New This Week: 6 Small-Bathroom Design Ideas
Pros share design tips for saving space and creating style in a compact bathroom
Most of us have at least one small bathroom in our home. But just because the space is short on square feet doesn’t mean it needs to skimp on function and looks. Here, eight designers on Houzz show a range of ideas to save space and express style.
2. Use Light Colors
Designer: Mary Beth Childs, MB architecture + design
General contractor: Roots Builders
Location: Warren, Vermont
Size: 35 square feet (3.3 square meters); 5 by 7 feet
Homeowners’ request. Create a second-floor bathroom for themselves and guests. The homeowners found designer Mary Beth Childs through Houzz.
Smart ideas. Light colors give the tight space a more open feel. Vertical tile (3 by 12 inches) in the shower emphasizes the room’s height. Childs custom-designed the vanity to look like a piece of furniture, maximizing style in the limited amount of space available.
Other special features. Patterned floor tile (6 by 6 inches). “It adds a pop to the room without making the space feel small,” Childs says.
Designer tip. “Simplify and be intentional with your design decisions,” Childs says. “Add one or two focal points but don’t make a small space too busy.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The shower surround was installed in the wrong direction the first time around,” Childs says. “While the homeowners took it in stride, they very much wanted to go with the initial design look, which is what the final layout ended up being. It was a moment when everyone could have been upset and fingers pointed, but all involved came together and made it work for the clients.”
Sink: Vox, Kohler; wall paint: Metro Gray, Benjamin Moore
Shop for a freestanding bathroom vanity
Designer: Mary Beth Childs, MB architecture + design
General contractor: Roots Builders
Location: Warren, Vermont
Size: 35 square feet (3.3 square meters); 5 by 7 feet
Homeowners’ request. Create a second-floor bathroom for themselves and guests. The homeowners found designer Mary Beth Childs through Houzz.
Smart ideas. Light colors give the tight space a more open feel. Vertical tile (3 by 12 inches) in the shower emphasizes the room’s height. Childs custom-designed the vanity to look like a piece of furniture, maximizing style in the limited amount of space available.
Other special features. Patterned floor tile (6 by 6 inches). “It adds a pop to the room without making the space feel small,” Childs says.
Designer tip. “Simplify and be intentional with your design decisions,” Childs says. “Add one or two focal points but don’t make a small space too busy.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The shower surround was installed in the wrong direction the first time around,” Childs says. “While the homeowners took it in stride, they very much wanted to go with the initial design look, which is what the final layout ended up being. It was a moment when everyone could have been upset and fingers pointed, but all involved came together and made it work for the clients.”
Sink: Vox, Kohler; wall paint: Metro Gray, Benjamin Moore
Shop for a freestanding bathroom vanity
Designer: Jodi Longo of Renovation Studio and Claude C. Lapp Architects
Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland
Size: 70 square feet (6.5 square meters); 7 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. Maximize a small footprint and create a “clean, earthy and masculine feel,” designer Jodi Longo says.
Smart ideas. A color scheme of mostly white tones makes details recede and helps create an airy look. And emphasizing a design detail at one end of a room can help highlight the length of a space rather than its width. “The white tile and white vanity allow the tiled feature wall to draw you in and [allow it to] pop,” Longo says.
Other special features. Salvaged-wood accent tile. Light gray walls (Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore).
Designer tip. “Sometimes our tendency is to want all finishes to match or present as packaged,” Longo says. “But our goal here was to push the envelope in mixing finishes, fixtures and textures for a more custom and eclectic look.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We ordered a vanity that came with very unique-sized hardware that we knew we wanted to change,” Longo says. “But we did not account for the challenge in finding two very rare-sized hardware pulls. Lesson learned.”
Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland
Size: 70 square feet (6.5 square meters); 7 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. Maximize a small footprint and create a “clean, earthy and masculine feel,” designer Jodi Longo says.
Smart ideas. A color scheme of mostly white tones makes details recede and helps create an airy look. And emphasizing a design detail at one end of a room can help highlight the length of a space rather than its width. “The white tile and white vanity allow the tiled feature wall to draw you in and [allow it to] pop,” Longo says.
Other special features. Salvaged-wood accent tile. Light gray walls (Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore).
Designer tip. “Sometimes our tendency is to want all finishes to match or present as packaged,” Longo says. “But our goal here was to push the envelope in mixing finishes, fixtures and textures for a more custom and eclectic look.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We ordered a vanity that came with very unique-sized hardware that we knew we wanted to change,” Longo says. “But we did not account for the challenge in finding two very rare-sized hardware pulls. Lesson learned.”
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3. Try Larger Furniture-Style Pieces
Designer: John McClain Design
Location: Orlando, Florida
Size: 52 square feet (4.8 square meters); 6½ by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. A guest bathroom that would reflect the farmhouse style of the home but also have a sense of elegance and sophistication.
