Introduction
A well-designed master bathroom provides a relaxing oasis to start and end your day. By opening up the space and allowing more natural light in, you can transform even a small master bath into a spa-like retreat. In this room of the day, we will explore how simple layout changes and the strategic addition of windows and skylights helped breathe new life into a cramped master bathroom.
Remove Unnecessary Walls and Doors
One of the easiest ways to make a small bathroom feel more open and airy is to remove any unnecessary walls and doors. This allows the space to flow better and appear more continuous. In this redesign, taking down a wall that separated the toilet area from the rest of the bathroom instantly made the room feel larger. Removing a door to the master bedroom also improved the traffic flow and enabled natural light to permeate from the bedroom windows into the bath space.
Add Windows and Skylights
Introducing additional sources of natural light, such as windows and skylights, can make a dramatic difference in a once-dark bathroom. If adding a new window isn’t possible, consider swapping a small window for a larger one or adding a solar tube skylight to let sunshine in. For this bathroom, a large picture window above the tub and a skylight in the shower area brightened things up immensely. The natural light makes the white tile and finishes glow.
Use Reflective Surfaces
Strategically using reflective surfaces is another clever trick for opening up a bathroom visually. The creative placement of mirrors will bounce natural light around the room. For example, a mirrored wall opposite the window gives the illusion the space is larger than it is. Glossy tile and quartz countertops also aid in reflecting light. In this bath, large-format polished porcelain tile provides shiny surfaces that spread the sunlight around.
Create an Open Floor Plan
Removing walls enables you to create a more open and seamless floor plan. Instead of closed-off areas in the bathroom, spaces flow together in an organic way. In this redesign, the tub, shower, vanities, and toilet areas blend together without hard borders. The free-flowing space showcases the beautiful neutral design palette.
Use Lighter Colors
Sticking with a light, neutral color scheme is another important strategy for opening up a small bath. Unlike darker colors, lighter hues visually recede to make spaces appear larger and airier. Crisp white paint on the walls, ceiling, and trims keeps things bright and clean-looking. The pale porcelain tile and quartz vanity tops also contribute to the airy aesthetic.
Room of the Day: New Layout, More Light Let Master Bathroom Breathe
The before bathroom was cramped and isolated with its compartmentalized layout and lack of natural light. By opening up walls, adding windows and skylights, using reflective surfaces, creating an open floor plan, and sticking to a light color palette, the space was radically transformed. The redesigned master bathroom now feels fresh, spacious, and infused with lovely natural light. This beautiful oasis offers a soothing place to start and end each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about opening up a master bathroom with layout changes and natural light:
What are some easy layout changes to make a bathroom feel more open?
Some easy layout changes include removing unnecessary walls, taking down doors, and creating a more seamless, open floor plan. Even just removing a wall separating the toilet area can make a bathroom appear much larger.
What’s the best way to add natural light to a windowless bathroom?
Great options for adding natural light include installing skylights or solar tubes. Switching out a small window for a bigger one also lets more light in. Make sure to strategically place mirrors to maximize brightness.
How do lighter colors help make a bathroom look and feel larger?
Lighter colors visually recede, whereas darker colors advance. Keeping everything crisp white, like the walls, trims, and ceiling, prevents the space from feeling closed in. Lighter tile and countertops also contribute to a spacious look.
Should you avoid using any color at all in a small bathroom?
You don’t have to completely avoid color. Just stick to lighter, more muted tones. Shades of gray, beige, and taupe work well. Just apply color through accents like towels, artwork, greenery, and accessories.
How important is good lighting in a bathroom?
Proper lighting is extremely important for both aesthetics and function. Make sure to layer plenty of light sources, including overhead lighting, sconces, and task lighting at the vanity. Lighting helps prevent a bathroom from feeling dark and cramped.
What small changes can make a bathroom feel more luxurious?
Some small luxurious touches include underfloor heating, towel warmers, and a high-tech toilet. Upscale fixtures, tiles, and materials also elevate a bathroom. Don’t forget about soft, fluffy towels and robes. Details like candles and greenery add spa-like ambiance.
Conclusion
With some simple layout tweaks and strategic use of natural light, you can radically transform even the smallest, darkest bathroom into a fresh and relaxing oasis. Opening up walls, adding windows and skylights, using reflective surfaces, sticking to a light color scheme, and creating a seamless floor plan are fantastic and achievable ways to make a bathroom feel more spacious and inviting. A bathroom should be a soothing sanctuary, so be creative and don’t be afraid to breathe new life into yours.
