A snug floor plan needn't hold you back when it comes to creating a stylish small bathroom scheme. With the latest streamlined fixtures, space-saving storage and on-trend décor, even the most miniature bathrooms can become beautiful, functional masterpieces. Get ready to steal these ingenious small bathroom ideas for your pocket-sized revamp project...
Give a tiny bathroom a streamlined finish by boxing in the cistern or any pipework. The carpentry will then create smart surfaces for storage. A neutral colour scheme will allow other features to stand out such as this upcycled mid-century side-board that has been transformed into a vanity unit and sink. The smart Venetian blind matches the tone of the unit perfectly, for a 'less is more' retro look.
Refresh your bathroom style on a budget with a simple yet high-impact paint project that can be completed over a weekend. This inverted arch highlights a round mirror and turns the pink-tiled vanity unit into a statement feature in an otherwise simple bathroom. To create the arch, measure and mark two vertical lines in pencil using a spirit level to make sure they are dead straight and then use frog tape or masking tape to create a clean edge. For the curve, tie a piece of string around a pencil and pin the other end in the centre between the two vertical edges and sweep the pencil around to create a perfect semi-circle outline which can be painted freehand with a fine brush.
Sliding drawers aren't often the first storage option that spring to mind when planning a small bathroom design and we don't know why! As long as they are kept organised with tidy spacers, they are the perfect pull-out home for hiding smaller toiletries and tools like hair brushes, dental floss and tweezers.
Enhance the sense of space in a petite bathroom by replacing a chunky walk-in shower and tray with a frameless and almost invisible screen and seamless drain away. It will give the bathroom a spacious and modern look and let other fixtures such as on-trend terrazzo tiles be the focal point.
When installing a bathroom, you often find that you need to add a false wall to conceal pipework. Not all of this space will accommodate pipes, however, so you could use some of this void to create an alcove of shelves. This dividing wall between the shower and vanity unit creates extra storage that is particularly useful as it means that towels and toiletries are always close to hand.
Add texture to a simple modern bathroom with a slat-panel wall feature. Vertical lines add an illusion of space by drawing the eye upwards, so it's ideal for a small floor plan. Complete the look by fitting a wall-hung vanity unit with slatted doors in a similar design.
Small bathrooms benefit from clever tiling. A bright and airy palette will reflect light and make a space feel bigger as busy patterns can dominate the room. To avoid the 'white box' effect, add soft definition with pretty penny mosaic tiles, warm wooden accents and plenty of greenery.
Most bathrooms are home to swathes of empty wall space. However, with a little thought, you can wave goodbye to bulky standing units and free up floor space with wall-mounted shelving and cupboards. We love this stylish toiletry display created by Instagrammer Leanne, owner of @sixtysevenbelmont, which combines handy storage with texture to add interest.
Make the most of your small bathroom tiny size by choosing a light and bright colour scheme to make the most of space. Pale neutrals and cooler colour tones will make a compact bathroom appear larger. Here, simple letterbox wall tiles have been vertically arranged to add interest without overwhelming the space, with a pale green and 'griege' palette to match green bathroom furniture.
As well as wall-mounting fixtures, don't forget you can do the same with bathroom accessories like towel rings, toothbrush holders and soap dispensers – the perfect way to keep limited worktop space clear. Invest in stainless steel sets to avoid unsightly rusting. Decant shampoos and soaps into uniform dispensers and keep other toiletries hidden behind closed-door storage.
White is a great colour choice in small bathrooms as the shade allows light to bounce off surfaces and maximises space. Don't make the mistake of making the room look stark and sterile though, introduce plenty of texture to warm the look and fresh greenery will pop out against a bright backdrop too.
Make your bathroom feel larger by maximising the visible floor space. The more floor you can see in your bathroom, the larger it will feel so opt for wall-hung basins, storage units and toilets. These items will also make the whole area much easier to clean too, minimising the awkward spaces that you have to squeeze the mop into.
The benefit of having a small bathroom means you can completely change the atmosphere of the space. This exotic-looking bathroom will whisk you away to Eastern lands as soon as you close the bathroom door. Terracotta tiles, Moroccan-inspired lanterns and a rustic bespoke sink-mounted vanity create a glorious and luxurious mini-Hamman in your own home.
This small decorative lily pad wall tile is a great design to introduce new trends into small spaces. Soft mint tones teamed with strong structural lines evoke an Art Deco feel that's effortlessly stylish. For a striking contrast, combine with a sophisticated matt black hardware, taps and lighting.
Small bathrooms are the perfect place to play with pattern and colour – used in the right way, stunning wallpaper with big, bold prints can even make tiny spaces appear larger. Offset with chalking toned panelling, this rich blue oceanic design looks striking complemented with matching blue and white towels.
