Ways to Fit in A Statement-Making Bathtub
Opt for scaled-down tubs or re-jig the bathroom layout and you'll soon be enjoying a bubble bath
Jo Simmons
2 February 2017
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
If you think a bathroom in which you can luxuriate, with statement fittings and bold design, is not compatible with a small space, think again. There are lots of clever, space-efficient fittings available that squeeze contemporary style into a small area, but to really bring some wow to your washroom, it’s sometimes necessary to totally rethink the traditional bathroom, both in terms of how it’s laid out and what it includes. These brilliant bathrooms show how a micro footprint can deliver maximum style.
Scale down the bath
Source a petite version of a statement piece for all the impact of a full-size model in a fraction of the space. This scaled-down freestanding tub gives this tiny bathroom a classical vibe, complemented by monochrome floor tiles, a traditional-style shower ring and curtain, smart panelling and some striking art.
8 Beautifully Different Tub Materials for Bath-Time Luxury
Source a petite version of a statement piece for all the impact of a full-size model in a fraction of the space. This scaled-down freestanding tub gives this tiny bathroom a classical vibe, complemented by monochrome floor tiles, a traditional-style shower ring and curtain, smart panelling and some striking art.
8 Beautifully Different Tub Materials for Bath-Time Luxury
Keep it skinny
There are lots of slimline bathroom fittings that work hard in a compact space while delivering maximum impact. Shop for smart designs that aren’t greedy for space and deliver lots of clean, contemporary style.
These mirrored cabinets are elegantly slim but conceal essential storage. Choose a petite freestanding bowl-style basin, too, and sit it on a bespoke, shelf-style base, leaving room below for essentials. This is a space-efficient idea that doesn’t compromise on style.
There are lots of slimline bathroom fittings that work hard in a compact space while delivering maximum impact. Shop for smart designs that aren’t greedy for space and deliver lots of clean, contemporary style.
These mirrored cabinets are elegantly slim but conceal essential storage. Choose a petite freestanding bowl-style basin, too, and sit it on a bespoke, shelf-style base, leaving room below for essentials. This is a space-efficient idea that doesn’t compromise on style.
Turn up your taps
Pimp a small bathroom into something designer-y by swerving traditional chrome taps and fitting something gorgeous instead. Here, the rose gold and marble fittings are glamorous and unusual, and the first thing you’d notice on walking into the room.
The complementary coral accent in the floor tiles helps to tie the look together, and that mirrored wall not only has the wow factor, it enlarges the space and bounces light around it, too.
Pimp a small bathroom into something designer-y by swerving traditional chrome taps and fitting something gorgeous instead. Here, the rose gold and marble fittings are glamorous and unusual, and the first thing you’d notice on walking into the room.
The complementary coral accent in the floor tiles helps to tie the look together, and that mirrored wall not only has the wow factor, it enlarges the space and bounces light around it, too.
In this even smaller space, you can see the same idea at work, but with brass taps and shower head, plus a matching towel rail. Interesting lighting also takes the luxe feel up a notch.
Boost Your Bathroom Style With Brass
Boost Your Bathroom Style With Brass
Paper a feature wall
A lavishly papered feature wall is a go-to idea for giving a bedroom or living room that statement feel, so why don’t we consider it for bathrooms?
People often assume wallpaper isn’t compatible with a steamy, splashy space, but a simple coating of decorator’s varnish over the top should keep it well protected. And just look at the striking effect it’s had on this neutral little space.
Wallpaper in the Tropics
A lavishly papered feature wall is a go-to idea for giving a bedroom or living room that statement feel, so why don’t we consider it for bathrooms?
People often assume wallpaper isn’t compatible with a steamy, splashy space, but a simple coating of decorator’s varnish over the top should keep it well protected. And just look at the striking effect it’s had on this neutral little space.
Wallpaper in the Tropics
Borrow space from the bedroom
Make use of an under-exploited patch of space in a bedroom by installing a statement tub in it. A big, freestanding bath is the last word in luxurious bathing and gives a bedroom a boutique hotel vibe. Nobody wants the other bathroom essentials in a bedroom, so keep them for a communal room nearby and make the tub the star.
Make use of an under-exploited patch of space in a bedroom by installing a statement tub in it. A big, freestanding bath is the last word in luxurious bathing and gives a bedroom a boutique hotel vibe. Nobody wants the other bathroom essentials in a bedroom, so keep them for a communal room nearby and make the tub the star.
Work some wraparound tiles
Sometimes, it’s the simplest decisions that can prompt the biggest style statement. In this bijou attic bathroom, the owner has continued the striking patterned tiles from the floor onto the wall. Not only does this create an interesting ‘wraparound’ effect, it also visually stretches the space as the floor and wall melt into one another.
Mood lighting also helps to boosts the atmospheric feel of the room.
Sometimes, it’s the simplest decisions that can prompt the biggest style statement. In this bijou attic bathroom, the owner has continued the striking patterned tiles from the floor onto the wall. Not only does this create an interesting ‘wraparound’ effect, it also visually stretches the space as the floor and wall melt into one another.
