How can I make a small bathroom look bigger?

Show more floor with wall-hung or slim fittings, use a clear glass screen, choose larger tiles with fewer grout lines, and add good lighting and a large mirror.

Is a walk-in shower better than a bath in a small bathroom?

A walk-in shower usually frees up space, but a bath may matter if it is your only bathroom or you have young children. Think about how you use the room and about future buyers.

Do dark tiles make a small bathroom feel smaller?

They can if used in small patches, but a darker colour used boldly across a whole room can feel cosy and deliberate. Good lighting matters more with dark colours.

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Small bathroom ideas that make the room feel bigger

By the GlowUpp team · 27 October 2026

A tired small bathroom next to an AI redesign with green tiles and a glass shower screen

BeforeAfter‹›

An AI-generated example. Real results depend on your own space.

A small bathroom does not have to feel cramped. A few well-chosen changes to the fittings, tiles and light can make the same floor area feel much more open.

Show more floor

The more floor you can see, the bigger a room looks. Wall-hung toilets and basins, or a slim vanity with open space underneath, make a noticeable difference. A smaller basin placed well often works better than a large one that crowds the room.

Think about a walk-in shower

Swapping a bath for a walk-in shower can free up space and make the room feel lighter. Decide first how you use the room. If it is the only bathroom in a family home, keeping a bath may matter to you or to a future buyer, so it is worth thinking through before you commit.

Choose glass instead of curtains

A clear glass screen lets the eye travel to the far wall, so the room feels larger than it does with a curtain or a frosted panel. A fixed screen is often neater and easier to keep clean than a hinged door.

Pick tiles to match the room

Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines and a calmer, less busy surface.
Using the same or a similar tile on the floor and walls blends the edges of the room.
Light colours reflect more light. If you love a darker colour, use it confidently on one wall or the whole room rather than in small patches.

Add light and a mirror

Good lighting does a lot. Use a bright but soft light overhead and add light around the mirror so your face is lit evenly. A large mirror, or a mirror cabinet, doubles the sense of space and gives you storage at the same time.

Do not forget ventilation and waterproofing

Small bathrooms trap steam, which leads to damp and mould if the air cannot escape. Make sure there is an extractor fan that works, and that wet areas are properly waterproofed before tiling. Ask your fitter how they handle both.

Mistakes to avoid

A bulky vanity that eats the floor space.
Lots of small, patterned tiles in a tiny room.
Hiding clutter on the edge of the bath instead of planning niches or shelves.
Choosing everything from a showroom without checking measurements.

Try the look before you buy

Upload a photo of your bathroom to GlowUpp and see AI-generated redesigns with different tiles, colours and fittings, so you can decide what you want before you order anything. Always ask a qualified professional before moving gas, electrics or plumbing, or changing anything structural, and check your lease or local rules if you rent or live in a conservation area.

See your own bathroom redesigned

Upload a photo and see AI-generated ideas in about two minutes. Free for homeowners, no sign-up needed to start.

Try it with your photo

Common questions

How can I make a small bathroom look bigger?: Show more floor with wall-hung or slim fittings, use a clear glass screen, choose larger tiles with fewer grout lines, and add good lighting and a large mirror.
Is a walk-in shower better than a bath in a small bathroom?: A walk-in shower usually frees up space, but a bath may matter if it is your only bathroom or you have young children. Think about how you use the room and about future buyers.
Do dark tiles make a small bathroom feel smaller?: They can if used in small patches, but a darker colour used boldly across a whole room can feel cosy and deliberate. Good lighting matters more with dark colours.