Home Remodel Blog
Small Bathroom Remodel Western New York: 8 Design Tricks to Make Your Space Feel Bigger and More Beautiful
Small Bathroom Remodel Western New York: 8 Design Tricks to Make Your Space Feel Bigger and More Beautiful
If you’re planning a small bathroom remodel, Western New York homeowners often face unique design challenges. Many homes throughout Buffalo, Clarence, Williamsville, and surrounding areas feature compact bathrooms that present space limitations. The good news? With the right bathroom renovation strategies, even the smallest bathroom can feel spacious, luxurious, and beautiful.
At TBrothers Renovations, we’ve transformed many small bathroom remodel Western New York projects, and we know exactly how to maximize both style and function in limited square footage.
Here are eight proven design tricks that will make your small bathroom remodel Western New York homeowners dream about feel bigger and more beautiful than you ever imagined.
Choose Light, Reflective Colors Throughout
Dark colors absorb light and can make small spaces feel even more cramped. The foundation of any successful small bathroom remodel, Western New York contractors recommend, is a light, cohesive color palette.
Color strategies that work:
- Crisp white or soft neutral walls that reflect natural and artificial light
- Light-colored flooring that flows seamlessly from wall to wall
- Pale or white cabinetry that doesn’t visually break up the space
- Soft, monochromatic color schemes rather than high-contrast combinations
One idea for your small bathroom remodel, Western New York homeowners should consider, is to use varying shades of the same light color family. This creates depth and interest while maintaining the spacious feeling. Interior designers often recommend this bathroom renovation approach because it creates visual continuity that tricks the eye into perceiving more space.
Install Strategic Lighting to Eliminate Shadows
Poor lighting makes small bathrooms feel cave-like and even smaller. A well-lit bathroom renovation instantly feels more open and inviting.
Effective lighting solutions include:
- Recessed ceiling lights that don’t intrude into the space
- Wall-mounted sconces beside the mirror to eliminate shadows
- Under-cabinet LED strips for subtle ambient lighting
- A skylight or larger window if structurally possible
One idea for your small bathroom remodel, Western New York residents often overlook, is to layer different types of lighting rather than relying on a single overhead fixture. This bathroom remodeling technique creates depth and eliminates the harsh shadows that make spaces feel confined.
Select the Right Mirror to Double Your Visual Space
The mirror in your small bathroom remodel, Western New York experts will tell you, is one of your most powerful tools for creating the illusion of space.
Mirror strategies that maximize impact:
- Large mirrors that extend as wide as your vanity or wider
- Mirrors that reach from the countertop to the ceiling
- Round mirrors that soften the angular lines of a small space
- Mirrors with thin or no frames to avoid visual clutter
One idea for your bathroom renovation project is to consider a mirror wall behind the vanity. This dramatic approach literally doubles the visual space and creates a stunning focal point that distracts from the room’s compact size.
Choose Smart Vanity Solutions
You’re right that large vanities won’t fit in small bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or storage in your bathroom remodeling project.
Small-space vanity options:
- Floating vanities that show floor space underneath
- Narrow-depth vanities (18″ instead of standard 21-24″)
- Corner vanities that utilize otherwise wasted space
- Pedestal sinks with wall-mounted storage above
One idea for your bathroom renovation is to choose a floating vanity with open shelving below. This maintains storage while keeping the space feeling airy. At TBrothers Renovations, we often create custom vanity solutions that fit perfectly in challenging spaces.
Use Large-Format Tiles to Minimize Visual Breaks
Surprisingly, larger tiles can make a small bathroom feel bigger by reducing the number of grout lines that break up the space visually.
Tile strategies for small bathrooms:
- Large-format tiles (12″x24″ or bigger) on floors and walls
- Vertical tile installation to draw the eye upward
- Consistent tile from floor to ceiling in shower areas
- Light-colored grout that blends with the tile
One idea for your bathroom remodeling project is to run the same large tile from the floor up the shower walls. This creates an uninterrupted visual flow that makes the entire space feel larger and more cohesive. We use STRATA_MAT™ under all our tile installations to prevent cracking, ensuring your beautiful tile work lasts for years.
