Best of the Week: 30 Small But Spectacular Bathrooms
A lack of size doesn't get in the way of style in these brilliant bijou bathrooms
Georgia Madden
25 January 2018
Dreaming of a spacious and light-filled bathroom but forced to make do with compact quarters and an awkward footprint? If you’re struggling with how to design and decorate your small bathroom, read on – we’ve gathered together our favourites on Houzz, all of which prove that a shortage of space needn’t be an impediment to style.
1. Location: Vaucluse, NSW
Why we love it: Lashings of light, wall-mounted fixtures and a predominantly white colour scheme maximise the sense of space in this narrow bathroom for a family of five. Nice job Kate Connors Interiors.
Why we love it: Lashings of light, wall-mounted fixtures and a predominantly white colour scheme maximise the sense of space in this narrow bathroom for a family of five. Nice job Kate Connors Interiors.
2. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: A floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the garden blurs the lines between inside and out, and makes this compact bathroom feel larger than it actually is.
Why we love it: A floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the garden blurs the lines between inside and out, and makes this compact bathroom feel larger than it actually is.
3. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: A soothing, all-white scheme, matt finishes and minimalist detailing create the illusion of space in this Melbourne bathroom.
Why we love it: A soothing, all-white scheme, matt finishes and minimalist detailing create the illusion of space in this Melbourne bathroom.
4. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: A frameless shower screen is a brilliant addition to a compact bathroom because it provides an unobstructed view throughout the space, as evidenced in this lovely design by smarterBATHROOMS+
Why we love it: A frameless shower screen is a brilliant addition to a compact bathroom because it provides an unobstructed view throughout the space, as evidenced in this lovely design by smarterBATHROOMS+
5. Location: Geelong, Victoria
Why we love it: Lack of space and a tricky footprint haven’t prevented the owners of this Geelong home from having their dream bathroom – they’ve simply tucked the tub behind an awkward wall. Genius.
Why we love it: Lack of space and a tricky footprint haven’t prevented the owners of this Geelong home from having their dream bathroom – they’ve simply tucked the tub behind an awkward wall. Genius.
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.
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.
7. Location: Milan, Italy
Why 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.
Why 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.
8. Location: Vancouver, Canada
Why we love it: The teak bath surround, the brushed gold fixtures, the pretty, patterned shower curtain – what’s not to love about this charming bijou bathroom?
Why we love it: The teak bath surround, the brushed gold fixtures, the pretty, patterned shower curtain – what’s not to love about this charming bijou bathroom?
9. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: So many clever inclusions here – a sliding barn door that doesn’t swallow up precious floor space, a clawfoot tub, and those dreamy floor tiles. Tiny but terrific.
Why we love it: So many clever inclusions here – a sliding barn door that doesn’t swallow up precious floor space, a clawfoot tub, and those dreamy floor tiles. Tiny but terrific.
10. Location: Los Angeles, California
Why we love it: For its fearless use of colour and pattern.
Why we love it: For its fearless use of colour and pattern.
11. Location: Cagliari, Italy
Why 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.
Why 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.
12. Location: North Carlton, Victoria
Why we love it: A great example of how to use pattern effectively in a small room – carrying the hexagonal patterned tiles from the floor to a single feature wall adds drama without overpowering the space.
Why we love it: A great example of how to use pattern effectively in a small room – carrying the hexagonal patterned tiles from the floor to a single feature wall adds drama without overpowering the space.
13. Location: Kent, UK
Why we love it: Running the classic timber panelling horizontally rather than in the traditional vertical format is a clever way to visually widen a narrow bathroom.
Why we love it: Running the classic timber panelling horizontally rather than in the traditional vertical format is a clever way to visually widen a narrow bathroom.
14. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Tiny but perfectly formed – how could we resist?
Why we love it: Tiny but perfectly formed – how could we resist?
15. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Who says that all-white and minimalist are the only options for a small space? A simple black-and-white colour scheme, slender fixtures and plenty of curves are the keys to making this traditional style work.
Why we love it: Who says that all-white and minimalist are the only options for a small space? A simple black-and-white colour scheme, slender fixtures and plenty of curves are the keys to making this traditional style work.
16. Location: Notting Hill, UK
Why we love it: We’re loving this deep plunge-pool style tub – it’s a brilliant option if you don’t have space to fit in a standard-sized bath, and offers up plenty of room for relaxation.
Why we love it: We’re loving this deep plunge-pool style tub – it’s a brilliant option if you don’t have space to fit in a standard-sized bath, and offers up plenty of room for relaxation.
