How to Increase Space in a Small Bathroom

Many homeowners have at least one small bathroom in their home that they wish looked and felt bigger. While moving walls to physically expand the amount of square footage in a small bathroom is probably unrealistic, there are plenty of ways to help increase space even in a small bathroom. It comes down to careful space planning and design considerations to ensure every element of the bathroom contributes to the more spacious look and feel you desire.

Can I Transform a Small Bathroom with a Bath Remodel?

A bath remodel is an excellent way to transform a small bathroom. In fact, it’s one of the most effective options for upgrading the entire bathroom. Because the bath or shower is often the focal point of the room, especially when space is limited, this part of the bathroom can have a transformative effect on the look and feel of the entire space. For small bathrooms, consider sticking with white or light colors for your tub or shower. Additionally, consider vertical patterns for your bath or shower walls that help draw the eye upward to create a sense of space and avoid busy patterns that can create a more confining feel.

How Walk-In Showers Increase Space in Small Bathrooms

If you’re looking to maximize space in your small bathroom, one of the best things you can do is replace your bathtub with a walk-in shower. Even if your new walk-in shower is installed in the same footprint as your existing bathtub, it will likely make the entire room feel bigger because there won’t be as many visual barriers. Bathtubs feature walls that you have to climb over when getting into and out of the bath, and with a walk-in shower, there’s no such partition to draw the eye. 

Plus, if you opt for a walk-in shower with glass doors—or even one with no doors at all—you’ll eliminate the need for a shower curtain, which can also break up the space in the mind’s eye. When you look at your new walk-in shower, rather than stopping at a bathtub wall or shower curtain, your view will extend all the way to the shower’s back wall, making your entire bathroom appear larger.

Although walk-in showers can certainly make small bathrooms seem bigger, that’s not the only benefit they offer. When compared to certain other bathing enclosures, walk-in showers are also:

• Safer – As was noted above, walk-in showers eliminate the need for cumbersome bathtub walls. Unfortunately, many bathroom injuries occur when someone slips and falls while getting into or out of the bathtub, and this is largely due to having to climb over a high bathtub wall. With a walk-in shower installed, you’ll simply be able to step into and out of the enclosure, minimizing your risk of injury. (Notably, if slips and falls are a concern for you, you may also want to invest in grab bars, handrails, and non-slip flooring).
• Easier to clean – Walk-in showers also tend to be easier to maintain than traditional bathtubs. There are many reasons for this. For starters, because walk-in showers typically offer a sleeker design, they usually have fewer ledges and crevices where mold and mildew could grow. They also tend to feature less hardware, thereby requiring less upkeep. And while you might struggle to reach over your bathtub wall while cleaning your existing enclosure, with a walk-in shower you’ll be able to wipe down all of the surfaces without having to stretch so much.

What’s the Best Way to Maximize Bathroom Space in a Remodel?

There are many things you can do to maximize small bathroom space. In addition to finding the right bathing enclosure, you can create more space in a small bathroom by:

• Carefully planning out the layout – While certain fixtures are likely set in place, consider the overall layout of the space and think about which areas feel the most cramped or confining. This can help you determine what changes you need to make to find the effective small bathroom space solutions you’re looking for.
• Add effective storage solutions – Too much clutter in your bathroom will only serve to cramp your space and make it feel more enclosed. Effective storage solutions are some of the most effective small bathroom space-saving ideas, as they can help you keep clutter out of your line of sight for a clean, open aesthetic.
• Use lights and fixtures to enhance the effect – You can also create more space in a small bathroom by using lighting and fixtures effectively. Dim or low lighting can make a space feel smaller and more intimate. Therefore, to make your bathroom feel bigger, ensure there’s adequate lighting. This may involve adding more light fixtures, using higher-wattage bulbs, or choosing a bright white or daylight bulb color over soft whites. Adding mirrors can also help create the illusion of more space and help the light bounce around the room for a brighter look and more spacious feel.
• Keep the color scheme light – As with your bathing enclosure, your choice of color for the bathroom walls and fixtures will impact the look and feel of the space. Lighter colors will also help reflect the light for a brighter, more open bathroom space. Additionally, vertical patterns and fixtures that are placed high along the walls can help create the illusion of space.
• Choose the right bathing enclosure for the space – As mentioned above, a walk-in shower is often a better option than a traditional tub in most small bathrooms. It can help to work with a professional bathroom remodeling contractor to discuss your options and get professional design assistance to ensure you’re choosing the right options to meet your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We’ve compiled answers to some of the questions we most commonly receive about increasing bathroom space below.

Will Converting a Tub to a Shower Save Space?

Converting a tub to a shower can help save space in a small bathroom. A traditional bathtub can take up quite a bit of real estate in the bathroom while also creating barriers in your line of vision with the high tub walls. By contrast, a walk-in shower helps eliminate these visual barriers, allowing for a more open and airy aesthetic.

How Can I Increase My Bathroom Storage Space?

When it comes to a small bathroom, storage is key to ensuring you can make the most of the space without making it feel overcrowded. Keep your ever-growing collection of toiletries neatly tucked away by opting to include extra storage features with your bathtub replacement. Jacuzzi Bath Remodel offers plenty of shelving options so that you can choose the right style to meet your aesthetic and functional needs.

How Much Will a Bathtub Installation Affect My Schedule?

A traditional bathroom renovation can take days if not weeks on end, leaving you and those within your household scrambling to get ready in the mornings and before bed. If this is the only bathroom at your home or you have limited options for condensing into another, this is another reason to opt for a wet-area bathroom remodel in the form of a bathtub replacement.

When you choose a company like Jacuzzi Bath Remodel for this kind of project, the installation of your gorgeous new bathtub can take as little as one day. The frustration of dealing with a temporary construction zone can feel so much worse when you’re working with a small bathroom space, so minimizing the time it takes for your brand-new tub to be installed is always a good thing. A bathtub replacement is also a more cost-effective solution than a full bathroom remodel, meaning you can save more money to spend on new décor or other elements that can upgrade the feel of the entire bathroom space.

Increase Space in Your Small Bathroom with Jacuzzi Bath Remodel

Creating a spacious feel in a small bathroom is very possible. This type of project involves a combination of design, layout, and storage considerations to ensure every element is working together to create the spacious effect you desire. By rethinking traditional arrangements, embracing vertical space, playing with colors and lighting, and optimizing storage options, homeowners can transform their small bathrooms into inviting and efficient spaces that feel much larger than they are. To learn more about how to increase space in a small bathroom, contact Jacuzzi Bath Remodel today. We proudly offer a variety of bath and shower remodeling services that are ideal for large and small bathrooms alike, and we’d be happy to help you find the options that will best suit your needs and make your small bathroom feel more spacious as well.