How to make your bathroom look bigger, sleeker and modern

March 09, 2023

As the bathroom continues to be the top renovation priority among homeowners, people are seeking sleek and modern designs that will add value to their homes, and make their bathrooms appear bigger. 

1. Floating vanity

Most people want to increase floor space in their bathrooms, or at least create an illusion of more space and what better way to do it than with a floating vanity. The open space beneath the vanity cabinets allows for more light to travel through the room, and visually extends the flooring surface, which tricks the eye into thinking there is more space. This also makes cleaning easier too, as the open access leaves less space for dust and dirt to hide. In addition to these practical benefits, floating vanities look way sleeker, less bulky and more streamlined than their free-standing counterparts, and are a MUST for anyone wanting to create an ultra-modern look in their bathroom!

Mixed open and closed compartments: To create more visual interest, why not try a mix of open and closed compartments to show off your accessories, or simply provide easier access to them!
Keep it simple: For a minimalist look, simplify the design as much as you can, or even just opt for a wall hung shelf and skip on the vanity altogether!
Modern traditional: Or for a modern take on a traditional style, consider a vanity on legs, which still leaves space underneath, and choose a cabinet with a simple design.

2. Walk in Shower

One of the best ways to achieve a spa-like feel to your bathroom remodel is with a walk-in bathroom shower. Practical as well as highly stylish, these showers may seem to be a luxury item, however, are surprisingly affordable! Furthermore, they also save on space by not using up floor space that would otherwise be required to open a door and have a minimalist, clean look that just can’t be achieved with any other type of shower. All in all, a walk-in shower is a sure way to give your bathroom a high-end look that adds value to your house, whilst also being highly practical and affordable at the same time!

3. Freestanding Bath

Nowadays, with our busier and more eco-conscious lifestyles, taking a bath is seen as somewhat of a luxury, and most people choosing to save space in their bathrooms opt to get rid of baths altogether. However, if you do have enough space, a freestanding bath is one of the most bold and stylish statement pieces you can have in your house, creating a beautiful focal point for any bathroom design. Paired with a modern and sleek free-standing tap, these are a sure way to elevate your room into something truly luxurious.

Ambiance: For a calm ambiance, why not add up-lights to your floor area around the bath.
Luxurious Metals: For an opulent, high-end look, choose a metallic effect bath, copper in particular that will add a warmth and richness like no other.
Make a statement: Tubs made from unconventional materials, such as concrete, can make for show-stopping statement pieces. There is also a trend towards natural forms and shapes, such as pebbles and asymmetric curves, which will bring harmony and beauty to your room.

4. Freestanding Bath

Wall-Mounted Faucets: For a minimalist and streamlined design, why not consider a wall-mounted faucet. These taps have been cropping up everywhere in interior design lately, due to their versatility, utility and clean appearance. They work well particularly in minimalist bathrooms, and they even save on space! The bonus is that they’re easier to clean than standard taps, as calcium is less likely to build up.
Waterfall faucets: If you want something a bit different, whilst still being modern in style, waterfall taps, particular ones with angular and sharp corners, are a fantastic alternative. Waterfall taps use less water pressure than standard taps and have a calming, mesmerizing effect: they are sure to give that extra touch of wow-factor and uniqueness to your room!

4. Basins

Countertop sinks – Also known as vessel sinks, are an undeniably stylish addition to any bathroom. Surprisingly, vessel sinks can also make the room feel bigger, as you will typically choose a shorter vanity to compensate for the extra height of the sink, which increases the space between the countertop and the ceiling, giving the illusion that your ceiling is taller. However, water will splash more on the vanity with this type of sink, so do make sure that the countertop is a waterproof material.
Twin sinks: They also add another level of class to your room, if you have space.
Inset Basins: Inset basins are a contemporary alternative option to vessel basins and suit a more minimalist style bathroom, as they work well when trying to incorporate clean, straight lines into your design

5.Hidden-bank toilet

A great way to get more space out of your bathroom is to go for a hidden tank/wall mounted toilet. They are an ultra-modern, high-tech solution, and look amazing in smaller bathrooms. These elegant commodes hide the plumbing and working parts behind the wall, however as a downside, they are harder and usually more costly to install than an average toilet. Alternatively, you could go for a one-piece toilet, which still looks very modern and is easier to install, however, saves less space.

6. Tiles

The most important thing which determines the look of the bathroom is the tiles you go for. Modern trends include concrete, as well as darker shades of grey and black, however, classics like white and grey marble and natural beige stones are always popular and continue to wow. Textured tiles or ones with shimmer are also being used more and can create beautiful feature walls.

Large Tiles: Large bathroom tiles, usually measuring up to 60cm, evoke a sense of calmness and spaciousness, which work perfectly in bathrooms with limited space. This is because with larger tiles, there are less grout lines to break up the space, resulting in a cleaner, less busy look than with smaller tiles.
Floor to ceiling tiles: A lot of older bathroom designs have tiling on the walls that stop at dado height or midway up the wall, but this design choice makes rooms look smaller and ceilings appear lower. We recommend tiling the bathroom walls right up to the ceiling, to make the room feel more spacious. In smaller bathrooms, it to create a sense of continuity, which ultimately makes the room feel larger. This not only reduces that restricted feeling, but it can be a real head-turning feature too. When tiling whole walls stick to a pale grout to prevent the space from closing in.

7. Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked in the bathroom, however, to truly create a show-stopping look, you need to incorporate various types of lighting into your design.

Recessed Shelf lighting and downlights under the vanity: Recessed shelves illuminated with LED strips are a modern addition in the world of interior design and give a high-end boutique feel to your room. Downlighting underneath wall-mounted vanities also looks amazing, creating the illusion of more space in the room.
Back-lit mirrors: Back-lit mirrors are a must if you want to be able to see properly whilst grooming!
LED strip lighting: Led strips around the shower looks very futuristic and elevates a room into something out of the ordinary.
Pendants over vanity: Pendant lighting over vanities instantly adds drama and elegance.
Pendants over bath: Finally, pendants hanging over your bathtub will look amazing, if you have the room or the high ceilings to get away with it!

8. Mirror

Large round led mirrors to have a universal appeal and look chic in any room in the house. They work so well in bathrooms as their clean simplicity complements any modern style, whilst adding more visual interest than a standard rectangular mirror. You can’t really go wrong with a circular mirror!

Mirrored Walls: Mirrored walls instantly create the effect of more open space, by allowing light to reflect across all surfaces.
Double Mirrors: Double mirrors create an elegant look, especially when back-lit.