Whether you’re in Brooklyn or Brookings, sometimes apartments can feel cramped. And if you’re living with other housemates, space can be even harder to come by. This especially takes place in one of the most important rooms in the house—the bathroom.

Bathrooms are supposed to be the safe haven of the home. They offer privacy, quietness and, hopefully, relaxation. However, if space isn’t on your side, it can be hard to achieve these simple offerings.

Follow these five ways to make your apartment bathroom feel bigger. You’ll thank us later.

1. Lighten up the Room

How you light your bathroom can drastically affect the room’s atmosphere. Consequentially, your atmosphere can affect how big or small your bathroom feels. Often windows in bathrooms get covered to offer privacy. Unfortunately, windows can feel like a wall, not letting any natural light inside. If you have a window in your bathroom, opt for a translucent shade or a stained-glass window. These will allow the natural light to fill your bathroom and make your mornings a little more relaxing.

2. Use Pale Paints

Similar to lighting, your bathroom walls’ paint can drastically affect the feel of the room. Dark-colored, heavy paint can make any-sized room feel smaller than it actually is. Light, neutral colors make spaces feel more open and airier. When your room’s paint is complementary to other elements of your bathroom, such as shower curtains or furniture, it can create the impression of more space.

3. Raise the Furniture

When working with small spaces, how you position your furniture is very important. Raised vanities and floating shelves are easy ways to optimize space and create a modern and stylish feel to your bathroom. Take advantage of space on your walls while moving pieces off the floor. Cabinets can be clunkier and bigger than necessary. By having shallow, raised shelves for storage, you’ll gain much-needed floor space.

4. Invest in Mirrors

Mirrors give the illusion of taller and wider walls by creating depth. Because most bathrooms have one mirror on the wall, investing in another can be an easy way to create the illusion of space. Mirrors are a great use of functionality and form.

5. Clean Up

An easy way to keep your bathroom as big as possible is by getting rid of unnecessary items. Decluttering can go a long way. Save valuable counter space by using your wall space. Take advantage of hooks or shelves to hang and hold your toiletries and towels. This will give you the opportunity to keep all your essentials on your counters with room for décor. Speaking of which… less is more when it comes to bathroom décor.

Sadly, small bathrooms aren’t something you can avoid. But with these steps, you can make the most of your bathroom and prove that small bathrooms can still be stylish and functional.