A small bathroom can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to feel like an afterthought. A few strategic choices—from swapping in a glass shower door to choosing a properly proportioned vanity—can make even the tightest space feel more open. Below, designers share their best advice for making a small bathroom look bigger.

The old prescription for a small bathroom (white walls, little contrast, no risk taking) can make a fall space feel more forgettable than expansive. Michelle Squire, founder and principal of Studio SQUIRE, encourages the opposite approach: “Don’t be afraid of drama.”

The walls are an especially effective place to start. “Opt for a beautiful patterned wallpaper that creates a totally immersive experience, or go with a rich paint color in a high-gloss finish that feels dramatic while naturally reflecting light,” Squire says. Her one caveat: “Keep the ceiling painted in a light, airy color that contrasts with the walls; this will naturally draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller.”

A shower curtain may be useful, but in a tight bathroom, it can visually bisect the room. “A tip for making a bathroom feel larger is to add a frameless glass shower enclosure instead of a curtain or framed door,” Squire says. “This allows your eye to travel the whole width of the room instead of stopping at the barrier.”

Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home, agrees: “Anything opaque visually cuts off a portion of the room, while clear glass allows for seamless sight lines throughout the entire space.”