Smart ideas. Larger furniture-style pieces. “I made sure that we installed a vanity that had plenty of countertop space,” says designer John McClain, who used Houzz ideabooks to collaborate on design ideas with his clients. “The open space also makes a smaller space feel larger. Most people make the mistake of installing smaller items in a small room. I like larger items that make a statement, and these items also actually make the space feel larger.
“To pay homage to the style of home, we used a claw-foot bathtub that the homeowner had from a previous home. It almost feels like a piece of furniture in the room, so you don’t have the closed-off feeling you would get with a regular tub and glass shower enclosure.”
McClain says the height of the mirror also makes the space feel larger. “This is especially useful in rooms with low ceilings,” he says.
Other special features. Honed-marble floor. “It’s light in color, so that airy feeling continues throughout the entire space,” McClain says. “Because this room is not used as often as a master bath, we used natural marble for the floors. In heavy traffic areas, I would have opted for porcelain flooring.” The plumbing fixtures are polished nickel, a material that McClain says adds sparkle and isn’t commonly used in bathrooms.
Designer tip. “If you have a room that is all white or all light colors, add a darker piece of furniture or other price that’s darker,” McClain says. “The darker piece will ground the space and give it depth.”
Designer: John McClain Design
Location: Orlando, Florida
Size: 52 square feet (4.8 square meters); 6½ by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. A guest bathroom that would reflect the farmhouse style of the home but also have a sense of elegance and sophistication.
Smart ideas. Larger furniture-style pieces. “I made sure that we installed a vanity that had plenty of countertop space,” says designer John McClain, who used Houzz ideabooks to collaborate on design ideas with his clients. “The open space also makes a smaller space feel larger. Most people make the mistake of installing smaller items in a small room. I like larger items that make a statement, and these items also actually make the space feel larger.
“To pay homage to the style of home, we used a claw-foot bathtub that the homeowner had from a previous home. It almost feels like a piece of furniture in the room, so you don’t have the closed-off feeling you would get with a regular tub and glass shower enclosure.”
McClain says the height of the mirror also makes the space feel larger. “This is especially useful in rooms with low ceilings,” he says.
Other special features. Honed-marble floor. “It’s light in color, so that airy feeling continues throughout the entire space,” McClain says. “Because this room is not used as often as a master bath, we used natural marble for the floors. In heavy traffic areas, I would have opted for porcelain flooring.” The plumbing fixtures are polished nickel, a material that McClain says adds sparkle and isn’t commonly used in bathrooms.
Designer tip. “If you have a room that is all white or all light colors, add a darker piece of furniture or other price that’s darker,” McClain says. “The darker piece will ground the space and give it depth.”
4. Get a Fixed Glass Shower Panel
Designer: Bich-Khoi Do of SF Modern
Location: San Carlos, California
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters); 4 feet, 10 inches by 9 feet, 3 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom was designed for a teenager as part of his en suite bedroom area,” designer Bich-Khoi Do says. “He wanted a bathroom that reflected his personality and interests, which was steeped in Tolkien’s Middle Earth. At the same time, being a teenager, he wanted something more grown-up and nothing kid-oriented. We selected tile on the shower splash wall that was reflective and shimmery, reminiscent of dragon’s scales, and warm, earthy colors for the rest of the bathroom. We kept the color palette minimal and neutral, allowing the materials to shine through.”
Smart idea. Fixed glass shower panel. “It’s always a space saver,” Do says. “It can virtually disappear at times, versus having an operable shower door unit. With a glass panel, the shower becomes part of the spaciousness of the room, rather than feel like an enclosed cubicle that’s set apart from the room.”
Other special features. Custom floating vanity with black walnut veneer and black nickel pulls. Wood-look porcelain floor and wall tile. Polished Graffito marble countertop.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The clients of this project wanted to involve their sons in the selection of materials for their individual bathrooms,” Do says. “We worked with a teenager on this bathroom and an elementary-aged boy on his separate bathroom.
“As you can imagine, bringing kids to a tile shop can be an overwhelming experience for all parties. Nevertheless, we let the boys explore and be drawn to whatever suited their fancy, and we found a central theme for each of them, and then pared the choices down for our young clients so that they could pick the items that most suited them. In the end, we believe we were able to find choices that expressed each of their personalities.”
Designer: Bich-Khoi Do of SF Modern
Location: San Carlos, California
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters); 4 feet, 10 inches by 9 feet, 3 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom was designed for a teenager as part of his en suite bedroom area,” designer Bich-Khoi Do says. “He wanted a bathroom that reflected his personality and interests, which was steeped in Tolkien’s Middle Earth. At the same time, being a teenager, he wanted something more grown-up and nothing kid-oriented. We selected tile on the shower splash wall that was reflective and shimmery, reminiscent of dragon’s scales, and warm, earthy colors for the rest of the bathroom. We kept the color palette minimal and neutral, allowing the materials to shine through.”
