Space-Enhancing Ideas to Steal From These Small Bathrooms
These smart, space-savvy design moves can improve your compact bathroom in a big way
Natasha Saroca
1 July 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career working across a number of home design and lifestyle magazines, including BuildHOME and Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly. She enjoys writing about design and colour trends, decorating ideas (particularly how to transform rooms with colour and patterns), organisation tips, entertaining ideas and easy updates for the home.
When she’s not creating Ideabooks for Houzz, Natasha can be found writing about all things fashion for Missy Confidential, working on her soon-to-be-launched website – www.asmartsequin.com – or shopping online for new quilt covers, cushions and fashion illustrations (her three current obsessions).
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career... More
Do you complain about your bathroom because it’s poky and poorly designed? I admit, this is something I’ve been known to do; after all, pint-sized bath zones can feel cramped, lack functionality and be frustrating to use. If you’re guilty of doing the same thing, it may be time to remedy the problem by renovating your bathroom. Unfortunately I’m renting at the moment, so there’s not a lot I can do design-wise to revamp my bathing area. However, here are 13 space-maximising solutions and clever visual tricks I would use to make my compact bathroom look bigger and work better if I could. Feel free to add these to your arsenal of small bathroom design ideas or share your own tips in the Comments section.
Install a cavity door
Reclaim floor space in your compact bathroom by replacing your standard hinged swinging door with one that slides into a cavity in your wall. These space-savvy doors will not only free up valuable floor and wall space but also make the room easier to access (particularly for children or people with restricted mobility, including those who use a wheelchair) and optimise traffic flow.
Reclaim floor space in your compact bathroom by replacing your standard hinged swinging door with one that slides into a cavity in your wall. These space-savvy doors will not only free up valuable floor and wall space but also make the room easier to access (particularly for children or people with restricted mobility, including those who use a wheelchair) and optimise traffic flow.
Try a shower-bath combo
If your bathroom is short on square metres, one way to make the room feel more spacious is to replace your separate shower and tub with a compact shower-bath combo. This will give you space for extra storage or keep it free so you have more room to move around. Best of all, there’s no need to go without your nightly soak in the tub or long, relaxing shower each morning.
Standout shower-bath combos for smaller bathrooms
If your bathroom is short on square metres, one way to make the room feel more spacious is to replace your separate shower and tub with a compact shower-bath combo. This will give you space for extra storage or keep it free so you have more room to move around. Best of all, there’s no need to go without your nightly soak in the tub or long, relaxing shower each morning.
Standout shower-bath combos for smaller bathrooms
Harness the power of mirrors
A sneaky tactic to use if you want to make your small bathroom visually swell in size is to hang a large mirror on your wall. The reflective surface will bounce light around the compact room, making it look bright, airy and inviting. Plus, it will trick the eye into thinking the space is more generous in size than it is in reality.
If you want to ramp things up to the next level, rather than installing one large mirror above your vanity, cover one (or more) of your walls in a floor-to-ceiling mirror instead. As you can see looking at this small bathroom, this design trick will make your bath zone appear even more open and spacious, plus the mirrored surface will double as a practical and striking feature wall, too.
Why architects and interior designers love using mirrors
A sneaky tactic to use if you want to make your small bathroom visually swell in size is to hang a large mirror on your wall. The reflective surface will bounce light around the compact room, making it look bright, airy and inviting. Plus, it will trick the eye into thinking the space is more generous in size than it is in reality.
If you want to ramp things up to the next level, rather than installing one large mirror above your vanity, cover one (or more) of your walls in a floor-to-ceiling mirror instead. As you can see looking at this small bathroom, this design trick will make your bath zone appear even more open and spacious, plus the mirrored surface will double as a practical and striking feature wall, too.
Why architects and interior designers love using mirrors
Working mirrored furnishings and fixtures into your bathroom will achieve a similar space-enhancing effect. I love this mirrored vanity and how it has been used to great effect in this small bath zone. Note how the vanity adds depth to the room and enhances the room-widening effect of the striped floor. It injects visual contrast and a splash of glam sophistication to the scheme, too.
