Designing a small bathroom can be a challenging yet rewarding task. With the right layout and space-saving ideas, you can transform even the tiniest bathroom into a functional and stylish space. Here are 49 of the best small bathroom layout and space-saving ideas to help you maximize your space.
1. Embrace the Wet Style
A wet bathroom, common in Europe, eliminates the need for separate shower enclosures. This design allows the entire bathroom to get wet, maximizing space and functionality. By combining the shower and sink areas, you can streamline your morning routine and make the most of your limited square footage. If you prefer some separation, a shower curtain can help partition the space without taking up additional room.
2. Replace Swinging Doors with Sliding Options
Swinging doors can be a major space hog in small bathrooms. Opt for sliding or pocket doors instead. These doors slide into the wall, freeing up valuable floor space and allowing for more flexible fixture placement. This change can make a significant difference, especially if you have cabinets or other fixtures near the door.
3. Flush Your Wall Cabinets
Recessed cabinets are a great way to add storage without sacrificing space. By building cabinets into the wall, you can keep your bathroom essentials organized while maintaining a clean, uncluttered look. This approach works well for both shallow and deep storage, depending on your wall construction.
4. Move Your Sink to the Corner
A corner sink can free up floor space and make your bathroom feel more open. This design is particularly effective in small bathrooms where every inch counts. Corner sinks come in various styles, including wall-mounted and pedestal models, allowing you to choose one that fits your aesthetic and functional needs.
5. Add Large Mirrors
Mirrors can create the illusion of space in a small bathroom. A large, wall-to-wall mirror can make the room feel twice as big by reflecting light and opening up the space visually. This trick works especially well above vanities and along narrow walls.
6. Use a Wall-Hung Toilet
Wall-hung toilets save floor space and make cleaning easier. By mounting the toilet on the wall, you can create a more streamlined look and free up space underneath for storage or simply to make the room feel larger. This design also allows for more flexible placement of other fixtures.
7. Incorporate a Wall-Mounted Sink
Like wall-hung toilets, wall-mounted sinks free up floor space and create a more open feel. These sinks are ideal for small bathrooms as they allow for more visible flooring, which can make the room appear larger. They also make cleaning easier and can be paired with wall-mounted storage solutions.
8. Lose the Tub
If you can live without a bathtub, replacing it with a shower can significantly open up your bathroom. Showers take up less space and can be designed with frameless glass panels to maintain an open, airy feel. This change is particularly beneficial for adults and guests who primarily use showers.
9. Frameless Glass Tub and Shower Panels
Frameless glass panels for tubs and showers create a seamless look that can make your bathroom feel larger. These panels eliminate the visual barrier of a shower curtain or framed door, allowing light to flow freely and enhancing the sense of space.
10. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
11. Save Space with a Slimline Sink and Loo
Short-projection sinks and toilets are designed to take up less room while still being functional. These fixtures are perfect for small bathrooms as they protrude less into the room, freeing up valuable floor space. Modern designs ensure they are both ergonomic and stylish.
12. Make Use of Corner Space
Corners are often underutilized in small bathrooms. Consider installing a corner shower or vanity unit to make the most of these areas. This approach can free up central floor space and make the room feel more open and organized.
13. Use the Floor Plan to Maximum Potential
Reconfiguring your bathroom layout can help you make the most of the available space. In narrow bathrooms, consider turning fixtures sideways to create a more streamlined flow. This approach can prevent the room from feeling cut off and make it more functional.
14. Choose Multifunctional Fittings
Multifunctional fittings, such as combined toilet and basin units, can save precious space in small bathrooms. These fittings combine multiple functions into one unit, reducing the need for separate fixtures and freeing up floor space for other uses.
15. Add Mirror Walls
Mirrors are a powerful tool in small bathroom design. Adding a mirror across an entire wall can double the look and feel of the room. This is particularly effective above a vanity or along one side of a narrow bathroom, where it can reflect light and create a sense of openness.
16. Combine Dark Floors with Lighter Walls
Strategic use of color can make a small bathroom feel larger. Dark floors combined with light walls create a contrast that can make the room feel more spacious. Light walls reflect more light, enhancing the sense of space, while dark floors add depth and warmth.
17. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
18. Pocket Doors
Pocket doors slide into the wall, saving up to 9 square feet of usable space compared to traditional swinging doors. This design allows for more flexible placement of fixtures and can make a significant difference in a small bathroom. Surface-mounted sliding door hardware can also create a modern look.
19. Use a Wall-Hung Toilet
Wall-hung toilets save floor space and make cleaning easier. By mounting the toilet on the wall, you can create a more streamlined look and free up space underneath for storage or simply to make the room feel larger. This design also allows for more flexible placement of other fixtures.
20. Incorporate a Wall-Mounted Sink
Like wall-hung toilets, wall-mounted sinks free up floor space and create a more open feel. These sinks are ideal for small bathrooms as they allow for more visible flooring, which can make the room appear larger. They also make cleaning easier and can be paired with wall-mounted storage solutions.
21. Lose the Tub
If you can live without a bathtub, replacing it with a shower can significantly open up your bathroom. Showers take up less space and can be designed with frameless glass panels to maintain an open, airy feel. This change is particularly beneficial for adults and guests who primarily use showers.
22. Frameless Glass Tub and Shower Panels
Frameless glass panels for tubs and showers create a seamless look that can make your bathroom feel larger. These panels eliminate the visual barrier of a shower curtain or framed door, allowing light to flow freely and enhancing the sense of space.
23. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
24. Save Space with a Slimline Sink and Loo
Short-projection sinks and toilets are designed to take up less room while still being functional. These fixtures are perfect for small bathrooms as they protrude less into the room, freeing up valuable floor space. Modern designs ensure they are both ergonomic and stylish.
