Whether it’s a bathroom for kids, for guests, or you’re designing a compact master suite, small spaces shouldn’t limit you from experimenting with some chic ideas.
We’ve searched the Livingetc archives for the best small bathroom ideas and inspiration, and have curated a mix of inspired solutions.
From floating sinks to sinks that double up as shelves, and wet room and shower room ideas to spa-inspired bathrooms, these carefully considered spaces make the most of their limited square footage.
Light bright colours make rooms appear larger, as do floor-to-ceiling tiles, and wet room layouts. You can’t really go wrong with classic marble tiles, white metro tiled bathrooms or a monochrome bathroom look, but it can pay off to go for a bold approach with an adventurous tiled bathroom idea.
Avoid a bulky vanity, instead opting for a floating sink or a sink on legs or with open shelving. Or go for one of these stunning new collection modern basin designs.
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.
Towel rails can look flush against a wall, and can also be mounted into alcoves, so that it’s not encroaching on any personal space.
Natural light is also key to make a small space feel bigger, and skylights are a great option for when windows aren’t enough.
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.
See Also: His And Hers Double Bathroom Basin Ideas
Converted corridor
A narrow corridor space has been transformed into a compact but stylish shower room.
Get the look: These are Made a Mano lavastone tiles. The handshower and brassware are Gessi at CP Hart.
little yet luxe
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 inspired shower screen.
Get the look: The marble-effect porcelain is from Mandarin Stone. The showerhead and fittings are by Vola.
White and bright
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. 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.
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.
Spa Style
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.
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.
Chevron
This smart, small bathroom space is covered head to toe in tiny black chevron tiles, giving it a cool hotel bathroom look.
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.
Clever accessories
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.
step up
Monochrome tile risers draw the eye into this small, pure white bathroom, adding a sense of space.
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.
Corner shelves
This small master bathroom makes the most of the space with wall mounted taps, corner shelving above the sink, and under sink storage.
roll top
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.
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.
Shelf space
A wet room finish makes the most of this space, and no-nonsense fittings kept costs down. Shelving above the loo make the most of otherwise dead space.
Get the look: Bath, ebay. Tiles, Walls & Floors.
Open shelf
An open shelf under the sink, instead of closed cabinet doors, help to create the illusion of more space in this daring bathroom design.
Get the look: The wallpaper is Tapestry in Coral Pink by Quercus & Co. The Hudson vanity unit is from Restoration Hardware. The Maison wall sconces are by the Urban Electric Co. The mirror is from Wayfair.
Corner bath
This wall-to-wall tub sits snugly against the back of this small bathroom, offering views from the bath. 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.
Go up
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.
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
bold geometric
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.
floating basin
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.
Compact but charming
A sliver of space in the hallway was converted to create an en suite for the master bedroom.
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.
Pack in a punch
This bathroom is functional, but packs a punch too.
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.
Ultra modern
The Carrara marble mixed with the black brassware gives a slice of drama to this classic and beautiful design.
Get the look: The matt black brassware fittings are from Dornbracht.
Walk in shower
Another walk-in wet room, incorporating the shower into the rest of the space makes the whole space feel bigger. Floor-to-ceiling metro tiles and a Victorian-style floor put a period spin on this modern wet room.
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.
On a pedestal
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.