Consider a curbless shower and frameless screen
Minimise visual clutter in your bathroom by opting for a curbless shower with a frameless glass screen. Removing the bulky curb and frame from your shower enclosure will make the zone disappear and blend seamlessly into the background, resulting in a scheme that’s airy, open and seems much larger than it really is. It’ll also save space and allow you to extend your shower by a few extra centimetres, if you choose.
Minimise visual clutter in your bathroom by opting for a curbless shower with a frameless glass screen. Removing the bulky curb and frame from your shower enclosure will make the zone disappear and blend seamlessly into the background, resulting in a scheme that’s airy, open and seems much larger than it really is. It’ll also save space and allow you to extend your shower by a few extra centimetres, if you choose.
Lay down large-format tiles
Create the illusion of spaciousness in your pint-sized bathroom by installing large-format floor and wall tiles. This compact bath proves just how effective this design trick can be. Long, rectangular feature tiles line the wall and draw the eye from one side of the room to the other, making the narrow space appear wider. Large floor tiles in a rich chocolate hue ground and add depth to the space, and also help to visually expand the room. Notice, too, how the glossy finish of both the floor and wall tiles enhances the feeling of space.
Another benefit of incorporating large-format tiles into your small bathroom is that they are easier to clean, as there’s more tile and less grout to scrub.
Create the illusion of spaciousness in your pint-sized bathroom by installing large-format floor and wall tiles. This compact bath proves just how effective this design trick can be. Long, rectangular feature tiles line the wall and draw the eye from one side of the room to the other, making the narrow space appear wider. Large floor tiles in a rich chocolate hue ground and add depth to the space, and also help to visually expand the room. Notice, too, how the glossy finish of both the floor and wall tiles enhances the feeling of space.
Another benefit of incorporating large-format tiles into your small bathroom is that they are easier to clean, as there’s more tile and less grout to scrub.
Stick with open storage …
Open shelves are a storage solution that people either love or hate. Despite the heated discussions they inspire, there’s no denying open shelves are a great option for space-deprived bathrooms, as they make any small room appear airy and open. Open shelves also encourage you to minimise clutter and keep things organised, which is a must when it comes to small-space living.
If you’re not comfortable with having all your bathing and grooming essentials or medicines on display (ahem, feminine hygiene products and hemorrhoid cream, we’re looking at you), compromise by installing at least one cupboard in your bathroom for items you wish to hide.
Open shelves are a storage solution that people either love or hate. Despite the heated discussions they inspire, there’s no denying open shelves are a great option for space-deprived bathrooms, as they make any small room appear airy and open. Open shelves also encourage you to minimise clutter and keep things organised, which is a must when it comes to small-space living.
If you’re not comfortable with having all your bathing and grooming essentials or medicines on display (ahem, feminine hygiene products and hemorrhoid cream, we’re looking at you), compromise by installing at least one cupboard in your bathroom for items you wish to hide.
… or glass-front cabinets
If you’re not a fan of open shelving because they can collect dust (and moisture) and require a little extra upkeep, cabinets with glass doors are a great alternative. As this teeny bathroom proves, glass-front cupboards will still give your compact space an open and airy feel, but offer the added benefit of being low maintenance when it comes to cleaning.
If you’re not a fan of open shelving because they can collect dust (and moisture) and require a little extra upkeep, cabinets with glass doors are a great alternative. As this teeny bathroom proves, glass-front cupboards will still give your compact space an open and airy feel, but offer the added benefit of being low maintenance when it comes to cleaning.
Buy a corner basin
Improve the traffic flow in and out of your tiny bathroom by installing a wall-mounted corner basin, rather than one that eats up valuable floor and wall space and sits smack bang in your way. Add a vanity below the basin if you need additional storage, otherwise keep the space free to enhance the room’s streamlined look.