Wave goodbye to a stark white small bathroom by introducing a statement, painted bath. "By painting your bath it instantly draws your eyes in and makes you focus on the bath, which is often the star of the show within bathroom design," says Barrie Cutchie, Design Director at BC Designs.
Just because your walls are small, doesn't mean that you can't make a focal point out of at least one of them. Use patterned tiles or perhaps a digitally-printed splashback to create an incredible feature wall. To make the best use of space, think about how you can integrate storage without compromising the overall effect – tall twin box shelves slot seamlessly into the design.
Tiny bathrooms often have to make do with small fixings and furniture so why not give them a 'larger than life' look to stand out? This adorable hexagon-shaped basin looks incredible in soft pink set with luxurious gold taps. The striking design is sure to give your tiny washroom wow-factor.
While adding a wet room to your home is more expensive than simply installing a shower as it involves tanking or waterproofing the whole room, it can really pay off when it comes to functionality. If an actual wet room is out of the question it's possible to get the look and feel by installing a low-level tray and single static shower panel.
In small bathroom natural light is the key to creating the illusion of space. Keep windows free of dark blinds and use frosted glass instead, look up to the roof, is there a space to add a skylight? And, look at the walls, are there any areas that can be removed and replaced with glass panels or bricks to let the light shine through?
Use clever optical illusions in your small bathroom to make it feel larger and more spacious than it is – tiling can play a big part in this. Feature tiles placed on the floor which are then continued halfway up a far wall will draw the eye up and make a room feel longer.
No room for a separate standalone shower and bath? No problem, install a combination bath and shower. This traditional-style shower becomes a stylish feature offset against rich forest green metro tiles.
Packed with furnishings and décor, small bathrooms can quickly feel cramped, however, that doesn't mean settling for a blank box that's void of personality. Here, bold, decorative floor tiles add character without compromising on space, while a quirky tropical print shower curtain and potted plants offer personal touches that don't intrude on the available square footage too much.
A small bathroom needs storage solutions everywhere. These minimal blacks hooks mounted perfectly in neat rows make a striking feature wall. Continue the monochrome storage theme with a clever swivel shelf. This one has been used for pretty perfume bottles that become part of the décor too.
Always ensure your small bathroom is orderly by keeping your bathroom essentials together in one corner. We love this pretty feature 'basin station', with coordinating storage boxes to store toiletries and make-up tidy and within easy reach.
This narrow bathroom is proof that you can create wow-factor in even the smallest of spaces with a few clever tricks. These smart ombré-effect floor tiles create the illusion of a larger space, elongating the line of sight as they move up from the floor to the side of the bathtub.
When walls are taken up with bathroom suites, shower cubicles and windows, there's often little space left for storage. Give your petite washroom a hotel-style feel by mounting a towel rack above the bathtub. This industrial design offers snug, easily accessible shelves, while imparting plenty of rustic character.
If you have a small corner in your bathroom that will just about fit a short bath, fit a shower curtain on runners to the ceiling to add another dimension to your space. Incredibly affordable and available in a range of designs, this flexible room divider will help create a more intimate and indulgent atmosphere when you fancy a soak.
When space is tight, every inch counts so look out for innovative ideas that can make your small bathroom practical and liveable. A trayless shower with retractable side panels will allow you to open up your space and better utilise the shower area when it's not in use. Different floor tiles like this easy-drain, pebble style will give the shower zone subtle definition.
Don't think you have room for a bath and a separate shower? Rather than positioning fixtures squarely, try repositioning your bathtub at an angle to better fit the available space. The unusual layout will soften the stark, uniform lines of many modern washrooms.
In a small scheme, it's important to avoid common bathroom design mistakes that can leave a bathroom feeling cramped, such as trying to fit unsuitable off-the-shelf units into a snug space. To free up a few centimetres of room and create an easy flow, opt for a bespoke, rounded vanity. Go for a wall-mounted model to open up the floor and create the illusion of a larger space.
Even in a small space, it's important to inject personality. If squeezing decorations in seems a bit of a push, consider adding a narrow built-in shelf that sits at waist level – it's a great way to display artwork, plants, candles and toiletries without compromising on room for essential fixtures.
The latest lighting technology can transform the smallest of bathrooms. Line alcoves with low-level LED strip lighting to create an atmospheric space to take a relaxing soak at the end of a long day. Opt for adjustable smart lighting or a dimmer switch to customise the brightness and warmth.
When choosing the right hardware for dark bathroom tiles, reflective surfaces such as gold will not only look luxe but offer a practical surface to bounce light around a small space. Here, a gold shower, taps, shower screen frame and handles tie the bathroom together in high-end style.
If you're considering taking your home interior in a more daring direction, a small washroom is a great place to experiment with bold colour combinations. Dramatic palettes are easier to execute in smaller spaces, plus it's not such an expensive mistake to fix if you change your mind. This contrasting scheme, which pairs black hexagonal tiles with soft pink tiling, offers the perfect balance between moody and romantic.
