A windowless bathroom can feel quite dingy and cramped. When there is no natural light streaming into a room, it can have something that can make you feel trapped or confined. You can make simple changes to make your bathroom feel airier and more spacious than it actually is.
Decorate your windowless bathroom by using bright lights and vibrant colors to create an illusion of space. Use mirrors, reflective surfaces, and clear glass fixtures to create an airier, more spacious feel. Plants and artwork are great tools to breathe life into boring spaces.
This article will talk about various ways to make your windowless bathroom look more inviting. We will discuss how factors like lighting, ventilation, color choice, furnishings, and decor can affect the atmosphere of a room and what you can do to create the desired ambiance.
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1. Lighting is Everything
Natural light streaming into a room significantly changes aesthetics and atmosphere. If your bathroom is windowless, and the only light source is artificial, the room can appear dimmer and smaller than it actually is, especially if the lighting is not top-notch.
If your bathroom has no windows, invest in good lighting to give the room a more spacious and airy feel.
Choose an attractive ceiling light that can illuminate the entire space. Opt for an attractive piece that reflects your personality and taste.
You can also install smaller wall-mounted lights at strategic locations around your bathroom. A pair mounted on either side of your vanity mirror is both functional and appealing. An interesting light fixture on an empty wall will be a great accent piece.
Here are some more tips:
Avoid Frosted Glass
Frosted lights can look striking, but remember that these opaque lights are meant to scatter light and soften the illumination in a room.
If you really can’t resist the charm of a particular frosted light fixture, make sure to use it only as an accent piece and not as the primary light source in the room.
Stay Away From Colored Glass
Lights with colored glass are mainly used for decorative purposes and not for proper illumination. They can make your windowless bathroom appear darker and more confined.
If you really can’t resist an especially attractive colored glass light fixture, install it in a way that it functions better as a bathroom decoration rather than a light source.
Opt for Brighter Light
A regular incandescent bulb in a typical room within a house usually emits around 800 lumens (a conventional 60-watt bulb).
Choose a higher wattage for your windowless bathroom to make the space more appealing and functional.
Aim for at least 2,000 lumens for your overall ceiling lights. Ensure that the light flows evenly throughout the room and that there are no poorly lit corners.
Consider also installing lights designed for focused illumination. Use these in the vanity area, especially to shine more light around the mirror, making bathroom tasks like shaving, applying makeup, or washing your face easier.
Choose LED
There are 3 types of bulbs to consider for typical household use:
- Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). These are usually not recommended for bathrooms as they often get turned on and off, and the repeated switching significantly shortens the lifespan of a CFL bulb.
- Halogen bulbs. They work well, especially since they have proven to be reliable and relatively cost-effective.
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This is the best option for a windowless bathroom as LEDs are more energy-efficient. LEDs typically last about 25% longer than traditional bulbs, making them ideal for frequently used communal areas in the household.
Consider Light Color and Quality
Providing adequate lighting for your windowless bathroom is not just about equipping it with as bright a light as possible.
There are other factors to consider, such as color and quality. Experts refer to these factors as color temperature.
Color temperature refers to the tone of light emitted by a bulb, measured in kelvin (K). Lower ratings mean warmer light tones, usually from bulbs that emit soft white or yellowish light.
Higher ratings indicate cooler, brighter light, usually from bulbs that emit white light, sometimes with bluish undertones. For your windowless bathroom, it would be best not to go below 3,000 K.
Consider Installing a Dimmer Switch
Bright light is not always a great thing when it comes to bathrooms. It is convenient when you are applying makeup, shaving, or cleaning.
But what if you want to relax at the end of a long day and spend hours in a warm, soothing bath? Suddenly, the bright lights become bothersome.
This is where a handy dimmer switch can come to your aid. With a dimmer, you can control the ceiling lighting, allowing you to adjust the intensity to match your mood and purpose when entering the bathroom.
2. Invest in Proper Ventilation
A windowless bathroom is a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Without any airflow to dry out the room after each bath, you can look forward to dealing with moisture-related issues faster than expected.
Excessive and constant moisture in the bathroom can ruin paint, furniture, and fixtures. Mold and mildew can also cause health problems.
Installing an exhaust fan is a great way to combat moisture-related concerns in a windowless bathroom.
It is best to have your exhaust fan connected to your main bathroom light switch so that it automatically turns on every time someone enters the room.
You can have a separate switch installed for it so that you can turn off your light while your exhaust fan is running if you need it to double up on drying the room.
Here are some tips for proper use of your exhaust fan:
- Turn it on before you start bathing. This ensures that the room is well-ventilated as moisture accumulates while you shower.
- Leave it on for at least 15 minutes after bathing. This helps dry out the room faster. Remember to leave your shower doors open after bathing; this allows moisture to escape quickly.
3. Go Big on Reflective Surfaces
Invest in a large mirror (or more, if your space allows) to create an illusion of space in your bathroom. Nowadays, there are so many designs to choose from that can complement the design style of your bathroom.
By having large mirrors on your bathroom walls, light can be reflected around and throughout the space, creating an impression of depth.
You can also use metallic accents and surfaces to brighten up the room. Use shiny silver or gold knobs for your cabinets. Choose faucets with reflective surfaces.
