Even though a small toilet can be one of the most challenging areas to decorate in a living space, especially if you are renting and cannot undertake major renovations, elements such as mirrors, improved lighting, vertical storage, and thoughtful decorative accents can significantly change the perception of the space.
Often in older homes and small apartments, toilets are narrow rooms where the toilet and sink barely fit. Although changing the physical size of the room is impossible, there are smart ways to make a small bathroom feel more spacious using available resources.
Here are several simple and rental-friendly ideas that will help give your tiny washroom more air without requiring wall drilling or making changes that could lead to losing your deposit.
Your goal is to fill the room with light and double the visible size of the room.
Use a large, aesthetically pleasing mirror that can be hung on sturdy wire or with removable picture hangers. Do not shy away from size; a properly placed large mirror is the best way to imitate a larger area.
Replace the existing bulb with a brighter LED with a cool white or daylight tone. This simple five-minute change prevents the room from looking gloomy and visually pushes the walls back. It is important to keep the original bulb in case you move out.
Opt for transparent, ceramic, or metallic items. For example, a stainless steel trash can or a clear soap dispenser reflects light better than matte plastic, contributing to the overall brightness of the room.
The floor is a valuable resource and should remain open. You need to utilize the unused space above and behind furniture.
This piece of furniture is indispensable. Look for a freestanding metal or bamboo shelf designed to sit over the toilet. It provides three levels of storage without needing to be attached to the walls. These shelves can be used for stylish baskets to hide unsightly items.
Instead of installing towel racks, use waterproof adhesive hooks. They should be placed in a vertical line on the back of the door for hanging hand towels and robes.
There are small, lightweight bathroom shelves that attach using ultra-strong adhesive panels. One such shelf can be installed above the sink or toilet to hold small decorative items, such as a photo frame or a small flower.
The space needs personality, but without feeling cluttered.
If the walls look too sterile, consider using high-quality self-adhesive wallpaper on one accent wall (for example, behind the toilet). This will add texture, depth, and character, transforming the mood of the room.
Hang a piece of art using the same removable picture hangers. By drawing the eye to the middle or upper third of the wall, you emphasize height rather than narrowness.
Keep towels, bath mats, and storage containers in a single neutral color palette (white, cream, or pale gray). This visually seamless look reduces distractions and creates a sense of calm and continuity.
Strategic use of reflective surfaces and the incorporation of temporary vertical storage will allow your small washroom to look functional and beautiful while maintaining the possibility of getting your deposit back.
The quality of a bathroom transcends its primary functions, as this private space is intrinsically linked to daily rituals and moments of rest. While items such as sanitary ware, metals, circulation, and technical specifications form the practical foundation, the atmosphere of the environment is determined by the interaction of spatial decisions: how furniture relates to the floor, how materials react to light, how storage is incorporated, and how shape and proportion affect perception.
The way furniture is positioned in relation to the floor significantly influences the overall perception of the bathroom. The use of wall-mounted cabinets allows the floor surface to remain visible underneath, which generates a sense of continuity and makes the area appear more spacious. This technique is especially useful in smaller areas, where continuous surfaces can maximize the feeling of openness.
Wall-mounted furniture collections, such as Glora and Sareta from VitrA, illustrate how wall-fixed cabinets can integrate into interior design. When combined with seamless, handleless cabinetry, they keep materials, proportions, and architectural details visually connected. Thus, the cabinets convey a more subtle presence in the bathroom, offering practical storage without appearing as isolated pieces leaning against the wall.
The selection of colors and materials plays a harmonious role in composing the bathroom's atmosphere, affecting the perception of space through texture, light reflection, and the feeling of warmth. Although white remains a common option, tones inspired by wood, clay, and stone provide coziness while maintaining a sober aesthetic.
Matte finishes, in particular, absorb light and enhance subtle variations in texture, resulting in surfaces that feel softer and more inviting to the touch. The Glora and Sareta collections from VitrA exemplify this trend with a palette that transitions between soft neutrals and earthy tones. The Glora line features options such as Matte White, Matte Taupe, and Matte Stone Grey, highlighting surface and tonal nuances, while the Sareta line expands this offering with Matte Graphite, Matte Green, Matte Terracotta, Maple Oak, and White in Matte and High Gloss finishes. These choices demonstrate how small differences in color and texture can alter the atmosphere of a space without breaking its simplicity, suiting various styles of modern bathrooms.
Although clean lines and simple geometric shapes are essential in minimalist design, as seen in the Glora collection, they can be balanced by delicate curves. The inclusion of rounded corners, sculpted profiles, and circular washbasins introduces subtle variations that soften the rigidity often associated with minimalism, without compromising its clarity.
Collections like Sareta, available in both rounded and square formats, easily adapt to different contexts, including smaller and more compact spaces.
Lighting integrated into bathroom furniture has the power to shape the atmosphere of the place and influence the perception of colors, surfaces, and materials. Beyond providing light, it can accentuate textures, establish focal points, and create layers of depth in the environment.
A vanity top with warm lighting, such as that displayed in the VitrA Glora collection, introduces soft ambient light directly onto the countertop, uniting daily functionality with a more pleasant visual experience.
The inherent clarity of minimalist interiors depends largely on how much can be integrated and hidden in the design. The use of handleless fronts, aligned surfaces, and concealed compartments reduces superfluous lines and details, allowing light, proportions, and materials to define the space rather than metallic accessories.
Well-organized storage is also crucial for keeping surfaces uncluttered and supporting daily routines. Wide drawers with built-in organizers, present in the Glora and Sareta collections, ensure that everyday items are accessible, preserving the visual order of the space.
In summary, designing a bathroom beyond its basic functions means finding a balance between practicality and experience. By paying careful attention to space, materiality, light, and detail, fluid functionalities contribute to an interior that feels cohesive and thoughtful. The contemporary bathroom is no longer defined solely by its sanitary ware and metals, becoming a space where design decisions directly impact how it is lived, perceived, and used at home.
