5 Solutions for Brightening Up a Windowless Bathroom

No windows? No problem. Here are some helpful tricks to bring a windowless bathroom into the light

20 November, 2014

Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.

When planning the interior architecture of a home, whether it’s a cosy house, a slick flat, or something in between, usually the bathroom is one of the last places to get precious window space. That leaves many of us with a windowless bathroom that feels a little boxed in. Luckily, designers have lots of tricks for brightening bathrooms. Here are five tried and true ones.

Vinci | Hamp Architects

Embrace white
White is one of the best ways (if not the best way) to reflect light through a space. It’s even more powerful than a mirror.

Browse beautiful bathroom products in the Houzz shop

Nanette Wong

Keep in mind that white can also be introduced through accessories, and not strictly walls. The paint here carries a hint of colour, but the room still feels fresh with all the hits of white introduced via the breezy chair, petite rug, tiles and fixtures.

Find more white bathroom ideas with these photos

Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

Learn to love glass and lucite
If you don’t have a window letting light in, then you won’t want something that takes light away. Polished metal, glass, mirror and Lucite are great materials for adding interest and drama without absorbing light. The space will feel uniform, even if there’s very little colour.

INVIEW Interior Design

Lucite accessories are particularly useful for the functional items you need on the counter; they’ll feel like they encroach less on your space than opaque pieces, so the entire vibe is less cluttered.

Maison Design+Build

Get a tall sink unit
A leggy, open sink unit will admittedly provide less storage, but if you can tuck bathroom items in a cupboard, the longer sight lines of an open sink unit will help you feel less boxed in. I use this style often in compact bathrooms.

Croma Design Inc.

An airy sink unit can also include a towel shelf (also usable for baskets of smaller items) and still feel very light. Again, white, metal and glass will help it appear to float. A front rail will provide a place for a small towel.

Toronto Interior Design Group

Have multiple mirrors
Mirrors in unexpected places really help to expand the space, especially near the ground, where they let the floor stretch out.

Also notice how this bath and the one in the previous photo have glass doors instead of a curtain for maximum openness. A fixed glass panel with a swing door is one of my go-to’s, even with a standard bath installation.

Browse our shop for more bathroom mirrors.

Studio William Hefner

A full wall of mirror (or at least extending to the sink unit) really goes the extra distance to double the space visually. Here some antique character helps to bring warmth back in.

J Steven Kemp Architect

You can even layer a second mirror (or just a frame) over the large panel to create a focal point, added interest and a more intimate mood.

Victoria Kirk Interiors

Layer your lighting
Windows bring in horizontal light to counter overhead lights. Without a window, all you’ve got is vertical light coming straight down — not flattering. Wall fixtures will bring back that glow to your face (and your space).

Toronto Interior Design Group

Layering lighting right over the glass is a great solution in a small bathroom.

KCS Residential Design

You can create the look with a hanging pendant when cutting an existing mirror isn’t an option.

Need help with your bathroom design? Contact bathroom designers and fitters in your area.

TELL US…
Do you have a windowless bathroom? How do you brighten it up? Share your best tips in the Comments below.