Expand Your Small Bathroom With These Painting Tricks

Painting a small bathroom can be tricky, but with the right colour choices and clever design, you can create the illusion of a bigger, more spacious room. The key is to use light-reflecting colours and strategic styling to visually open up the space. From choosing the perfect paint shade to adding mirrors and clever storage solutions, there are several ways to transform your small bathroom into a spacious and stylish sanctuary.

Characteristics and Values

Choose light colours to make the room feel bright and airy

Light colours are an excellent way to make a small bathroom feel bright and airy. White is a popular choice as it reflects light, making the room look bigger and brighter. It also creates a seamless, unbroken look as most bathroom fixtures are white. However, an all-white bathroom can feel stark, so consider adding pops of colour or opting for off-white shades such as Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee, which has a hint of smoke.

If you don't want to paint your bathroom white, there are plenty of other light colours that will make the space feel bigger. Pale blue is a timeless choice, bringing a calming sensation to the room while making it feel airy and spacious. Pale aqua is also a good option, especially for a sunny bathroom, as it is colourful without being overpowering. Light pink or salmon are other pastel hues that can add levity and make the space feel instantly brighter and roomier. Pale green is another light and refreshing option, evoking a coastal essence.

Light neutrals such as beige, taupe, and grey can also make a small bathroom feel bright and airy. These colours reflect light and create a sense of openness, while also creating a calm and serene mood. A light shade of taupe, a mix of grey and brown, is a particularly versatile option that will work with almost any style. Warmer neutrals such as a warm beige with a slight green undertone can also add definition to a small space.

When choosing a light colour for your small bathroom, it is important to consider the natural light in the space. If your bathroom has a window, you can be more creative with your paint colour. However, if it is windowless, avoid white paint as it can end up looking dingy and dull. Instead, opt for a colour with a higher LRV (light reflective value) such as a mid-range tone like Kilim Beige from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams.

In addition to choosing a light colour, there are other tricks to make your small bathroom feel brighter and airier. Consider painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls to create the illusion of higher ceilings. You can also use mirrors to reflect light and make the room feel more open and spacious. An oversized mirror or a mirror placed across from a window can make a particularly big impact.

Use mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of more space

Mirrors are a great way to make a small bathroom look bigger. They reflect light, creating the illusion of more space. Here are some tips on how to use mirrors to create a spacious and inviting feel in a small bathroom:

First, consider the size and placement of the mirror. An oversized mirror can make a small bathroom look more spacious. If your bathroom has a window, place the mirror across from it to maximize the natural light and make the room appear even bigger. If you don't have a window, mirrors can still help to brighten the space by reflecting artificial light.

Another trick is to use mirrors on doors. This can make the room feel more open and create the illusion of expanded space. You can also flank a mirror with matching sconces and coordinate it with the vanity and towel rings for eye-pleasing symmetry.

The type of mirror you choose can also make a difference. A frameless mirror can create a seamless and modern look, making the space feel larger. You can also opt for a furniture-style vanity with a mirror attached, which can add light and make the room feel wider.

In addition to using mirrors, you can also paint the walls behind the vanity and cabinets white to create the illusion of more space. This trick helps to visually ""push" them back, making the room feel wider and more open.

By strategically placing mirrors and using reflective paint colours, you can create the illusion of more space in a small bathroom. These tips can help you make your bathroom feel brighter, more inviting, and visually appealing.

Paint walls and ceiling the same colour to elongate the room

Painting the walls and ceiling the same colour is a clever way to make a small bathroom appear larger. It's all about tricking the eye and creating the illusion of more space. Here are some tips to achieve this effect successfully:

Firstly, choose the right colour. Light and neutral shades are ideal for creating a spacious and airy feel. Colours like soft whites, light beiges, greys, and pastels are excellent choices as they reflect light, making the room seem brighter and more open. Pale blue is another timeless option, adding a calming sensation to the room while making it appear bigger. You can also opt for off-white shades to add warmth and texture without the starkness of a pure white.

