• The illusion of height
• Lights and mirrors
• Colour
• Storage, sinks and baths

How to make the most of your bathroom when space is limited.  When renovating a small bathroom you want to try and give the illusion of space.

Even a small space can be turned into a calming haven. Source: Supplied

The illusion of height

Vertical lines add height to a room by drawing the eye upwards. Tiles that are extended to the ceiling can make a small bathroom feel larger. Painting a vertical stripe or using a similar wallpaper pattern is also a good idea.

Another way to draw the eye upwards is by lining the edge, or ‘crown’ of the ceiling with a border; perhaps a cornice, or a patterned tile around the top of the walls.

Lights and mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to add depth, width and length to a small room but be careful not to over do it, one mirror is generally enough. The mirror will also help to distribute light throughout the room.

Clear shower screens as opposed to opaque gives the illusion of more space and light. A fully frameless shower screen doesn't create any visual barriers at all and can work brilliantly in a small bathroom.

Make use of natural light. A skylight will solve problems if the room is oriented away from the sun.

Illuminating the perimeter of the room will make it seem larger, and also get rid of dark corners. A good idea is to place shelves on the walls near the ceiling and fit lights underneath them.

Colour

The key word is ‘simple’. For example, don’t use a busy wallpaper pattern, as the room will seem smaller and more cluttered.

Light coloured walls, floors and décor can make a room seem larger. We suggest using pastel tones, neutrals or whites.

Tiles

Larger tiles create a sense of space, as do rectified porcelain tiles. Because of the way they are made, rectified porcelain tiles are identically-shaped, meaning narrower grout lines and less visual fuss.

The feeling of space can be generated by more visible tiled floor. This can be produced with floating cabinets and a pedestal or wall mounted sink. The vanity unit on the other hand, takes up a lot of floor space and is best avoided.

Storage, sinks and baths

Pedestal basins are a great way of adding space, as they don’t sit atop a bulky structure. However, when choosing one of these basins, keep in mind your storage needs, and look for one with a bench.

Make sure you include adequate storage as clutter only exacerbates the problems of a small bathroom. Exposed shelving, recessed cabinets and floating cabinets are a good option, with the latter leaving more exposed floor space.

Placing your windows near the ceiling will free up wall space for your storage needs.

Placing the toilet in an alcove will make efficient use of a small bathroom, and above the toilet is a great place to fit a shelf, too.

If you want to include a relaxing bath then head for a small but deep model.

Doors

A sliding door gives more room than a normal hinged door, and can be hidden in an in-wall cavity for a clean look.

If you are using a hinged door, don't clutter your walls with towel racks. Hang them on the back of the door instead.