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46 Bathroom Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
Bright Ideas
Create the bath of your dreams with these smart design ideas
By Rebecca Bates and Jenni Zellner
Looking for bathroom design ideas? Of course you are, that's why you're here! Whether you’re making small upgrades, going for a full overhaul, or just daydreaming from your desk, a bathroom renovation can make a big difference in the feel of your home (and your skin-care routine). So it’s no wonder that along with the kitchen, this practical space often takes top priority when it comes time to remodel. But choosing a brand-new look isn’t always easy, so we’ve gathered an array of bathroom design ideas from the hallowed pages of Architectural Digest and the equally hallowed digital pages of Clever—each filled with inspiring ideas for your own renovation—including relaxing tubs, glamorous vanities, and sleek showers. From crisp and approachable to luxurious and extra, see stylish spaces that midafternoon daydreams are made of.
Marble Masterpiece
The master bath of a New Jersey estate renovated by architect Annabelle Selldorf and designer Matthew Frederick contains a Mies van der Rohe chair by Knoll and a tub filler by Boffi.
Photo: François Dischinger
Fireside Bathtub
A vintage T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Klismos chair and footstool sit in the Calacatta marble–clad master bath of Thomas O’Brien and Dan Fink's Long Island home. The lighting is by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort, and the tub and fittings are by Waterworks.
Water Views
The master bath of a Southampton, New York, retreat by interior designer David Netto and architect David Hottenroth is pure luxury. We are so ready to soak in the tub while listening to the waves.
Photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Long Island Lavatory
At a Long Island home reimagined by architect Kevin Lindores and designer Daniel Sachs, the walls are painted in Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath the rug is there to soften to the blow when one is forced to leave that beautiful tub.
Travertine and Stone
Travertine wall panels and a geometric stone-tile floor lend warm tones to the master bath of a Manhattan penthouse by Dufner Heighes; the vintage light fixture and funky collage make the space feel one-of-a-kind.
Paris Powder Room
The master bath of a home outside Paris designed by architect Charles Zana is a marble wonderland! If you're going to do something, why not commit?
Stunning Manhattan Master Bath
At a Manhattan townhouse renovated by Sawyer | Berson, the master bath, clad in cipollino marble, is equipped with a circa-1940 hanging light and makes us feel about 10 times more glamorous just looking at it.
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Golden Aspen Bathroom
The centerpiece of the master bath at an Aspen, Colorado, home by designer Shawn Henderson and architect Scott Lindenau is a custom-made Japanese soaking tub with Dornbracht fittings.
The walls are paneled in Yangtze River limestone.So Crisp and So Clean
At a Maine compound by designer Suzanne Kasler and architect Les Cole, the master bath boasts custom-made mosaic tile by Waterworks and light fixtures from Circa Lighting.
Bold Bathroom Design
A mix of Ann Sacks surfaces, including a pebble wall covering, brings a warm feel to a guest bath of an Aspen, Colorado, home which was renovated by Stonefox Architects. The tub is perfect for an après ski soak, or thinking about skiing while soaking.
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Photo: Thomas Loof
Bright and Airy
At a Hudson Valley compound by architect Toshiko Mori, the abundant light accentuates all of the gorgeous fittings and fixtures of the bathroom.
A Vintage Touch
The master bath of a Hamptons home designed by Steven Gambrel boasts pendant lights by Rejuvenation, a Ralph Lauren Home sconce, and a pair of vintage French chairs from Aero; the sink fittings are by Waterworks.
It's all very Hamptons, isn't it? Photo: William Waldron
Bathtub with a View
Another one of our favorite bathroom design ideas, this open air washroom boasts a jaw-dropping view of mountains in Aspen, Colorado. Created by architects Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Shelton, Mindel & Assoc., we're so jealous we've run out of things to say.
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Photo: Oberto Gili
A Grand Affair
The master bath of a Minneapolis home designed by Michael S. Smith shimmers with antiqued-mirror panels and a ceiling silver-leafed by artisan Maureen Lyttle; the chandelier is a circa-1930 design by Elsa Schiaparelli for Baguès, and the tub fittings are by P. E. Guerin.
Photo: Björn Wallander
Tiled Simplicity
At a Martha’s Vineyard home designed by Ashe + Leandro, the master bath’s subway tile, tub, and fittings makes us look at subway tile anew.
Photo: Oberto Gili
Martha's Vineyard Master Bath
In one of the master baths at the Martha’s Vineyard summer home of Lynn Forester de Rothschild and her husband, Sir Evelyn, the tub is equipped with Waterworks fittings; the aluminum Windsor-style chair is a John Vesey design from the Window.
The house was renovated by architect Hugh Weisman and decorator Mark Cunningham.
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Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Nashville Washroom
At the Nashville, Tennessee, home of designer Ray Booth and television executive John Shea, the side table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll will go down as a truly great bathroom flex.
Photo: Björn Wallander
London Lavatory
An Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph overlooks the master bath’s Water Monopoly tub at a London penthouse designed by Veere Grenney.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Classic Charm
Paintings of Long Island are grouped in a bath at a Hamptons home decorated by Carrier and Co. creating the sweetest little space.
