5 Ways to Brighten Your Windowless Bathroom
I know what it is like to have a dark, windowless bathroom that you just want to brighten and make it feel less claustrophobic. I am lucky that my current place has a large, west facing window in the bathroom but the last two apartments I lived in I was in the basement and the bathrooms felt dark and confined. Natural light is very important to me. Fifty percent of that stems from the PNW having short, cloudy winter days and the light helps my mood but the other fifty percent is because of my need for plants to be everywhere (duh). While there is no way to truly make up for the lack of natural light, there are easy ways to make your bathroom feel brighter.
Make Everything White
By painting your walls white, it gives the space an airy feeling. I suggest using a gloss or semi-gloss paint as this will help reflect the light that you do have. Paired with white tile, this option can give off a very clean and optimistic atmosphere. There are multiple shades of white; ivory, cream, and eggshell but I recommend bright white.
Embrace the Dark
It is a common misconception that dark walls make your space feel even smaller when in fact they can emphasize the length of the walls. Dark rooms are all about mood. By going darker, your room can feel cozy and romantic. One option is to only paint some of the walls dark, leave the wall with the mirror and light fixtures a glossy white or neutral color and that makes it seem like the entire wall is a source of light. Opposite of the glossy white, you want to use matte when painting the dark walls as this disguises the edges of the room, making it seem to extend farther.
Keep the Shower Open
Whether it is a shower curtain, frosted glass or a tiled wall, showers can really close a space off. If you can, opt for clear glass or a frameless shower door to make the space feel larger. If you can’t alter the space, then choose a simple shower curtain that allows light to pass through and reach all the corners of your space.
Utilize Fixtures
Light and plumbing fixtures are something that is easy to change that can make a big impact on the feel and style of your room. I recommend using shiny metallic fixtures in your windowless bathroom to help bounce the light around. In your light fixtures, use clear or seeded glass as colored glass can darken the space. Placement is also important. A central, ceiling mounted light makes sure the entire space is evenly lit while sconces on either side of the mirror utilize the reflection.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Mirrors are an excellent way to bounce light around your room. Use a larger mirror for your vanity and don’t stop at just one in the room. Floor length mirrors are very useful to have in your bathroom for getting ready but also for maximum light reflection.
