legs.
• Multi-Functional Pieces - Make the most of your space with pieces that serve more than one function. There are many areas of the bathroom that can serve multiple purposes or present storage opportunities in a typically unused space of the room. These bathroom products should also be fairly easy to install for an experienced DIY homeowner.
• A bath valet utilizes the space above a toilet to create extra storage for toilet paper, bath towels, and many other bathroom items. Style and color options offered typically coordinate with matching vanity lines.
• The medicine cabinet is a bathroom product that has been around for awhile, and with good reason. This product, that doubles as a mirror, provides convenient storage for items like medicine, toothbrush and toothpaste, make-up, skin care products, and more. 
• We recommend the Espirit LED Cabinet Mirror. This mirror provides needed storage and the LED lights will help the space feel bigger and more spa-like.

Best Fixtures to Save Space in a Small Bathroom

Sometimes, a small bathroom simply doesn’t provide the space necessary for the bathroom products you hoped to use. There are many alternative bathroom fixtures and products that maximize the space and provide plenty of breathing room.

Here are a few considerations for your small bathroom.

• Pedestal Sinks - If your bathroom will not accommodate even a small vanity or cabinet base, a pedestal sink is a great alternative. While it does not offer storage, the simplicity of the pedestal sink is beautiful in a small bathroom. Pair with some of the visual tricks below, like wallpaper or a tiled wall, and you will have a swoon worthy bathroom! The Chesapeake White Porcelain Pedestal Sink offers beautiful vintage-inspired detail for any bathroom.
• Corner Showers - A soaking tub creates a luxurious, spa-like space but it is not an efficient use of space in a small bathroom. We recommend skipping the typical shower or tub unit and opting for a corner shower. You will appreciate all of the extra space to move around the bathroom. The Cyrene Corner Shower Kit in Matte Black is an excellent, modern option.
• Barn Doors - If you’ve ever made the awkward shuffle between a bathroom door and sink or toilet, you know how much the swing of a regular interior door can impact the functionality of a small space! Instead, opt for a barn door or a pocket door to eliminate this inconvenience. While the barn door was originally synonymous with farmhouse style, there are now modern barn door options to fit a broader range of style preferences. We like this 5-Lite Interior Barn Door Slab.
• Bathroom Mirrors - The bathroom mirror can help enhance a small space and help it feel much larger than it is. We recommend utilizing whatever space you have available for the mirror - don’t be afraid to go big! In addition to being a lost cost and quick update, this is a DIY friendly project for any level of experience.  If the wall in your bathroom cannot accommodate a large mirror, we recommend a fun shape to add interest to the wall, like this Capsule LED Mirror with a Matte Black Frame. 
• Bathroom Accessories - Even a small change like using towels hooks instead of towel bars can free up space in the room and create a more open style. Although this Kingston Brass Serano 5-Piece Bathroom Accessory Set includes the bars, the towel hooks in this set are ideal for small bathrooms and the extra pieces can be used in other places throughout your home.  

Design Tricks to Visually Expand Your Bathroom

If a larger bathroom renovation is not an option, we have you covered! There are plenty of visual and interior design tricks you can use to make your small bathroom feel bigger. There’s nothing better than a low cost, low effort project that yields a big impact!

Here are a few ideas, with a little research and browsing on Pinterest, there are endless options!

• Update Walls - A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a small bathroom. 
• Light, airy colors are known to open up spaces.
• Dark, moody paint colors are absolutely stunning. 
• Whether you go light or dark, go monochromatic - using the same paint color for the baseboard, walls, and crown molding. Try using different textures to make it visually interesting and more functional for the space.
• Patterns & Texture - Consider using peel-and-stick wallpaper or tile to create an eye-catching feature wall. This look pairs well with a pedestal sink on a small wall with an interesting mirror. Guests won’t even notice the size of the bathroom when they see this stylish space! Beware of wallpaper patterns and tiles that look too busy; instead, look for neutral patterns or reflective tiles to aid in enlarging the look of the space. 
• Large Tiles - Whether you are tiling a bathroom floor, shower or a feature wall, the bigger the tile, the better. A larger tile with minimal grout lines will help create a seamless look in your small bathroom, making it feel larger than ever. As an added bonus, this is a luxurious look that you are guaranteed to love.
• Glass Shower Doors - If your small bathroom is able to accommodate a shower, we recommend opting for a glass shower door. While the glass shower door is a greater investment than a shower curtain, it will help open up the space. If you are able to incorporate a tub, we recommend tiling the wall to the ceiling. This tile, combined with the glass door, will create a beautiful and open space.

How to Make a Tiny Bathroom Feel Twice as Big

A small bathroom can feel like a major pain point in your home, but with the right storage, smart fixture choices, and a few visual tricks, this space can become one of your favorite rooms in your home. Whether you're making small updates or planning a full renovation, Home Outlet has everything you need to bring your vision to life!

If you’re ready for a complete bathroom remodel - visit a Home Outlet store today and ask one of our experienced designers for a free bath design and estimate! Once your project is done, don’t forget to share your small bathroom transformation with us in our Picture Perfect Projects contest for a chance to win $1000 toward your next home project!

About The Author

With over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales, Danial R. specializes in crafting strategic content for both online and offline audiences, driving internal communications, and staying ahead of industry trends. For the past six years, she's focused on the building materials industry, attending national design shows annually to bring fresh insights and inspiration to her work. Having recently built her own home, she brings a hands-on perspective to home improvement projects and shares practical advice based on real-world experience. She holds a degree in Marketing Management and a Master of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, blending academic expertise with industry know-how to help homeowners and professionals achieve their goals.