12 Tricks to Make the Most of a Tiny Bathroom
A smaller bathroom can have everything you need and more if you make the most of the space available
Charmean Neithart
17 November 2014
Some small bathrooms make you feel like you have to lose weight to enter them, but I really like working on this type of bathroom design. Trying to make everything fit in the available space is like doing a giant crossword puzzle. Among the challenges: configuring the toilet and sink, allowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towel rails and toilet roll holder? Despite the challenges, in most cases it’s still better to squeeze in an extra bathroom where one is desperately needed, even if it must be small. Here are 12 tips for designing a small bathroom.
Select a vanity unit with one shelf
Sink unit design has got smarter. Even a pedestal style with one shelf can hold towels or a basket for toilet paper. I personally love the way fresh, clean towels look when folded neatly in a bathroom.
See how to banish bathing clutter
Sink unit design has got smarter. Even a pedestal style with one shelf can hold towels or a basket for toilet paper. I personally love the way fresh, clean towels look when folded neatly in a bathroom.
See how to banish bathing clutter
Float the vanity unit
Besides just visually helping the bathroom appear bigger, mounting a vanity unit above the floor frees up a little space for small items underneath.
Check out bathrooms that have twin basins
Besides just visually helping the bathroom appear bigger, mounting a vanity unit above the floor frees up a little space for small items underneath.
Check out bathrooms that have twin basins
Install a corner sink
Sometimes even a pedestal sink can disrupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom. In this case, placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than a sink across from the shower. The opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around situation.
Sometimes even a pedestal sink can disrupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom. In this case, placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than a sink across from the shower. The opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around situation.
Use a shower curtain
A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door that moves in and out. Shower-tub combos actually can fit into small spaces, with some tubs coming in at just over 1.5 metres in length.
A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door that moves in and out. Shower-tub combos actually can fit into small spaces, with some tubs coming in at just over 1.5 metres in length.
Round the vanity unit
Tight spaces can make sharp corners hazardous. If the corners of a vanity would get in the way, opt for a rounded style. Yes, a round vanity can work in a square space.
Tight spaces can make sharp corners hazardous. If the corners of a vanity would get in the way, opt for a rounded style. Yes, a round vanity can work in a square space.
Extend the worktop over the toilet
This arrangement can be done with stone or a wood slab. The extended surface creates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.
This arrangement can be done with stone or a wood slab. The extended surface creates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.
Use a large-scale pattern
A big pattern, like this wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The size might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.
A big pattern, like this wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The size might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.
Skip the shower door
If your bathroom is about 1.5 metres wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 75cm by 1.5 metre tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep water in the shower and free up needed elbow room.
If your bathroom is about 1.5 metres wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 75cm by 1.5 metre tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep water in the shower and free up needed elbow room.
Expand the mirror
In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity unit can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every centimetre helps.
In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity unit can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every centimetre helps.
Mount the towel rail on a door
Where can I hang the towels? I wish I had a penny for every time I heard that question. When space is at a premium, mounting a towel rail on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby linen closet, but having that one towel close by is essential.
Where can I hang the towels? I wish I had a penny for every time I heard that question. When space is at a premium, mounting a towel rail on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby linen closet, but having that one towel close by is essential.
Install a trough sink
The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking space solution. Trough sinks have a low profile. When wall mounted, they free up floor space as well for storage or foot traffic.
The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking space solution. Trough sinks have a low profile. When wall mounted, they free up floor space as well for storage or foot traffic.
Use a wall-mounted tap
Mounting a tap on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity unit, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted tap in traditional design. It works anywhere!
TELL US…
Please share your latest small-bathroom design tips in the Comments below.
Mounting a tap on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity unit, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted tap in traditional design. It works anywhere!
TELL US…
Please share your latest small-bathroom design tips in the Comments below.
Related Stories
Bathrooms
16 Bathrooms With Vertically Stacked Tiles
Looking for tiling inspiration? Browse this gallery of beautiful bathroom images
Full Story
Kitchens
16 Kitchens and Bathrooms That Showcase Warm-toned Marble
From the subtle to the dramatic, be inspired by these statement marbles with veins of gold and brown
Full Story
Bathrooms
The 5 Most Popular Bathrooms on Houzz Right Now
From beautiful tiling to unexpected colour, take inspiration for your bathroom from these most-saved photos
Full Story
Bathrooms
8 Key Elements for a Calming, Indulgent Bathroom
Keen to create a space where you can relax and wash away the cares of the day? See whether you can slot in any of these
Full Story
Bathrooms
23 Bathroom Basins That Steal the Show
By Kate Burt
Make your sink a standout feature and it will elevate your entire bathroom design
Full Story
Bathrooms
How to Choose the Perfect Shower Head
By Kate Burt
In the midst of a bathroom renovation, a shower head may seem a small detail, but it’s a well-used one, so get it right
Full Story
Bathrooms
How Can I Make My Bathroom Feel Like a Spa?
With a few additions, you can turn a functional washroom into somewhere much more calm and luxurious
Full Story
Bathrooms
18 Bathrooms Warmed by Natural Wood
From shelving to panelling, flooring to furniture, natural timber can give an often clinical space a warm, inviting mood
Full Story
Bathrooms
19 Bathrooms Where Tadelakt Has Been Used Beautifully
With a velvety appearance and waterproof qualities, this traditional Moroccan plaster looks stunning in modern bathrooms
Full Story
Bathrooms
One of These Features Could Elevate Your Standard Bathroom
Often, it’s the details – finish, focus, materials – that take a space from basic to brilliant, as these schemes show
Full Story
@Joanne_Cannel_Designs, I love the idea of bifold shower doors. They are hard to find I often see them in UK photos on Pinterest. I plan to put a 48”-long soaking tub in my master bathroom, and folding doors would be ideal, both saving in space and allowing me to more safely reach the faucets.
I don’t know about your bathroom, but mine gets dusty. I think towels on low open shelves look cool, but are impractical in reality.
sherri8768 good job Sherri!