Small Bathroom? No Problem—These 30 Remodel Ideas Make the Most of Tight Space
Small bathrooms don’t have to be small in style. Bringing in your personality, style preferences, and more can pay off with a room you love, even if it is short on square footage.
We’ve gathered the best ways to make the most of your small bathroom, from design tricks that give a wide-open feel to storage ideas that will keep your space efficient and organized.
Above-Toilet Storage
@wilsonaesthetic_ / Instagram
Making use of every square inch of your small bath can make a big difference when it comes to both space efficiency and organization. Even a basket placed above the toilet can be a good way to both corral and store items or add a little interest to the space.
Classic Details
Materials like brass fixtures, a marble countertop, and wood paneling create an elegant, tucked-away bathroom that reflects the style of the kitchen nearby.
To create a greater light-reflecting quality, don’t be afraid to go for a mirror that seems on the larger side, make sure it features a slim profile so it doesn’t weigh down the space.
Glass Shower Door
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A small bathroom often has to work with a tight layout. That means a shower might be smack dab against a vanity or a tub (if there’s room for one) and snuggly fit into an alcove.
To keep the arrangement from feeling cluttered, a glass shower enclosure can go a long way. Floor-to-ceiling tile on the adjacent walls keeps the cool feeling coming, furthering the open and airy feel.
Extra Storage
When it comes to a small bathroom, maximizing every inch of storage is a must. Floating shelves can help give extra surfaces for holding towels, countertop-worthy toiletry items (like makeup brushes and perfumes), and even decorative objects that give the bath a dose of warmth.
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Plus, their design provides an open feel that will likely give the illusion of a more spacious bathroom.
Light and Airy Colors
Keeping it bright and light can sometimes create the feeling of a more spacious bath, but it’s important to keep in mind how natural light plays a role. A large window, even if it’s covered by a sheer curtain or one that utilizes a privacy finish on the glass can impart a big dose of natural light.
When paired with light and airy colors, the result can give the illusion of a much more spacious bath.
Patterned Flooring
When renovating or designing a small bath, it can be a great time to impart fun features that won’t break the bank due to the minimal square footage. Patterned flooring is a prime example. Just make sure you pick a pattern you love that plays off the other elements in the space without creating a chaotic feel.
Brass Hardware
Dress up your small bath with a hint of brass. This shiny finish will add a little sparkle and certainly elevate your aesthetic. From drawer pulls to knobs to faucets and light fixtures, opting for brass will be one design decision that you won’t regret.
Built-In Storage
Storage in a small bath certainly comes at a premium, but getting extra storage can take more elevated forms than a shower caddy if budget allows. A built-in linen cabinet with furniture-like details and an oversized custom vanity can provide more than enough storage.
Eclectic Design
When you’re working within a small bath, it doesn’t have to be all neutrals and minimalist elements. Don’t be afraid to go big with pattern, color, and texture. Adding a big dose of personality can create a special space that brings charm no matter how short on square footage your bathroom may be.
Compact Shower
Just because a shower has a tiny footprint, doesn’t mean it can’t be a true showstopper. Here, a marble entry, beautiful gray horizontal tiles on the wall, and a coordinating hex tile underfoot set off the attention-grabbing gold finish of the plumbing fixtures.
Extending the tile work to the ceiling and allowing a small window to remain unobstructed keeps the tidy space from feeling too cramped.
Small Sink
Don’t let the idea of a small sink lead you to believe it has to be short on style. This pretty-as-a-picture vanity gets the royal treatment with surrounding wallpaper and a starburst mirror overhead. When they come together it makes one charming bath that’s primed for its moment in the sun.
Patterned Wallpaper
When working with patterned wallpaper that takes a maximalist approach, it’s important to be aware of the other elements at play. Instead of opting for a framed mirror, a full ceiling-to-countertop version will create a cleaner effect that also works to create the illusion of more space within your small bath.
Half-Mirrored Wall
Utilizing a half-mirrored wall can give a space-creating effect for a small bath. Here an antiqued glass finish creates interest while adding a dose of character that’s furthered by elevated finishes like fluted cabinets and wall-mounted brass hardware.
No-Door Shower
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Skipping the shower door might provide a splash risk, but it’s certainly a risk worth considering if you’re looking to give the illusion of more space in your small bath.
To make it functional, keep items that could be harmed by excessive moisture out of the way. Plants, though? They can take a front seat.
Bathroom Art
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Art in the bathroom—and a small one at that—can feel like a risky move, but take our word for it.
Surrounding yourself with pieces and details you love, whether paint colors, patterns, décor items, or art, can have a soothing effect no matter the room.
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When it comes to the bath, just make sure your art is protected by a water-resistant frame and is placed where it won’t be in direct line of splashing and heavy steam.
Modern Black and White
The crisp lines and minimalistic palette of a modern black-and-white design can give a small bathroom big-time style. A wall-to-wall mirror and horizontal wall design give the space a more expansive feeling while a white-washed wood vanity keeps the dark countertop from feeling too heavy.