Scarebeo corner sink: Nameeks; splashback in White Zeus: Silestone; Concetto single-lever bathroom faucet: Grohe
Improve the traffic flow in and out of your tiny bathroom by installing a wall-mounted corner basin, rather than one that eats up valuable floor and wall space and sits smack bang in your way. Add a vanity below the basin if you need additional storage, otherwise keep the space free to enhance the room’s streamlined look.
Scarebeo corner sink: Nameeks; splashback in White Zeus: Silestone; Concetto single-lever bathroom faucet: Grohe
Opt for an all-white palette
There’s a reason why white is a go-to colour for designers when decorating a tight space – it’s bright, fresh and will bounce light around a room, creating the illusion of spaciousness.
All-white palettes can sometimes look cold and clinical, so if you’re thinking of using this pared-back scheme in your small bathroom, introduce different patterns and textures to breathe life and personality into the space.
This compact bath zone shows how it’s done. Here, mini subway tiles line the walls and add a punch of visual interest and industrial flair to the room. A floral lace-like shower curtain balances the cool, urban look of the tiles and infuses the scheme with a hint of chic appeal, while chevron-patterned towels offer another layer of contrast and tactile appeal. The result is a small bathroom that’s light, full of life and looks larger than it really is.
More: 10 Ways to Make an All-White Scheme Sing
There’s a reason why white is a go-to colour for designers when decorating a tight space – it’s bright, fresh and will bounce light around a room, creating the illusion of spaciousness.
All-white palettes can sometimes look cold and clinical, so if you’re thinking of using this pared-back scheme in your small bathroom, introduce different patterns and textures to breathe life and personality into the space.
This compact bath zone shows how it’s done. Here, mini subway tiles line the walls and add a punch of visual interest and industrial flair to the room. A floral lace-like shower curtain balances the cool, urban look of the tiles and infuses the scheme with a hint of chic appeal, while chevron-patterned towels offer another layer of contrast and tactile appeal. The result is a small bathroom that’s light, full of life and looks larger than it really is.
More: 10 Ways to Make an All-White Scheme Sing
If you desire a more dynamic look for your small bathroom, stick with a white base but add touches of lively colour here and there. Small pops of colour will infuse the area with character, without compromising the room-enhancing effect of the simple scheme.
Alternatively, rather than using crisp white as your base, try a barely-there neutral or pastel shade instead. Soft hues such as dove grey, powder blue and dusty pink will also expand your space visually, plus they offer personality and interest, too.
Alternatively, rather than using crisp white as your base, try a barely-there neutral or pastel shade instead. Soft hues such as dove grey, powder blue and dusty pink will also expand your space visually, plus they offer personality and interest, too.
Choose space-savvy storage
It’s important to keep clutter at bay in small bathrooms, otherwise the area can quickly become cramped, disorganised and chaotic. One way to overcome this problem is to incorporate space-savvy storage, such as deep drawers and pull-out shelves, into your bath zone so you have plenty of room to store bathroom essentials and other bits and bobs. Consider fitting out your drawers and shelves with organiser trays and baskets, too. They will help you maximise your storage space and ensure it remains neat and easy to navigate.
Tandembox U-shaped drawers: Blum
More: 10 Design Moves to Borrow From These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
It’s important to keep clutter at bay in small bathrooms, otherwise the area can quickly become cramped, disorganised and chaotic. One way to overcome this problem is to incorporate space-savvy storage, such as deep drawers and pull-out shelves, into your bath zone so you have plenty of room to store bathroom essentials and other bits and bobs. Consider fitting out your drawers and shelves with organiser trays and baskets, too. They will help you maximise your storage space and ensure it remains neat and easy to navigate.
Tandembox U-shaped drawers: Blum
More: 10 Design Moves to Borrow From These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
Maximise your wall space
While vanities and freestanding shelves and cabinets do provide useful storage, they can eat up valuable bathroom real estate and visually weigh down a room. An easy fix is to use your walls for storage, rather than opting for bulky furniture that clutters up your floor.
