18. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaWhy we love it: A narrow bathroom can easily feel dark and cramped, but not so here – a floor-to-ceiling window floods the area with natural light, while a slender vanity and compact basins maximise floor space so people can move comfortably through.
26. Location: Madrid, SpainWhy we love it: Black grout on white tiles creates a funky, grid-like effect on the floor and walls. We’re impressed with how the owners have managed to squeeze a tiny walk-in shower into this narrow space.
11. Location: Cagliari, ItalyWhy we love it: Simplicity is key in a small space, and this bathroom, with its minimal detailing and warm timber-and-white scheme, nails it perfectly.
7. Location: Milan, ItalyWhy we love it: No room for a bath? Why not create a generous walk-in shower instead, as the owner of this compact bathroom has done.
6. Location: Singapore Why we love it: Running the striking black-and-white tiles from the floor to a single wall at the rear of this narrow bathroom draws the eye the full length of the room, creating the illusion of space.
What are my options for storage? If space is tight, would it be a good idea to mount the vanity on the wall so I can maximise floor space? Do I need to add in extra storage in the form of shelves, medicine cabinets or wall recesses? Should I have a vanity basin that is recessed into the cabinet, hung on the wall, or should I sit it on the bench and make a feature of it?
4. If space is tight, choose a sliding door The door you choose for your ensuite will have a big impact not just on how big the space feels, but how comfortably you can move around in it. A hinged door that swings inwards will take away valuable floor space – fine if you have a large ensuite, but not ideal in a compact one. In this case, a door that slides into a hidden pocket in the wall is the best option. Just bear in mind that you won’t be able to fix towel rails or other accessories to the back of a pocket door, as you would with a hinged door, or one that simply slides across a blank wall.Tip: If your ensuite is dark, you might consider glazing the sliding door so you can ‘borrow’ light from the adjoining room. Frosted glass would also allow for a sense of privacy.10 Storage Rules for a Neat Ensuite
1. Consider using the same colour tiles for floors and wallsChoosing the same colour tiles for the floor and walls – even if they’re different shapes – will make a small ensuite feel much larger. If you can only tile walls to a certain height, consider painting the plaster above the tiled section in the same colour as the tiles. Tip: If you love the look of stone but it’s out of your budget, consider an affordable ceramic tile that mimics the look and feel of stone.See more stunning contemporary bathrooms
25. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaWhy we love it: Pared-back lines, sumptuous materials – this compact vanity in a bathroom by GIA Bathroom and Kitchen Renovations was one we couldn’t tear our eyes away from.
24. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaWhy we love it: We adore the asymmetrical touches here, such as how the vanity appears to hug one wall and the mirror has been hung off-centre… but what we love even more is how it’s all balanced out with open shelving on the far of the unit. Genius.
… and a close up of those gorgeous Japanese mosaic tiles from Academy Tiles.
6. Location: Toorak, VictoriaWhy we love it: A plain timber bench, an eye-catching black and white basin, sleek black tapware – a simple set-up that delivers maximum impact.
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