The best little bathroom ideas mix aesthetic appeal with functionality. These little bathrooms are designed to make a small area appear more prominent, functional, and fashionably appealing.
When designing a small bathroom, careful planning – which encompasses everything from the layout to the fittings to the storage options – is essential to ensure that even the smallest bathroom feels roomy.
Stylish and functional details are the icing on the cake.
Small bathrooms have always necessitated compromises, with the bathtub frequently being the first casualty in the war for space, not to mention storage concerns.
1 Make the Most of Your Tiny Lavatory by Using Clever Storage
‘When adding small bathroom storage solutions, consider adding wall-mounted shelving instead of floor-standing vanity cabinets.
- It utilizes wall-mounted commodes, vanities, and low-level accessories such as toilet brushes and wastebaskets to keep the floor as clean and empty as possible.
- This necessitates creative storage solutions and the optimal use of nooks, mirror storage units, and shelves.
2. Make The Most Of Architectural Details
Arched partition walls are making a comeback and are a popular method of incorporating on-trend curves without sacrificing too much room.
To emphasize the form of this arch, plain white bathroom tiles have been applied to its surface.
- We created an arched niche for this new bathroom to offer character and a feeling of heritage.
- Unexpectedly in a new home, we placed a traditional clawfoot tub with a dark-painted exterior inside, and the arch adds character and depth.
- The once-bland area now appears to tell a story.
3. Use paint to bring life to a small room
Painting the fitted furniture in a bathroom is an excellent opportunity to bring bolder hues alongside neutral walls or vice versa.
“Painted bathroom paneling is still quite popular, and we adore mixing our lovely Malahide or Invisible Green colors with exquisite wallpapers.”
Painting an antique bathtub is another excellent way to add color, and our paints are ideal for traditional cast-iron bathtubs: Brick and Etruscan Brown are popular choices.
4. Present a Playful Pattern
Consider integrating creative embellishments that will bring an air of surprise and unexpected curiosity to small bathrooms, as they are ripe with aesthetic opportunities.
‘Bathrooms are certainly practical and functional environments, but they don’t have to be utilitarian,’ says the creative director and creator of Studio Indigo (opens in new tab).
- A bold color choice will spark debate among guests and acquaintances, particularly in a powder room. Wallpaper, textiles, and tiles can be used to introduce patterns.
- Complement your designs with good lighting; in a powder room, this can be evocative, but there must be ample light in a bathroom.
- Here, the border tiles in this Studio Indigo space highlight the bathroom’s height, which is an excellent method to make a small bathroom appear more prominent.
5. Invest In Sufficient Lighting
In a shower design for a tiny bathroom, it is essential to recognize the significance of appropriate bathroom lighting ideas.
This should always incorporate decorative wall lights on either side of a mirror to create a softer, more flattering light for the face and as a decorative element.
- Lighting is more than just practical; in bathrooms, lighting ideas for tiny bathrooms are an intrinsic design element that, if feasible, should be considered from the outset.
- The ideal bathroom lighting may help you feel energized in the morning and calm in the evening.
6. Delineate An Alcove
‘We frequently find that placing mosaics within an alcove helps to maximize limited shower areas, and a gloss finish contributes to the sense of larger dimensions by reflecting natural light.
Recommend matching two different mosaic designs within the space, establishing a point of interest where these verticals meet, and putting them against a cool neutral paint hue to help open up the compact bathroom.
7. Keep a small bathroom clutter-free
The organization of a little bathroom necessitates a thoughtful method, which you should consider adhering to if you want your bathroom to appear excellent, tidy, and beautiful every day. Check out our bathroom shelf designs for additional inspiration.
- For the area to be clean and uncluttered, storage solutions are a crucial component of a good design in this case.
- Choose integrated storage if possible so that energy can flow freely. When building a bathroom from scratch, you must evaluate all choices.
- A full-height mirrored cabinet stretches across an entire wall in my bathroom, giving adequate concealed storage for all of my beauty supplies.
