12 Design Tips to Better a Small Bathroom
Make every centimetre count with these design strategies
I have been in some small bathrooms – you know, the kind that 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 to code, allowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towels and toilet paper. 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.
Among the challenges: configuring the toilet and sink to code, allowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towels and toilet paper. 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.
2. 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 152 centimetres in length.
Shower Curtain vs Shower Doors: Which Option to Choose?
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 152 centimetres in length.
Shower Curtain vs Shower Doors: Which Option to Choose?
3. Float the vanity
Besides just visually helping the bathroom appear bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor frees up a little space for small items.
Besides just visually helping the bathroom appear bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor frees up a little space for small items.
4. Round the vanity
Tight spaces can make sharp corners hip hazards. 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. No more bruised hips!
Tight spaces can make sharp corners hip hazards. 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. No more bruised hips!
5. Extend the counter over the toilet
This banjo-style arrangement can be done with stone or a wood slab. The extended counter creates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is clean.
This banjo-style arrangement can be done with stone or a wood slab. The extended counter creates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is clean.
6. Use a large-scale pattern
A large-scale pattern, like this wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The square footage might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.
A large-scale pattern, like this wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The square footage might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.
7. 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 76- by 152-centimetre tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep most of the water in the shower and will 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 76- by 152-centimetre tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep most of the water in the shower and will free up needed elbow room.
8. Expand the mirror
In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.
In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.
9. Mount the towel bar on a door
Where can I put my towels? I wish I had a coin for every time I heard that question.
When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby cupboard, but having that one towel close by to dry off with is essential.
Where can I put my towels? I wish I had a coin for every time I heard that question.
When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby cupboard, but having that one towel close by to dry off with is essential.
10. 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.
Browse Singapore bathrooms
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.
Browse Singapore bathrooms
11. Select a vanity with one shelf
Pedestal design has gotten 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 folded neatly in a bathroom.
Pedestal design has gotten 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 folded neatly in a bathroom.
12. Use a wall-mounted faucet
Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in traditional design. It works anywhere!
TELL US
Do you have any small bathroom tip to add? Please do so in the Comments below.
Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in traditional design. It works anywhere!
TELL US
Do you have any small bathroom tip to add? Please do so in the Comments below.
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 condition.