70 Small Bathroom Design Ideas: Make the Most of Your Space

A small bathroom is a common problem in apartment living, but it can be transformed into a comfortable and relaxing oasis with the right design tricks. By choosing the right finishes, fixtures, and furniture, you’ll find that the narrow space was not the cause of your discomfort, but rather the improper placement of items. Our recommendations will help you correct mistakes and make your bathroom convenient and tidy!

Redesigning a Small Bathroom: Where to Start?

The first thing to consider is whether to make the bathroom a combined or separate space.

Removing the partition between the toilet and the bathtub can slightly increase the area and save on finishing materials. However, special permits may be required for this, and important utilities (such as plumbing or electrical wiring) may be located within the wall. In addition, a shared bathroom can be inconvenient for large families.

As for a separate bathroom, the only disadvantage is that both rooms can end up tiny, and there may not be enough space for a separate sink in the toilet area. In this case, you can use a compact sink, placing it, for example, in the corner, slightly above the toilet tank.

Bathroom Finishes and Materials

When taking a bath or shower, steam and condensation can quickly build up in the air. This means that all materials used in a small bathroom should be waterproof and resistant to temperature changes.

Flooring

At first glance, it may seem that tiling the concrete base in the bathroom is enough and the job is done. However, there is more work that needs to be done beneath the decorative layer. A “warm floor” system will provide a comfortable temperature, and a dense layer of waterproofing will protect against floods caused by unforeseen events.

The ideal structure should look like this: a concrete slab is covered with a bituminous primer, a polymer waterproofing film is attached to it (the edges of which are lifted onto the walls, and the seams should be overlapped and firmly fused together), fine-grained quartz sand is poured, heating elements are laid, and then ceramic tiles are attached to the concrete adhesive. It’s best to choose large, light-colored tiles that are slightly rough, as glossy surfaces can be slippery when wet and cause injuries.

Walls

To decorate the walls in a small bathroom, you can use ceramic tiles, plastic panels, paint, artificial stone, or moisture-resistant wallpaper.

The first step is to properly plaster the surface and apply a quality primer. You can also level the surface with aqua panels.

When choosing paint, it is best to use non-toxic water-based emulsion (acrylic, silicone) and water-dispersed compositions. It is better to avoid traditional oil-based paints as they take a long time to dry, emit a strong smell of acetone, and quickly crack under the influence of temperature changes.

Ceiling

The optimal choice for decorating the ceiling in a small bathroom is a stretch film with a mirrored effect. It is completely resistant to water vapor (you just need to wipe it occasionally) and will serve for at least ten years without losing its initial aesthetic appearance. Moreover, such a ceiling will help minimize the unpleasant consequences of flooding.

If a budget repair is needed, you can choose to paint the ceiling, but it will need to be updated every year.

Another good way to decorate the ceiling in a bathroom is to cover it with plastic panels. For the frame under them, only stainless steel profile should be used.

Bath or shower cabin – what to choose?

In a small bathroom, where it is difficult to allocate space for a capacious bath, a shower cabin should undoubtedly be preferred. Moreover, there are models equipped with deep trays with Jacuzzi, so lovers of romantic baths with candles and rose petals will not be left out.

In addition to significant space savings, the cabin reduces water consumption. Considering the increasing bills for utilities, this is a big advantage.

The presence of ventilation above the shower will allow you to quickly remove moisture and minimize the penetration of condensation on the finish beyond its borders.

And if you still want to lie in full-length water, then owners of small bathrooms should pay attention to corner and curved baths.

Furniture, Appliances, and Accessories Placement

Thoughtful placement of plumbing fixtures and furniture can make even the tiniest bathroom comfortable and practical.

Sink and Toilet

If you want to save space, consider choosing a small rectangular or square sink with high edges rather than a semi-circular one. You can build such a sink into a cabinet.

For the toilet tank, consider hiding it in the wall, leaving only the flush button exposed. If that’s not possible, you could opt for a corner or high narrow tank.

Laundry machine

A compact washing machine with a side load can be built into any available niche: under the sink, near the water heater, in a corner between the bathtub and the wall, or above the toilet. Just make sure there is an isolated power outlet nearby and discreetly hide the pipes.