8. Make a coloured bath the center of attention
When space is limited, the objective is to divert the eye, which may be accomplished by selecting a magnificent bathroom in color other than white. The vertically ribbed design is also visually beneficial.
‘Bathroom decor is all about color, and a fantastic approach to introduce it gradually is using pastel tones.
- A traditional-style bathtub will give character to your bathroom, while a pastel hue will provide vibrancy.
- ‘Color also helps to create a striking focal point by drawing the eye in.
- The secret to a successful freestanding bath, regardless of size, is to leave 10 cm between the edge and the walls.
- It gives a sense of openness and makes cleaning much more uncomplicated.
9. Make Space For A Niche
Weary of chasing shampoo and body wash bottles over the slick shower floor? Consider including a shower niche in your bathroom design, as it is suitable for showers and tubs. It is one of the most elegant and space-saving little bathroom storage options.
It is an efficient and practical solution to add storage space without sacrificing elbow room. Create a focal point by adding a colored trim that contrasts with the wall tiles.
10. Match Wall And Floor Tiles
A bathroom with an all-encompassing design is beautiful and evokes the ambiance of a spa. Additionally, it creates the illusion of space, as seen in the bathroom suite above.
‘Using the same tiles on the floor and walls will increase the sense of space by providing a uniform appearance.
‘Light-colored tiles can make a tiny bathroom appear more significant because they reflect more light than darker hues, creating an airy and roomy atmosphere.
- Slab or ‘large format porcelain tiles have gained tremendous appeal in recent years. These large-format designs have fewer grout lines, necessitating less cleaning and maintenance.
- The seamless appearance of slab tiles may frequently make smaller spaces feel more prominent, making them excellent for creating a distinctive, high-end aesthetic.
11. Use the Same Color for Walls and Woodwork
Paint is a fantastic creative tool; you can use it to make a small bathroom appear more prominent.
When you paint white woodwork, it visually separates the wall from the skirting, window frames, and any edgings above, such as picture rails.
By painting the entire area with a single hue, you create an uninterrupted flow for the viewer’s eyes.
- Painting a bathroom also distracts; if you’re searching for small bathroom flooring ideas, wide plank floorboards will make the floor appear larger.
- All that matters is generating optical illusions.
12. Find Space In The Eaves
Embrace little, and there is much more area for a compact bathroom. This charming attic room has been converted into a loft but feels clean.
A beautiful Crittall-style shower enclosure adds drama, while a skylight and light color scheme make this room light and airy. In a compact area, investing in bespoke fixtures, high-end tiles, and brassware pays off more than anywhere else.
13. Provide Flexibility With Pocket Doors
When the room is limited, pocket doors are your best friend. Here, they partition a small space to integrate a bathroom with creative and compact laundry room ideas.
- If you’re planning a soothing bath, you must be able to close the door on the heaps of laundry.
- However, since the doors drop into the wall cavity, there is significantly greater room for maneuvering if necessary.
14. Employ dark hues in a small bathroom
It is uncommon to hear a small bathroom labeled as cozy.
Nevertheless, with the appropriate bathroom color schemes and materials, you can create a comfortable, inviting area that you’ll wish to return to at the beginning or end of the day.
- The Lily Pad tile, every designer’s favorite shower tile concept, has been utilized fully.
- You may not have previously believed richness as possible in a little bathroom, but the emerald hue and brass and copper accents make it possible.
15. Make The Most Of A Small Bathroom Layout
When designing a small bathroom, every square inch counts. It is essential to collect precise measurements and account for doors, windows, and sloped ceilings, which may dictate your bathroom design choices.
Even in odd situations, feel free to play with patterns.
- In this dark bathroom, the hexagonal tiled flooring and splashback provide a unified design, serving as a backdrop for this rustic vanity that not only fits wonderfully into the alcove but also nods to the home’s barn roots.
- Check your local construction codes to ensure your design does not infringe on local rules.
- Small mistakes, such as not leaving enough space between a toilet and a shower, might find you in hot water.
16. Create a wet room from a small bathroom
Although it may be a more expensive alternative than a typical shower, examining wet room options for your space may be worthwhile.
