Small bathroom ideas should not only make a compact space feel bigger and well-functioning, but super-stylish too, seamlessly blending charm and function. Just because you're working with a smaller scheme doesn't mean it should feel entirely utilitarian.
While there's no shortage of bathroom ideas to inspire a refresh, making designs work in a smaller space can be difficult. But with clever planning and layouts, even the smallest of bathrooms can feel spacious and luxurious. And don't worry, if a bathtub is a non-negotiable for you, there are plenty of ways to make it work in a more restricted space.
So, if you're staring at your bijou space and wondering how to create a functional scheme that matches your interior design style, these small bathroom ideas will help you create your dream scheme.
39 small bathroom ideas
Whether you opt for a sleek streamlined look, or traditional detailing, there are plenty of ways to pack a decorative punch with your small bathroom ideas. Whether you're working with a small box room, a tiny bathroom, or a narrow bathroom there are plenty of design ideas to maximize your space.
1. Decorate with joyful colors
A simple yet effective way to design a small bathroom that's enjoyable to use is to paint it in a hue that brings you joy. This could be a color that you consider calm or tranquil, or embrace the dopamine decor trend and paint it in a color that makes you happy.
'I’ve always been a fan of small bathrooms being painted in yellow – it offers instant indoor vitamin D to lift the spirits and brighten your mood. When space is a premium, always focus in on a few key pieces that work hard within the room,' says interior designer Matthew Williamson.
In this small bathroom, the walls and ceiling have been painted a bright, joyful yellow, while patterned tiles with yellow accents break up the block color in a playful way. 'A decorative chest of drawers that can be a storage-filled vanity unity can make a big difference, combining style and function,' suggests Matthew, if you don't want to drench your bathroom in color.
2. Add interest with patterned floor tiles
A small bathroom is the perfect space to introduce beautiful decorative elements. Opt for one or two standout features to give your scheme an elevated, rather than overdone, appeal.
'I like to think of smaller rooms as jewel boxes that someone might happen upon and be delighted by what they find inside. A small space is an opportunity to create an immersive experience, with color, pattern, or both,' says Kali Gibson, of Fireclay Tile.
There are a few ways to do this – a tonal wall color paired with patterned floor tiles creates a wonderfully eye-catching scheme, like in this small bathroom. 'This traditional bathroom does both – the pink walls create a warm feeling and the patterned floor offers something unexpected,' Kali adds.
3. Add clever storage to a small bathroom
Storage is so important in a small bathroom – with less space, you'll need to get creative with how you maximize the storage you have. ‘When it comes to adding small bathroom storage ideas, think high-level rather than bulky floor-standing vanity units,' says Irene Gunter, founder and creative director at Gunter & Co.
'I always go the extra mile to keep the floor as clean and empty as possible, with wall-mounted loos, vanities, and low-level accessories such as toilet brushes or bins. This means thinking cleverly about storage and making the most of any niches, mirror storage units and shelves,' she explains.
4. Make a feature of architectural details
Arched partition walls are making a comeback and proving a popular way to incorporate on-trend curves, without sacrificing too much space. Here, the arch has been clad in simple white bathroom tiles to accentuate the contour.
‘We added an arched niche to bring charm and a sense of history to this new bathroom,’ explains interior designer Heidi Caillier. ‘Inside, we placed a traditional clawfoot tub with a dark painted exterior, which feels unexpected in a new home, and the arch brings in more character and depth. The once plain space now feels as if it tells a story.
5. Paint wall paneling for added coziness
Whether you already have paneled walls in your bathroom or plan to introduce them, painting them in a warm color will instantly make your small bathroom feel more cozy and homey.
'Painted bathroom paneling is still very popular and we love combining our beautiful stronger colors Malahide or Invisible Green with exquisite wallpapers,' says Edward Bulmer, interior designer and founder at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
In this small bathroom, paneled walls have been painted a warming red hue – paired with the pink cabinet skirt and gold accessories, the space feels enriched with personality.
6. Introduce playful pattern
Small bathrooms are rife for decorative opportunity, so do consider introducing playful additions that will add an element of surprise and unexpected intrigue. ‘Of course, bathrooms are practical and functional spaces but they don’t need to be utilitarian,' says Mike Fisher, creative director and founder at Studio Indigo.