To avoid damaging expensive plumbing, it is better to direct the dirty water drain directly into the sewage hole.

Cabinets and shelves

To store things in a small bathroom, it’s best to maximize vertical space – install tall cabinets, hanging shelves, and towel racks.

For shampoos, gels, foams, and other hygiene products, you can equip side shelves with doors on brackets that open at a 45-60 degree angle, or make narrow horizontal shelves with sliding screens.

Another interesting idea is a pull-out rack. Clean towels can be stored in it and will be well protected from moisture.

Lighting in a small bathroom

In a small bathroom, one or several light sources may suffice, but it should definitely not be a hanging chandelier.

It’s also best to avoid traditional incandescent bulbs as they get very hot during use and may burst when water splashes on them. LED bulbs are the best choice for meeting these criteria.

To create a more romantic atmosphere in a small bathroom, you can use neon strips, spotlights on shelves and niches, and fluorescent elements on the floor.

Choosing an Interior Style

To ensure a harmonious look, it’s important to choose a style that suits the owners’ preferences before starting a bathroom renovation. This will contribute to relaxation and elevate the mood during bathing experiences.

A small bathroom in a modern style

Clear, symmetrical shapes, no unnecessary details, monochromatic tones, and chrome or glossy finishes create a sense of conciseness and completeness.

A small bathroom in a classic style

Shades of ivory, sparkling porcelain, and shimmering gold botanical patterns – a regal bathroom for true aristocrats. Abundant light and shine will effectively enhance the sense of space.

A small bathroom in a Provence style

In this decor, French romance intertwines with rustic freedom and simplicity. Pastel shades are used, such as lavender, greenish, blue, and soft pink. Small, subtle floral patterns are acceptable. Furniture should have a slightly vintage look, such as light paint with a distressed appearance.

A small bathroom in a loft style

Lofts are characterized by bare walls, imitation of stone or brickwork (preferably in a grayish-white tone), high whitewashed ceilings, and absence of decorations. This style is suitable for free-spirited artists, bohemians, and those who disdain conformity and value freedom.

A small bathroom in a minimalist style

Space-saving and compact forms are the perfect solution for a small bathroom. Everything necessary is hidden in cabinets, creating an atmosphere of lightness and spaciousness.

A small bathroom in a Scandinavian style

Snow-white color with small specks of gray and black reminds of mountainous northern rivers or ice-covered peaks. Such an atmosphere refreshes and energizes. Finishing in unobtrusive tones and without any bright details visually enlarges the room.

Color Solutions for a Small Bathroom

To ensure integrity of the interior, no more than three colors, close in saturation, should be used for the decoration of a small bathroom. Dark, contrasting, and bulky items and patterns are preferable for spacious halls or open swimming pools.

A White Bathroom

This is a traditional color for plumbing fixtures – clean, bright, and highly reflective of light. It’s easy to relax in such an environment, and it also easily combines with any other shades.

A Gray Bathroom

Shimmering shades resemble a clean stream running between rocks from the top. Light gray color in the company of mirrors and chrome metal promotes relaxation after a hard day’s work and provides a refreshing atmosphere in the morning.

A Blue Bathroom

The shade of the sky and water is the most calming. It makes you breathe deeper and fills the space with fresh air. It’s the perfect backdrop for a white bathtub and sink.

A Green Bathroom

When leaves are reflected in a river, the water appears greenish. In this palette, you can find shades of sea waves, shimmering with bluish-turquoise with golden highlights from the depths. Such decoration in a small bathroom will provide a rest for the eyes and relaxation for the body.

Design of a Small Bathroom

In small apartments, it’s common to see a small toilet and a cramped bathroom. However, even in such conditions, ingenuity can be shown.

For example, the sink can be placed in the corner above the bathtub – so it won’t get in anyone’s way. And by constructing a spacious niche above the toilet tank, it’s easy to fit a water heater in it.

Small Bathrooms – Photos

Our gallery will help you see real examples of small bathroom designs. By looking at photos, you can find unique ideas for saving space in bathrooms that are the same size as yours.