Small Bathroom Ideas and Designs

If you’re building from scratch, remodeling or renovating an existing bathroom these small bathroom ideas may come in useful.

Designing a small bathroom does present quite a challenge. It must have all the elements of a much larger room but without the space. It is almost easier to just leave it as is. Nah, not really, this can be done but it will be a bit of a challenge and requires that you think a bit outside of what is considered normal. The very first item on the agenda is the budget for the decorating and redesign. You could hire a professional or just keep reading right here.

First of all a small bathroom design should try and incorporate a wash basin with pedestal, a bath (½ or ¾ length), a shower, medical and storage cabinet, a heated towel rail and a mirror.

To get all of these to fit in a tight space can be quite difficult. However it is possible if the layout is designed carefully.

Designing the bathroom layout

To keep the costs down and the layout simple line the lavatory, sink and shower with each other.

This makes the plumbing and installation process quick and easy to do.

If you’re altering an existing bathroom and decide to move the bath, the floor may need to be reinforced to take the extra load.

To avoid having to install a shower tray locate the shower over the bath and then specify a decent sized screen to protect the floor and walls from spray.

You can save space and prevent the build up of condensation by using energy efficient heated towel rails instead of panel radiators.

Materials

It's worth considering installing mirrors, and light reflective glossy tiles in the design to give the room a high quality look and feel.

To create a warm and relaxing atmosphere choose light green and yellows for the walls.

To enhance this effect further add some ambient LED lights to the ceiling and the mirror.

Tips on designing a small bathroom

Designing a small bathroom requires that you figure out:

How to make the room feel and look larger
What creative ways can you fine to maximize storage
How to make it luxurious
How to make the best use of the space you have

So these are the road blocks that you are up against. Let’s look at ways you can use to make the room look and feel larger.

How To Make The Room Feel And Look Larger

A Glass block window adds richness and depth and eliminates the need for window treatments. This will also open the space up because blinds and curtains will cut the wall in half whether it is vertically or horizontally. This makes the room look smaller than it really is.

Small Bathroom Ideas - Neat saving ideas: a shower screen with integrated glass shelves

Use mirrors for an optical illusion. It reflects space and this will make the room seem twice its original size

Place the sinks near a natural light source to cut down on the number of light fixtures in the room.

Use lighter colors, the soft palettes work best to create an illusion of depth.

Clear glass or see through shower curtains in the space will allow the eye to take in the entirety of the room’s surface. Colored curtains or frosted glass shower doors block the room off into sections.

Small Bathroom Ideas - Tall mirror behind the tub makes this bathroom larger

What Creative Ways Can You Fine To Maximize Storage

Put decorations on shelving closer to the ceiling and put the lights under them. This draws the eye upward without sacrificing the decorative touch.

Recessed shelves and cabinets keep clean lines so that the walls look continuous.

Use a hall closet that is close to the bathroom for storage of towels and other bathroom items.

Small Bathroom Ideas - Cabinet over the sink

Make use of the space above the toilet with shelving.

Small Bathroom Ideas - Save spaces by putting shelf above toilet

Great product with great ideas....

Small Bathroom Ideas - Bath shower caddy is a great alternative

Small Bathroom Ideas - Mirror with storage shelves behind it

How To Make It Luxurious

Instead of a tub install a spa shower

Use fogless mirrors

Stained glass that is light colored and with a minimalist design

Make the floors tile or stone

Install a massaging tub with water jets

Install speakers in the ceiling and make your own muzak

How to make the best use of the space you have

What constitutes a small bathroom? Well there are building codes that require that you have at least 16 sq ft for a powder room and 36-40 sq ft for a bathroom with a tub. Most cities building codes insist that it be 32 x 32 if you plan to install a shower. Once you are clear on how much space you have designing the space will be easier.

A lot of people run into problems when they look at the fixtures they want to install versus the minimum space requirements that is needed for the building permits. It is extremely important to remember when decorating or designing the small bathroom space that the entire family still has to be able to move about in a degree of comfort in there. The door has to be able to open and shut easily without damage to feet or knees. When redecorating a small bathroom changing something as simple as the style of the toilet seat can add a whole new dimension to the space.

Avoid the darker colors for walls and fixtures. Lighter colors add space because they reflect the light thereby giving the illusion of more space. Use a simple yet elegant decorating scheme so that the room doesn’t look cluttered or too busy. And just remember there is a lot of space underneath a sink, if you use a piece of really cabinetry it can make a statement and also provide much needed storage room.

Carts on wheels can also be a great way to add storage shelving space. These carts can be moved from place to place and this gives you freedom of movement in an otherwise tight environment. Come back for more enlightening ideas about how to make the best of limited space and budget dollars.

More reference

Small Bath Solutions , by Better Homes & Gardens. In this book includes plans, lots of photos. Packed with tips and tricks from the pros for designing small bathrooms that really work. Click the link to look inside!