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How to design a small bathroom layout


10 Small Bathroom Ideas That Work

Bathroom layouts can be challenging, but a small bathroom can be particularly challenging. If your bathroom is short on space and you need some small bathroom ideas to make it work, then you have come to the right place.

Blog | Bathroom

Every day here at RoomSketcher, we see hundreds of bathroom designs, floor plans and remodeling projects, from all around the globe. We work with customers just like you to help you create floor plans and to visualize your design ideas in 3D. One of the projects that we see people struggle with the most is small bathrooms.

To help, we pulled some of our favorite small bathroom projects to show you examples of small bathroom design ideas that really work. All of these projects were created using the RoomSketcher App. Let’s take a look:

1. Add Mirror Walls

As the small bathroom above shows, adding a mirror across a whole wall can double the look and feel of the room. This is particularly effective above a vanity or along one side of a narrow bathroom. Mirrors are also great for reflecting light, so you can get more lighting from your light fixtures or windows.

2. Wall Mounted Toilets

If you have space in the walls of your small bathroom to build-in a toilet tank, you can save both floor space and legroom with a wall mounted toilet. If you can’t wall mount the toilet, consider adding shelving above the tank for additional storage or extending your vanity top to create a narrow ledge.

3. Lose the Tub

Tubs take up twice the amount of floor space than showers. If you have the option to lose the tub, you’ll open up the space significantly. Showers are great for adults and guests, especially older ones. If you add a hand shower, showers are also excellent for getting pets clean too. However, if you have children and you need to keep the tub for bathing them, then consider a lower profile tub. The lower height makes getting in and out easier and it will make your room feel more open as well.

4. Frameless Glass Tub and Shower Panels

Let’s be honest, no one likes shower curtains. They stick to you when you’re showering and they are a pain to clean. Shower curtains also close off one-third of your room visually. To prevent this, swap out your shower curtain with a frameless glass panel instead. This will open up your bathroom significantly and allow more light into your shower or tub.

Glass panels are easy to install, maintain and are perfect for small bathrooms. They can be either fixed in place or hinged to swing. You can fold hinged glass panels inward when the shower is not in use as well. Avoid sliding glass panels, which require top and bottom tracks and are more difficult to clean.

5. Continual Flooring and Curbless Showers

Here is one of our favorite small bathroom design ideas – curbless showers. By eliminating the curb around your shower, your flooring can continue right into the shower. This works great with concrete, stone slab and tile floors. You can even incorporate a concealed or infinity-edge drain for a really seamless look. Plus curbless showers are easier to clean.

6. Small Sinks and Floating Vanities

As with wall mounted toilets, wall mounted sinks are an excellent way to save floor space and to make your small bathroom appear more open. If storage is key, try a wall-mounted floating vanity. Look for narrow washbasin designs and for the newer thin-edge sinks. The ceramic is just as strong as it is with a traditional sink and you’ll get a larger washbasin in less space.

7. Think Vertical – Add Cabinets and Open Shelving on The Walls

In small bathrooms, storage is often sacrificed. While there may not be available real estate on the floor, there is on the walls. Opt for recessed medicine cabinets with mirrored fronts above your sink.

Add shelving on the wall above the toilet, at the end of a tub or above the entry door or vanity mirror. Use narrow open shelves to keep the look light. Metal towel racks also work well. For cabinets, look for ones with glass fronts. Don’t forget the back of the door, it is a great place to add towel bars or robe hooks.

Inspiration

For more bathroom storage ideas, check out:

8. Pocket Doors

Beyond eliminating the tub, one of the biggest space-saving small bathrooms ideas you can consider is to switch from an in-swinging entry door to a pocket door. To install a pocket door you will have to open your wall to create the pocket. However, you can gain up to 9 square feet of usable space that you did not have before. You will have more flexibility when placing your fixtures as well. You can also look for surface-mounted sliding door hardware to create a modern sliding door or barn door look.

