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How to make the most of a small bathroom


13 Tips and Tricks for Making the Most of Your Small Bathroom

Categories Home & Garden | Posted on | By: Marian WhiteTags: bathroom, bathroom design, bathroom renovation, design tips, home organization, interior design, organizing tips

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A petite bathroom isn’t a bad thing, if you know how to make the most of a small space. In fact, most homes have at least one small bathroom (typically the powder room) where residents must make every inch count. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make a small bathroom work for you and your family. From unique storage features and organizational hardware to design tricks and a regular cleaning routine, here are 13 small bathroom ideas that go a long way in enhancing a small space.

13 small bathroom ideas to make the most of your space

  1. Add wallpaper

    Just because it’s a small bathroom doesn’t mean it can’t have that “wow” factor. Adding wallpaper to a small bathroom is a great way to embrace the smallness with a bit of pizzazz. In fact, small bathrooms, such as powder rooms, are the perfect spot to make a big statement in your home. If you aren’t feeling brave enough to don your walls in floor-to-ceiling wallpaper, then try doing just half the walls. For instance, if the bathroom has crown molding or beadboard that runs halfway up the wall, you can paint the lower half and wallpaper the upper half.

  2. Keep the color palette simple and sleek

    If making your small bathroom appear larger is the goal, then we recommend sticking with a simple and sleek color palette. Light colors tend to make rooms look bigger than they really are, so stick with neutral paint colors for your small bathroom (think: whites, off-whites, light blues and light greys).

  3. Don’t skimp on your mirror

    A bathroom’s mirror is one of its most important features. Not only can it make a small bathroom appear larger, but it can also make it appear brighter overall. In addition, mirrors have the ability to add character and functionality to a small room – assuming you choose a somewhat unique and aesthetically-pleasing mirror to don your wall. Before choosing a mirror, make sure to take measurements and consider space restraints.

  4. Add the right lighting

    A light that is too large, too dim or too bright for the space will most certainly not do your bathroom any favors. For small bathrooms, we recommend opting for sconces beside or above your vanity mirror. You can also opt to install a flush mount light on the ceiling, which should brighten a small bathroom without overpowering the space.

  5. Install medicine cabinets for storage

    One of the most annoying challenges of a small bathroom is the lack of storage space. To solve this dilemma, we strongly recommend installing medicine cabinets instead of your typical bathroom mirrors – especially if the small bathroom also happens to be a master bathroom or guest bathroom. You are going to need all the storage for your toiletries that you can muster. To install a medicine cabinet, you may need to have a professional cut a hole in the wall before mounting it.

  6. Organize your shower

    Don’t forget about your shower. If the small bathroom has a tiny shower, you’ll need a place to store your shampoo, conditioner, soap and other toiletries. This is where organizational tools, such as shower caddies, shelves and racks, can help. These organizational tools do wonders in getting important items organized and off your shower floor.

  7. Use behind the door and over the door storage

    Need more storage tips for a small bathroom? Adding storage shelves behind your vanity’s cabinet doors will give you a place to store everything from hair dryers and hairbrushes to toilet paper to cleaning supplies. Want to add even more storage? You can also add over the door storage to your bathroom door. These organizers give you extra shelving in an easy to reach spot in the bathroom. If you lack a vanity with cabinet space, then this is a helpful alternative.

  8. Store excess necessities elsewhere

    One way to avoid clutter in a small bathroom is to store excess bathroom items elsewhere. Whether it’s a linen closet for towels or a bin for extra toiletries that you keep in another room, storing excess bathroom necessities in another spot in the house will help maintain a clean, clutter-free space.

  9. Add shelving and hooks

    To keep towels, bathrobes, toiletries and other items off the floor, we recommend adding shelving and hooks to the walls of the small bathroom. Floating shelves above the toilet is an easy place to store everything from extra toilet paper to folded towels. Hooks are a great way to increase vertical storage as well and are a no-brainer in almost any bathroom.

  10. Use appropriate hardware and fixtures

    When designing a small bathroom, it’s important that you use appropriate size hardware and fixtures. Everything from light fixtures to towel bars should be the right size for your bathroom. Avoid choosing large light fixtures, which can overpower a small space, and oversized hardware, which can seem out of place in a tiny bathroom.