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Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Hamptons Haven
Moroccan mirrors from Downtown flank a Waterworks tub in the master bath of a Hamptons home conceived by architect Peter Pennoyer and designer Matthew Patrick Smyth; the tub fittings and towels are also by Waterworks, the side table is by Paul Mathieu for Stephanie Odegard Collection, and the towel stand is by RH.
Photo: Richard Powers
Brooklyn Bathroom
An abstract mural by Surface & Architecture Workshop distinguishes the master bath of jewelry designer Ippolita Rostagno’s Brooklyn brownstone.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Monochrome Master Bath
Monochromatic bathroom design ideas are usually stunning, just like this grey one. A Swedish Empire secretary and chair stand in the master bath of an upstate New York retreat devised by architecture firm Shope Reno Wharton and designer Thom Filicia; the beadboard walls are painted in a Benjamin Moore gray (as are the Feiss ceiling fixtures), and we could probably move into this bathroom right now.
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Photo: Steve Hall/Hedrich Blessing
Midwest-Inspired Master Bathroom
“I was striving for a sense of place, the spirit of a Midwestern farm,” says architect Margaret McCurry of the Michigan getaway she designed for a Chicago couple.
The master bath, paneled in wood, was inspired by the property’s tree-lined setting, which is showcased through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Situated next to an indoor pool and a glass-block steam room, the space doubles as a shower and changing area for the family and their frequent guests.Photo: Durston Saylor
English Meets American
Ralph and Ricky Lauren’s country house in Bedford, New York, celebrates classic English style with an American point of view. The couple’s stately master bathroom features a fireplace with an 18th-century mantelpiece, and a freestanding marble bathtub. Of course this is what Ralph Lauren's bathroom looks like.
Photo: Michael Moran
Ultra Modern Master Bath
When designing an extension for a late-19th-century Greenwich home, architect Allan Greenberg and interior decorator Victoria Hagan wanted to create a space that was at once ultramodern and livable. The master bathroom is just that—a sleek yet inviting, marble-lined retreat.
The design team created a sun-splashed room featuring walls painted a soft green and mirrored surfaces that reflect both light and views.
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Photo: Scott Frances
Gilded Glam
The New York City maisonette formerly owned by legendary interior designer Sister Parish was revamped by the decorator Mario Buatta for Patricia Altschul, a longtime client. Altschul explains of the redesign, “I told [Buatta] I wanted a little sparkle, not over the top, but lush, exotic—a glamorama.” The elegant new space features a dressing table with an ornate antique mirror and a tufted pink slipper chair.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig
Contemporary Minimalism
Celebrated adman Donny Deutsch transformed a venerable limestone mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side into a sleek, contemporary space with the help of designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper and architect Frederic Schwartz. Chic as can be, Deutsch’s master bath makes a minimalist statement with an overscale egg-shaped tub and a vintage ceiling fixture.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Philadelphia Powder Room
Decorator Thomas Jayne was commissioned to restore a circa-1865 townhouse in Philadelphia’s Center City to its former glory, though this bath, painted decades ago to resemble a tent, actually required little effort. Lined with marble and accented with a pair of antique Chinese garden stools, the space adds whimsical flair to the historic house.
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Photo: Robert McLeod
Zen Bathroom
For a client in Japan, architect Kengo Kuma created a guest bath clad in wooden slats and with a striking window wall that lends the feeling of a tree house. The rectangular tub and basin are made of hiba wood and are offset by a sculptural stool. If you're looking for zen bathroom design ideas, this is definitely something to bookmark.
Photo: Roger Davies
Napa Master Bathroom
When it came to building a new home for their extended family, Don and Rela Gleason, Napa residents, wanted something relaxed yet stylish.
Designed by Rela, an interior decorator, and architect Bobby McAlpine, the master bath is airy and open, with soaring ceilings and a rustic concrete-title floor. Modern elements mix happily with heirloom antiques; the concrete soaking tub overlooks an enclosed private terrace.Photo: Dan Forer
Beachside Bath
Designer John Barman understands the transformative power of even a small renovation. To take advantage of all the extraordinary ocean views at his apartment in Miami Beach, he ripped out the false ceiling in the bathroom and installed dramatic double-height windows.
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Photo: Michael Moran
Tranquil Southampton Washroom
Combining natural materials and abundant light, architect and designer Lee F. Mindel of Shelton, Mindel & Assoc. created a tranquil environment for the master bathroom of his Southampton, New York, beach house, using surfaces that reflected the abundant light.
“The pattern of the marble mimics the shadow of branches on the building, and the glazed floor reflects views of the water and trees,” says Mindel.Photo: Scott Frances
Anything but Ordinary
In this 300-year-old summer retreat reinvented by architect James Cavagnari for himself and his wife, designer Erin Quiros, the bathroom is anything but ordinary. The space features a freestanding tub, snow-white plaster walls, and a rustic beamed ceiling; the French doors frame a stunning view of the Sicilian coast.
