These small bathroom ideas prove that you don't need oodles of space for a bathroom with impact.
We've searched the Livingetc archives for the best small bathroom inspiration, and have curated a mix of inspired solutions.
Wall-mounted loos with built-in cisterns also help create more floor space, while also creating a handy alcove area above the loo for loo roll and bathroom accessories.
Create alcove shelving in shower spaces too, to keep soaps and sponges within arm's reach. Plus, they look incredibly chic.
Natural light is also key to make a small space feel bigger, and skylights are a great option for when windows aren't enough.
Light bright colours make rooms appear larger, as do floor-to-ceiling tiles, and wet room layouts. You can't go wrong with a clean, streamlined look, but sometimes it can pay off to go for a bold approach with a more adventurous idea.
There are so many ways in which you can make the most of even the smallest of bathroom spaces — without sacrificing an inch of style. Whatever kind of inspiration you're looking for, there's a small bathroom idea for everyone.
From clever small bathroom storage ideas to home spa-inspired wet room and shower room ideas that make the most of every square inch of space, these carefully considered small spaces all make the most of their limited square footage.
1. Make every inch count
The narrow corridor space below has been transformed into a compact but stylish wet room which utilises every inch of floor space.
Get the look: These are Made a Mano lavastone tiles. The handshower and brassware are Gessi at CP Hart.
2. Add some luxury
Marble-effect porcelain looks so indulgent, but it’s practical and hard wearing too. Here it makes a small bathroom feel luxe, especially in combination with the Crittall style shower screen.
Get the look: The marble-effect porcelain is from Mandarin Stone. The showerhead and fittings are by Vola.
3. Ideas worth stealing
This small bathroom is kept light and bright, with floor to ceiling metro tiles and a space-saving small sink area on legs, avoiding a bulky vanity and giving the illusion of more space. The toilet is wall-mounted, with the cistern built-in, thus creating a handy tiled shelf above the loo for loo roll and bathroom accessories. The towel rail is mounted in the alcove, so that it’s not encroaching on any personal space.
4. Opt for wall-mounted taps
This limited bathroom space is optimised with wall-mounted taps and a counter-top sink. The cupboard underneath provides storage space.
Get the look: The basin and mixer taps are from Aston Matthews. The tiles come from The Reject Tile Shop. The wall light is by Trinity Marine.
5. Create a home spa feel
A round bath frees up space for a ledge for books, bath salts and flowers. A wall mounted shower head also helps to save space. The slatted woodwork create a spa-like, grown-up atmosphere. It might be a small space, but it oozes luxury spa vibes.
Get the look: The Tara shower fitting is by Dornbracht. The floor tiles are by Mosaic Del Sur. The wall is covered in Venetian plaster by Loggia.
6. Small tiles to make the space seem larger
This smart, small bathroom space is covered head to toe in tiny black chevron bathroom tiles, giving it a cool hotel bathroom look – plus the small tiles make the space seem larger, by fitting more in it.
7. Wall to wall wet room
By opting for a wet room, there's no need for visible shower trays or shower screens, and you can use every square inch of space.
Get the look: Metro tiles, Topps Tiles. Savoy sink and pedestal, Bathstore.
8. Create an alcove nook
You might find that you can borrow some extra space from behind a wall, to create a little bit of extra storage. A built-in shower nook provides pretty storage while towel hooks instead of shelves help free up space.
Extra large white tiles in a herringbone formation also help make this light and bright space appear more spacious.
Get the look: The tiles are from Tons of Tiles. The taps are from homary.com. The bath mat is from Urban Outfitters.
9. Step up
These small steps help to zone and define separate areas of the bathroom. Aside from adding interest, it can also make a room feel larger.
Get the look: The floor tiles are Kerion’s Décor Branche Mer from its Neocim Collection. In the UK, try Abbey Decor porcelain tiles, £32.64 per sq m, at Porcelain Superstore.