Maximize Vertical Storage Without Overwhelming the Space
Small bathrooms need storage, but traditional storage solutions can make the space feel cluttered during your bathroom renovation.
Vertical storage solutions:
- Tall, narrow cabinets that reach toward the ceiling
- Built-in niches in shower walls
- Over-toilet storage that doesn’t protrude far into the room
- Wall-mounted shelves with clean, simple lines
One idea for your bathroom remodeling project is to create built-in storage that looks like part of the architecture rather than added furniture. This approach maintains clean lines while providing essential storage space.
Choose Glass Shower Enclosures Over Curtains
Shower curtains visually chop up a small bathroom and hide a significant portion of the space from view.
Glass shower benefits:
- Clear glass allows the eye to see the entire bathroom at once
- Creates an uninterrupted sight line that makes the room feel larger
- Reflects light throughout the space
- Looks more luxurious and spa-like than curtains
One idea for your bathroom renovation is to use clear glass with minimal hardware. At TBrothers Renovations, we’re WEDI system certified, which means we use advanced waterproofing systems that create beautiful, leak-proof shower enclosures that stand the test of time.
Create Visual Interest at Eye Level
Drawing attention to beautiful design elements prevents people from focusing on the room’s small size.
Eye-level focal points:
- Beautiful backsplash tile behind the vanity
- Interesting light fixtures that serve as art pieces
- A statement mirror with unique shape or frame
- Carefully chosen accessories that add personality without clutter
One idea for your bathroom remodeling project is to invest in one truly stunning element—like a gorgeous tile accent wall or unique light fixture—that becomes the room’s focal point and distracts from its compact dimensions.
Why TBrothers Renovations Excels at Small Bathroom Remodels in Western New York
Small bathroom renovation projects require special expertise because every inch matters. At TBrothers Renovations, we understand the unique challenges of WNY homes, from older Buffalo colonials with tiny bathrooms to ranch homes in Williamsville that need creative storage solutions.
Our family-owned team brings together professional craftspeople who pay strong attention to detail, and our interior designer specializes in making small spaces feel larger through smart design choices. We create digital mockups of your remodeled bathroom so you can see exactly how these space-enhancing techniques will work in your specific space before any work begins.
We’re also obsessed with keeping your home clean during your bathroom renovation. Our dust control technology—including ZipWall Dust Barrier systems and BuildClean HEPA 360 Air Scrubbers—is especially important in small bathroom remodeling projects where dust can quickly spread throughout your home.
Our quality processes, like using STRATA_MAT™ under tiles and metal plates to protect pipes, ensure your beautiful small bathroom renovation will look stunning for years to come. These details might not be visible in the finished space, but they make all the difference in durability and long-term satisfaction.
Transform Your Small Bathroom into a Beautiful, Spacious Retreat
A small bathroom doesn’t have to feel cramped or compromise on style. With these eight design strategies, your small bathroom renovation can create a space that feels surprisingly spacious and undeniably beautiful.
At TBrothers Renovations, we’ve helped homeowners throughout Western New York—from Buffalo to Lockport, Cheektowaga to Lancaster—transform their small bathrooms into spaces they love. Our expertise in space planning, combined with our commitment to quality craftsmanship and clean work practices, ensures your bathroom remodeling project exceeds your expectations.
Ready to see how beautiful and spacious your small bathroom can become? Contact TBrothers Renovations today for a consultation where we can discuss your specific space and show you exactly how these design principles will work in your home.
TBrothers Renovations has served as a general contractor in Buffalo, NY since 2015. Our family-owned business specializes in creating beautiful, functional spaces throughout Western New York, including Buffalo, Clarence, Williamsville, Lancaster, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, and Lockport. Contact us to start your small bathroom transformation.
Service Areas: All Western New York, including Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Clarence, Kenmore, Tonawanda, Grand Island, Lancaster, Depew, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Akron, Elma, Wheatfield, Lockport, Lewiston, and Niagara Falls.