Bathrooms tend to be the smallest room in the house and it’s important to keep yours from becoming dark and cramped. This is surprisingly easy to do even when designing from the ground up.
You don’t have to design your bathroom in all white or pastels to achieve the right effect- there are simple ways to balance out any design and keep it all light and bright.
Using the Right Monochromatic Colour Scheme
It’s more or less common knowledge in the interior design community that a monochrome colour palette can help make a smaller space look larger. But this is often misconstrued by DIY-ers (and even some designers) to mean that you can only use one colour in one hue, ie. an all-white bathroom with white fixtures, white floors and white walls.
Take advantage of this clever tactic in a way that is both beautiful and effective by incorporating various hues of the same colour family. Instead of bright white everything, for example, choose a bone white with darker accents of cream, light beige and even rich espresso at the darker end of the spectrum.
Take Full Advantage of Natural Light
Windows in bathrooms are a grand commodity, and it’s important to make proper use of any incoming light. Cover windows with the sheerest curtains that privacy allows. Wherever possible, place a mirror opposite the natural light source to reflect it around the room. Choose reflective flooring such as shiny white tiles to further add to the glow.
Clear Glass Shower Doors
Part of keeping your space open and airy is making sure to keep the space physically and visually open. Using glass shower doors or a glass shower enclosure allows the eye to travel to the farthest wall of the room, where an opaque shower curtain or door would simply close off the space.
The same goes for any shelving or cupboards you employ- the less boxy and closed the better. Go with open shelving or cupboards with glass doors when possible.
Allocate Budget to Lighting
Many people add lighting to their design at the end, almost as an afterthought, but when you’re creating a space to enjoy for years to come it’s important to place it at the top of your priorities. From the very beginning, consider where and how you’ll install your lighting.
Plan for lighting that is appropriate for different times of the day- bright, flattering lighting for getting dressed in the mornings and soft lighting for relaxing in the bath in the evenings. You can also choose to highlight certain features; add soft upward lighting around your new bath or an overhead light to emphasize a beautiful shower.
Proper Ventilation and Moisture Reduction
Lastly, be sure to keep your space bright and airy by keeping it moisture free. Install an extraction fan and heating elements to help with the natural evaporation process. Make sure you’re able to open any existing windows.
