How to make a small bathroom feel bigger?

Preview

Bathroom at a Glance

Who lives here: A couple whose children have moved out
Location: Washington, D.C.
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Designer: Carolyn Elleman of Case

Before:
This bathroom had vintage charm but lacked practicality. The homeowners were ready for an update, wanting more storage, functionality, and light.

After:
Designer Carolyn Elleman worked within the room’s 5-by-8-foot space with the goals of making it feel bigger, creating the largest shower possible, and adding storage. The client wanted the space to reflect California, which Elleman interpreted as modern, light-filled, and with warm golden tones.

A cherry vanity and gold-colored metal finishes keep the mostly white room from feeling cold. Gray-tone porcelain floor tiles ground the space and offer nice contrast to the white.

Wall color: Panda White, Sherwin-Williams
Faucets and shower heads: Delta