5 Things That Make Your Bathroom Look Smaller

Square footage is not the only thing that can make a bathroom look small. Whether it’s a powder room or a primary bathroom, there are certain design elements that experts say you should stay away from to avoid overwhelming the eye and making the space feel cramped.

Designers say things like poor lighting, dark color schemes, and bold patterns can also make your bathroom look significantly smaller. An oversized vanity may seem like a good idea since it provides lots of storage, but in turn it’ll take up excessive visual space and make the room feel tighter. To avoid making your space feel small, these are the design faux pas designers recommend avoiding.

1. Poor Lighting

Designers say lighting plays a huge role in how spacious your bathroom looks. “Dim lighting or a lack of natural light creates shadows that shrink the space and make it less inviting,” says designer Lauren Lerner. There are countless options when it comes to bathroom lighting, from wall sconces to statement ceiling fixtures, but take care picking out lighting to make sure it’s not just stylish but provides sufficient illumination as well. In addition to selecting the right fixtures and light bulbs, Lerner says their placement within the bathroom matters as well. “Poorly positioned fixtures disrupt flow and make the space feel cramped,” she says.

2. Dark or Saturated Paint Colors

“The color of your bathroom walls can significantly affect your perception of the space and darker colors tend to create a more intimate, enclosed feeling,” says designer Theresa Butler. While dark and saturated tones have been a staple in recent trends like the jewel box bathroom, they’re not ones to use if you’re trying to make the space feel bigger.

“Dark or saturated hues absorb light, making the space feel smaller and more enclosed, especially in bathrooms with little natural light,” Lerner says. Whether your bathroom walls are painted, tiled, or feature decorative paneling such as beadboard, stay away from dark color schemes to avoid making the room look smaller. Instead, “Opt for lighter, neutral tones to create a sense of openness,” Lerner suggests.

3. Cluttered Countertops

It’s not just design elements such as a dark paint color or poor lighting that make a bathroom look smaller. “Clutter on countertops can overwhelm a room and reduce usable space,” Butler says. Incorporate enough hidden storage in your bathroom to ensure that bathroom countertops don’t become a cluttered eyesore. “When counters or cabinets are stacked with beauty products, towels, and cleaning supplies, the space looks chaotic, and this mess distracts from the design and makes the room feel disorganized and smaller,” says designer Kerith Flynn.

4. Bold Patterns

Similar to dark color schemes, designers say bold patterns will make your bathroom look smaller. “Bold or intricate patterns can create visual clutter, adding to the sense of confinement,” Lerner says. Patterns can be introduced in a bathroom through tile and its arrangement, wall paneling, or wallpaper, and while it’s a great way to add visual interest they can also cause visual chaos. Flynn notes that too many busy patterns can overwhelm the eye. “Bold designs on walls, floors, or accessories distract from the space, making it harder to appreciate the room’s layout,” she says.

5. A Vanity That’s Too Big

The size of the bathroom vanity is essential for ensuring the space doesn’t feel tight, both practically and visually. “A large vanity can offer plenty of storage, but if it’s too big or too deep, it can overwhelm a small bathroom,” Flynn says. To avoid making the space feel cramped, Flynn recommends staying away from bulky vanities that take up excessive floor space or stick out too far from the wall.