'Be adventurous and give the space personality. A bold scheme will provide a conversation piece with guests and friends, particularly in a powder room. Patterns can be introduced through wallpaper, fabric, or tiles. Complement your patterns with good light – in a powder room it can be atmospheric but in bathrooms, you need light and plenty of it,' he adds.
Here the border tiles in this Studio Indigo space bring attention to the bathroom's height, and it is a great way to make a small bathroom look bigger.
7. Invest in sufficient lighting
Lighting is more than just functional; in bathroom Feng Shui, lighting ideas for small bathrooms are an integral design element that should be planned at the start of a project, if possible. The best bathroom lighting is an instant energy booster and can make you feel refreshed in the morning and relaxed in the evening.
‘Within a shower design for a small bathroom it is crucial not to underestimate the importance of good bathroom lighting ideas,' says Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen, founders at Salvesen Graham.
'This should always include decorative wall lights on either side of a mirror to provide a softer, more flattering light for the face as well as a decorative feature,' they suggest.
8. Create a design feature of an alcove
At first, alcoves might seem like an awkward feature to work around, especially in a small bathroom, but with clever design ideas you can make them the focal point of the room, like in this bathroom where an alcove has been utilized as a shower nook using mosaic tiles.
‘We often find using mosaics within an alcove helps to optimize smaller shower spaces and a gloss finish adds to this illusion of grander proportions, reflecting natural light throughout the room,' says James Thurstan Waterworth, founder at Thurstan.
'I recommend pairing two distinct mosaic designs within the space, thus creating a point of interest where these verticals meet and then setting them against a cool neutral paint color that works to open up the small bathroom,' he adds.
9. Keep a small bathroom free from clutter
Organizing a small bathroom demands a thoughtful approach, and it is one you should consider abiding by if you want your small bathroom to look neat, tidy, and beautiful every day. See our bathroom shelf ideas for more inspiration.
'My bathroom is my sanctuary,' says Eva Sonaike, creative director at Eva Sonaike. 'I like the space clean and uncluttered, so storage solutions are an essential part of a good design here. If possible, opt for integrated storage so that the energy can flow freely.'
'When designing a bathroom from scratch, consider all possible options. In my bathroom, a full-height mirrored cabinet spans an entire wall, providing ample hidden storage for all my beauty essentials,' she explains.
10. Use a colored bath as a focal point
When space is tight, the key is to distract the eye, and this can be done by choosing a stunning bath in a color other than white. The vertical ribbed design seen here also helps visually.
Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs, says: ‘Bathroom design is all about color and a great way to slowly introduce it is through subtle pastel shades. A bath in a traditional-style design will add personality to your bathroom and a pastel shade will liven it up.'
‘Color also draws your eyes in and helps to create a striking focal point. The key to making a freestanding bath a success, no matter the size, is to allow 10cm between the edge and the walls. It creates a feeling of space and also makes cleaning it much easier.’
11. Make space for a niche
Tired of chasing slippery shampoo and body wash bottles around the shower floor? When designing a bathroom, consider including a shower niche into your design – ideal for both showers and baths. It’s one of the best small bathroom storage ideas for saving space and it looks stylish.
‘Avoid a floor of toiletries or an overcrowded caddy by installing a recessed shower shelf,’ advises Jenna Choate, founder of London-based design studio Interior Fox.
‘It’s a practical and streamlined way to add storage space, without taking away elbow room. Make a feature out of the area by using a colored trim that contrasts against the wall tiles.' she says.
12. Match bathroom wall and floor tiles
An all-encompassing look makes for an uber-stylish small bathroom and one that most definitely creates the feel of a luxury spa design. It also creates the illusion of space as seen in the ensuite bathroom above.
‘Using the same tiles on the walls and the floor will enhance the feeling of space by creating a continuous look,’ explains Jo Oliver, director at The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse.
'We’ve seen a huge increase in the popularity of slab or ‘large format’ porcelain tiles in recent years. They are ideal for creating a striking, high-end look, and can often make smaller rooms appear larger thanks to their seamless appearance,' Jo adds.
13. Paint walls and woodwork in the same shade
Paint is such a wonderful design tool, and you can use it in this instance to make a small bathroom feel larger. Choose a hue that feels timeless and fits in with the rest of your home's design style for a sense of cohesion.