Tiled Walls
While a tiled wall can certainly upgrade your chicness level, it also has the power to make a small bath feel more spacious. Whether used within a shower, behind a bath or used throughout the entire space, a tiled wall can deliver a major luxe look in a flash.
High-Gloss Paint
The shine and luster of high-gloss walls can create a jewel-box effect in a small bath like no other, but they do require certain considerations as well. If your walls are bumpy or have dents and divots that you don’t care to draw attention to, it’s best to opt for a flatter finish as a high gloss will highlight these imperfections.
Shower Niche
Even the tiniest bathroom can be an efficient one if you utilize all the elements at your disposal. That might mean opting for a corner sink, installing above toilet storage, or tucking a shower within an already carved-out nook. When it comes to giving a shower niche the royal treatment, anything goes, but an attention to finishes can go a long way.
Corner Sink
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Shower niches and corner sinks are the bread and butter when it comes to utilizing every inch of a small bath. But don’t let this tucked-away feature go unnoticed.
Here, a black tile treatment sits against a bold maximalist wall covering that would otherwise envelope a more subdued option. A mirror complete with a ledge for holding necessary items close by does double duty.
Curved Surfaces
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Swoops, scallops, and smooth edges are a fine way to give a small bath those big-bath feelings. To keep from overdoing the curved edges of this bathroom design, a herringbone pattern on the floor adds an angular respite.
Wall-Mounted Faucet
For a sleek look, few design choices are quite comparable to a wall-mounted faucet. This technique works particularly well in a small bath where countertop space can be conserved by relegating the fixtures to the wall.
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Be sure to consult a design pro for the appropriate height for the installation as this can affect the sink’s proper functionality and minimize splashing.
Towel Ladder
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A towel ladder can be a great way to store towels, but it also can provide an interesting visual element that draws the eye up—a nifty trick for making small spaces seem larger than they are.
Not into the rustic look? Opt for a metal or brass option that plays to a sleeker aesthetic.
Small Design Elements
While the stone sink gives an oversized feel, the complementary elements like the light fixture, faucet, mirror, and towel hook take a decidedly smaller scale. The moral of the story? You can go big in a small space, all you need to do is to strike the right balance.
Simplified Space
There’s nothing wrong with going simple, especially in a small bath. Here a pedestal sink, barn door that doesn’t take up any extra real estate within the bathroom itself, and a straightforward design and palette create a cozy little space that’s high on vintage style.
Neutrals and Calming Accent Colors
Put it in neutral for a small bath that brings loads of style. This space gives an open and airy feel thanks to lots of natural light, a pretty patterned gray and white flooring, and natural wood tones. The silver fixtures and décor and marble countertop create a cool finish.
Skylight
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Natural light is an important aspect when trying to make a space look and feel larger than it is. That being said, wall space is also sometimes hard to come by in a small bath so devoting even a couple feet to a window is oftentimes not a possibility.
A skylight can be a natural choice for both saving wall space and imparting all those beautiful rays that will keep your space feeling open and airy.
Mirror with Built-In Storage
Design by 2LG Studio / Photo by Megan Taylor Co. Photography
When storage space is something hard to come by, a mirror with built-in storage can be a clutch move. Use it to store items you would otherwise keep on the vanity. Keeping your counters clear and the space tidy can create the feeling of a more spacious bath.
Mirror Ledge
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A shelf below the mirror can come in handy no matter the size of your bath, but especially when you’re working with limited counter space. Because wall space can be a commodity in a small bath, choose a ledge or shelf that adds to the overall aesthetic, whether it’s a sleek glass shelf, vintage-looking brass variety, or rustic reclaimed one.
Backlit Mirror
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To give your small bath an elevated look that’s both modern and inviting, consider installing a backlit mirror. Depending on how much light it puts off, it can save space by forgoing an overhead or wall-mounted light fixture while also providing flattering light for makeup and skincare application. Spa-status at home? Yes, please.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remodel a small bathroom?
A guide on Angi.com based on 2023 data asserts the average small bathroom remodel cost $6,500, though homeowners can expect to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $15,00 depending on the scope and size of the project. Working with existing plumping and electrical placement and keeping your labor costs down are factors that can result in cost savings in the long run.
How long does it take to remodel a small bathroom?
The timeframe for a small bathroom remodel can range from 23 days, equivalent to just over a month if work isn’t being done on weekends, to more than two months. Planning for around 6 weeks provides room for both downtime and the potential for unforeseen issues which can add time to your remodel schedule.
What are the most important upgrades to make when remodeling a bathroom?
Energy efficiency and updated home systems (like heating and ventilation) are two worthwhile bathroom updates. As far as aesthetics, selecting finishes, features, and fixtures that you like (and also won’t be off putting to buyers if you’re planning to sell within the next few years) are also important elements to keep in mind.
Read Next: Bathroom Floor Plans & Tips to Help You Design the Right Space
Read the original article on The Spruce.