9. Combine Dark Floors with Lighter Walls

With small bathrooms, you want to be strategic with color. Dark walls will make an already tiny bathroom feel smaller. Bright colored walls will reflect more light and make your small bathroom feel larger. Reserve dark colors for the floor or keep the overall scheme light. If you have wood floors, look for shower tiles that match the wood in color and tone. This will create the illusion of a continuous floor and won’t draw your eye to the smallest part of the room.

Inspiration

For bathroom floor plan ideas, check out:

10. Add an Accent Wall

We saved the best idea for last. Adding an accent wall is one of our favorite small bathroom ideas and it’s a great way to add some color. In a small bathroom, you will want to place the accent wall on the back wall. You can add color to the whole wall or just a band of color. This technique will give your room depth and interest without overwhelming it.

You can create an accent wall with paint or a fun colorful tile. If you want to add some pattern, then use it in the same way – either on the floor or to create an accent wall. Keep the rest of your walls simple and light in color to not dilute the effect. For more beautiful bathroom ideas check out our board on Pinterest!

Get Started on Your Bathroom Design

These small bathroom design ideas were created using the RoomSketcher App. The RoomSketcher App is an easy-to-use bathroom planner that you can use to design your bathroom online.

Just draw your bathroom floor plan, furnish and decorate it, and see your design in 3D – it’s that easy!

Get Started

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Small bathroom layout ideas |

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Design by Elicyon

(Image credit: Elicyon)

Small bathroom layout ideas are the urban homeowner's dream. They give you the ability to turn a box room into a bathroom, or make a big splash in a small space. Because while cavernous spa-sized bathrooms might be the dream, getting  a lot form just a little room is more likely to be the reality.

Before we get into the small bathroom ideas, it's worth thinking about what sort of space can actually be one in the first place. "If a room hasn’t been a bathroom before, you’ll need to check how it can be adapted to accommodate the plumbing - and at what cost," says James Lentaigne, creative director of Drummonds. "Soil pipes will need installing and this requires careful consideration: how will it fall, is there space under the floor, are the joists or steels laid to accommodate this or does it need to be boxed in above the floor etc. These basic layout checks will determine where fittings can be placed. Large statement pieces such as a freestanding bath or shower are part of a trend for luxury in the bathroom; as well as underfloor heating, large heated towel rails and generously sized basins. Dedicate as much space as you can as this creates an extravagant feeling."

The average bathroom often isn’t much bigger than a king-size bed, yet it’s one of the hardest working spaces in the home. It’s usually where we begin and end the day, from kickstarting the chaotic morning routine to winding down in the evening, so it’s got to be blissful as well as super functional. For many of us, this also means the dream situation is to have a shower AND a bath, yet this isn’t always easy to achieve in a small bathroom layout. On top of that, there’s sanitaryware, storage, drainage, lighting, heating and hardware, all to cram into one tiny room, so spending time planning your space down to the last square-inch will pay dividends. 

Small bathroom layout ideas - the expert guide

(Image credit: The Bradley Hare)

Decide what you need for the perfect bathroom

Decide which camp you sit in – are you a serial soaker or do you prefer a good drenching? This will largely determine your layout. For bath-lovers, dedicating the space to a fabulous freestanding design with a bath-shower mixer might be best, or a shower-bath combo if you want the best of both worlds. If you rarely take a dip, go for a wetroom. They feel gloriously spacious and seamless without enclosures or trays, but it’s a pricier option as you have to tank the space to make it waterproof. A shower room is the go-to if the budget is tight.

Once you’ve decided on the key pieces you want to include, sketch out your floor plan and cut out the elements to scale to play around with a layout that works best, although you might find there’s not much wiggle room. “Often with small spaces, your furniture only sits in a certain arrangement and you don’t always have an option to move things around,” says Gwendoline Alderton of GA Interiors. “There are limitations – the bath will always need to sit across the longest wall and the toilet close to the drain.” Design director Sophie Schofield of Ribble Valley Bathrooms agrees. “The most important starting point is accepting the reality of the space and choosing fixtures, fittings and furniture that best suit the dimensions and will maximise the space.”

