Table of Contents:
Choose the Right Sinks, Showers, Fixtures and More
Create Clever Storage Solutions
Discover Expandable Storage Solutions
Whether you’re working with a tiny apartment, guest bathroom, or modest first home, you may be scratching your head on how you’re going to make a functional bathroom in a small space.
Designing a small bathroom can be challenging but offers opportunities for less cleaning, smart organization, and stylish design by maximizing visual and physical space. Did we mention less to clean?
Thought you’d be interested.
1) Measure and Assess Your Space
You won’t know if that amazing multi-functional thing you saw on Instagram will work in your bathroom if you don’t have all your dimensions laid out.
Make a simple drawing of your bathroom and write down measurements for all floor lengths, wall heights, space between walls and sink, space between doors and toilet – you get the idea.
Next, assess.
Write down:
- What is the primary function of the bathroom – will it be just for guests? Only for the kids?
- What are the must-haves for this bathroom?
- What are the primary users’ needs and preferences?
- What storage needs are there?
Consider Real Life Use
Optimize your layout for traffic flow and accessibility. Do you need to create zones for different functions? Will the tallest person in your household hit their knees on the wall when they’re using the toilet?
Think about how you’ll use the space – walk through, visualize, and plan.
2) Choose the Right Sinks, Showers, Fixtures and More
If you’re unable to replace your current sinks, showers, and other basic elements of the bathroom, skip ahead to the next section. Luckily, there are still small changes you can make to have a big impact!
If you’re building from scratch or doing a complete bathroom renovation, compact options for sinks, showers, and fixtures are going to be foundational elements to your small bathroom.
Best Small Shower Options
Pivot or rounded corner shower enclosures will maximize your floor space. In some cases, a shower curtain instead of glass shower doors might be a good choice if you have a tiny, poorly ventilated bathroom.
With the curtain open, the space will get more air circulation and you can wash it frequently. On the other hand, glass shower doors are more aesthetically pleasing and generally easy to clean.
Tip: If you need a curtain, go with a weighted shower curtain. Weighted shower curtains won't float inward, cling to you, or be otherwise annoying.
Sinks and Toilets
Forget about trying to store or add décor to your sink countertops. In a tiny bathroom, function is king.
Choose a rectangular, narrow bathroom sink. Consider a deeper sink option if you like to fill the sink or if you are a splashy hand washer.
A wall mounted vanity unit and sink combo will create the feeling of more space by taking it off the floor, while staying compact.
Shallow depth toilets will save you valuable space, look sleek, and function just as well as their heftier counterparts. Keeping the total projection of the toilet under 62 centimeters (24 inches) is thought to be ideal.
3) Visually Enhance the Space
In other words, make that small bathroom look bigger!
Now that you’ve picked out the right toilet, sink, and other functional items, let’s talk about how paint and accessories can either shrink or expand the feel and look of your space.
Choose Your Colors Wisely
Stick to neutral and light colors for painting the walls, such as: whites, creams, pastels, or grays. Light colors reflect light, while dark colors absorb it, making the room feel dark and closed. Remember there’s a whole spectrum of whites to choose from, it doesn’t have to be overly stark or sterile.
Pops of color can enhance the style and add personality to your bathroom. Consider sources of color such as:
- Painting the edges of shelving or vanities
- Colorful or glossy knobs or handles
- Small plants
- Bright colored linens
Maximize Natural Light with Windows or Skylights
Walking into a dimly lit space will make a small bathroom feel dingy. If you’re building new or doing a major remodel, place windows for optimum sun exposure, or install skylights.
If you’re working with what you’ve got, consider replacing your windows with something without panes, to allow in more light (every bit counts!).
Sun tunnels can be a fantastic solution for getting light into places that can’t easily have windows. Sun tunnels direct natural light from outside to a specific room.
Use Vanity Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space
The right bathroom mirror or mirrors in a small space can be a game changer. They provide the impression that a space is deeper and larger by reflecting light. It’s also your chance to add your unique style flair by choosing a mirror you love.
You’ll want to use wall mounted mirrors to save floorspace and for their slim profile. Considering how often you'll be looking into that mirror, it's wise to get one that complements your décor and is made of high-quality glass.
Consider these tilting vanity mirrors from Delta that can be mounted vertically or horizontally to get you brainstorming on your perfect bathroom mirror.
4) Create Clever Storage Solutions
It’s time to forget everything you know about the “right way” to store things. Organization and storage in small bathroom all comes down to functionality.
Let's go over some key building blocks.
Use Vertical Space Wisely
Slim one-row shelves or cabinets can be one way to use vertical space. To keep your toiletries looking neat, put them in closed containers or pretty baskets.
The advantage of a cabinet is everything stays hidden. However, they can make the space feel smaller as they encroach into your personal space if the bathroom is tiny. Go for a medicine cabinet instead, you’ll get a mirror with discreet storage.
Space Saving Tip: Use a single post toilet paper holder and mount it vertically
Heated towel racks can be a fantastic addition for two reasons: they can hold multiple towels using vertical space and they help towels dry faster. If you live in a damp climate, a towel dryer will be a lifesaver.
Utilize Over-the-Toilet Storage
Use the space over the toilet with floating or shelves or towel bars with baskets. This could be a great place for extra toilet paper, wipes, sprays, and other handy items.
Get Creative with Towel Bars
To maximize storage and keep a spacious feeling, use different sized towel bars for wall-mounted storage right where you need it. Using a double towel bar could be helpful for increasing the drying area for one towel or for hanging two.
Small 6 to 9 inch hand towel bars can be tucked into snugger spaces, while still giving you hanging space.
Hooks for Here, There, and Everywhere
There are endless ways you can use hooks wall-mounted hook racks, or over-the-door racks.
Individual hooks offer a lot of versatility as they can be used on walls, on cabinet doors or vanity surfaces, or under shelves in various configurations.
5) Discover Expandable Storage Solutions
Keep your small bathroom or half bath looking tidy while being highly functional by using expandable storage.
These are items that fold away when not in use and easily expand or extend for use when you need them.
Extend-a-Hook
Here are some examples:
- Extend-a-Hook, shown above, instantly increases hanging space, then pivots vertically against the wall when stowed
- Foldable wall shelves – lay out make-up, or your morning routine products on a shelf and then stow it flush to the wall
- Extendable bathroom mirror – swivels out when you need a closeup and retracts back to the wall when you don’t
Tip: If you’re designing from scratch, include recessed shelves, toilet paper holders, and the like to streamline storage.
Final Thoughts
Don’t forget that once you have an organizing system in place, stick to it. You rarely need to organize if you put things back in their place each time.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will contribute to keeping your tiny bathroom looking bright and spacious.
Whether it’s an apartment or home, there’s endless ways to make your powder room or little bathroom work for you. Remember to add stylish touches through color, storage, and accessories – make it a space you love.