When you paint the woodwork white, for example, it visually splits up the wall – from the skirting, window frames, and any edging above like picture rails. By painting the whole area in one color you create a seamless feel that the eye can flow around without interruption.
14. Add a small bathroom in the eaves
Embrace small and suddenly there's so much more scope for adding a compact bathroom. This neat little attic space has been planned into a loft conversion but it feels far from wedged in.
A stunning Crittall-style shower screen adds drama, while a skylight and pale scheme ensure this is a light, bright room. Finishes are crucial in a small space, so it pays here more than anywhere to go for bespoke fittings and high-spec tiles and brassware.
15. Create room to manoeuvre with pocket doors
Where space is at a premium, pocket doors really are your friend. Here they have been used to divide an already small space to combine a bathroom with clever and compact laundry room ideas.
Being able to close the door on piles of washing is a must if you're planning a relaxing soak in the bath. However, because the doors slide into the wall cavity, there's much more room for maneuver should you need it.
16. Embrace deep colors in a small bathroom
You rarely hear a small bathroom being described as cozy. Yet use the right bathroom color ideas and materials, and a warm, cocooning look can be achieved – creating a space you'll long to return to at the beginning or end of the day.
Here, every designer's favorite shower tile idea – the Lily Pad tile – has been used to maximalist effect. The jewel blue shade and brass and copper detailing give the space the opulence you might not previously have thought achievable in a small bathroom.
17. Make a small bathroom a wet room
While it may be a more expensive option than a conventional shower, considering wet room ideas for your space could be worthwhile.
The main cost is tanking to make the area waterproof, but the result is a roomier space as you don’t need a closed-off shower enclosure.
Instead, take note from this design by Katie McCrum which shows that you can have the same flooring throughout and a frameless shower screen to contain splashes without feeling too restrictive.
18. Decorate a small bathroom with wallpaper
One easy way of injecting character into a country-style bathroom is with patterned wallpaper, like this design from F&P Interiors.
While it may not be the first choice, standard wallpaper can be applied as long as the room is well-ventilated with an extractor fan, so steam doesn’t damage it.
Apply a strong adhesive underneath, and add a coat of decorator’s varnish on top to help protect against moisture. Or, use vinyl wallpaper designed for bathrooms, though it’s best to stick to tiles or paneling in wet zones such as around the bath or above a sink.
19. Add luxurious bathroom accessories
‘If there is one room that needs a little luxury, it’s your bathroom. Don’t be shy of adding a little glamor to your spa bathroom ideas – it’s these brushed gold fittings that really make this bathroom shine.’ says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.
For instance, a bath caddy can help create a polished look if you have a bathtub to house candles, bubble baths, and more. Otherwise, when it comes to your fluffy towels, a freestanding towel rack or rail will add sophistication to this room.
20. Choose quality finishes
A plus side of designing a small bathroom is that you may be able to splash out on higher-quality materials and finishes than if you were having to decorate a larger room. They'll also be more noticeable in smaller spaces, so choose something that feels timeless and elevated.
In this project from Wolf Lewitt, a bespoke map wallpaper was commissioned to fit the room and add interest. This bold design has been given a traditional finish with aged brass hardware, giving the space a more classic look.
'Small bathrooms benefit from details in design; a cohesion between taps and the shower, to the soap holder, to the flush plate of the WC. A towel rail can also prove to be a clever reference to the striking design of the fittings and allow understated styling opportunities to bring a scheme together,' adds Christian Sieger, owner of Sieger Design.
21. Give the illusion of space with decor
When choosing small bathroom tile ideas, use optical illusion to create a sense of space in your washroom. For example, horizontal lines can help widen the appearance of your room and these metro tiles are a timeless option.
To prevent tiles looking too bare or clinical, incorporate natural materials to add layers of texture and warmth to the space, such as real wood or plants. The gray bathroom tiles on the floor help pull together the scheme by bringing out the dark grouting on the walls.
22. Wall mount to make a small bathroom feel larger
If you don't have a lot of bathroom clutter to hide, try to keep furniture and sanitaryware to a minimum. Wall-mounted basins and WCs clear the floor area and have minimal impact on your walls, so they will make a small bathroom seem bigger.