When selecting a paint colour, consider the natural light in your bathroom. If your bathroom receives ample natural light, you can be more creative with your colour choice. However, if your bathroom is windowless or lacks natural light, avoid pure white as it may appear dull and dingy. Instead, choose a colour with a higher LRV (Light Reflective Value) that isn't white, such as a mid-range tone like Kilim Beige from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams.

Once you've chosen the perfect colour, it's time to start painting. Apply the paint to both the walls and the ceiling. This consistent colour draws the eyes upward, creating the illusion of higher ceilings and a more expansive space. If your bathroom has an asymmetrical layout or angled ceilings, painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls helps to unify the space and eliminate dividing lines.

To further enhance the effect, consider painting the woodwork, trim, doors, cabinets, and counters in the same hue as the walls. This technique helps these elements "disappear," making the space feel even larger. Additionally, using mirrors strategically can amplify the sense of openness by reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space.

Remember, by painting your small bathroom's walls and ceiling the same colour, you can visually elongate the room and create a more spacious and inviting atmosphere.

Select a paint with a higher LRV (light reflective value)

When painting a small bathroom, it is important to select a paint with a higher LRV (light reflective value) to make the space look bigger. While white paint is a popular choice for small bathrooms as it reflects light, making the room appear larger and brighter, it is not the only option.

For windowless bathrooms, it is recommended to avoid white paint as it can make the space look dingy and dull. Instead, opt for colours with a higher LRV that aren't white, such as mid-range tones like warm beige. Kilim Beige from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is a good option, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Another option is to use light colours, such as light blue, light pink, or yellow, which can make the space feel brighter and more spacious. Pale blue, in particular, is a timeless choice, bringing a calming sensation to the room while making it feel bigger.

If you prefer warmer colours, off-white shades like Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee add a hint of smoke to the walls, giving the colour texture and preventing it from appearing dull. Seafoam green is another option that brings a coastal essence and creates a visually expansive atmosphere. Pale aqua is perfect for small, sunny bathrooms as it is colourful without being overpowering.

For a neutral option, greige, a blend of gray and beige, adds warmth to a small bathroom. It pairs well with aged brass fixtures and natural wood or stone for a timeless, pleasing look. Light shades of taupe, a mix of gray and brown, are also versatile and can be adjusted to your preferences, with paler shades creating a light and airy feel and darker shades providing a moodier effect.

Overall, by selecting a paint with a higher LRV, you can make your small bathroom feel more spacious and inviting, creating an illusion of higher ceilings and a larger space.

Avoid dark colours that can make the room feel smaller

When painting a small bathroom, it is generally advised to avoid dark colours as they can make the room feel smaller. Dark colours can be overpowering and reduce the sense of spaciousness. However, this does not mean that you have to stick only to light colours. The key is to create a balanced and harmonious space.

If you want to introduce darker shades, consider using them as accents or in combination with lighter hues. For example, you could paint a single wall in a darker colour, creating a feature wall, while keeping the other walls light. Alternatively, use darker colours for the trim, cabinets, or doors, which can help them "disappear" visually, making the room feel more open.

It is also important to pay attention to the natural light in your bathroom. Dark colours can work in a small bathroom if there is ample natural light. However, if your bathroom is windowless or lacks natural light, it is generally better to avoid deep tones as they can make the space feel enclosed and dingy.

When in doubt, opt for lighter shades, such as soft whites, pastels, and neutrals, which can make a small bathroom feel brighter, airier, and more spacious. These light colours reflect light well, enhancing the sense of space. Additionally, consider using the same colour for the walls and ceiling to create a unified look and draw the eyes upward, further emphasising the sense of height and openness.

Overall, while avoiding dark colours that can make a small bathroom feel cramped, don't be afraid to experiment with different shades and combinations to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing space.

Frequently asked questions