Smart idea. Fixed glass shower panel. “It’s always a space saver,” Do says. “It can virtually disappear at times, versus having an operable shower door unit. With a glass panel, the shower becomes part of the spaciousness of the room, rather than feel like an enclosed cubicle that’s set apart from the room.”
Other special features. Custom floating vanity with black walnut veneer and black nickel pulls. Wood-look porcelain floor and wall tile. Polished Graffito marble countertop.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The clients of this project wanted to involve their sons in the selection of materials for their individual bathrooms,” Do says. “We worked with a teenager on this bathroom and an elementary-aged boy on his separate bathroom.
“As you can imagine, bringing kids to a tile shop can be an overwhelming experience for all parties. Nevertheless, we let the boys explore and be drawn to whatever suited their fancy, and we found a central theme for each of them, and then pared the choices down for our young clients so that they could pick the items that most suited them. In the end, we believe we were able to find choices that expressed each of their personalities.”
5. Favor Floor-to-Ceiling Tile
Designer: Tricha Hamstra for Shane Homes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 41 square feet (3.8 square meters); 5 feet by 8 feet, 2 inches
Homeowners’ request. “Since this house is a show home, there was not one particular person in mind when designing the scheme,” designer Tricha Hamstra says. “This neighborhood is a vibrant younger community, so I wanted to appeal to young homebuyers with organic midcentury design. This bathroom is actually in the basement of the show home, and I wanted it to be memorable and complement the fun teenage bedroom I had designed down the hall.”
Smart ideas. Floor-to-ceiling tile. “Installing tile to the ceiling is one way that made this small bathroom feel larger,” Hamstra says. “I also orientated the subway tiles on the sidewalls vertically instead of the typical horizontal direction. This gives the illusion of more height and complements the midcentury-style accent tile on the back wall. I also used a lighter paint color on the wall, which also helps the space feel larger, [whereas] a darker color can make a space feel smaller.”
Other special features. Encaustic-look porcelain accent tile in the shower. “It’s the focal point of this whole bath,” Hamstra says. “I love that the pattern is eye-catching but not overpowering. It provides cohesion for the whole bathroom while integrating a midcentury element that flows with the rest of the home.” The vanity base is wood-look textured melamine. “It will withstand wear and tear better than natural wood while still adding a natural element,” Hamstra says.
Designer tip. “One decision I was very happy with was choosing a thicker 6-millimeter bypass shower door instead of the default 5-millimeter swing door,” Hamstra says. “The heavier glass will provide more stability, while the bypass style will free up floor space and make it easier to get into the shower. In a small bathroom like this, every amount of floor space counts, and to not have to worry about the door swinging into the toilet makes the room much more functional.”
Designer: Tricha Hamstra for Shane Homes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 41 square feet (3.8 square meters); 5 feet by 8 feet, 2 inches
Homeowners’ request. “Since this house is a show home, there was not one particular person in mind when designing the scheme,” designer Tricha Hamstra says. “This neighborhood is a vibrant younger community, so I wanted to appeal to young homebuyers with organic midcentury design. This bathroom is actually in the basement of the show home, and I wanted it to be memorable and complement the fun teenage bedroom I had designed down the hall.”
Smart ideas. Floor-to-ceiling tile. “Installing tile to the ceiling is one way that made this small bathroom feel larger,” Hamstra says. “I also orientated the subway tiles on the sidewalls vertically instead of the typical horizontal direction. This gives the illusion of more height and complements the midcentury-style accent tile on the back wall. I also used a lighter paint color on the wall, which also helps the space feel larger, [whereas] a darker color can make a space feel smaller.”
Other special features. Encaustic-look porcelain accent tile in the shower. “It’s the focal point of this whole bath,” Hamstra says. “I love that the pattern is eye-catching but not overpowering. It provides cohesion for the whole bathroom while integrating a midcentury element that flows with the rest of the home.” The vanity base is wood-look textured melamine. “It will withstand wear and tear better than natural wood while still adding a natural element,” Hamstra says.
Designer tip. “One decision I was very happy with was choosing a thicker 6-millimeter bypass shower door instead of the default 5-millimeter swing door,” Hamstra says. “The heavier glass will provide more stability, while the bypass style will free up floor space and make it easier to get into the shower. In a small bathroom like this, every amount of floor space counts, and to not have to worry about the door swinging into the toilet makes the room much more functional.”
