Using light colors in a small bathroom can make it appear larger. White and soft pastels reflect light well and make the room feel open. Light grays give a modern and spacious look. Pale blues can create an expansive feel, resembling the sky and water.
Neutral colors like beige can add warmth while keeping the room looking bigger. Choosing the right colors is important to visually increase the size of a small bathroom.
Maximizing Space With White
Using white in a small bathroom helps to make the space look larger. White paint reflects both natural and artificial light, which brightens the room and creates an impression of a bigger area. For the best results, choose a bright white with a high-gloss or semi-gloss finish, as these reflect light more effectively.
While white is the main color, adding a touch of color with decorations or a colored vanity can enhance the room without making it feel cramped. White walls provide a neutral backdrop that can be personalized with different colors and textures.
The objective is to use a color scheme that enhances light reflection to make the bathroom appear more spacious. White is the most effective color for this, and it provides a flexible base for decorating a small bathroom, allowing even limited spaces to seem larger.
Soft Pastels for Expansion
Soft pastels can make a small bathroom appear larger. Light colors like blush pink and pale blue have properties that reflect light, giving an airy and spacious feel to the room. Using paints such as Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster or Borrowed Light can create a bright and inviting atmosphere. These shades act as colorful neutrals, pairing well with different accents and textures to enhance the room's spaciousness.
In bathrooms with limited natural light, soft pastels help reflect artificial light, increasing the perceived brightness without making the space feel stark. These colors not only make the bathroom look bigger but also provide a tranquil and open feel.
Additionally, soft pastels contribute to a calming environment, transforming a small bathroom into a welcoming sanctuary that feels both larger and peaceful. This creates a bathroom that is not just visually more spacious but also a restful escape.
Utilizing Light Gray Tones
Light gray tones, such as Sherwin-Williams' Light French Gray, can make a small bathroom appear larger. These colors reflect natural light and create the illusion of more space. Light gray is versatile and timeless, allowing for a variety of decor styles while maintaining the room's spacious feel.
Painting both walls and ceiling in light gray can blur the lines between them, giving the impression of a larger room. Adding mirrors enhances this effect by reflecting light and the color of the walls, further opening up the space. Using light gray tones strategically can effectively make a small bathroom look and feel more spacious.
Reflecting With Pale Blue
Using pale blue paint in a small bathroom can make the space feel larger due to its ability to reflect light. This is especially useful in compact bathrooms. Pale blue creates a sense of openness and has a calming effect, particularly with shades like Borrowed Light, which helps the area seem more expansive.
Adding reflective surfaces and high-gloss finishes enhances this effect, as they reflect light and contribute to the illusion of a bigger room. Pale blue is one of the most effective colors for enlarging the appearance of a small bathroom because it has a tranquil and clean look. Pairing it with white elements further unifies the space.
Creating Depth With Beige
Beige can create a sense of depth in a small bathroom, making it look larger. Wall color is important in bathroom design, and beige is a timeless choice that offers an open, inviting feel. It's a practical option for those remodeling their bathrooms.
Consider beige shades like Benjamin Moore's Shaker Beige, which is versatile and works well with different decor styles and accent colors. It blends well with most bathroom fixtures and accessories, suitable for both traditional and modern designs.
To further enhance the feeling of space, install open shelving in the same beige tone as the walls. This helps extend the visual space in a small bathroom.
In bathrooms without windows, a warm beige like Kilim Beige by HGTV Home can mimic natural light and contribute to a sense of airiness. Beige not only makes the bathroom appear bigger but also creates a calm and comfortable atmosphere.
Bold Choices: Deep Greens
Choosing a deep forest green color, such as Benjamin Moore's Salamander, can visually enlarge a small bathroom space. Although it's not a typical choice for small areas, using it can make a bathroom feel like a more expansive, luxurious retreat. Applying deep green to all surfaces, including walls and ceiling, helps to blend the room's edges, making the space seem larger.
Design advice often suggests light colors for making a room look bigger, but deep forest green can have a similar effect with proper application. Painting the walls, trim, and ceiling the same color diminishes the definition of the room's edges, creating a sense of openness. Adequate natural light is crucial for this color to work effectively in enhancing the perception of space.
For an even grander feel, use fixtures and fittings that reflect light, such as glossy white ceramics or chrome. These will contrast with the green, adding depth. Introducing blue elements can also create a complementary color scheme that helps to expand the space visually.