Photo: Robert Reck
Mountain Facing Master Bathroom
Architect Antoine Predock emphasized crisp lines and angles in the bathroom of a Colorado mountain home. Overlooking a grove of aspens, Predock’s design, composed of teak casework and a maple ceiling, is a rustic oasis with a modern sensibility. The contemporary space celebrates luxe wood surfaces with exquisite dovetail construction, sleek fixtures and fittings, and a blissful forest view.
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Photo: Mary E. Nichols
Picturesque Montecito Washroom
Envisioning a house where “every window would be a picture,” Robert and Alexandra Norse commissioned architect Jack Lionel Warner and designer Barbara Barry to build their home in Montecito, California. In the master bath, the tub is installed between a pair of stately walnut shelving units, which display ceramics and provide easy access to stacked towels while framing the extraordinary mountain views.
Photo: Scott Frances
Heavenly Nantucket Master Bath
“So much of design is knowing when to add and when to take away,” designer Victoria Hagan says. “The fun of it is to find the right balance.” Utilizing clean lines and the symmetry of matching sinks, mirrors, and sconces, Hagan’s bright-white design for a master bathroom in Nantucket, Massachusetts, is in perfect harmony.
Photo: Billy Cunningham
18th-Century Inspiration
This 18-century-inspired bathroom design idea comes from designer John Cottrell and architect Gil Schafer.
They teamed up to build a poolhouse in the Connecticut countryside that has the feeling of an 18th-century interior. Related: See More Home Remodeling & Renovation ideas
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Photo: Kyle Knodell
Pattern Aplenty
Nikki's tiny bathroom remodel proves that you don't need tons of space to add personality to a less-than-palatial bathroom. Her Before & After is basically an ode to finding the right wallpaper, in her case Rifle Paper Co.'s gold pineapple print, and making it sing.
Photo: Zio and Sons Creative
A Super Soaking Tub
Ahh. Even just looking at this tub is relaxing. The slate-tiled shower and black ceiling bring a hefty amount of drama to Michael and Nick's renovated bathroom, while the bathtub serves as a gorgeous focal point. Something for everyone in this bathroom!
Photo: Sean Fennessy
Pretty in Pink
This modern bathroom in Melbourne, Australia, blends bright white walls with delicious pink accents and drool-worthy tile to create a funky space that doesn't skimp on storage.
The curved cabinet and rounded corners give the bathroom a cool, fluid vibe that surprises and delights.
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Photo: Studio Snng
A Small Space Saver
Dave's old studio bathroom was dark, cramped, and cavelike. Luckily, architect Aaron Korntreger was on hand to make the most of the small space by opting for white stone and removing the shower door entirely. Now the space is bright and inviting and looks about a million times bigger (okay, maybe not a million, but you get it).
Photo: Michelle Young Photography
A Tile and Terrazzo Tango
The sink area in this London penthouse mixes affordable terrazzo with more expensive handmade tiles to create tons of texture. But that's not all! In order to maximize space, the sinks are actually tucked into a wardrobe opposite the rest of the bathroom, creating a totally unique bathroom situation.
Photo: Max Burkhalter
Unexpected Black & White Tile
There's a method to the madness of the black and white tile in Ellen Van Dusen's bathroom.
She found inspiration in the artist François Morellet who, "made these red-and-blue checker paintings where he went through the phone book and assigned a color to even numbers and a color to odd numbers to create a totally randomized pattern. I decided to do that with my bathroom using the phone numbers of my friends and family."
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Working That Wet Room
In order to make the most of the space in Dina's prewar bathroom, architect Kevin Greenberg redesigned the room to include a wet room and tub behind steel and glass doors that still let plenty of light flood the space.
Photo: Echo and Earl
A Perfectly Balanced Bathroom
The bathroom in Caroline Lee's getaway in Palm Springs, California, is a lesson in balance. The glass door, white tile, and textured accents play off of the dark tub.
Photo: Tash McCammon
Moody Blues
Matiya Marovich carried the Art Deco vibes all the way into this stunner of a bathroom.
He carried through the same blue tile used in the kitchen and dining rooms, and the curved mirror picks up a shape found throughout the home.
55 Small Bathroom Ideas 2023
1
Hide Stored Goods With a Skirted Vanity
James Merrell
Flowery chintz brings a touch of the garden into this bathroom, where designer Justine Cushing managed to fit in a dressing table and a matching chair that tucks underneath it thanks to a clever layout. The pretty skirt also hides other stored-away essentials.
2
Choose Graphic Accents
Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside
A wavy contrasting floor tile, carried up the side of a built-in tub, unifies several surfaces in this bathroom by Atelier ND at actor Carice van Houten's Amsterdam home. A bright red towel warmer takes up barely any square footage adds serves more than one function: storage, and coziness.
3
Personalize With Monograms
Alexander Reid
Alexander Reid personalized this small rental bathroom with a monogrammed shower curtain that also features a classic border. Pretty framed prints and a garden stool take up little space but go a long way as far as formalizing the room.