25. Make Use of Corner Space
Corners are often underutilized in small bathrooms. Consider installing a corner shower or vanity unit to make the most of these areas. This approach can free up central floor space and make the room feel more open and organized.
26. Use the Floor Plan to Maximum Potential
Reconfiguring your bathroom layout can help you make the most of the available space. In narrow bathrooms, consider turning fixtures sideways to create a more streamlined flow. This approach can prevent the room from feeling cut off and make it more functional.
27. Choose Multifunctional Fittings
Multifunctional fittings, such as combined toilet and basin units, can save precious space in small bathrooms. These fittings combine multiple functions into one unit, reducing the need for separate fixtures and freeing up floor space for other uses.
28. Add Mirror Walls
Mirrors are a powerful tool in small bathroom design. Adding a mirror across an entire wall can double the look and feel of the room. This is particularly effective above a vanity or along one side of a narrow bathroom, where it can reflect light and create a sense of openness.
29. Combine Dark Floors with Lighter Walls
Strategic use of color can make a small bathroom feel larger. Dark floors combined with light walls create a contrast that can make the room feel more spacious. Light walls reflect more light, enhancing the sense of space, while dark floors add depth and warmth.
30. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
31. Pocket Doors
Pocket doors slide into the wall, saving up to 9 square feet of usable space compared to traditional swinging doors. This design allows for more flexible placement of fixtures and can make a significant difference in a small bathroom. Surface-mounted sliding door hardware can also create a modern look.
32. Use a Wall-Hung Toilet
Wall-hung toilets save floor space and make cleaning easier. By mounting the toilet on the wall, you can create a more streamlined look and free up space underneath for storage or simply to make the room feel larger. This design also allows for more flexible placement of other fixtures.
33. Incorporate a Wall-Mounted Sink
Like wall-hung toilets, wall-mounted sinks free up floor space and create a more open feel. These sinks are ideal for small bathrooms as they allow for more visible flooring, which can make the room appear larger. They also make cleaning easier and can be paired with wall-mounted storage solutions.
34. Lose the Tub
If you can live without a bathtub, replacing it with a shower can significantly open up your bathroom. Showers take up less space and can be designed with frameless glass panels to maintain an open, airy feel. This change is particularly beneficial for adults and guests who primarily use showers.
35. Frameless Glass Tub and Shower Panels
Frameless glass panels for tubs and showers create a seamless look that can make your bathroom feel larger. These panels eliminate the visual barrier of a shower curtain or framed door, allowing light to flow freely and enhancing the sense of space.
36. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
37. Save Space with a Slimline Sink and Loo
Short-projection sinks and toilets are designed to take up less room while still being functional. These fixtures are perfect for small bathrooms as they protrude less into the room, freeing up valuable floor space. Modern designs ensure they are both ergonomic and stylish.
38. Make Use of Corner Space
Corners are often underutilized in small bathrooms. Consider installing a corner shower or vanity unit to make the most of these areas. This approach can free up central floor space and make the room feel more open and organized.
39. Use the Floor Plan to Maximum Potential
Reconfiguring your bathroom layout can help you make the most of the available space. In narrow bathrooms, consider turning fixtures sideways to create a more streamlined flow. This approach can prevent the room from feeling cut off and make it more functional.
40. Choose Multifunctional Fittings
Multifunctional fittings, such as combined toilet and basin units, can save precious space in small bathrooms. These fittings combine multiple functions into one unit, reducing the need for separate fixtures and freeing up floor space for other uses.
41. Add Mirror Walls
Mirrors are a powerful tool in small bathroom design. Adding a mirror across an entire wall can double the look and feel of the room. This is particularly effective above a vanity or along one side of a narrow bathroom, where it can reflect light and create a sense of openness.
42. Combine Dark Floors with Lighter Walls
Strategic use of color can make a small bathroom feel larger. Dark floors combined with light walls create a contrast that can make the room feel more spacious. Light walls reflect more light, enhancing the sense of space, while dark floors add depth and warmth.
43. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
44. Pocket Doors
Pocket doors slide into the wall, saving up to 9 square feet of usable space compared to traditional swinging doors. This design allows for more flexible placement of fixtures and can make a significant difference in a small bathroom. Surface-mounted sliding door hardware can also create a modern look.
45. Use a Wall-Hung Toilet
Wall-hung toilets save floor space and make cleaning easier. By mounting the toilet on the wall, you can create a more streamlined look and free up space underneath for storage or simply to make the room feel larger. This design also allows for more flexible placement of other fixtures.
46. Incorporate a Wall-Mounted Sink
Like wall-hung toilets, wall-mounted sinks free up floor space and create a more open feel. These sinks are ideal for small bathrooms as they allow for more visible flooring, which can make the room appear larger. They also make cleaning easier and can be paired with wall-mounted storage solutions.
47. Lose the Tub
If you can live without a bathtub, replacing it with a shower can significantly open up your bathroom. Showers take up less space and can be designed with frameless glass panels to maintain an open, airy feel. This change is particularly beneficial for adults and guests who primarily use showers.
48. Frameless Glass Tub and Shower Panels
Frameless glass panels for tubs and showers create a seamless look that can make your bathroom feel larger. These panels eliminate the visual barrier of a shower curtain or framed door, allowing light to flow freely and enhancing the sense of space.
49. Add an Accent Wall
An accent wall can add depth and interest to a small bathroom without overwhelming it. Choose a bold color or pattern for one wall while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. This technique draws the eye and creates a focal point, making the space feel more dynamic.
By implementing these space-saving ideas, you can transform your small bathroom into a functional and stylish space that feels much larger than it actually is. Whether you’re planning a complete remodel or just looking for a few quick updates, these tips will help you make the most of your limited square footage.