  11. Use a small-space friendly vanity

    Avoid using a bulky, oversized vanity in a small bathroom. To trick the eye and make the space seem larger, aim for either a vanity that sits above the ground on legs, a sink vanity that doesn’t have cabinets underneath, or a small free-standing vanity with only one or two pull-out cabinets.

  12. Utilize baskets on shelves

    Not only are baskets and bins an aesthetically pleasing way to store towels, laundry and toiletries, they’re also an affordable, easy-to-find storage item. Baskets do a great job of keeping items organized and separate, making it easy to find what you need when you need it. These storage tools also allow you to maintain a bit of privacy since items will be out of sight.

  13. Keep it neat and tidy

    One of the easiest small bathroom ideas is to simply keep it clean. There’s nothing worse (or more claustrophobic) than a small bathroom with a lot of clutter, dirt and grime. The best way to keep your tiny bathroom in tip top condition is to keep it neat and tidy on a regular basis. Vacuum the floors, mop the tile and clean surfaces with a safe all-purpose cleaning spray. We recommend cleaning showers and bathtubs weekly to avoid mold and mildew as well.

5 FAQs about owning a small bathroom  

  1. Where can I find affordable bathroom necessities?

    There are plenty of affordable places to source bathroom necessities and hardware when designing a small bathroom. Several stores we recommend checking out include Target, Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Houzz and Build.com.

  2. How do I choose the right paint colors for a small bathroom?

    Choosing the right paint colors for your bathroom will come down to your own preferences and color schemes in the home as well as the bathroom’s lighting. For tips on how to choose the right paint color, read our guide here.

  3. What are a few easy ways to upgrade a small bathroom?

    Just because a bathroom is tiny doesn’t mean it can’t pack a big punch when it comes to aesthetics. A few suggestions for upgrading your bathroom: swap out the hardware for something fresh and modern, breathe new life into the bathroom with a fresh coat of paint or layer of wallpaper, clean the grout and replace damaged tile, and replace an outdated mirror with something new.

  4. How can I make a small bathroom more energy efficient?

    If you’re looking to go green, we recommend switching out your old toilet for a low-flow toilet, unplugging hair tools and other electronics when not in use, installing a low-flow shower head, fixing any leaky faucets, replacing old bulbs with LED lighting, and decreasing the water heater’s temperature.

  5. Will a small bathroom hurt my home’s resale value?

    It depends on which bathroom in your home is small. For instance, most homebuyers expect a powder room to be small, so this shouldn’t hurt your resale value. In fact, having a powder room at all should be an attractive feature for any homebuyer. However, if the small bathroom is your master bathroom, you may run into trouble. Many buyers prefer a large master bathroom with two sinks (think: double vanity). However, using our 13 small bathroom ideas (listed above) should help make the most of your tiny space.

Moving soon?

Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. For more help planning your move, check out our Move Planner tool, a comprehensive moving checklist that will meet all of your organizational needs this move. Best of luck and happy moving!

43 Small Bathroom Ideas to Make Your Bathroom Feel Bigger

Looking for small bathroom ideas that will make the space seem larger than life? So is most of New York City. The lack of square footage, limited natural light, and number of fixtures to squeeze in make a small bathroom one of the more challenging spaces to decorate. But when done right, the whole room can seem brighter and more spacious. And no, you won’t have to spend a zillion dollars to carve a window into the wall (or call on something retro like glass bricks).

These small bathroom ideas go beyond making the most of the available space and prove that bold design elements can be right at home in even the tiniest rooms. Here are the best ways to turn powder rooms, half-baths, and just little tiny (sometimes windowless) bathrooms into less cramped, more enjoyable situations. Your small bath may just be your next favorite room.

1. Keep Your Colors Light and Bright

© Emily Gilbert Photography

A wood floor and vanity give this city bathroom a warm and serene feeling. A soft mint green hue reflects natural light from the window. The space surrounding the freestanding tub makes the room feel more open, as does the lightweight curtain fabric, which allows maximum light to enter.

2. Or Double Down With a Dark Color Scheme

In Gilles Mendel’s Manhattan apartment, the bath’s vanity is granite and the black towels are by Calvin Klein Home.

Photo: Joshua McHugh

Wait, what? “Oftentimes I like to paint small bathrooms [typically windowless rooms] a dark color, like black. It gives depth and creates an illusion of a larger space,” says Jenny Wolf of Jenny Wolf Interiors. “Go with a high-gloss in a super dark color,” advises Fleming James of Oliver Street Designs. The hue will simultaneously impart a big-night-sky effect and also bounce the little light you have around the space. (Doing so will also draw attention to the light fixtures, she points out, so you’ll need to choose them thoughtfully—bulbs that bring in plenty of light, shapes you don’t mind being pretty pronounced.)

