How to Create a Minimalist Small Bathroom That Feels Spacious

Look, I get it. You’re staring at your shoebox-sized bathroom wondering how on earth you’re supposed to fit everything you need without it looking like a storage unit exploded. Been there, stressed about that. But here’s the thing—small doesn’t have to mean cramped, and minimalist definitely doesn’t mean boring or impractical.

I’ve devoted far too much time to obsessing over small bathrooms, both mine and those of others, and I’ve discovered some useful tips. So take out your symbolic sledgehammer and let’s make that cramped cave feel surprisingly roomy.

Start With a Ruthless Declutter (Seriously, Be Brutal)

First things first—you need to channel your inner Marie Kondo, but like, for bathroom stuff. That collection of hotel shampoo bottles? Gone. The seventeen half-used lotions? Pick your favorite three and ditch the rest.

Deprivation is not the goal of minimalism. It all comes down to using what you keep wisely. Everything in your bathroom should have a purpose. You won’t be incorporating that hair mask into your routine overnight if you haven’t used it in six months.

Here’s what you actually need:

• Daily essentials only: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer
• One or two styling products (not the entire drugstore aisle)
• A couple of towels that actually match
• Cleaning supplies stored elsewhere

The goal? Clear surfaces make spaces feel bigger. Period.

Choose a Light, Cohesive Color Palette

Want to know the fastest way to make a small bathroom feel cramped? Paint it dark brown and add some busy patterned tiles. Congratulations, you’ve just created a cave 🙂

The appearance of space is produced by reflected light, which is reflected by light colors. Whites, delicate grays, light blues, and even delicate beiges are what I mean. Choose no more than two or three colors, and use them consistently throughout the room.

Color Strategy Comparison:

Approach	Visual Impact	Maintenance	Space Effect
All white	Maximum brightness	Shows dirt easily	Most spacious feel
White + gray accent	Modern, balanced	Easier upkeep	Very open
Warm neutrals	Cozy, inviting	Forgiving	Moderately spacious

IMO, going with a white base and adding one subtle accent color gives you the best of both worlds—spaciousness without the sterile hospital vibe.

Maximize Natural Light (And Fake It If You Can’t)

If you want to make a small space feel larger, natural light is your best friend. Avoid covering windows with heavy curtains if you have any. For privacy without obstructing light, use light-filtering blinds or frosted film.

Not a window? Many tiny bathrooms are essentially interior caves, so join the club. You can get around this, though. Consider using several light sources rather than a harsh overhead fixture, and install warm, bright LED bulbs (aim for 3000K–4000K).

Layer your lighting with:

• A bright overhead light for functionality
• Sconces or strip lighting around the mirror
• Even a small LED strip under floating shelves

Good lighting tricks your brain into thinking the space is larger than it actually is. Plus, you’ll actually be able to see what you’re doing, which is always a bonus.

Go Vertical With Storage

Stop wasting floor space; it’s valuable real estate in a tiny bathroom. Take a look at all that empty wall space you have.

Floating shelves are your secret weapon. They provide storage without the visual bulk of a traditional cabinet. Mount them above the toilet, beside the mirror, or in that awkward corner you’ve been ignoring.

Smart vertical storage ideas:

• Tall, narrow cabinets that stretch toward the ceiling
• Wall-mounted baskets for towels and toiletries
• Over-the-door organizers (yes, they’re practical, not just dorm room accessories)
• Recessed shelving built into the walls between studs

Last year, I added floating shelves to my bathroom, and to be honest? Game changer. The floor area is still entirely open, but everything is reachable.

Invest in Space-Saving Fixtures

Ever wondered why hotel bathrooms often feel more spacious than they actually are? They use fixtures designed specifically for small spaces, and you should too.

Get rid of that heavy vanity from 1987. A slim floating vanity or a wall-mounted sink frees up floor space and declutters the space. Your eye is tricked into perceiving more space by the continuity created by the visible floor underneath.

Consider these upgrades:

• Corner sinks that maximize awkward spaces
• Wall-hung toilets (they look futuristic and save space)
• Sliding barn doors instead of traditional swinging doors
• Frameless glass shower doors instead of curtains or bulky framed enclosures

FYI, frameless glass is worth every penny. It doesn’t chop up the visual space, so your bathroom feels like one cohesive area instead of sectioned-off zones.

Embrace Strategic Mirror Placement

This is your chance to use some design magic. Mirrors essentially double your visual space without tearing down walls by reflecting light and giving the appearance of depth.

There is no negotiating the large mirror above the sink. Why stop there, though? If you can avoid creating a funhouse effect, think about having a mirror that runs from the counter to the ceiling or even mirrors on opposite walls (trust me, there’s a fine line).

Some clever mirror tricks:

• Frameless or thin-framed mirrors that don’t add visual weight
• Mirrored cabinet doors that provide storage and reflection
• Strategically angled mirrors that catch and bounce natural light

I went with an oversized round mirror in my bathroom, and people constantly comment on how much bigger the space feels. It’s literally just reflecting the same tiny room back at itself, but somehow it works.

Keep Surfaces Clear and Functional

Here’s where minimalism truly excels. No matter how clever your design choices are, your bathroom will feel cluttered if your counter looks like a pharmacy exploded on it.

A soap dispenser and a small plant, for example, should be the only two items visible on a clear countertop. Everything else should be stored in cabinets, drawers, or the aforementioned floating shelves.

Create designated homes for everything:

• Drawer dividers for makeup and small items
• Under-sink organizers for cleaning supplies
• Medicine cabinet for daily essentials
• Baskets or bins for backup supplies

When everything has a specific place, maintaining that minimalist look becomes second nature instead of a constant battle.

Choose Simple, Streamlined Accessories

You might be surprised to learn how important those ornamental details are. Although a large, elaborate toilet paper holder might not seem like much, every little element adds to the overall atmosphere in a tiny area.

Choose sleek, contemporary accessories with complementary finishes. Choose one and use it consistently throughout the room, whether it’s chrome, matte black, or brushed nickel. A sense of greater space results from the visual calm that consistency produces.

Skip the decorative overload:

• One or two plants (real or high-quality fake) max
• Simple towel bars instead of multiple hooks
• Minimalist soap dispensers and toothbrush holders
• Clean-lined hardware

Less visual noise equals more perceived space. It’s that simple.

Use Consistent Flooring

If you’re remodeling, think about using the same flooring in the entire bathroom, with no transitions or breaks. Large-format tiles with thin grout lines are fantastic because they reduce visual disruptions and give the impression that the room is larger.

Flooring choices ranked by spaciousness:

• Large-format tiles (12×24 or bigger)
• Continuous vinyl or engineered wood
• Small mosaic tiles (use sparingly as accents)
• Busy patterns or multiple materials (avoid if possible)

I’ve seen tiny bathrooms transformed just by swapping out small tiles for larger ones. The difference is honestly shocking.

Final Thoughts: Less Really Is More

It’s not necessary to spend a fortune or adhere to strict design guidelines to create a minimalist small bathroom that feels roomy. Every decision you make, from the paint color to the location of your extra toilet paper storage, should be deliberate.

Minimalism has the advantage of making you concentrate on the things that are truly important. You’ll spend more time enjoying a peaceful, spacious bathroom that feels much larger than its actual size and less time dealing with clutter.

Start with one or two changes—maybe that ruthless declutter and some better lighting—and see how it feels. You might surprise yourself with how much space you actually have once you stop filling every inch of it.

Now go make that tiny bathroom work for you instead of against you. You’ve got this :/