Stick to a simple two-tone colour scheme of black and white for a fail-safe formula in a dazzling small washroom. All-white tiles will elongate the space no end, while black accents add a classic, sophisticated contrast. Here, a traditional white bathroom suite looks timeless and refined teamed with a black panelled bath and statement flooring.
Treating the bathtub panelling as a continuation of the walls or floor will help it seamlessly blend into your scheme for a clean, contemporary finish. To help enhance the feeling of space in your washroom, opt for large format tiles, which are generally cheaper to buy and install too.
A bath rack or tray is a cost-effective and quick storage fix, especially for small bathrooms in rental properties where installing wall-mounted storage may not be feasible. Whether it's wooden, chrome or gold-effect, this clever storage hack is a great way to ensure you have all the toiletries you need at arm's length, as well as providing the perfect spot for a glass of wine...
A stylish way of storing and drying towels, wooden or metal ladders make great storage solutions for compact bathrooms. This handy vertical design takes up very little floor space, while imparting a rustic, country feel to this elegant scheme.
Laying a patterned statement floor in your petite bathroom, like this 3D-effect cube design, is a sure-fire way of packing in plenty of personality. An eye-catching trend, it's important to keep the rest of the scheme simple – pare back your fixtures and opt for a streamlined vanity and a glass shower screen to allow the floor to do all the talking.
In petite spaces with little room to manoeuvre, sliding pocket doors can help to maximise functionality. With no need to make allowances for door clearings, you can fully utilise your bathroom's floor plan. To streamline the look of your wash space even further, paint the sliding door the same hue as your walls.
Modern radiators can make a stylish washroom feature but they can also take up valuable wall space, so pick a multitasking model with plenty of functionality. This smart rectangular design by Tubes is a combined radiator, towel rail and shelving unit, so it really puts every inch of wall space to good use.
So you have a small bathroom but don't want to sacrifice your modern shower-bath? No problem; wall-mounted slimline baths are narrower but not shorter so you can still enjoy a long, hot soak whenever you want. Win-win!
Having a small bathroom doesn't mean waving goodbye to your dreams of a statement roll-top bath. Tubby-style baths designed for petite dimensions are shorter but deeper, offering up all the room you need for a long, indulgent bubble bath.
Limiting tiling to the wet areas of your small bathroom and leaving the upper portions of the walls tile-free is a great way to open up a space and create the illusion of airy, elongated proportions, plus it'll help you cut costs if you're working to a strict budget.
Mirrors are key to making a small bathroom look and feel larger. Consider ordering a made-to-measure mirror to cover one entire wall or mount wall lights either side of an opulent vanity mirror to bounce light around the room.
Integrating as many fixtures and fittings as possible will free up more surface space in a snug washroom, as well as giving it a sleek, contemporary edge. Minimalist wall-mounted taps like this matt black design can give even the simplest of schemes a luxury feel on an affordable budget.
Large format tiles on both walls and floors create a coherent and airy space in even the smallest of bathrooms. Fewer grout lines make the finish seamless and fluid. This polished concrete look in a warm neutral tone bounces light off the reflective surface whilst keeping a minimal appearance.
If you're not partial to a soak, you may want to consider removing the bathtub entirely. It'll free up plenty of room for a large, luxurious walk-in shower complete with a rainfall head – you might just be surprised at what the extra space can accommodate!
If you're dealing with an attic bathroom in the eaves, spatial planning is imperative. Find a layout that utilises as much of the available space as possible – even those awkward corners and sloping ceilings. For example, positioning the bath beneath the lowest part of the eaves makes the most sense, as head room isn't really necessary, while showers and sinks are best located in the tallest part of the room.
As long as you don't clutter the shelves, open storage, which doesn't impede the flow of light, will help a small bathroom feel airy and open. Being able to see at a glance where toiletries and towels are kept is practical too, especially in family bathrooms when there's a queue outside in the morning.
In tight spaces, it's even more important to get creative when it comes to easy bathroom storage. If you have an alcove in your wash space, why not fit a mirrored cupboard a little higher than normal, leaving a sizeable void beneath the unit – it's the perfect spot to store hand towels within easy reach.
Monochrome colours, rustic cladding and vibrant pops of lime make this small bathroom scheme quirky and stylish. Zoning the wet areas with patterned flooring helps to create the illusion of a larger floor plan by defining different areas for different purposes. While the tiling feels more functional, the wooden-effect floor creates a relaxed, laid-back vibe.
A ceiling-to-floor wall mural will instantly transport your small bathroom to new realms. A stick-and-peel wallpaper version is a sensible choice for a temporary change. Alternatively, there are some fantastic new made-to-measure tile murals that fit together to create beautiful landscape scenes or flowing foliage, which will last for years and are completely waterproof.
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