Row houses in the District and townhomes across Alexandria and Prince George's County often have compact bathrooms. The footprint rarely changes during a remodel, but the way the room feels can change dramatically with a few deliberate design choices.
First, float the vanity. A wall-mounted vanity shows more floor, which makes the room read larger, and it makes cleaning easier. Second, use large-format tile with minimal grout lines, and carry the same tile from the floor into the shower so the eye sees one continuous surface.
Third, replace a shower curtain or framed door with clear, frameless glass. Letting the back wall of the shower be visible from the doorway adds real depth. Fourth, layer the lighting: a well-lit mirror, a recessed light in the shower, and a dimmable ceiling fixture eliminate the shadows that shrink a room.
Finally, build storage into the walls instead of onto them. Recessed medicine cabinets and tiled shower niches keep counters and ledges clear. A small bathroom with nothing on its surfaces looks calm, and calm reads as spacious.