17. Location: Karekare Beach, New Zealand
Why we love it: Because quite frankly, when you’ve got a view this spectacular from your bathtub, who cares if you’re short on space?
Why we love it: Because quite frankly, when you’ve got a view this spectacular from your bathtub, who cares if you’re short on space?
18. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why 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.
Why 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.
19. Location: Brighton, Victoria
Why we love it: A huge picture window visually extends the footprint of this small bathroom into the garden outside. An inspired design by Rob Mills Architects and Interior Designers.
Why we love it: A huge picture window visually extends the footprint of this small bathroom into the garden outside. An inspired design by Rob Mills Architects and Interior Designers.
20. Location: Portland, USA
Why we love it: The coastal-themed bathroom in this tiny house might be short on space but it’s certainly not lacking in charm.
Why we love it: The coastal-themed bathroom in this tiny house might be short on space but it’s certainly not lacking in charm.
21. Location: Kensington, NSW
Why we love it: We can’t help but be impressed with how the owners of this renovated Sydney home have maximised their storage potential by running the vanity over the end of the bath. Plus, that dyed Baltic pine wall panelling…
Why we love it: We can’t help but be impressed with how the owners of this renovated Sydney home have maximised their storage potential by running the vanity over the end of the bath. Plus, that dyed Baltic pine wall panelling…
22. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Why we love it: When space is at a premium, you have to think strategically about which fixtures you choose. We’re loving the compact basin and wall-mounted vanity the owners have chosen here – just the things to maximise floor space.
Why we love it: When space is at a premium, you have to think strategically about which fixtures you choose. We’re loving the compact basin and wall-mounted vanity the owners have chosen here – just the things to maximise floor space.
23. Location: McMahons Point, NSW
Why we love it: Pale grey marble, glossy white tiles and mirrored wall cabinets bounce the light around this compact Sydney bathroom, making it feel bright and spacious.
Why we love it: Pale grey marble, glossy white tiles and mirrored wall cabinets bounce the light around this compact Sydney bathroom, making it feel bright and spacious.
24. Location: San Francisco, USA
Why we love it: There’s an element of the unexpected with this lime-green basin that we simply adore.
Why we love it: There’s an element of the unexpected with this lime-green basin that we simply adore.
25. Location: Barcelona, Spain
Why we love it: Sleek styling and a thoughtful layout (the vanity and basin are actually positioned on the other side of a glass shower wall) make this small bathroom a winner.
Why we love it: Sleek styling and a thoughtful layout (the vanity and basin are actually positioned on the other side of a glass shower wall) make this small bathroom a winner.
26. Location: Madrid, Spain
Why 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.
Why 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.
27. Location: Queenscliff, NSW
Why we love it: Black tiles mightn’t be everyone’s first choice for a less-than-spacious bathroom. But by choosing a large-format style and balancing it out with plenty of white and natural light, the space feels airy and serene.
Why we love it: Black tiles mightn’t be everyone’s first choice for a less-than-spacious bathroom. But by choosing a large-format style and balancing it out with plenty of white and natural light, the space feels airy and serene.
28. Location: Massachusetts, USA
Why we love it: A vanity unit tucked beneath a sloping wall, a sliding door that disappears into its own little pocket – a great example of small-space styling done right.
Why we love it: A vanity unit tucked beneath a sloping wall, a sliding door that disappears into its own little pocket – a great example of small-space styling done right.
29. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: The panelled tub beneath the eaves, classic subway tiles, and a bold charcoal-and-white colour scheme means this bathroom – in a London loft conversion – is small but undeniably striking.
Why we love it: The panelled tub beneath the eaves, classic subway tiles, and a bold charcoal-and-white colour scheme means this bathroom – in a London loft conversion – is small but undeniably striking.
30. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: Because this mini, custom-made sink stand is just about the sweetest touch imaginable for a small bathroom.
Tell us
Which one of these tiny bathrooms is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more Best of the Week stories
Why we love it: Because this mini, custom-made sink stand is just about the sweetest touch imaginable for a small bathroom.
Tell us
Which one of these tiny bathrooms is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more Best of the Week stories
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I've found the best before and after pics for small bathrooms are from On the Ball Bathrooms - I'm always browsing their pics (and hoping for a lotto win ) https://www.ontheballbathrooms.com.au/bathroomsperth
@ontheballbathrooms
https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/ontheball/on-the-ball-bathrooms
Thanks Houzz for naming the featured points in each image.