4
Work Around Rooflines
Lauren Miller
Don't let a quirky floor plan or roof lines block your creativity or your dream bathroom setup. In the primary bathroom of her home (formerly a church), designer Nathalie Chong set tub into the dormer offers and squeezed in a double vanity. She mimicked the drama of the ceiling with different-sized mirrors to make the slanted roofline work and dabble in asymmetry.
5
Leave Windows Bare
Erin Little
Natural light is too important for cramped spaces to block with curtains.
If you can afford to keep the windows bare (i.e. there's enough privacy as is!) then focus on incorporating rich materials elsewhere to do the visual heavy lifting instead of adding window treatments. A stone and bronze vanity, geometric floor tiles, and plaster finish walls do the trick in this small bathroom designed by Brigette Romanek.
6
Keep Millwork Minimal
Stephen Kent Johnson
Design firm Studio Shamshiri “chose minimal finishes and millwork that didn’t distract from the nature outside,” and used vertical space to play up the height of the bathroom. They also added sneaky storage via a floating custom cubby spanning the length of the double vanity and installed an equally long towel bar beneath it.
7
Replace Swinging Doors
Shade Degges
“Everything feels sort of candlelit,” says designer Jae Joo of this Boston home.
The elegant powder room is no exception. Ambient lighting radiates a soft glow, wood finishes emit warmth, and the green floral wallpaper brings the entire room to life; together, these elements have a cocooning effect. Replacing hinges and installing pocket doors—whether at the entrance or on a closet enclosure—saves a lot of usable space in a small bathroom.
8
Use Fewer Materials
Gieves Anderson
Use the same materials on the shower stall and the sink vanity as designer Nina Barbiras of Fig NYC did in this bathroom. She makes a strong case for rich marbled veining and unpolished brass here.
9
Add a Skylight to Your Small Bathroom
Kevin Scott
So your small bathroom doesn't have any wall space for windows... but what about installing a skylight? Studio Diaa opted for a Crystalite one, which floods the space with natural light but also maintains privacy.
10
Hang a Mirror Gallery Wall
Jared Kuzia Photography
Besides looking incredibly charming, this collection of vintage mirrors in a Boston home by Cecilia Casagrande is also a great small space solution: The mirrors move sunlight into every nook and cranny of the room. By painting the frames all Farrow & Ball Pitch Black, the homeowner unified the quirky collection to feel cohesive in a small space. Wallcovering: Ms. Ward, Grow House Grow.
11
Opt for a Smaller Tub
Karen Richter
A smaller free-standing slipper tub is a great alternative to a traditional bathtub if you're a habitual soaker without a massive footprint to work with. Keren Richter of White Arrow Design put this one in a Brooklyn townhouse right by the window, creating a strong visual focal point. Though you can't stretch out as much, a tinier tub is still a wonderful alternative.
12
Build In the Vanity
Haris Kenjar
A deep red paint color, fun graphic floor tiles, and modern pendant each add some personality to this small bathroom (in a cool Seattle treehouse) designed by Andy Beers of Ore Studios. The spacious drawers under the floating vanity also help keep things tidy, and maximize every spare inch of the space.
13
Go With a Compact Tub
NICK GLIMENAKIS
"The bathroom is really long and narrow, so it forced me to really find the right bathtub to fit in it," says designer Delia Kenza of a small bathroom she renovated for clients in Brooklyn. She demo'd the former bathtub surround, which wasted valuable inches, and replaced it with a freestanding Signature Hardware tub on an elevated platform.
14
Hide the Bathroom With a Jib Door
Haris Kenjar
"I watched a lot of period piece murder mysteries, and I knew I wanted a secret door," says Michelle L.
Morby, the occupant of this fun powder room by Landed Interiors & Home. Hiding any room behind a Murphy Door (no matter how small it is), is guaranteed to make it the most exciting place in the house.
15
Stick to a Tight Palette
Read McKendree
Interior designer Elizabeth Cooper brought out the rich blue veining in the marble surfaces with an icy pale blue paint color on the cabinet doors. Keeping some of the wall unfinished creates a calming effect that helps keep pattern-pushing small spaces from feeling overwhelming.
16
Mix Materials to Keep it Interesting
Trevor Tondro
Designed by Cameron Schwabenton, this eclectic bathroom in a 1770s Charleston residence honors the integrity of the home's history with rustic wood foundations. But by incorporating more modern materials, like the marble used in the shower, it also feels contemporary and polished.
The country-style elements are perfect for a quaint, modestly-sized bathroom while the white marble brightens it up.
17
Make an Entrance
ROBERT PETERSON / RUSTIC WHITE INTERIORS
For a bathroom just off the main bedroom in Alison Victoria's Atlanta loft, the HGTV star designer chose not to add doors at all. Instead, she installed a solid bronze doorframe from an old elevator, and played off the gilt theme with an ombré Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallcovering hand-painted with 24-karat gold.
18
Only Keep Products You Love
AP Deign House
AP Design House optimized this bathroom by installing a narrow shelf over the sink for storing small essentials like skincare products, cotton swabs, and more. But be sure to choose items with pretty packaging so there's no need to hide them out of sight.
