Give The Illusion Of More Space In Your Tiny Bathroom With This Curtain Rod Hack

A tiny bathroom shouldn't be a drawback or hindrance in your home. In fact, there are plenty of clever hacks to make the best of a small bathroom, including a curtain rod trick that can make the space appear larger. Switching out your curtain rod can transform your tiny washroom and make it feel much more spacious, and all you need are a curtain rod and some supplies. Simply attach the rod upside down from the ceiling, like a pull-up bar that runs the length of your shower, and hang an extra long curtain from it for a deceptive "lift." By raising where your curtain hangs down from, you create the illusion of a higher ceiling, which can instantly open up any space.

Whenever you're in a room or house with high ceilings, your eyesight is pulled upward to the excess of space above you. Your mind associates this effect with a larger, more open area, even if it is narrow or smaller than you perceive. The trick of utilizing a higher ceiling is not a new concept, but with this DIY, anyone can adjust their curtain rod and watch as their bathroom becomes a better, more open version of the original. Make sure that you apply this trick only if you have a light source at the top of your shower — otherwise, you'll be bathing in the dark!

To get started, either head to your local home furnishings store or check online for a rectangular curtain rod like this Blackout Rectangle Rod from Target. The shape of this allows you to secure it to the ceiling upside down and still leave room for the hooks and curtain. This option comes with mounts and is extendable so you can adjust the length depending on how far across your shower you need it to stretch. You will also want to purchase a shower curtain that is long enough to reach the floor from your ceiling. The length of your curtain also contributes to the illusion of height, making the ceiling seem higher than it is. You can find basic extra long curtains and liners from retailers like Target or Amazon.

Measure the distance from your rod to where you want the curtain to end. This should be as close to the floor as possible without dragging so that you get as much height as possible. The longer your curtain, the larger your space should seem thanks to the high ceiling effect. You can leave between ½ inch and 4 inches between the curtain and the floor, depending on how long the actual material comes. Shower curtains that fall close to the floor often make a bathroom seem bigger, too.

Your shower curtain should come with hooks already, or you can purchase custom items off of Amazon if you prefer a more decorative selection. Once your rod is secured, you can add the hooks and hang your curtain. Adjust as needed to produce a clean, aesthetically pleasing finish.

The pattern and color of your shower curtain also plays into making your bathroom seem larger. Busy patterns or dark colors can shrink a space, whereas lighter shades and airy fabrics can open it up. Vertical stripes are also great for creating height, pulling people's eyes toward the ceiling to build on the illusion of a larger space. White is always a classic option, but all-white decor should be avoided in a small bathroom because it can shrink the area. Combine white curtains with black tiling inside the shower, or mix in other neutrals if you want a white theme rather than going monochromatic. You can use this trick in any bathroom where you have a need for a shower curtain, and this, combined with other small bathroom ideas, can make your space seem bigger without renovations.