10. Corner shelves
This small ensuite bathroom makes the most of the space with wall mounted taps, corner shelving above the sink, and under sink storage.
11. Mini roll top bath
Who says you can't have a roll top bath in a small space? This cute bathtub is from a restoration yard and is the perfect fit for this bijou space.
Get the look: Find a similar bath at UK Architectural Antiques. For similar hook brackets, see Ideas to Steal. The tiles are from Topps Tiles.
12. Sink as a shelf
In this glamorous small bathroom, a bespoke guitar-shaped marble basin doubles up as a shelf.
Get the look: The mirror is antique Venetian. Lula 1 lamp, Windfall.
13. Utilise dead space for extra storage
Shelving above the loo make the most of otherwise dead space.
Get the look: Bath, ebay. Tiles, Walls & Floors.
14. Wall to wall
This wall-to-wall tub sits snugly against the back of this small bathroom, offering views from the bath, while no space around the bath is wasted.
Natural slate, a petrified tree stump and botanical prints bring an organic warmth to the look.
Get the look: The walls are painted in Ocean Floor emulsion by Benjamin Moore. The vintage prints are from Holler & Squall. The tree stump was found at ABC Carpet & Home.
15. Use the height
Make the most of the height of a tall bathroom space. Large-format tiles in a pale shade accentuate the height of this small bathroom. A design suggested by the architect means the ornate cornicing remains intact and the owner has somewhere to put their speakers. Plus, you could incorporate a whole wall worth of built-in storage as the storage only needs to be a few cm deep to house beauty and hygiene products. Sliding doors would be the best option to stop it from encroaching too much.
Get the look: The Bank Neuf limestone tiles are by Gareth Davies Stone. The sanitaryware is from CP Hart. For wall-mounted radiators in this style, try Bisque
16. Dare to create drama
Mustard walls, raw concrete shower space and geometric tiling add instant drama to this small shower room. Forgoing a bath also helps to save space.
Get the look: Find Art Deco-style wall lights at Balineum. Topps Tiles sells a range of geometric floor tiles.
17. Floating basin
Avoid a bulky vanity, instead opting for a floating sink or a sink on legs or with open shelving.
A floating basin creates more floor space, while a small alcove behind the bath provides a handy shelf. There’s also a cupboard behind the mirror.
Get the look: The bath, basin and fittings are from Alternative Bathrooms.
18.
A sliver of space in the hallway was converted to create an en suite for the master bedroom. A compact sink and loo were chosen, and a walk-in shower separated by a simple glass screen.
Get the look: The floor tiles are by Mosaic del Sur. The wall tiles are by Topps Tiles. The shelf is by String at Tea and Kate. The mirror is by Hay.
19. Bold ideas can pay off
This bathroom is functional, but packs a punch too. Sometimes it pays to be bold with an idea.
Get the look: This is Nautilus wallpaper by Cole & Son. The bath is from Bette. The bath surround is tiled in Via Arkadia tiles. The basin is from Cielo. The mirrored vanity unit is bespoke.
20. Or keep it simple
Livingetc are big fans of clean, streamlined and minimalist looks – and this wet room ticks a lot of boxes.
The Carrara marble mixed with the black brassware gives a slice of drama to this classic and beautiful design, as does the recessed LED lighting.
Get the look: The matt black brassware fittings are from Dornbracht.
21. Shower screen
Incorporating the shower into the rest of the space by unifying the flooring to create more of a wet room feel will make the whole space feel bigger.
Get the look: The metro tiles are by Walls and Floors. The floor tiles were bought from Tons of Tiles. This is a Burlington pedestal basin.
22. A pedestal basin for an eye-catching look
A pedestal basin is a chic addition to this compact shower room space. The lack of a bath also helps to save space.
Get the look: This is the Vieques pedestal basin by Patricia Urquiola for Agape. Tap, Vola. Shower head, Hansgrohe. Bespoke mirror, contact Amanda for similar.