19
Hang Art Vertically
Hector M. Sanchez
“I wanted it to feel like a jewel box," says Andrew Brown, the designer behind this small but aspirational bathroom. With bold gold features, rich textures, and plenty of patterns, Brown proves that an elevated look isn't reliant on having a massive canvas to work with.
20
Tuck Cabinets Into the Wall
Ngoc Minh Ngo
Customize built-in storage with a solid enclosure that's hidden in the wall to take up less visual real estate. This crisp all-white bathroom designed by Adam Leskinen features a perfect example.
21
Use Your Toilet as a Surface
Eric Piasecki
This bold and playful bathroom designed by Robin Henry proves there's nothing wrong with using your toilet as an extra surface for propping up bathroom accessories.
How to keep it looking clutter-free? Forget the open shelving and allow vibrantly hued walls to stay clear and in the spotlight.
22
Add Space-Savers to Your Small Bathroom
AMY NEUNSINGER
Everything in this small bathroom by design duo Nicky Kehoe serves a purpose while also adding some decorative style. For example, even the wall hook is perfect for tiny spaces. If you look closely, you'll see that it has several swiveling prongs for extra hand towels—we love this simple one from Wayfair.
23
Customize a Shower Bench
Romanek Design Studio
Even if your bathroom only has space for a small shower, you can still make it feel and look luxe. Take, for example, this one designed by Romanek Design Studio. The baby blue zellige tiles and sleek matte black and glass enclosure makes a modern statement.
A floating bench adds both formal and functional value, too.
24
Use Unique Materials in Monochrome
Tamsin Johnson
In this bathroom by Tamsin Johnson Interiors, the stone surfaces, classic striped towels, sculptural sconce, and round mirror prove that minimalism can have edge. And the easy-going, grayscale elegance is proof that taking a minimalist approach can result in a unique and quirky space without overpowering the eye.
Related: Small Bathroom Paint Colors
25
Keep Toilet Paper In Bins
Mylene Fernandes
Corral toilet paper and other personal hygiene items you'd rather keep discreet in baskets and bins, then tuck them neatly under the sink, as designer Shari Francis does here.
26
Use a Big Mirror
Elizabeth Cooper Design
A wall-to-wall mirror is a guaranteed way to create the illusion of spaciousness.
Designed by Elizabeth Cooper, the bathroom boasts an open and airy vibe despite not getting ample natural light. That's thanks to the light color scheme and sweet wallpaper.
27
Install Good Lighting
Eric Piasecki
The obvious highlight of this bathroom is the fun use of tile and color, but good looks aside, designer Kureck Jones also knows how to maximize function. The oversized pendant adds just enough contrast but also floods the room with light, which is an essential in a bathroom (don't forget extra lights by the sink and mirror areas, too).
28
Hang Curtains Strategically
Heidi Caillier Design
Try a curtain that looks more like a drape than your average plastic shower curtain, and hang two from either side so you can tuck them away when you want to. Heidi Caillier opted for a soft oat-meets-blush linen shower curtain to add warmth to the cool space.
29
Add Tons of Cabinets
Gail Davis Design
This hidden vanity in this Gail Davis-designed bathroom is such a fun surprise. The orange mirror picks up on the warmth of the curtains and wallpaper accents while the striped penny tile floor complements the navy paint. Apply this trick to your own bathroom to double its function without cramping it visually.
30
Use Tile to Your Advantage
It doesn't get much tinier than this bathroom, yet it still looks elevated and functional. The key is to use waterproof materials throughout so everything can get wet (a central drain is also a must) and then swap your shower head and secure towel racks to the walls.
31
Go Ham With a Gallery Wall
Peter Murdock
No room is too small for artwork.
In fact, sometimes small spaces are the perfect places to display things on the walls since vertical space is all you have to show off your style. We love the eclectic artwork against the baby pink walls of Ailana Michelle Ralph's powder room. Framebridge is a great resource if you're looking for ways to elevate your art collection and family photos.
32
Use Window Ledges in a Small Bathroom
Shade Degges
In another bathroom designed by Jae Joo, the careful balance between clean contemporary style and the 200-year-old bones of the house live in harmony. Instead of cluttering the walls and floor with shelving units and storage furniture, Joo simply leaned a framed print on the windowsill and then added a tiny vase.
33
Curve Corners on the Vanity
Chango & Co.
By making the edge of your vanity soft and rounded, you'll gain back space and you're less likely to bang into the edge when you're in a rush (win-win!).
Full of fun patterns and whimsical motifs, this powder room designed by Chango & Co. proves that small spaces can still shine.
34
Find Deep Storage
Robert McKinley Studio
Make up for a nonexistent linen closet with a strategic configuration. Whether it's a mirrored medicine cabinet or a vanity with deep enough shelving to fit towels, as Robert McKinley Studio did here. We're loving the offbeat (yet still neutral!) clay color scheme, too.
35
Choose a Bright Color for a Simple Design
Laure Joilet
Make sure every piece has a purpose. Choose mirrors with drawers or shelves if you don't want to go for a traditional medicine cabinet, or use your wall space to build cabinets. The vibrant tangerine-painted cabinets in this bathroom designed by ETC.etera bring out the orange undertones in the pink stone vanity topper, which also ties in the pink floor tiles and area rug.