Mood lighting also helps to boosts the atmospheric feel of the room.
Tuck under
Longing for a freestanding bath but lacking the square footage? Rethink the traditional idea of sitting it squarely in the middle of the room and tuck your tub under the eaves instead. Here, exposed sandstone walls add extra interest, while the smart tiled floor and compact basin stand with luxe marble top make the small space stand out.
Longing for a freestanding bath but lacking the square footage? Rethink the traditional idea of sitting it squarely in the middle of the room and tuck your tub under the eaves instead. Here, exposed sandstone walls add extra interest, while the smart tiled floor and compact basin stand with luxe marble top make the small space stand out.
Look East
Bathe like the Japanese in a space-efficient but wonderfully luxurious square wooden tub. The idea is to sit with hot water up to your chin, rather than lie down as you do in Western-style baths. This style of tub takes up much less room but brings an instant wow factor.
Bathe like the Japanese in a space-efficient but wonderfully luxurious square wooden tub. The idea is to sit with hot water up to your chin, rather than lie down as you do in Western-style baths. This style of tub takes up much less room but brings an instant wow factor.
Rethink the traditional
When space is really tight, radical solutions are called for. In order to have a decent-sized bath, it might have to completely fill part of the room, rather than sit within it. This long, narrow room has a large bath filling one side…
When space is really tight, radical solutions are called for. In order to have a decent-sized bath, it might have to completely fill part of the room, rather than sit within it. This long, narrow room has a large bath filling one side…
Opposite, there’s a neat unit that contains the basins and storage, built bespoke to suit this tricky, sloping space.
Pack it all in
Give up on the idea of floor space between each key piece of sanitary ware and position everything closely together. Then rather than use the all-white approach in a bid to make the space feel bigger, try styling this configuration boldly with striking tiling on the walls and floor.
This small bathroom uses a monochrome palette to create contrast between each tightly packed piece in the room, giving each item its own individual character and adding plenty of drama.
Give up on the idea of floor space between each key piece of sanitary ware and position everything closely together. Then rather than use the all-white approach in a bid to make the space feel bigger, try styling this configuration boldly with striking tiling on the walls and floor.
This small bathroom uses a monochrome palette to create contrast between each tightly packed piece in the room, giving each item its own individual character and adding plenty of drama.
Be innovative
This converted shipping container is short on space but packed with ingenious ideas. In the bathroom, the shower floor is made of a pebble-covered mesh that sinks down to reveal a stainless-steel tub beneath, so there’s just one drainage system for both the shower and the bath.
A mix of materials and furniture, from pebbles to metro tiles and vintage finds, gives this tiny room lots of unique style.
New Ways to Use Beloved Subway Tiles
This converted shipping container is short on space but packed with ingenious ideas. In the bathroom, the shower floor is made of a pebble-covered mesh that sinks down to reveal a stainless-steel tub beneath, so there’s just one drainage system for both the shower and the bath.
A mix of materials and furniture, from pebbles to metro tiles and vintage finds, gives this tiny room lots of unique style.
New Ways to Use Beloved Subway Tiles
Go sleek and streamlined
Fit a tub that matches the width of the room for a snug, streamlined feel. This lovely bathroom is also blessed with a large picture window that spans the rear wall and makes a bold statement.
Although adding this kind of dramatic window is probably out of the question for most of us, there are still ideas here you can use. Consider fitting a shower next to the bath, with a wooden slatted floor over the drainage, which is useful when showering or hopping out of the tub.
Fit a tub that matches the width of the room for a snug, streamlined feel. This lovely bathroom is also blessed with a large picture window that spans the rear wall and makes a bold statement.
Although adding this kind of dramatic window is probably out of the question for most of us, there are still ideas here you can use. Consider fitting a shower next to the bath, with a wooden slatted floor over the drainage, which is useful when showering or hopping out of the tub.
Use colour to make a statement
Bring a sense of drama to a tiny bathroom by splashing a bold, bright colour on the walls. Let your colour make the statement, then kit the space out simply, with small-scale fittings and clean white tiles.
TELL US
Do you have any tips for squeezing a statement bathroom into a small space? Share them in the Comments below.
MORE
15 Ways to Have Your Shower and Bathtub Together
Bring a sense of drama to a tiny bathroom by splashing a bold, bright colour on the walls. Let your colour make the statement, then kit the space out simply, with small-scale fittings and clean white tiles.
TELL US
Do you have any tips for squeezing a statement bathroom into a small space? Share them in the Comments below.
MORE
15 Ways to Have Your Shower and Bathtub Together
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love these small space designs!! Get tired of seeing giant bathrooms all of the time. Another idea, common in other countries, is the idea of a wet bath. If done correctly you won't end up with everything wet.
I live a few blocks from the beach and my family has 15 members and growing. I have an outside shower big enough for parents and kids after a day at the beach. I have a half bath entrance by the shower. The half bath also opens into an inside laundry room. This l
keeps sand and wet kids out of the house !!!!