Be inventive about where you place your sanitaryware, too. This basin fits perfectly in the gap between the wall and window, and because it's in a corner, it's less intrusive. This style of fitting is also a lot easy to clean – win, win!
23. Use mirrors to make a small bathroom feel larger
Mirrored walls come with plenty of benefits in a small bathroom scheme. For one, they offer an effective way to create the illusion of a much wider space, while their reflective qualities bounce light around a room, making it instantly brighter.
In this small bathroom, antique mirrors have been installed on the shower wall. While they are providing the aforementioned practical benefits, they also add a lovely texture to the space.
24. Choose minimal fixtures to boost a small bathroom
If making your small bathroom feel larger is a priority, make sure you don't introduce fixtures that create a visual divide. For example, if you need to add a shower curtain or shower screen, opt for something made from glass so it becomes almost invisible in the space.
In this wet room, the glass shower screen allows light to reach every part of the space, and as the eye can see every corner, the small bathroom feels much more spacious than it really is – the result is a space that remains light, bright and uncluttered.
25. Pick a cohesive style that suits your home's period
Many people shy away from classic styles as they assume that they can crowd a room and can be too oppressive, but this isn’t the case. Designing a small bathroom to suit your home's age and style will instantly enhance the space.
By using light colors and tones and embracing traditional fittings such as an Art Deco style, you can achieve a period look in your bathroom despite its small size, like in this small bathroom.
26. Keep the decor simple but add elegant fixtures
In lieu of being able to enlarge room dimensions, the clever use of surface finishes can maximize the feeling of space. In a small dark space, you could keep the space light and bright with minimal pattern or color.
‘Use reflective finishes on joinery and recessed handles,’ says Nick Stuttard, co-founder of London Projects. ‘They reflect light back into the room and streamline surfaces, minimizing any awkwardness in moving around a narrow space.’
27. Be brave with bold pattern
Murals are set to be a big bathroom trend this year, and introducing one through tiles, rather than the traditional wallpaper, is a great way to add interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming the space.
While wallpaper is an excellent option for adding pattern to a cloakroom, depending on the level of extraction you have in your bathroom, it may not be the best choice if you use it to bathe or shower often, so tiles are a perfect alternative.
28. Invest in a vintage washbasin
Decorating with vintage is not only a lovely way to add character to a small bathroom, but it's often more sustainable too. So, if you're worried your bathroom design may look too contemporary and cold, mix the old with the new for a relaxed, organic look.
A vintage wash basin or compact vanity unit will offset the modern fixtures that are often necessary for a scaled-down scheme, giving the room a more lived-in look. Vintage fixtures are often smaller than contemporary ones, too, perfect for a bijou bathroom.
29. Create a focus with a bathroom feature wall
A small bathroom always runs the risk of being characterless but you can easily rectify this with a single wall of patterned tiles, placed strategically to draw attention to an end wall or a feature wall.
'Whether it’s stars or stripes, monochrome patterns or colors that pop, pattern and print play a big part in bringing personality into any home – it injects life into small spaces,' says Hamish Smith, Ca’ Pietra's creative director.
'Think that pattern tiles are just for contemporary spaces? Think again and opt for a Victorian-inspired patterned tile, mural, or a trellis pattern for a shower space to make it timeless.'
30. Draw the eye up
A saving grace of some small bathrooms is that, while they're not big on floor space, they can make up for it with ceiling height. If that's the case, add features that encourage you to look up and take in the roominess above.
The trick employed here is to simply hang a bathroom chandelier – being sure to check IP ratings. It's a common misconception that bathroom lighting needs to be boring and purely functional, but there are plenty of ways to add a ceiling light that packs a punch.
31. Squeeze in shelving to boost storage in a small bathroom
It doesn't matter how small your bathroom is. If you look carefully there are opportunities for space-saving storage everywhere. Take this little alcove of shelving in an attic bathroom – what would be dead space has been utilized to store essentials.
Don't overload your shelves, however. Instead, curate little vignettes and use house plants or ceramics to add pops of color. In this scheme, a pretty basket has been added to hide any less aesthetic pieces that you might need easy access to.