3. Mirror a Wall

Even with a bold marble, this bath by Joanne de Guardiola and Jon Bannenberg feels very open thanks to the mirrored upper half.

Photo: William Waldron

Rather than just hanging one above the vanity, consider mirroring a whole wall of your tiny bathroom. The reflection of light and pattern (and, sometimes, that open door) will do the same good work a window does.

4. Opt for a Glass Shower Door

Inspiration for the glass shower door of your dreams, courtesy of a Jenny Wolf–designed space.

Photo: Emily Gilbert

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If you’re starting your small bathroom design from scratch, consider scrapping the curtain entirely. “I also recommend glass shower doors in a small bath, as it will help to open up the space,” Wolf says.

5. Or Remove Your Shower Door Completely

Totally renovated bathroom with shower cabin and bathtub,light cream coloured tiles on floor and wall. Point of focus mainly on tiles in forground.Photo: KristianSeptimiusKrogh

The slightly more adventurous might even consider no shower door at all (a good drain is wise in that case).

6. Backlight the Mirror

Photo: Anton Minin

“This can be a chic and modern way to amplify light,” James says, “if you do not have room for sconces or simply want a more minimalistic look.”

7. Take On Tile

McGrath II used floor tile to cover the walls of this small bathroom.

Photo: Matt Harrington/Courtesy of McGrath II

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Tile is a durable way to add impact and can be used from floor to ceiling. “For smaller bathroom walls, we like to specify ceramic tiles that are small,” says Suzanne McGrath of the design firm McGrath II. The designer is a fan of using one-by-four and two-by-six floor tiles—which are also less expensive—on bathroom walls.

8. Give the Curtain a Lift

Photo: Steve Freihon

If you have the luxury of choosing where your shower curtain goes, James recommends that you “take the fabric all the way up” past the usual height of the tub. “Extending the curtain nearly to the ceiling will certainly elongate the walls,” she says, adding that the taller your ceiling, the more this will help. The ceiling curtain track in designer Ryan Brooke Thomas’s own apartment does just that.  

9. Keep the Floor Clear

A pedestal sink keeps a slim profile in the bathroom of Elizabeth Locke’s Virginia home.

Photo: Joshua McHugh

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Covering the floor with a bathroom vanity or storage containers can create a cramped space, not to mention tripping hazards. A pedestal or floating vanity keeps the floor clear, and installing floating storage will help keep everything you need at arm’s length.

10. Try a Large-Scale Wall Covering

The powder room of a house in Monte Carlo features Dornbracht fittings and Phillip Jeffries wallpaper.

Photo: Simon Watson

You might think you need to go for a petite motif, but it’s actually better to go big. “Medium- and large-scale wallpapers and tile patterns can actually make a space feel larger,” James explains. Whether you choose big tiles or an even bigger pattern is up to you; she says they’ll both “give an illusionary scale in tight quarters.”

11. Use High-Gloss Paint to Reflect Light and Amplify the Space

A light-filled, narrow bathroom is accented with a sheepskin rug and bamboo roller blinds in the Brooklyn home of designers Casey Kenyon and Jonathon Beck.Photo: Roland Bello

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Designers Casey Kenyon and Jonathan Beck’s Brooklyn bathroom feels decidedly airy thanks to light-reflecting high-gloss paint.

12. Opt for a Patterned Floor

Photo: Francesco Lagnese

Believe it or not, this bathroom is windowless. Tall mirrored medicine cabinets and a glass shower amplify light from the interior fixtures, brightening up the space. Wolf used built-in cabinets to save floor space. A herringbone wood floor gives the illusion of a larger and warmer bath.

13. Add a Shower Niche

Shower niche trumps plastic caddy every. single. time.Photo: Aubrie Pick

Another major space saver? A shower niche. If you’re designing a small bathroom, make sure to include a shower niche in your plans.

14. Use a Ledge to Create Space

Colored tiles in the bathroom of a renovated row house in Brooklyn, New York.Photo: Evan Jorgensen

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A narrow ledge in front of the mirror in this GRT Architects–designed bathroom is the perfect perch for a plant, toothbrush, and other essentials.