The great advantage about converting a room into a bathroom is that you don't need planning permission. "There’s no need to obtain planning permission to convert one room to another or change the space within your property, it’s only necessary if you’re extending your property or changing the exterior in some way," says Hayley Robson, creative director of Day True. "It’s still advisable to seek professional advice though as you might be able to use your space more efficiently, for example placing a bath at a different angle or borrowing space from another room. Really take time to think about how you live, what your wants and musts are. You might forego a bath for a wet room; do you need two sinks for the morning rush, or are small bathroom storage ideas more important?"

(Image credit: Fired Earth)

Be savvy with the pieces you buy

Short of playing tetris with your sanitaryware, there are clever ways to claw back precious floor space by being savvy with the designs you pick - as anyone who has ever grappled with en suite ideas knows. 

“There are plenty of small-scale products that are specifically designed for tiny bathrooms that can help create the illusion of space, while also providing the functionality you crave,” says Imperial Bathrooms’ creative director James Stevenson “Using short-projection ceramic ware and slim-line furniture is a clever way to reclaim a few extra inches. Wall-hung vanities offer a practical solution that don’t impose on the surroundings, and corner vanities are a godsend when you’re faced with a tight space that has the added complication of being an awkward shape. ”

As with cloakroom ideas, it's important to prioritise what you include. "Focus on maximising the sense of space, rather than attempting to squeeze too much in," says Colin Roby-Welford, creative director of Fired Earth. "Think clever storage such as washstands and glazed cabinets. A beautifully designed, spacious-feeling bathroom with no bath will be more enjoyable and a bigger asset than a cramped bathroom with a bath."

(Image credit: Oliver Perrott)

Embrace awkward corners

If you’ve got the extra challenge of working with sloping ceilings, use your head – suspend basins or loos from the low-level walls, saving the full ceiling height for precious shower space and make the most of eaves by incorporating storage.

Eaves are notoriously tricky spaces when thinking about small bathroom storage ideas, but with a bit of clever planning, they can actually be turned into a chic space. A bath-shower combo is an excellent choice, with the shower at the tallest point, and a bath making use of the full width at the bottom. “Bespoke angular shower screens are pricey, so a super-short bespoke shower curtain rail is a great solution – it also makes it easier to jump out the shower,” says designer Naomi Astley Clarke.

(Image credit: Richard Powers)

Prioritise storage

It’s the little things that can make a big difference too. “Mirrored storage works wonders in small bathrooms because it serves a dual purpose – it creates the illusion of space as well as being super functional,” says interior designer Emily Rickard. “Also fit a towel rail over the top of your radiator, not in a separate spot, and always factor in shower niches. A wet-room style layout with shower screen saves space on shower doors needing to open and close.”

Having too much storage is never going to be the problem, it's always about finding space for enough. But even this is doable if you tackle bathroom storage ideas head on. "My approach is to build in as much inconspicuous storage as possible without affecting the aesthetic," says Charu Gandhi, founder and director, Elicyon. "The more storage you have, the more functional your room and the easier it is to keep it looking fabulous. A vanity with discrete push-to-open drawers is my storage go-to. Or, if I’m planning a big mirrored wall, I integrate a hidden cupboard behind it."

Blessed with tall ceilings? Take advantage by incorporating hidden storage behind doors disguised as panelling. “If you can recess medicine cabinets into adjacent walls it’s a good way to save precious floor space,” says interior designer Caroline Cobbold, who utilised either side of the bath to house toiletries and towels in this scheme, below.

Maximise the light

Even when there isn't much space, you can still employ a few tricks as part of your  bathroom lighting ideas. "One of my favourite tricks is to install a hidden LED strip on the underside of a vanity," says Charu Gandhi, founder and director, Elicyon. "This skims light across the floor and creates a soft atmospheric glow. It’s practical too, particularly during late-night visits to the bathroom. "

Increase the natural daylight, too

If you’re designing a small bathroom as part of a master suite, don’t box it in. Max out the space available by removing walls and replace them with on-trend fluted glass panels instead. “Using glazed partitions lets in plenty of natural light, but still allows an element of privacy,” says designer Krystyna Martin-Dominguez. “A half-height stud wall cleverly conceals plumbing and a compact tub saves space and water.” Crittall-style doors and panels are a bathroom designer's best friend.