36
Install a Floating Shelf
Gail Davis Design
In a small powder room, a floating shelf will be a life-saver for essentials like washcloths, hand soap, candles, and tissues. Interior designer Gail Davis installed a simple glass shelf right under the mirror for a nice, symmetrical display. And if there isn't much room for fun decor, choose a texture-rich wallpaper.
37
Create Outside-the-Box Surfaces
Corinne Mathern Studio
In this modestly sized powder room designed by Corinne Mathern Studios, the tiny shelf transforms an awkward corner into something chic. It's just large enough to fit a select few cosmetics or a vase with flowers. Either keep it at the same heigh as the sink, or put it right between the sink and mirror.
38
Go Dark and Moody to Make it Feel Bigger
Robson Rak
Interior design firm Robson Rak embraced the small size and lack of light in this powder room by making it feel snug and intimate with black tiles, mood lighting, and dark cabinets under the smoky natural stone sink.
And while the mirror might be slim, its height draws the eye up and accentuates the high ceilings.
39
Extend Sink Surfaces
Heidi Caillier
Instead of a double sink vanity, a long design could save you serious space. The sink and countertop are all one piece and it's long enough that two people can get ready at the same time. There's also plenty of room to hang towels on this one designed by Heidi Caillier.
40
Opt for Glass Shower Doors
Emil Dervish
Skip the foggy glass or dark curtain, and opt for glass doors. It'll make the shower feel like livable square footage. Emil Dervish kept this industrial space clean with white graphic square tiles but added some funk with color on the upper half of the walls and ceiling.
41
Keep Things Bright in a Small Bathroom
Shapeless Studio
Some may say its boring, but an all white bathroom makes any tucked away space feel bigger and brighter (just look at this one by Shapeless Studio for proof).
With interesting materials—like a natural stone countertop and corresponding trim, light wood cabinets, and graphic floor tiles—ensure plenty of style. And if you can, work with your designer and contractor to come up with a strategic layout that works with the odd shape of your space.
42
Stay Proportional
KARYN R MILLET
Designer Celerie Kemble's daughter's bathroom is long and narrow, so she made sure to keep proportion in mind when shopping for extra storage pieces and decorative items (tall and slim plant stands and a skirted shelving unit to be exact). To keep the shelving inline with the dainty floral theme, she found a tablecloth from eBay and turned it into a shelf cover.
43
Build Shower Niches
Robert McKinley Studio
If you need a big tub or yours just happens to take up all the space between the two walls, then make sure you're saving space elsewhere.
Incorporate built-in shelves and niches into the wall behind the bathtub for towels and products. Robert McKinley used the same Heath tiles throughout so it blends right in.
44
Work Your Angles
Courtesy of House Beautiful
For a powder room this small, a mirror hung at an angle above a corner sink maximizes every inch (and clutter can be stashed behind the fabric skirt). The Wedgwood plates and round accent table help counteract the boxiness and add charm. And add a small table for your extras, just like Thom Filicia did. Choose a small table with an open base so it doesn't close off space. It'll give you a spot to set up magazines, flowers, or candles.
45
Get Creative With Storage
Courtesy of House Beautiful
There's a clever small-space solution everywhere you look in interior designer Shaun Smith's New Orleans bathroom.
From the extra storage created by placing a tray over the hamper to the towel bars and soap dish, this bathroom proves you can go big in a small bathroom.
46
Innovate With Colorful Bulbs
RYAN GARVIN & TYLER HOGAN
So you want your bathroom to be bright and unique without the hassle and commitment of paint. Well, here's a fun hack that won't overwhelm a small space: Take note of this powder room by Breegan Jane, where circadian-rhythm color lights turn the cream walls temporarily pink.
47
Opt for Ledges over Furniture
Leanne Ford Interiors
If your bathroom doesn't have a built-in vanity, opt for a ledge right above the sink. This will hold all your daily essentials (toothpaste, soap) but won't take up as much floor space as a big piece of furniture. Install a floating shelf above the sink for your décor, essentials, and other small knick-knacks, as Leanne Ford Interiors did here.
This is especially convenient for anyone who doesn't have a hidden cabinet behind the bathroom sink. You could also arrange a few floating shelves above the toilet, if space is an issue.
48
Choose a Fun Wallpaper for a Small Bathroom
In a small powder room without much access to natural light—for example, a windowless space under the stairs—embrace the moodier, edgier atmosphere with darker tones and dim lighting. In this powder room designed by Tamsin Johnson, the concrete floors, inky marble sink and modern wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler set the right mood.
49
Use Bins and Baskets
Katie Hodges Design
If you have open shelves, keep organized with wicker baskets and bowls. Shelves are sleek, but the lack of cabinetry cut down on storage space, but bins will do the trick. Having pretty linen towels like these in a bathroom designed by Katie Hodges doesn't hurt either.