15. Move Your Towel Bar

Photo: Carmen Chan

In a West Village powder room by designer Ashley Darryl, a towel bar is fastened to the side of the floating sink.

16. Rethink Your Sink

If you’re designing your tiny bathroom from scratch (or remodeling), a tiny corner sink may be among the most handy simple small bathroom ideas. There’s no rule that says you have to have a full-size standard sink. A corner sink gets the job done just as well—plus it gives you plenty of space and less to clean.

17. Choose Compact Pieces

Photo: Kyle Knodell; Styling: Jamie Perez Herrera

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Hulking vanities and blocky tubs may look at home in a larger bathroom, but they can make a small bathroom feel claustrophobic. Install compact toilets and sinks or consider floating versions to open up the space, like in this 650-square-foot apartment designed by Brett Masterson. If a tub is a must, consider a Japanese soaking tub to add serenity without taking up square footage.

18. Consider Closed Storage to Stay Organized

Photo: Barbara Corsico 

Bottles and tubes scattered on the countertops are guaranteed to distract from even the most gorgeous room. Samuel suggests closed bathroom storage, such as a linen closet or vanity with drawers and doors, to keep things tucked away. “Display only your favorite and most frequently used, well-designed products. ” In this 323 square foot Italian pad by the founders of SCEG Architetti, the exterior of the vanity can really sing thanks to the lack of clutter.  

19. Curve Some Surfaces

Small bathroom with toilet and shower in gray tonesPhoto: yuryRumovsky

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Reclaim some of your space with a curved sink or shower. It might not seem like much, but it can make a difference, especially in a tiny space where real estate matters.

20. Add Stylish Shelving

Photo: Will Ellis

Forget anything basic. Opt for a sleek shelf that fits your decor and gives you extra space (a precious commodity in a small bathroom), like in this bathroom by Fanny Abbes, the creative director of the New Design Project, which employs acrylic shelves that perfectly match the rest of the bathroom feel.

21. Choose a Wall-Mounted Faucet

Photo: Carola Ripamonti; design: Andrea Marcante, Adelaide Testa; from Take a Bath (copyright Gestalten 2017)

Not only is a wall-mounted faucet a real space saver, it’s also stylish, modern, and easy to clean.

22. Get Creative With Storage

Photo: Muk van Lil

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In cramped rooms, any open space is an opportunity. If there’s a niche, add open shelves to make use of that dead space, just as designer Madelon Oudshoorn Spaargaren did in her Amsterdam home. 

23. Add a Ladder for Towels

A vintage vanity with an undermount basin. Photo courtesy of Making Home Base

We love this country-chic small bathroom that gets creative with a ladder. It can hang more towels than a bar, and it gives the bathroom a unique feel. If you don’t have enough space for a ladder that stands alone, choose one that is made to sit above a toilet.

24. Pare Down Your Bottles

Photo: Douglas Friedman

Let’s be honest: We usually don’t need all those toiletry bottles. Streamlining your grooming products will give you more space, so do a Marie Kondo and pare down your shampoo collection. Or, at the very least, store the products you don’t use daily somewhere other than your counters or bathtub ledges. Getting rid of any clutter will make your small bathroom seem much bigger.

25. Install a Skylight

Bathroom renovated with mosaic of grey tiles; a washbasin, shower, and skylight. 

Photo: piovesempre

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This is one of the more ambitious small bathroom designs, but it will make a major impact. Installing a skylight will open up your entire bathroom and significantly brighten the space.

26. Get a High Tank Toilet

Photo: Simon Brown

When stuck with a bathroom that’s cramped but features inordinately tall ceilings, a high tank toilet can be just the thing to distract the eye. In this Beata Heuman–designed apartment, a bold paint color is used to double down on those tall walls. 

27. Try an Interesting Tile Pattern

Photo: Yohann Fontaine

No matter what color bathroom tile you go for, arranging them in an interesting pattern can up the visual interest.  The options are practically endless: This Paris apartment features a zigzag herringbone design with a bright white grout against the dark tile.

28. Pick Natural Accent Colors For a White Bathroom 

Photo: Charlie Schuck

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If you want your bathroom to be calming no matter how cramped it is, use a natural color palette and don’t worry about painting the walls. Despite the bright flooring in her own apartment, architect Corey Kingston paired a terracotta curtain and bathmat with wicker baskets for storage. If you’re set on subway tile, natural colors pair well with them too. 