32. Hang artwork wisely to distract from small bathroom proportions
Wallpaper is one way to bring a small bathroom to life, and carefully positioned artwork is another. Here, the owner has used clever bathroom art ideas by hanging each canvas high, emphasizing the clear wall space rather than the room's size.
Choose a curated selection of artworks to ensure the small bathroom scheme feels cohesive – bathroom art displays should be just a thought-through as in any other room. Be careful to choose frames or works that can withstand the more damp conditions of a bathroom.
33. Use vertical space in a small bathroom
To avoid creating a small bathroom that feels crowded, try to maximize the vertical space for extra storage, rather than encroaching on floor space. Instead of the usual bulky towel racks and rails, look for longer, thinner versions, designed to go up the walls.
Also, invest in ladder shelves, or open shelves – this will add a relaxed feel to the space and the bathroom won’t feel so boxy. Take advantage of dead space you wouldn’t usually fill and stretch out your furnishings to save space.
Expert tip – tall and sleek corner fitting cabinets are an ideal small bathroom idea.
34. Hang a bold and daring wallpaper
Your instinct may be to keep a small bathroom light, bright, and airy, but it's actually a great room to experiment with bold colors, prints, and patterns.
'Bathrooms are somewhere you can indulge in strong pattern and color without upsetting the flow of your overall interior design,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.
'For a luxurious haven to unwind in, consider adding a textural element with the use of wallpaper. Our wallpapers can be used in well-ventilated bathrooms on walls that don’t come into direct contact with water,' she adds.
FAQs
How do you design a small bathroom?
If you're wondering how to design a small bathroom, the truth is that every aspect needs to be carefully considered. But that doesn't mean you need to compromise on style.
Clever storage solutions can make all the difference, and thankfully there are now many compact options for bathrooms – from reduced-depth bathtubs and basins to slimline shower trays and frameless screens to enhance the illusion of space.
Also, bear in mind that wall-hung designs will optimize floorspace, and reflective surfaces can help bounce light around the room.
What is the best color for a small bathroom?
So, what's the best color for a small bathroom? The truth is that it depends on your own space.
First, take account of the natural daylight in your small bathroom: if it is poor or if the bathroom is north- or east-facing, you would be better off choosing a bathroom color that reflects light and has a touch of warmth to it.
If your bathroom is flooded with daylight thanks to a large window, there's no reason not to choose a dark color.
Consider how the bathroom color will look on all four walls – in a small space, it may be over-powering if it is dark or bold, or it may make the room feel entirely characterless if it is pale – and this is where you need to be clever with adding pattern and texture to complement that color.
What to avoid? A strong color and poor lighting, whether daylight or artificial light – the affect will be that the entire space with have a tinge of that shade, and when you look in your small bathroom mirror you might find your face reflects that shade – which is unflattering and not conducive to wellbeing.
Is it better to use small or large tiles in a small bathroom?
We asked the Ca' Pietra design team what their view was on using tiles in small bathrooms, and they offered some differing options.
'Some say that small mosaic tiles are the best way to go in a bijou bathroom whereas others advise to go for larger tiles to open the space up,' they explain.
'What it comes down to is whether or not you want to run with the coziness of the room, emphasizing its small proportions and celebrating its size. In which case, you can go for little tiles like our Yoga Penny or Brasserie mosaic tiles.'
'But, if you want to help a small bathroom appear larger, go for 30-60 cm plain-colored tiles on both your walls and floors and they’ll blur the boundaries so your floor space isn’t so defined.'
What are the trends for small bathrooms in 2024?
Bathroom trends have undergone a huge leap in design of late, and thanks to the effect the pandemic has had on everyone's homes – with bathrooms becoming our stay-at-home spas – this trend is set to continue right through 2024 and beyond.
Super practical, utilitarian, minimal designs have been replaced by softer lines, organic shapes, and warmer colors being applied in small bathrooms. This year, even colored bathroom suites are making a comeback, filling spaces with charm and character.
Modern technology is also being utilized with ink-jet printing technology, allowing manufacturers to produce all kinds of tiles, from wood and stone-effect tiles that look so similar to the real thing that it's hard to tell the difference, as well as colorful and intricate patterns.
There are plenty of small bathroom ideas to inspire your space. From compact shower rooms to playful patterns and awkwardly shaped spaces, there are lots of ways to create a luxurious, homey feel to any space.