50
Work Around Your Windows
Abney Morton Interiors
No walls to hang a mirror? No problem. Just hang it in front of the window, which creates privacy with a purpose. Or, if there's a slim strip to secure an accordion mirror to between windows.
51
Add a Skylight Over a Window
Björn Wallander
Natural light is the key to making a small space feel bigger. Skylights are a great option for when windows aren't enough, like in Maxwell Ryan's Hamptons home. Paired with a window just below, it allows daylight to stream in from all angles.
52
Stash Bottles in Niches
David Tsay
You could add a bulky shower caddy, but little cubbies look so much cuter.
Alcoves keep soaps and sponges within arm's reach. Take note from this one by Justina Blakeney.
53
Try a Floating Basin Sink
Paul Raeside
Skip bulky cabinets and install a floating basin sink to save space. Plus, it looks incredibly chic.
54
Use a Ladder
Courtesy of Jenna Sue Design Co.
Lean a ladder right up against the wall behind your toilet to provide extra room for hanging linens or a shower caddy. See more at Jenna Sue Design Co.
55
Go With a Sliding Door
Courtesy of Shades of Blue Interiors
Instead of a door on a hinge that, when open, takes up space in your small room, opt for a door on a rail that stays parallel with the wall at all times.
See more at Shades of Blue Interiors.
56
Small Bathroom Design FAQs
Paul Raeside
How do you design a small bathroom?
Consistency is key. Extend a tile wall all the way across the room, as in this bathroom by Lucy Harris in a New York State home. All-glass shower doors—or even no shower doors, if the rest of the room is rendered in waterproof surfaces—keep it feeling open and breezy. Don't forget to add a spot for a medicine cabinet. So much room for stashing toiletries out of sight!
What's the best color for a small bathroom?
“Think about the night sky,” says designer Shavonda Gardner. “It’s expansive; there’s no end in sight. Your eye doesn’t stop at the line between dark walls and a white ceiling; it just keeps going.” This is precisely the reason designers love going with dark colors in a small room—it genuinely opens things up!
Is it better to use large tiles or small tiles in a small bathroom?
Size isn't as important as pattern and color when it comes to tiling a bathroom.
Whether you go for subway tile, huge marble square, or tiny penny tiles, the key in a small bathroom is to keep the surface as streamlined as possible. Match your grout to the tile, or create a simple pattern that doesn't overwhelm the space or create visual clutter.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
Amanda Sims Clifford Executive Editor Amanda Sims Clifford is the executive editor at House Beautiful.
Bathrooms – 135 best bathroom interior design photo ideas
House 320 sq.m. in Novaya Riga, Moscow region
Lavka-Design
Pictured: modern style bathroom with shower room, black and white tiles, cement tiles, sink, open shower, white countertop, single vanity unit, floor vanity unit, wallpaper on walls, flat facades and white facades with
Opalikha residential complex
Technical project
An example of original design: a modern style bathroom with a shower cabin, a shower in a niche, blue walls, a monolithic sink and a shower with sliding doors
Country apartments in Pervaya Liniya residential complex
Andrei Belimov-Gushchin
Stylish design: medium-sized bathroom in modern style with flat facades, gray facades, installation, beige tiles, gray tiles, countertop sink, black floor, gray worktop, vanity unit for two washbasins and hanging vanity - the latest trend
Photos of an apartment in an old mansion
Design Studio ASD Studio
An example of the original design: a fusion style bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub, black tiles, mosaic tiles, gray walls, mosaic floor, walk-in shower, vanity basin, subfloor and single vanity unit
Philosophy of Concrete
IRINA LIMONOVA "LIMSTYLE" design studio
Fresh design idea: medium-sized bathroom in modern style with island fronts, black fronts, alcove shower, installation, gray tiles, porcelain stoneware tiles, porcelain tile, walk-in shower, countertop sink, gray floor, outdoor shower, gray countertop, single sink cabinet and floor cabinet - excellent interior photo
Apartment on Maly
Nechaev & Senchugov Design Studio
Bathroom
Stylish design: medium sized master bathroom in modern style with flat cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, alcove tub, over-bath shower, installation, gray tiles, stoneware tiles , gray walls, porcelain stoneware floors, wooden worktops, gray floors, bathroom curtains, single-sink cabinets, hanging cabinets and countertop sinks - the latest trend nine0003
IvE-interior
Let's use this example as a combination of white and light brown.
White color is neutral, it is like a blank sheet for an artist, you can create on it. Light brown is the color of nature, the color of wood. The combination of these two colors creates a cozy, favorable environment and atmosphere. White tiles are used on the walls and floor, but they are completely different in texture and size. Due to this, overflows and a play of light are created. An insert made of small tiles, framed by profile lamps, looks very elegant. The light brown ceiling is supported by the color tone in furniture, wickerwork. A white, free-standing bathtub in itself looks advantageous and fits well into the overall style. nine0007
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Project of an apartment for a young family on Paveletskaya - 80m2
MEMarch
Stylish design: a small bathroom in a modern style with flat facades, light wood facades, white tiles, white walls, shower cabin, countertop sink, multi-colored floor, white countertop, vanity unit and hanging cabinet - the latest trend
Moscow Country House
Tatiana Pirogkova
Fresh design idea: large master bathroom in fusion style with a freestanding bathtub, installation, purple walls, marble flooring, sink sink, wood countertops, green flooring, brown countertops, double vanity unit and floor standing cabinet - great interior photo
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Moscow stalinka apartment, 62 sq.
m.