29. Go for a Theme

Photo: Jenna Ohnemus Peffley

“Especially for a bathroom with an unusual shape, going after a theme can help make the space feel more cohesive. I had a friend growing up who had a bathroom with a theme of lips. Her mother loved lips. I loved that bathroom and found it incredibly fanciful,” homeowner Fanny Singer said during our tour of her space, explaining how she arrived at the bum-centric art in her bathroom. “I’m not going to go to that degree, but it just became a thing.” 

30. Go for Unusual Shapes

Photo: Rory Gardiner

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Architect Vincent Appel paired a round floating sink with a Gio Ponti mirror in a 300-square-foot apartment’s minimalist bathroom. Without creating chaos in the small space, these two pieces added plenty of personality. 

31. Use Brass Hardware

Photo: Kirsten Francis

Brass hardware and fixtures can add an unexpected, refined look to any bathroom—no full renovation needed. Though the difference is slight, this Margaret Costello–designed bathroom still looks luxurious thanks to its impactful fixtures. 

32. Go Monochromatic

Photo: Melanie Landsman

Nearly everything in this bathroom is pink—floor tile and tub included—and we love the look of a monochrome escape. Though this bathroom is vintage, it’s easily replicable for any design sensibility. 

33. Get A Mirror with Built-In Storage

Photo: Joe Kramm; Styling: Mieke ten Have

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The best small space pieces are multifunctional, and a mirror that also offers storage can be a life saver. The medicine cabinet is the gold standard, but if that feels a little too retro, try a mirror with shelves, like this one in a New York City apartment designed by Project AZ. 

34. Use the Space Above the Toilet

In the bathroom, guests leave messages tucked into in the wooden hands that Philip purchased in South Kensington Farmers' Market when he lived in London. Strings of beads hang above. “The common thread amongst them all is they offer protection, and I think I’ve got just about every major religion represented last I looked."Photo: Joshua McHugh

Whether you use it for storage or for eye-catching decoration, as designer Philip Gorrivan chose to, do not leave the space above the toilet empty. 

35. Skip the Full Towel Rack

Photo: Christopher Stark

If your extra-small bathroom doesn’t have storage space, don’t force it! Skip a full towel rack and add either a hook for shower time or a small rack for a hand towel, as in this Noz Nozawa–designed space.  

36. Simplify It

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When dealing with a powder room, keep things as simple as possible. There’s no need to add storage space if you don’t have much to store, and your space will be all the more pleasing for it! We should all take the note from this Chicago home designed by Wendy Labrum.

37. Stick to Evocative Neutrals 

Photo: Jacob Snavely

Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring! This Aamir Khandwala–designed space employs a deep beige to create a room that is both calming and dynamic. 

38. Add a Fun Pendant Light

Photo: Michael Clifford

In bathroom design the focus often lands on sconce lighting, but a fun pendant light can serve as an impactful focal point, no matter the square footage of your bathroom. For proof, just take a glimpse at this Jake Arnold–designed bathroom’s rattan pendant. 

39. Mirror Multiple Walls

Photo: Sean Litchfield

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Adding multiple mirrors to a space not only makes it feel bigger, it also has the potential to create a memorable fun house-like vibe in the bathroom. Wouldn’t you want to take a selfie in this space designed by homeowner Chris Aswad? 

40. Match Your Hardware Finishes

Photo: Kyle Knodell

Tying everything together in your bathroom can be satisfying even if it may not make the space feel larger, exactly. In bathrooms that feature a glass shower door or wall, like this Dumbo loft’s, tie the shower in with the rest of the space by matching the finishes of the sink, light fixtures, and towel rod.

41. Add Shallow Shelves for Trinkets

By choosing a basic tile in an not-so-basic color and size, Conti, Cert was able to save some money in the bathroom. The vanity is baltic birch plywood with unfinished edges.Photo: Coke Bartrina

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If you don’t want to dedicate counter space to items that are purely for decorative purposes, shallow floating shelves will take up a small footprint in your space but still allow for much more personality than a cramped vanity ever could.  Photographer Coke Bartrina’s filled his simple shelves with small plants.

42. Go for Terrazzo

Photo: Max Burkhalter

As far as we’re concerned, terrazzo is timeless—just look at Matthew Stewart’s gorgeous terrazzo-lined bathroom! With the mesmerizing pattern enveloping the room, it’ll be hard to stress about lack of space.

