If you're like a lot of people you were blessed with a bathroom the size of a closet. You know, those little 5x7 spaces with a sink, toilet, tub and often times no window. Now by no stretch of the imagination are you going to turn this little bath into a spacious luxurious spa unless you're planning a complete bathroom remodeling project. But there are a lot of things you can do to make your tiny bath feel more open and inviting and the nice thing about small spaces, you can probably do it all in a weekend.

Start with the walls. If they're still sporting that big floral 80s wallpaper it's time for an update and a simple coat of paint can do wonders. Light colors will make a space feel larger and brighter, so stick with white or soft pale shades of yellow, green, blue or what ever your favorite color might be. Just keep it light.

Bathroom lighting can have a big effect on how the room looks. Not enough lighting and the space will feel small and cramped, especially if you don't have a window in the bathroom. Consider adding more lighting over or around the mirror. Add a small vanity lamp to a shelf or mount small lights under the shelves. Having added bathroom lighting will push back those shadows, opening up the space and making it seem larger.

If you are fortunate enough to have a window in your small bathroom, dress it sparingly. Of course you'll want the privacy but at the same time you don't want to block out any available light. Add blinds that you can open and close as needed or use café style curtains across the lower half of the window. If you're really creative hang a framed piece of stained glass in the window, using hooks and picture hanging wire or even make a rice paper panel for a touch of simple Asian elegance.

You might not think that changing the cabinet hardware in a bathroom would make it seem larger but if you change your cabinet knobs and pulls to bright metals such as nickel or stainless steel or other materials such as clear glass they will pick up the light and reflect it back into the room. Choose cabinet pulls and knobs that will add a touch of sparkle to your bathroom. And remember to select materials for your cabinet hardware that match or compliment all of your bathroom fixtures. Too much variety will stop the eye at every point and break a tiny room up even further. By using the same materials and colors, you create a sense of flow which will make the room seem larger.

The same thing that applies to your cabinet hardware holds true for your towels and other bath linens. You don't want bold colors, patterns or stripes that compete for the small space or shout out at you the moment you walk in. Instead choose your bath linens in a shade slightly lighter or darker than the walls, just enough to make them stand out.

Remember that the keys to making a small bath seem larger are to add more bathroom lighting and coordinating your colors. Light will open the room and uniform colors will help the eye to perceive a single open space. Even small touches such as coordinating your cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls can make a big difference. You don't need to take on a complete bathroom remodeling to deal with a small bathroom. A weekend and a little creativity are all you really need.