Zueva Anna
Bathroom. Plumbing, Hansgrohe; decor, Zara Home; the furniture is made to order according to the sketches of the author of the project; on the floor and in the shower area Spanish porcelain tiles, Equipe.
Aptekarskiy pr.
Arca design
Stylish design: contemporary style master bathroom with flat cabinets, green cabinets, alcove bathtub, walk-in shower, installation, brown tiles, sink sink, white flooring, beige worktops, cabinet for single washbasin and hanging cabinet - the latest trend
Apartment in Moscow
LENA KINO
Photo: small neoclassical (modern classic) bathroom with recessed panel fronts, gray fronts, alcove tub, shower over tub, white tiles, gray walls, walk-in shower
Contemporary style bathrooms - 135 best bathroom interior design photo ideas
House 320 sq.
m. on New Riga, Moscow region
Lavka-Design
Pictured: modern style bathroom with walk-in shower, black and white tile, cement tile, sink, open shower, white countertop, vanity unit, floor vanity unit, wall paper, flat cabinets and white facades with
Residential Complex Opalikha
Technical project
An example of original design: a modern-style bathroom with a shower cabin, a shower in a niche, blue walls, a monolithic sink and a shower with sliding doors
Country apartments in Pervaya Liniya residential complex
Andrei Belimov-Gushchin
Stylish design: medium-sized bathroom in modern style with flat facades, gray facades, installation, beige tiles, gray tiles, countertop sink, black floor, gray worktop, double vanity unit and hanging vanity unit - the latest trend
Bathroom
Alexandra Protasova
An example of the original design: a bathroom in white tones with wood trim in a modern style with light wooden facades, beige tiles, white walls, countertop washbasin, black floor, beige countertop and double vanity unit
Philosophy of Concrete
IRINA LIMONOVA "LIMSTYLE" design studio
Fresh design idea: medium-sized bathroom in modern style with island fronts, black fronts, alcove shower, installation, gray tiles, porcelain stoneware tiles, porcelain tile, walk-in shower, countertop sink, gray floor, outdoor shower, gray countertop, single sink cabinet and floor cabinet - excellent interior photo
Apartment on Maly
Nechaev & Senchugov Design Studio
Bathroom
Stylish design: medium sized master bathroom in modern style with flat cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, alcove tub, over-bath shower, installation, gray tiles, stoneware tiles , gray walls, porcelain stoneware floors, wooden worktops, gray floors, bathroom curtains, single-sink cabinets, hanging cabinets and countertop sinks - the latest trend nine0003
IvE-interior
Let's use this example as a combination of white and light brown.
White color is neutral, it is like a blank sheet for an artist, you can create on it. Light brown is the color of nature, the color of wood. The combination of these two colors creates a cozy, favorable environment and atmosphere. White tiles are used on the walls and floor, but they are completely different in texture and size. Due to this, overflows and a play of light are created. An insert made of small tiles, framed by profile lamps, looks very elegant. The light brown ceiling is supported by the color tone in furniture, wickerwork. A white, free-standing bathtub in itself looks advantageous and fits well into the overall style. nine0007
Project of an apartment for a young family on Paveletskaya - 80m2
MEMarch
Stylish design: a small bathroom in modern style with flat facades, light wooden facades, white tiles, white walls, shower cabin, countertop sink, colorful floor, white countertop, cabinet for one washbasin and hanging cabinet - the latest trend
Zueva Anna
Bathroom.
Plumbing, Hansgrohe; decor, Zara Home; the furniture is made to order according to the sketches of the author of the project; on the floor and in the shower area Spanish porcelain tiles, Equipe. nine0007
Aptekarskiy pr.
Arca design
Stylish design: contemporary style master bathroom with flat cabinets, green cabinets, alcove bathtub, shower over bathtub, installation, brown tiles, sink sink, white flooring, beige worktops, single vanity unit and wall hung vanity unit - latest trend
House with hidden staircase
goro_da
Design idea: large white wood-finish bathroom in contemporary style with flat-paneled cabinets, light wood cabinets, full built-in bathtub, open shower , installation, gray tile, porcelain tile, gray walls, porcelain stoneware flooring, walk-in shower, countertop sink, faux stone countertop, gray floor, sliding door shower, white countertop, window, double vanity unit, floor vanity unit and beams on ceiling
Project Implementation
Gnezdo Project
Inspiration for homeliness: medium-sized modern style bathroom with flat cabinets, white cabinets, alcove bathtub, walk-in shower, beige tiles, walk-in shower, solid washbasin, beige floor , beige countertop, single vanity unit and wall hung vanity unit
Lind
Yulia Starikova
Photo of a contemporary master bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, white tiles and a single vanity unit with
Apartment 64 sqm.
