7 Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Fit for a King, Queen or Village
Are you renovating your small bathroom or only have limited space to squeeze in a new one? Here's how to make it deluxe
Rebeka Morgan
5 March 2020
Houzz Australia contributor. I am a co-founder of the online renovation and building education program for women called BuildHer Collective.
Houzz Australia contributor. I am a co-founder of the online renovation and building... More
Wondering how you’re going to fit everything into a compact bathroom and make sure the whole family is still able to get around the space – all without sacrificing the style factor? Read on to see how these seven tips will help you make the most out of a small bathroom.
1. Light is the key
Natural light is always best. Smaller spaces can often appear darker and, as a result, can create a more boxed-in feeling.
If the space for your bathroom can only muster a petite window, think about whether a skylight could be introduced as well to let more light in. It will open the space up, and who doesn’t love a blue sky?
Find a bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz for expert advice on fitting all the essential features into a small bathroom
Natural light is always best. Smaller spaces can often appear darker and, as a result, can create a more boxed-in feeling.
If the space for your bathroom can only muster a petite window, think about whether a skylight could be introduced as well to let more light in. It will open the space up, and who doesn’t love a blue sky?
Find a bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz for expert advice on fitting all the essential features into a small bathroom
2. Colour schemes can make or break a space
Choosing lighter colours works to enhance a space in the same way natural light does – your bathroom will feel more airy and open than if you choose lots of different colours, textures and patterns, which can confuse the eye in a compact space if not done well, and make it feel chaotic rather than calm and relaxing.
Choosing lighter colours works to enhance a space in the same way natural light does – your bathroom will feel more airy and open than if you choose lots of different colours, textures and patterns, which can confuse the eye in a compact space if not done well, and make it feel chaotic rather than calm and relaxing.
Lighter colours don’t need to be bland, you could even go all-white, which is a classic scheme (but we’d suggest adding some textural elements so the space doesn’t feel flat). Your colour selection should be light enough to allow whatever available natural light you have to bounce off the surfaces and create a sense of spaciousness.
Browse more images of compact bathrooms in crisp white
Browse more images of compact bathrooms in crisp white
3. Use all the space
Consider a floating vanity (or at least one that’s raised on legs) rather than a vanity that is fixed to the floor. Seeing that extra bit of floor space will trick your eye into believing that your bathroom is bigger than it really is. Every snippet of space makes a difference in small bathrooms.
Consider a floating vanity (or at least one that’s raised on legs) rather than a vanity that is fixed to the floor. Seeing that extra bit of floor space will trick your eye into believing that your bathroom is bigger than it really is. Every snippet of space makes a difference in small bathrooms.
In a similar way, try to utilise your wall space instead of sacrificing your floor space. Choosing a wall-hung toilet with a concealed cistern creates an immediate sense of depth. Your eye is automatically drawn up the room when you lift your fittings off the floor and this streamlines the bathroom and visually enlarges the space.
Best of the Week: 30 Bathroom Vanities and Basins
Best of the Week: 30 Bathroom Vanities and Basins
4. Frameless showers always win
If your bathroom is on the small side, you don’t want it to feel even more compact by dividing the space with shower curtains or room dividers that separate the shower from the rest of the room and obstruct clear sightlines. A clear, full-length frameless glass shower screen is a winning way to open up the space.
If your bathroom is on the small side, you don’t want it to feel even more compact by dividing the space with shower curtains or room dividers that separate the shower from the rest of the room and obstruct clear sightlines. A clear, full-length frameless glass shower screen is a winning way to open up the space.
5. A statement mirror is a great idea
One of the quickest and easiest ways to make a space seem double its size is by installing a large mirror above the vanity. The reflection in the mirror gives the illusion of a larger space and enhances the light, so think big, not small when choosing a mirror.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to make a space seem double its size is by installing a large mirror above the vanity. The reflection in the mirror gives the illusion of a larger space and enhances the light, so think big, not small when choosing a mirror.
6. Get clever with clutter
We all know that good storage will always be the best thing in rooms large and small, but in a tiny bathroom storage can become a luxury, so you’ll have to be clever when designing it. There’s only so much that can fit into a floating vanity, so think about how you can build storage into your bathroom in other ways, as in the sleek storage wall in this narrow space.
We all know that good storage will always be the best thing in rooms large and small, but in a tiny bathroom storage can become a luxury, so you’ll have to be clever when designing it. There’s only so much that can fit into a floating vanity, so think about how you can build storage into your bathroom in other ways, as in the sleek storage wall in this narrow space.
A built-in niche or wall ledge also means items will be within handy reach, with nothing out of place. Don’t have enough room to store spare folded towels? Think about installing a simple towel rail affixed to the most appropriate space – generally closest to the shower or on the longest wall – and ensure it’s well off the floor to create that feeling of more space.
Best of the Week: 25 Bathroom Storage Ideas to Steal
Best of the Week: 25 Bathroom Storage Ideas to Steal
7. Simple is best
If you can afford it, continuing your floor tiles up the walls all the way to the ceiling and painting your ceiling in a similar tone (or in white) is a great way to create the illusion of space.
If you can’t afford to carry the tiles all the way up to the ceiling, you could continue the painted wall colour right up instead, which will still provide a seamless and unified look. Using similar finishes throughout creates unity and helps make small spaces feel larger.
If you can afford it, continuing your floor tiles up the walls all the way to the ceiling and painting your ceiling in a similar tone (or in white) is a great way to create the illusion of space.
If you can’t afford to carry the tiles all the way up to the ceiling, you could continue the painted wall colour right up instead, which will still provide a seamless and unified look. Using similar finishes throughout creates unity and helps make small spaces feel larger.
Bonus extra tips (because we love sharing)
Think about which way your bathroom door opens – if you can, hanging the door to open outwards rather than inwards will also go a long way in maximising the amount of useable space.
Also, think about the direction you choose to lay your tiles. If you have a long, narrow bathroom, laying floor tiles in a horizontal manner will draw the eye across the space, which can help make it feel wider than it is.
Your turn
Which of these seven tips would work in your own compact bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more small-space inspiration? Take a look at these 7 Ideas to Borrow From Small Well-Designed Bedrooms
Think about which way your bathroom door opens – if you can, hanging the door to open outwards rather than inwards will also go a long way in maximising the amount of useable space.
Also, think about the direction you choose to lay your tiles. If you have a long, narrow bathroom, laying floor tiles in a horizontal manner will draw the eye across the space, which can help make it feel wider than it is.
Your turn
Which of these seven tips would work in your own compact bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more small-space inspiration? Take a look at these 7 Ideas to Borrow From Small Well-Designed Bedrooms
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What the size of the Japanese bath ?
You’ll have to check their website. They are not importing all the acrylic baths anymore.
the Japanese bath company
Good article and I definitely agree about bigger mirrors being better but can designers think about us short people and place the mirror lower so we don't just see the top of our heads!