Place small golden or silver trays, figurines, or vases in your bathroom. You can also use metallic paint to line the edges of some of your bathroom walls, fixtures, and furnishings.
Using reflective surfaces in your windowless bathroom helps absorb more light and make the room appear larger and more spacious than it actually is.
The concept is similar to how mirrors reflect light through the room. An optical illusion will occur, tricking the eye into perceiving more space within the room.
4. Paint with White
Most people might think that light colors instantly uplift a room and make it appear more spacious than it actually is.
That might work with other rooms in your home, but when it comes to a windowless bathroom, bright colors can sometimes make the space appear smaller. The lack of natural light contributes to the dark, dingy atmosphere.
Instead, go heavy on white paint. Using the color white in your windowless bathroom is another great way to create an illusion of space.
It also makes the room feel airy and bright. Opt for glossy white shades as the extra sheen reflects light, creating a more spacious feel.
5. Opt for Earth Tones
Choose earth tones if you prefer to create a cozy, homely atmosphere in your bathroom. These colors can make your windowless bathroom appear like a relaxing oasis. They can even give the room a sense of warmth, relaxation, and comfort.
Earth tones include shades of:
- Beige
- Brown
- Green
- Red
Play around with these colors, but make sure that most bathroom walls are noticeably lighter than the color of the floor.
Choose white or cream for the ceiling to maximize the limited light in the room. A light ceiling also helps prevent the room from feeling too heavy or dark.
You can even create an accent wall for your bathroom to showcase your creativity better. When choosing your wall colors, consider the 60-30-10 rule.
The dominant color should occupy 60% of the available space, while 30% is reserved for the secondary color. 10% goes to the accent wall.
6. Pay Attention to Your Walls
Wall decor can greatly influence the look and atmosphere of a room. Choose artwork in bright, vibrant colors in a windowless bathroom. Make sure that the frames are also light so that the entire space feels light and lively.
You can also opt for a wall mirror to give the room more dimension. Light will be reflected by the mirror, making your bathroom brighter.
Pictures reflected in the mirror also create the illusion that the room is larger than it actually is. Make sure that the mirror frame is smooth and also in a light color.
7. Renew Your Shower Area
Consider giving your shower area a sleeker, more modern look, especially if it is the boxy type that seems to take up so much space in the room.
Simply installing clear glass shower doors makes a big difference in how your bathroom looks and feels. Glass doors allow light to penetrate the shower area, making the space appear larger.
Also, consider changing your tiles. Opt for light-colored tiles like white, pale yellow, or cream. These colors reflect light from them, making the room appear more spacious and brighter.
Check your bathroom fixtures as well and make sure they are clean, shiny, and stain-free.
8. Decorate with Plants
How better to breathe life into a room than with plants? A windowless bathroom can greatly benefit from adding lush foliage here and there.
Plants are great accents and can also serve as air purifiers.
Make sure to choose plants that can survive in low to medium light. Remember to take them outside at least once a week to rejuvenate and soak up some much-needed sunlight.
You can also have batches of plants that you rotate every week. This way, one set spends a week indoors, beautifying your bathroom, while another set enjoys the sun and fresh air outside.
Avoid being too generous when watering plants located in your windowless bathroom. Given the lack of ventilation and proper lighting in their living spaces, water evaporates and dries slower than usual.
To avoid root rot, water your bathroom plants only when the soil is halfway dry. Watering is best done when they are due for their turn in the sun.
Here are some plants that can survive in the dimly lit and humid environment of a windowless bathroom:
- Peace Lily. These fast-growing plants are among those with excellent air-purifying capabilities. They are sturdy plants that produce beautiful blooms with minimal care.
- Aglaonemas. Their colorful foliage undoubtedly adds more life to any room.
- Lucky Bamboo. This plant can thrive in a water-filled vase. What a quirky way to showcase its attractive foliage!
- Aloe Vera. Known for excellent skincare and haircare properties, having a pot or 2 within reach in your bathroom is such a great idea!
- Pothos. These plants can be hung from the ceiling or on stakes high up on the wall. They drape beautifully and can make great accents in your bathroom.
- Spider Plant. Known as an excellent air purifier and particularly adept at removing formaldehyde (a substance used for cleaning, disinfecting, and preserving laboratory samples) from the air.
- Snake Plant. This plant has been recognized by none other than NASA for its reliable air-purifying capabilities.
- ZZ Plant. These are one of the hardest-to-kill plants as they need so little to survive. ZZ plants do well even with daily weak lighting conditions and require minimal watering due to their succulent-like leaves.
- Calathea. These plants come in different colors and sizes, making them one of the most popular and well-loved types among gardeners. They thrive in high humidity, so they’ll surely enjoy the moist air in a windowless bathroom.
Important Notes
Proper lighting, ventilation, and creative color schemes make your windowless bathroom look more appealing and feel more inviting. Depending on the kind of mood you want to create, you can go for bright or earth tones.
Simple things like transparent glass doors, artwork with white frames, and plants with vibrant foliage can make the room appear more spacious and airy than it actually is.
It is also wise to invest in a high-quality exhaust fan to help with the moisture issues that usually come with caring for a windowless bathroom.