(Image credit: TOTO)

Place your big pieces counter-intuitively

When working with a super-narrow space, think outside the box – interior designer Lizzie Green flipped the bath lengthways to sit behind the shower in this tight 1.2m-wide bathroom. “Placing the step up to the wet-room space allowed us to get away without using a shower tray so all the pipework was hidden away neatly underneath,” says Green. As a bonus, the tub has a tree-lined view, providing the perfect backdrop for a relaxing soak.

Hang furniture instead of fix it to the floor

When working with a small bathroom floor plan, wall-hung furniture is often a go-to solution. “Design storage units that float,” says Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors. “This maximises the feeling of space as it leaves the floor free, which also makes it easier to clean as a bonus.” This wrap-around vanity unit with handleless drawers effortlessly hides chargers and bathroom essentials, while shallow shelves show off prettier lotions and potions.

Rethink your door

Replacing a hinged door can work wonders in a small bathroom layout – usually they swing into the bathroom, restricting where you can place your sanitaryware or shower. A slick pocket door or bi-fold design will free up valuable wall space and avoids awkward clashes with a shower door.

(Image credit: Adeilna Iliev Photography)

Mount mirrors from the ceiling

Try using a shower screen as a second wall – by splitting the shower partition into part wall, part glass, there’s suddenly an opportunity to hang sanitaryware on the other side of the shower. Ceiling-mounted mirrors are a genius finishing touch in this design by McCrum Interior Design.

Work around what you’ve got

"Think about how your bathroom usage might change over time. Just because you don’t need a bath or shower now, doesn’t mean you won’t in a couple of years, so consider what you require to future-proof your new bathroom," says Barrie Cutchie, design director, BC Designs. "A separate shower can be considered a luxury if space is tight. However, there are clever ways around it including wet rooms and folding shower screens that take up much less room than a typical shower."

By the same token, it can perhaps be sensible not to follow bathroom trends too slavishly, when every inch counts. "I recommend traditional style taps in an interesting finish; polished nickel is a lovely warm metal that is timeless but looks more premium than chrome," says Beth Dadswell, interior designer and founder, Imperfect Interiors "Get samples of your chosen tiles, hardware finishes, surfaces and wall colours and put them next to each other in your new bathroom space in daylight to check that they work well together. Be wary of anything that’s popular on social media - tile colours and styles, tap finishes and lighting. The last thing you want is to tire of your expensively renovated bathroom in a few years, so choose pieces that won't date instantly and add colour on walls which can easily be repainted."

What is a good size for a small bathroom?

You don't generally want a bathroom to be any smaller than around 35 square feet. Once you go below this, it'll be tricky to fit even the bare necessities into the space you have. Don't be daunted by having a small space - it can be a good lesson in prioritizing what is important when it comes to design. 

How much space does a toilet need?

The smallest of toilets need a space of  15 inches - minimum - when measured from the center of the toilet. This means that walls, vanity units, bathtubs or other shower cubicles need to be no closer than 30 inches from the centre of the toilet. Keep in mind that this is the bare minimum, and more space is generally preferred.  

80 small room renovation ideas with photo

The most common The problem faced by owners of small-family apartments is very modest bathroom. During the repair, you have to solve a difficult problem: how to correctly plan a room so that it is at the same time functional and not cluttered? In fact, everything is much simpler - it only costs Connect your imagination and work a little. Our article will help facilitate your task and suggest interesting ideas for small bathroom. nine0003

Planning Features

If you are starting from scratch and your bathroom is too small, you might want to consider expanding it by redesigning walls and partitions. Just decide first with the walls - where are the "bearing", and where not. Invite the appropriate specialist for this. As a result, it will be possible to combine a bathroom with a toilet, a bathroom with a corridor. However, this is a very difficult job, it is better to save this option as a last resort.

