Brighten Up Your Bathroom with These 4 Design Ideas

Spring has arrived! But for many of us in the Pacific Northwest, that still means rain and grey skies. Combat seasonal sadness by bringing more light into the rooms you use every day, like the bathroom.
A bright bathroom can help you start your day off on the right foot, make it easier to find what you’re looking for, and even make your bathroom look and feel larger. We’ve gathered together 4 ideas that can brighten up even the darkest of bathrooms.

Skylights

If you have a windowless bathroom, you know just how dark these spaces can get. Many clients come to us with small, windowless bathrooms, wanting to make them feel larger and brighter without the hassle of physically making the space larger. Installing a skylight is one of the most effective ways to bring a lot of light in.
The Portland master bathroom remodel seen above was a challenge for the team because it was divided into 3 separate sections and didn’t have any windows, which made the space feel small and cramped. A skylight added in the main bathroom area brought plentiful amounts of light into the room, making it feel bright and spacious.

Mirrors

Image Credit: Right
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to bring light into your bathroom, consider adding mirrors. Reflective surfaces, like mirrors, bounce light around the space, distributing it throughout the entire room. Here are a few ideas for incorporating mirrors into a bathroom that you may not have thought of:

• • Place mirrors behind light fixtures. This can help you make the most of the light you already have in your bathroom. Mirrors placed behind or near light fixtures can help to amplify the existing light.

 

• • Consider a mirrored vanity. This may not fit everyone’s personal style. But if the design appeals to you, a mirrored vanity can help spread light around a space, while still offering you functional storage.

• Look for mirrored tile. Some tile designs have small mirror pieces scattered throughout. These pieces of mirror will catch the light throughout your space.

Looking for more inspiration for incorporating mirrors into your bathroom design? Check out our 7 ideas for using mirrors to create the illusion of space.

Glass Shower Enclosures

When you’re thinking of ways to brighten your bathroom, odds are that you’re not thinking about your shower. But you should be! A clear glass shower enclosure opens up a space. Glass shower doors and walls make your shower seem like a part of the space, rather than wasted space. Additionally, without a shower curtain or shower wall blocking the light from the rest of the bathroom, a glass shower enclosure provides you with a brighter shower experience. For some additional privacy, opt for frosted glass, which adds privacy but still allows light into the shower area.

Vanity Underlighting

Putting lights near the floor may seem counterintuitive, but there are several benefits to low-to-the-ground lighting options like vanity underlighting. On one hand, these light fixtures can serve as a built in bathroom nightlight, helping you navigate the space easily in the dark. But during the daylight hours, vanity underlighting can also bring light to what would normally be a dark corner in your bathroom.
During these rainy months, many of us look for ways to get as much light as possible with light therapy boxes and vacations to warm places. But if the grey weather has you feeling gloomy, make sure you’re doing everything you can to brighten up your everyday living spaces, including the bathroom.
Looking for more ideas on how you can change up your bathroom? Visit our remodel gallery to see 12 PNW bathroom before & afters.