43. Add a Gallery Wall

Photo: Kyle Knodell

Though it might not be the first place to spring to mind for your art collection, a gallery wall is sure to add a stately air to even the tiniest of bathrooms. Going for all black and white prints ups the classiness factor, as the bathroom at designer Peter Sandel’s own studio apartment proves. 

How to furnish a small bathroom + 120 photo design ideas | 5domov.ru

For comfort and coziness, quite a bit is often enough - the correct layout, well-placed lighting and the functionality of devices. This almost universal formula applies to the bathroom, even if the size of this room is very, very modest. Today, it is quite possible to create your own special design for a small bathroom space, especially if you set a goal and approach work thoughtfully, taking into account literally all the subtleties and nuances.

Table of contents:

Bathroom planning features

For apartment buildings, bathroom planning has always been one of the most difficult issues. Until recently in the construction industry, bathrooms were considered as rooms with little comfort requirements. Most often, it is through the bathroom that sewerage and water supply risers pass, and a combined bathroom is considered completely normal even for a new generation of economy-class housing.

An ordinary small bathroom

The attitude to this room as a mandatory, but secondary, has gradually begun to change only recently, because the use of new building materials and technologies has made it possible to solve many planning problems.

Most bathrooms have a standard layout with in-line fixtures. This means that the bath or shower, washbasin and washing machine must be located strictly in one line in order to minimize the distance from the sewer drain point to the main riser.

Standard arrangement of plumbing in a small bathroom

The layout of small rooms, both separate and combined bathrooms, provides for the placement of only one light source in the rooms and the absence of sockets for connecting electrical appliances.

Exhaust ventilation is usually implemented in the form of ceiling vents or vents in the walls, while the ventilation duct itself can be combined with the ventilation duct of the toilet or kitchen.

Small bathroom spaces can therefore have the following features:

It is clear that with such initial data, it is necessary to seriously work on carving out even a square centimeter of area. True, in order to make the room at least visually larger, you can use some tricks of professional designers, for example, the selection of contrasting tiles.

Interior design of a small bathroom

So, even a small space of walls with built-in sewerage and plumbing systems in the room can be made more spacious and brighter through the use of optical illusions in the design. Actually, on 2-3 square meters one cannot do without design tricks in any case, so why not immediately choose a finish that creates the impression of a large volume?

The first and easiest and most reliable method to get the illusion of a large space is installation of ceramic tiles on the floor at an angle . An inclination of 45 degrees of the seam line in relation to the walls is considered optimal - the squares of the tiles on the floor are even, but the combination with the straight lines of the wall tiles visually makes the room wider and higher.

Angled arrangement of floor tiles visually expands the room

For individual projects of residential buildings, especially panel buildings, the bathroom and toilet were cast as a separate element. This decision was due to the fact that a space with a ventilation outlet was formed above these two rooms. However, this significantly reduced the volume of an already small bathroom - the ceiling became 20-25 cm lower. 9 will help solve the problem of low ceilings0070 use of contrasting transitions in the color scheme of tiles .

In order to conditionally "stretch" the walls, it is recommended to install a row of contrasting tiles on top of the tile and below - this combination will create the effect of high walls. And the walls themselves will become more restrained and strict, which is always associated with high ceilings.

The use of mirror surfaces in the device gives the room an infinity effect, the reflection in the mirrors creates a perspective and the view becomes visually larger due to the reflection of other objects. Mirrors for small bathrooms are recommended to be built into the surface of the tiles, so that the shadow from the mirror frames does not offset the already small gain in perception. True, in the case of mirrors, there is one significant remark - the panels must be positioned so that they are not located opposite each other, then the room will "press" on those present and the desired effect will not work.

For a small bathroom, decorative elements should be used very carefully. So decorative frieze , often used as an insert in the form of one continuous strip, is recommended to be used at eye level, and inserts should be made with a certain gap. A frieze inserted vertically into the tile will provide a "vertical" increase, while an asymmetrical frieze arrangement on the main wall will make it appear wider.

Lighting and ceiling design in a small bathroom

The combination of colors in the overall composition of the bathroom is selected in two basic colors. Contrasting solutions make the perception more interesting, while two competing colors create the illusion of a large space. Properly organized ceiling space and room lighting will help to complement this illusion.