More affordable option can be thoughtful layout and design small bathroom. Due to visual effects and placement plumbing can greatly expand the visible boundaries of the room and not change it real size. nine0003

First you need to turn attention to the location of plumbing - perhaps the toilet is too far away from walls or it can be moved closer to the drain. The sink can be removed altogether if you have a bathroom - put a convenient faucet and the need for a sink will disappear. Doors can also take up space, especially if they open. inside. Rearrange the door so that it opens outside or even put a retractable option - it's much more convenient.

Preparing for a bathroom renovation

Before starting a bathroom renovation, you need to decide on the design. If redevelopment is necessary, if it is necessary to expand a small room, the transfer or extension of partitions is approved. After that, you can start preparatory work. What are they?

Preparing for the renovation of the bathroom also includes plumbing and electrical work. This is the replacement of pipes and risers, counters, heated towel rails, hoods, replacement of wiring, relocation of sockets, etc. After that, a box of plasterboard is mounted to hide the plumbing pipes. nine0003

When these works are completed, you can start repairing and installing plumbing.

Materials used for finishing

The most common and ideal option for covering walls and floors in the bathroom is ceramic tiles. Its variety is so great that it can satisfy any, even the most sophisticated requests. Just remember the main thing - the tiles for a small bathroom should be small. The ideal option in this case would be a mosaic. nine0003

Tile selection - one of priority tasks. After all, she sets the main tone for the bathroom, after laying tiles, plumbing is installed, the ceiling is being made and all the rest work. However, you should not rely only on tiles, there are many other finishes:

It is better to lay tiles on the floor. Not ordinary, with a smooth glossy surface, but rough. This kind of tile made from porcelain stoneware. It is much stronger and will protect you from falling and injuries on wet floors.

Ceiling also do not ignore - it must be protected from moisture and fit into the interior. Here are the ways to finish the ceiling:

First less practical option, although also used. Plastic sheathing is good because that moisture will definitely not damage the ceiling, and it can be easily washed. well and stretch ceilings are more popular due to their modern sight and a large palette of colors. Definitely fits into any interior.

Color palette

The design of a small bathroom requires the choice of color as the main decision. After all, the main task is to visually enlarge an already small space. In any case, tiles should be chosen in light colors - like the floor and ceiling. But do not get carried away with white color and chrome interior details. It will give the impression that you are in the operating room, and not in the bathroom. nine0003

However, if you combine white with bright colors: yellow, green, red, then the interior will acquire "juiciness" and you can focus on some specific details. Designers do not recommend using more than three colors at the same time - take on a note. What's more, you can use tone-on-tone accessories with an inner color finish. The effect of "merging" will turn out - the objects seem to be there, but they do not stand out against the general background and do not come to the fore.

Better not to use at all large drawings on the walls, floor or ceiling - your bathroom can visually only get smaller because of it. nine0003

Let there be light!

Of course, you can't do without light. The layout of a small bathroom also provides for a pre-prepared place for lighting. A dim light bulb is absolutely not an option in this case. It needs bright artificial light. How to do it? Firstly, you can install a lot of light bulbs on the ceiling - then the light will be evenly distributed throughout the room. Above the sink is also desirable to have a light bulb.

To save money, you can install energy-saving light bulbs, and enhance lighting with mirrors. But we will talk about this further. If possible, make a window in the bathroom - much better when there is sunlight in the bathroom during the day! If this option is not suits - then you can make an imitation of a window with appropriate lighting - very original idea. nine0003

What furniture to choose

Small bathrooms look very organic when combined with the right furniture and fixtures. We will talk about plumbing later, we will pay attention to furniture. As you may have guessed, the furniture in no case should be large, dark and clutter up all the free space. If it is possible to choose, then install shelves in place of cabinets with doors. Furniture should create the illusion of transparency, "weightlessness" of the room, and not oppress with its quantity and dimensions. nine0003

The color of the furniture must be light, ideally merge with the walls or have similar tones. Instead of cabinets, you can use hooks and hangers, above the toilet hang a rack.