This small bath zone demonstrates three ways you can put your walls to work. Here, a mirrored cabinet provides ample storage for medicine and grooming essentials, while a recessed shelf in the shower offers a handy spot to stash bath and hair products. A column of wall-mounted timber shelves round out the practical set-up, and provide a place to store decorative accents and items that should be kept within easy reach.
While vanities and freestanding shelves and cabinets do provide useful storage, they can eat up valuable bathroom real estate and visually weigh down a room. An easy fix is to use your walls for storage, rather than opting for bulky furniture that clutters up your floor.
This small bath zone demonstrates three ways you can put your walls to work. Here, a mirrored cabinet provides ample storage for medicine and grooming essentials, while a recessed shelf in the shower offers a handy spot to stash bath and hair products. A column of wall-mounted timber shelves round out the practical set-up, and provide a place to store decorative accents and items that should be kept within easy reach.
Splash out on slimline furnishings and fixtures
When choosing fixtures for your bathroom, avoid oversized or bulky bathware that will crowd the room and take up precious space. Select slimline fixtures and storage that complement the room’s diminutive dimensions instead, such as the compact vanity, minimalist tapware and slender towel rail that are used in this tight space.
Decking out your bathroom with wall-mounted bathware and cabinetry will also make the space feel bigger and will free up room for foot traffic. Plus, by raising these design features off the floor, the room will be much easier to clean, too.
When choosing fixtures for your bathroom, avoid oversized or bulky bathware that will crowd the room and take up precious space. Select slimline fixtures and storage that complement the room’s diminutive dimensions instead, such as the compact vanity, minimalist tapware and slender towel rail that are used in this tight space.
Decking out your bathroom with wall-mounted bathware and cabinetry will also make the space feel bigger and will free up room for foot traffic. Plus, by raising these design features off the floor, the room will be much easier to clean, too.
Create the illusion of space with a punchy colour or pattern
Don’t be afraid of experimenting with bold colours and patterns in your small bathroom. When used correctly, they can deceive the eye into thinking a tight space is bigger than it is, rather than making it feel cramped and closed in.
The secret to using this design trick successfully is to use the colour or pattern on an accent wall or the floor, which will draw attention away from the dimensions of the room. These focal points will also direct the eye toward the ceiling or floor, across the walls or to the back of the area, which will create the illusion of a taller, wider or longer space.
This small bathroom provides a great example of this design trick in action. Notice how the green mosaic feature wall draws the eye into the room and upwards, adding depth and height to the space. The attention-grabbing accent wall also takes the focus away from the narrow width of the room.
TELL US
Do you have any small bathroom design ideas you’d like to share? Post your tips in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ways to Maximise the Space In Your Teeny Tiny Bathroom
Small Bathroom Ideas That Are Big on Style
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
How to Gain Valuable Space in Tiny Bathrooms
Don’t be afraid of experimenting with bold colours and patterns in your small bathroom. When used correctly, they can deceive the eye into thinking a tight space is bigger than it is, rather than making it feel cramped and closed in.
The secret to using this design trick successfully is to use the colour or pattern on an accent wall or the floor, which will draw attention away from the dimensions of the room. These focal points will also direct the eye toward the ceiling or floor, across the walls or to the back of the area, which will create the illusion of a taller, wider or longer space.
This small bathroom provides a great example of this design trick in action. Notice how the green mosaic feature wall draws the eye into the room and upwards, adding depth and height to the space. The attention-grabbing accent wall also takes the focus away from the narrow width of the room.
TELL US
Do you have any small bathroom design ideas you’d like to share? Post your tips in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ways to Maximise the Space In Your Teeny Tiny Bathroom
Small Bathroom Ideas That Are Big on Style
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
How to Gain Valuable Space in Tiny Bathrooms
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