Contrast of two colors in the bathroom

Contrast of colors is provided by the use and application of tiles of different colors on surfaces that emphasize the shape of the room, for example, on adjacent walls or ledges that block the communications of the house. Such a contrast immediately catches your eye, makes you draw a boundary in space and attract the main attention. Light and dark tiles, selected in the same tone group, are the best way to do this.

A small room, unlike large rooms, does not require a strong main light source. On the contrary, here it is better to use several spotlights , which will just provide a complete filling of the entire volume with light. The secret to using spot lighting is quite simple - mini-lamps provide softer lighting and do not give clear and harsh shadows in the room, the volume flooded with light really does not give shadows.

It is not bad for a small bathroom to use such a technique as installing special types of lighting - wall sconces or LED mirror lighting elements . Modern lighting technology allows the use of LEDs with a variable luminescence spectrum, which makes lighting multifaceted. The warm range of LED lamps gives a softer yellowish light - such lighting seems too unnatural and even slightly hot. But the cold spectrum provides a luminous flux close to normal, natural in quality daylight. In this spectrum, glossy tiles seem smoother, which gives the effect of an expanded space.

A traditional style ceiling with white glossy or matt finish usually does not give the desired effect of a large space. Another thing is if the design uses a suspension system made of metal structures, using alternation of glossy polished and gold or silver anodized planks . Interesting in itself, the solution of the metal ceiling will make the bathroom more refined and impressive.

Planning a small bathroom

You can visually expand the space of a small bathroom by using not only light or pastel tiles with contrasting inserts. It is possible to obtain a visually larger volume by applying the classic methods of arranging household appliances and plumbing fixtures.

Even for the smallest bathroom , the presence of a washbasin was and is the main rule. The sink makes it possible to make a normal morning toilet, wash your hands, and using a compact device is much more convenient than using a bathroom. The presence of a sink in the bathroom makes it possible to properly use the space around it. First of all, it concerns the installation of the sink on a shelf or bedside table.

Washbasin installation examples in small bathrooms

The shape of the water lily or rectangular washbasin fits perfectly into the design with additional shelf-top . The presence of such a solution makes it possible to organize a niche for installing a washing machine. This will visually significantly save space and ensure the most correct arrangement of pipelines for connecting the washbasin and the machine.

Washing machine under sinks in small bathrooms

The idea of ​​using mini washing machines in small rooms is great for both machine safety and durability. The machine, closed with a lid on the countertop, is closed from water drops and condensation on it, which means that its appearance will remain almost in perfect condition for a long time.

Examples of the location of the washing machine in the cabinets under the sink

The bathroom is often the place to install the hot water boiler , which in urban conditions makes it possible to provide maximum comfort. However, for a small room, installing a huge boiler for 100 liters of water certainly does not help save space. The way out of this situation may be to choose a model with a horizontal tank. But the space above the doorway can be chosen as a place for installation.

Actually, if we are talking about the rational arrangement of appliances and accessories, then it is the place above the door that allows you to use a water heater with a horizontal tank without compromising the overall volume of the room.

Bathtub or shower: which is better in a small bathroom

Installing the basic plumbing items in a small bathroom is a lot like playing Tetris - you need to install a very impressive structure very compactly and at the same time correctly in a small volume.

In principle, it is possible to install an ordinary bathroom of standard sizes in a small room, but if you take a bathtub 1.5-1.65 meters long. True, this does not work out a big win - the bath will take up all the space near one of the walls. This arrangement will take away half the volume of the room, which will make it seem even smaller.

Without prejudice to the layout of the plumbing and the visual perception of the room, if possible, it is better to install a shower enclosure or a corner bath . Both options provide the most efficient installation of appliances with significant space savings in the room.

A corner bathtub or a bathtub version without legs for sitting is ideal for rooms up to 3 meters in size, but at the same time the visual volume of the room will be perceived much more. If the area allows, then it is rational to install a shower stall, and a cabin with an oversized tray.

Another equally interesting option is to install bathtubs and showers with a low rise - in this case, communications will have to be laid in the floor to minimize space. Shower cabins with a corner arrangement, if the area allows, are selected with swing doors, but if the area is not enough, then with sliding doors.

But what you should still pay attention to when laying communications is floor drain installation . The presence of such an accessory guarantees minimization of the consequences of emergencies.