- The primary expense is waterproofing the area with tanking, although the resulting space is more significant because a shower enclosure is unnecessary.
- This demonstrates that it is possible to have the same flooring throughout and a frameless shower screen to contain spills without feeling confined.
17. embellish a tiny bathroom with wallpaper
Adding personality to a country-style bathroom is simple with patterned wallpaper.
Standard wallpaper can be used if the room is well-ventilated with an exhaust fan to prevent steam damage.
- Apply strong glue to the underside, followed by a layer of decorator’s varnish to protect against moisture. Or, use vinyl wallpaper explicitly created for bathrooms; nonetheless,
- it is preferable to use tiles or paneling in damp areas such as around the bathtub or sink.
18. Use The Right Paint Shade
Many people employ lighter, whiter hues in small bathrooms to create the illusion of more space. Although this method is effective, choosing the proper paint color is also essential.
- Cool undertones complement south-facing aspects, and warmer hues complement north-facing rooms; in both cases, the shades balance the natural light entering the room.
- Always test the bathroom paint ideas you are contemplating first to see how they look on specific walls, as results vary.
19. Add Some Elegance
Recommends utilizing wall-mounted furniture to free up floor space in a small bathroom and sticking to neutral colors for an attractive spa-like appearance.
This prevents the area from feeling boxy due to the use of several hues.
And don’t be afraid to add some glitz to your spa bathroom ideas; these brushed gold fixtures truly make this bathroom shine.
- For instance, a bath caddy can help create a professional appearance if you have a bathtub.
- To contain candles, bubble baths, and other items.
- Otherwise, a freestanding towel rack or rail will offer your area sophistication regarding your fluffy towels.
20. Choose Quality Finishes
A benefit of designing a small bathroom is that you can splurge on higher-quality materials and finishes than you would for a larger space.
Custom map wallpaper was commissioned for this project to fit the space and offer visual interest.
- The odd shape is complemented with sleek gray paneling that conceals unsightly pipes and creates a convenient shelf around the walls.
- Authentic encaustic floor tiles complete the design.
21. Create Zones, Even In A Small Bathroom
It is beneficial to divide a family bathroom into zones, with the shower and bath on one side and the sink and toilet on the other so that someone can brush their teeth while you’re bathing your children.
- A bathtub in the same space as a wet room is a convenient addition. If you want to paint your tub, choose an exterior eggshell paint because it can withstand moisture better.
- Different flooring can also create zones; our bathroom floor tile ideas guide the choice of complementary patterns.
22. Make A Statement
A powder room is typically one of the smallest rooms in a home, although it is the one that the majority of guests will see.
This can be an excellent opportunity to experiment with color and pattern and demonstrate your flair for design to guests.
- Minimize fixtures and fittings by selecting a corner or shallow basin, a monobloc mixer faucet, and a primary towel holder.
- Then, concentrate on the powder room’s wall design using a magnificent, dramatic wallpaper pattern or a few pieces of statement art.
23. Use Optical Illusions
When selecting small bathroom tile ideas, use optical illusion to create the sensation of space. For instance, horizontal lines can help your room appear more significant, and these metro tiles are a classic alternative.
To keep tiles from appearing too stark or clinical, add layers of texture and warmth to the space with natural materials, such as real wood or plants.
The gray bathroom tiles tie the design together by highlighting the dark grouting on the walls.
24. Build In Storage To Use Space Wisely
It may appear illogical to add more items to a limited space. However, space can be optimized by storing lotions, potions, toilet paper, and even towels in slender built-in cabinetry.
To assist your furniture in blending nicely, panel all the walls to the same height.
25. Wall Mount To Make A Small Bathroom Feel Larger
Suppose you have a small amount of bathroom clutter to conceal. Attempt to keep furnishings and sanitaryware to a minimum.
Wall-mounted basins and commodes clear the floor and have minimal influence on the walls, making a tiny bathroom appear more prominent.
- They are also considerably simpler to clean.
- Be creative with the placement of your sanitary products.
- This basin fits nicely between the wall and the window, and its corner placement makes it less intrusive.