Choosing plumbing

This is also an important aspect that must be taken into account when you just started to make repairs in a bathroom of a small area.

Which is better: shower or bath?

The first thing to consider is who will use the bathroom in the future. If there are elderly people or children in the house, then it is best to put a bathroom. Again, it is more convenient for overweight people to use the bathroom. You can pick up a bathroom and a seated one - everything is individual here. In other cases, it is better to put a shower. nine0003

Where to put the washing machine?

If the washing machine does not fit into the design of a very small bathroom at all or takes up a lot of space, you can move it to the kitchen or even to the balcony (if it is adjacent to the kitchen). Another option is to install the washing machine under the sink. You can make room for her by replacing the bathtub with a shower. Then a place will be freed up not only for the typewriter, but also for household chemicals.

Mirrors

The design of a small bathroom must include mirrors. Combined with the right lighting, they can work wonders and make a room look bigger. Just don't make the following mistakes:

Corner mirrors look much more original and are able to create a beautiful play of colors and highlights. If you want to install a mirror above the sink, then don't forget to add lighting to it. nine0003

Decor for a small bathroom

For a small bathroom, it's better to stick to the principles of minimalism and not to use an abundance of decor. If the design involves tiles of bright colors or unusual shapes, a small space does not need additional decor. In other cases, it is better to use items that decorate the interior and are functional at the same time:

Space Extension

Here are some space-saving ideas for a small bathroom:

Interior styles

Classic

Always up to date. The main focus is the bath. In the original, it should be made of marble, cast iron or brass. And of course on curved legs. Such a bath itself is very light; faucets, faucets and mirror frames are made of copper, gilding or bronze. The interior welcomes marble, stucco. The look of such a bathroom is expensive and sophisticated. nine0003

Modern

The design of a small bathroom in this style is characterized by a bright combination of colors and original solutions. The zones are clearly separated, the plumbing is small and functional. Accessories for decor are better to take non-standard shapes and colors.

Japanese style

Increasingly popular and quite original in itself. But be prepared to invest in natural materials in decor: bamboo, rice paper, silk, wood. On the walls it is better to use tiles with oriental motifs. Mandatory attribute are candles in colored glass candlesticks, an aroma lamp. There may be hieroglyphs on the shower curtain, on the towels. nine0003

In general, there are many styles - all depends on preference and budget. In any case, the design of a small bathroom, made in a certain style, will add zest to the interior of your home.

Photo gallery

Photo examples of the original design of a small room.

Video

How to decorate a small bathroom: 10 useful tricks

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06/25/2018

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We suggest practical ideas on how to properly organize the space in a small bathroom and choose a design for it so that it looks larger, but contains everything you need.

1 Light colors

The first and foremost tip for all small spaces is to use as many light colors as possible in the design, which visually expands the space. You can use white, beige, pastel shades. They are perfect for the bathroom. nine0003

Photo: Instagram inspiration.luxury.interiors

2 Niches

Niches can be a real boon for the bathroom if equipped with storage. So you get a worthy alternative to shelves and racks.

Photo: Instagram ceramics.design

3 Mirrors and gloss

Mirror and gloss surfaces also visually enlarge the space. It is better not to limit yourself to one large mirror, but to use more surfaces for this technique. For example, choose glossy wall tiles. nine0003

Photo: Instagram ceramics.design

4 Shower cabin

If the room is tiny, a full-fledged bath may not fit in it, or it may take up almost the entire usable area. An alternative is a shower room. It can be equipped in a large niche or in a corner.

Photo: Instagram egorsomovdesign

5 Vertical storage

When there is very little storage space, you need to use the surfaces as much as possible. Vertical storage, even under the ceiling, is a great solution. nine0003

Photo: Instagram ceramics.design