A shared bathroom for small bathrooms has always been a big problem. Even with the advent of "compact" type toilets with the location of the flush tank on the toilet, this did not remove the problem of saving space in the room. On the contrary, such toilets have become a serious problem for bathtubs in Khrushchev and living-room apartments. A reasonable alternative to this today is suspension system installation . In addition to real space savings in the bathroom, the wall-hung toilet will provide ease of cleaning indoors.

For suspended systems, the solution to the issue of installing a cistern is quite simple and rational. Since the communication pipes will still be hidden behind the plasterboard structure, it makes sense to install the system fastening fittings behind it, especially since the system itself will be in close proximity to the sewer line.

Shelves, furniture and other accessories

It is easy to see that the perception of a large bathroom directly depends on the number of additional accessories and items. Straight clear lines provide the perception of an image of an enlarged space, but a large number of small accessories, shelves and things create a diametrically opposite impression.

For a small bathroom, it is rational to install a multifunctional design with spacious compartments. It can be a cabinet or a closed shelf, in which it is convenient to store hygiene items and bathroom accessories. But directly in the bath it is better to provide a removable shelf for placing accessories.

Photo design of a small bathroom

Next, we will give photo examples of the design and layout of a small bathroom in various shapes and colors. Among these images (top view) you can definitely find something that suits your taste and the size of the room.

The use of new design developments and a thoughtful approach will not only rationally place all the necessary attributes of the bathroom, but also make even a tiny room convenient and comfortable despite its size.

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.

Planning Features

If you are starting from scratch and your bathroom is too small, you might want to think about expanding it by redevelopment of 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.

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?

  • Walls and floors are cleaned to the ground. It is necessary to remove all the old coating: tiles, paint, old glue, plaster, lime. If the floor tiles are very difficult to remove, you can then lay a new one on top of it or pour a leveling layer of mortar. When choosing this option, you need to ensure that the standard height of the doorway (206-210 mm) is maintained.

  • Cleaned surfaces (together with the ceiling, if it is not planned to install a stretch ceiling), cover with a primer.

  • Start plastering. The walls are leveled. If there are large differences on the floor, it also needs to be leveled with a building mixture. If the difference in height is small, it can be corrected with adhesive while laying the floor tiles.

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.

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.

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:

  • Can be painted walls with moisture resistant paints;
  • Glue on moisture resistant, vinyl wallpaper or even liquid wallpaper;
  • Decorate plaster walls;
  • Sheath walls plastic panels or plastic tiles.
  • Put glass tiles, which are becoming more and more fashionable.

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:

  • Moisture resistant drywall;
  • plastic panels;
  • Stretch 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

  • Don't make full-length mirror walls - mirrors tend to increase the area only at eye level;
  • The mirror floor is a very unfortunate solution. Otherwise, you will feel like you are at the bottom of a well.

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.

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:

  • Mirror . If you hang a full-width mirror above the sink, it will reflect the light, visually increasing the area of ​​​​the room. And if you equip it with colored lights, it will become a full-fledged decor item.

  • Rugs, towels . Bright textiles will add the desired accent, provided that the tiles in the bathroom are not “full”.

  • Shower screen. The original bath or shower screen will decorate the whole room. Neutral or similar in design, textiles will go well with it.

  • Laundry basket. This item can be selected according to the style of the bathroom (wooden basket for eco or scandi style, metal basket for loft, modern, etc.)

  • Set of holders for towels, toilet paper - is better if the set is from the same series.

  • Set of dispensers for soap, shampoo, shower gel. Colorful bottles and jars will not decorate the bathroom. Therefore, it is worth choosing kits consisting of dispensers and containers of the same design. It is better if they fit in the design of the bathroom interior.

Space extension

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

  • Use tiles with a vertical pattern to make the room appear taller and larger;
  • It is better to install a bathtub or shower enclosure with transparent glass walls;
  • Instead of a shower enclosure with walls, it is better to hang a curtain, and instead of a shower tray, make a niche in the floor. Or, on the contrary, instead of a pallet, make a ledge of brick lined with tiles or mosaics;
  • Cabinets can be built into walls (only not into load-bearing ones), it is not necessary to install doors for them. And the back walls can be closed with drywall or plastic;
  • The mirror ceiling will perfectly expand the space;
  • Try to avoid sharp corners - furniture and plumbing with streamlined shapes will win you some space.

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.

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.

Learn more