Make a small bathroom look bigger? 9 smart tips
Your bathroom doesn't have to be large to feel open, spacious and stylish. With the right choices, you can create a greater sense of space without having to undertake major renovations straight away.
The appearance of a small bathroom is not determined solely by its square footage. Above all, it is the combination of colours, materials, lighting, mirrors, furniture and layout that makes a big difference.
With these 9 tips, you'll discover how to make your small bathroom look bigger and create a calm, pleasant space where every detail is just right.
Tip 1: Choose light colours
Colour has a major impact on how spacious a bathroom feels. Light, calm shades reflect the available light and create a more open feel.
Consider:
- white;
- off-white;
- beige;
- light grey shades;
- soft marble and natural stone tones.
A light base not only creates a greater sense of space, but also gives a timeless look. Natural shades in particular bring calm and warmth to the bathroom.
Dark colours can also create a beautiful atmosphere. If your goal is mainly to achieve a spacious effect, use darker shades as accents, for example on a single wall or in combination with lighter elements.
Tip 2: Create a calm look with large wall panels
In a small bathroom, lots of small elements can make the space feel busier. Large wall surfaces, on the other hand, create more visual calm.
By choosing large wall panels, you reduce the number of visible joints and create a seamless look. This works particularly well with marble, concrete or natural stone designs, giving the pattern more room to stand out.
Dumawall offers large wall panels in two sizes:
- Dumawall XL: 90 x 260 cm
- Dumawall XXL: 120 x 260 cm
Still unsure whether to choose wall panels or wall tiles? Read our blog Wall Panels or Tiles in the Bathroom: Which Is the Best Choice?
Tip 3: Create visual unity with colours and materials
A small bathroom often feels bigger when the overall look is calm and cohesive. Too many different colours, patterns or materials can visually fragment the space.
Create a harmonious base by:
- using the same wall finish on several walls;
- avoiding a different colour on every wall;
- choosing one main design;
- keeping accents to a minimum.
A calm background ensures that the space feels less interrupted and therefore larger.
Get inspired by our blog on interior trends 2026 and discover how materials and colours work together to define the atmosphere of a space.
Tip 4: Use gloss smartly to reflect light
Light plays an important role in a small bathroom. Glossy surfaces can subtly reflect available light and contribute to a brighter appearance.
A fully glossy bathroom isn't necessary. In fact, the combination of matte and glossy surfaces often creates the most attractive balance.
A gloss wall panel can, for example, add extra depth, while a matte finish creates a softer and more natural look.
Tip 5: Make the space feel larger with a large mirror
A mirror is not only practical. In a small bathroom, a well-chosen mirror can help create more depth. A larger mirror reflects part of the space, spreads light and makes the bathroom feel more open.
Tip: position the mirror opposite a window or light source. This allows you to make the most of the available light.
Tip 6: Keep the shower as open as possible
The shower often takes up a large part of the bathroom. By keeping this area visually open, you maintain more sightlines and the room feels larger.
A transparent glass shower screen allows the eye to travel further than a closed or solid partition. Clear glass also generally creates a more open effect than a frosted shower screen.
You can combine this with continuous wall cladding behind the shower to create as much visual unity as possible.
Tip 7: Pay sufficient attention to lighting
A dark bathroom tends to feel smaller and less inviting. With the right lighting, you can make your small bathroom look bigger.
Combine different light sources:
- natural daylight where possible;
- general lighting;
- lighting around the mirror;
- subtle indirect lighting.
Avoid large light fixtures that take up a lot of visual space. Instead, choose lighting that enhances the architecture and materials of your bathroom.
Wall finishes also play a role here: light surfaces can distribute available light more effectively.
Tip 8: Choose floating and compact furniture
In a small bathroom, every centimetre counts. Furniture that occupies a lot of floor space can make the room feel crowded more quickly.
Floating and compact solutions help create a more open feel. Think of:
- a floating bathroom vanity;
- a wall-hung toilet;
- a narrow tall cabinet instead of a wide cabinet.
Because part of the floor remains visible, the bathroom gains a lighter appearance.
Tip 9: Keep everything calm and tidy
A small bathroom looks cluttered more quickly when many products and accessories are on display.
A few simple tips:
- provide sufficient closed storage space;
- limit the number of accessories;
- keep clear walls as uncluttered as possible.
A calm base ensures that the materials and details you do choose stand out better.
Want to see the effect in your own bathroom?
Not sure which colour, finish or style suits your bathroom best? With the Dumawall Interior Designer, you can easily see how different types of wall cladding would look in your own space.
Upload a photo of your bathroom and discover how Dumawall can transform your space.
Need more inspiration? Discover our wall covering, find a dealer near you and/or order a sample. That way, you can discover at home which wall cladding best suits your style and space.