6. Mix Design Strategies
Designer: Julia Chasman Design
Location: Los Feliz area of Los Angeles
Size: 36 square feet (3.3 square meters); 5½ feet by 7 feet, 3 inches
Homeowners’ request. A modern master bathroom with clean lines. “The homeowners are British and often reference design ideas from the British vernacular,” designer Julia Chasman says. “In this case it was to have deep hunter green glossy tile like you might find in an old pub, or even on the walls of the Underground.”
Smart ideas. Chasman embraced multiple space-saving design strategies. “Space-saving was more than an idea; it was a necessity given the tiny size of the windowless bathroom,” she says. “So the solutions were several. First we identified the smallest and sleekest full-size two-piece toilet we could find that still looked suitable for adults. Then we committed to creating a curbless shower with a single glass panel for separation from the sink and protection from splashing, and a single-tile floor that slopes down toward the drain.
“This is a common configuration in Europe and other parts of the world but is just starting to be used in the U.S. without fear. Essentially the whole bathroom is a wet room, but the shower doesn’t splash beyond its immediate area. Another space-saver is the floating single-sink vanity, which obviates the need for legs and makes cleaning easier, as well as provides the illusion of more room throughout.” The few inches of space between the glass and the vanity are enough for the homeowner to use a long-handled cleaning tool there.
Chasman also recessed a niche above the toilet to add storage and display space without adding another cabinet. A wall-mounted faucet helps save countertop space.
Other special features. Marble countertop. Marble vessel sink from Houzz. Carrara marble hexagonal floor tile. A sun tunnel above the shower brings in natural light.
Designer tip. “For me, every room is enriched by some vintage elements,” Chasman says. “Here we used a vintage-reproduction semiflush-mount fixture and a midcentury round mirror. Old vintage green glass bottles and vintage Moroccan glass perfume bottles add the few elements of decor that we could fit in such a tiny space, along with a color pop of bright yellow in the Pernod pitcher used as a vase.”
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Designer: Julia Chasman Design
Location: Los Feliz area of Los Angeles
Size: 36 square feet (3.3 square meters); 5½ feet by 7 feet, 3 inches
Homeowners’ request. A modern master bathroom with clean lines. “The homeowners are British and often reference design ideas from the British vernacular,” designer Julia Chasman says. “In this case it was to have deep hunter green glossy tile like you might find in an old pub, or even on the walls of the Underground.”
Smart ideas. Chasman embraced multiple space-saving design strategies. “Space-saving was more than an idea; it was a necessity given the tiny size of the windowless bathroom,” she says. “So the solutions were several. First we identified the smallest and sleekest full-size two-piece toilet we could find that still looked suitable for adults. Then we committed to creating a curbless shower with a single glass panel for separation from the sink and protection from splashing, and a single-tile floor that slopes down toward the drain.
“This is a common configuration in Europe and other parts of the world but is just starting to be used in the U.S. without fear. Essentially the whole bathroom is a wet room, but the shower doesn’t splash beyond its immediate area. Another space-saver is the floating single-sink vanity, which obviates the need for legs and makes cleaning easier, as well as provides the illusion of more room throughout.” The few inches of space between the glass and the vanity are enough for the homeowner to use a long-handled cleaning tool there.
Chasman also recessed a niche above the toilet to add storage and display space without adding another cabinet. A wall-mounted faucet helps save countertop space.
Other special features. Marble countertop. Marble vessel sink from Houzz. Carrara marble hexagonal floor tile. A sun tunnel above the shower brings in natural light.
Designer tip. “For me, every room is enriched by some vintage elements,” Chasman says. “Here we used a vintage-reproduction semiflush-mount fixture and a midcentury round mirror. Old vintage green glass bottles and vintage Moroccan glass perfume bottles add the few elements of decor that we could fit in such a tiny space, along with a color pop of bright yellow in the Pernod pitcher used as a vase.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
Designer: Kimberly Peck Architect
Location: New York City
Size: 48 square feet (4.5 square meters); 4 feet, 8 inches by 9 feet, 9 inches
Homeowners’ request. A clean, minimalist bathroom that wouldn’t feel childlike, for a young boy. “The client wanted the room to still feel sophisticated even though it was for their young son,” architect Kimberly Peck says. “We chose the hexagon tile as it has a playful quality but is still clean and modern.”
Smart ideas. Curbless shower with frameless glass and continuous tile treatment. “By removing the standard tub and installing a curbless shower, the room feels much larger, as the visual barrier created by the tub is removed,” Peck says. “The glass enclosure at the shower allows the eye to see the entire length of the bathroom at all times. Additionally, by running the same tile across the floor and up the rear wall of the shower, the eye is drawn the length of the bathroom, making it feel larger than it is.”
Other special features. Walnut vanity with solid-surface sink and countertop. Large white tile on side walls.
Designer tip. Peck clad the linear drain in the shower with the same tile as the floor for a seamless, minimalist look.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The client really wanted the curbless shower, but during construction it was discovered that the existing framing could not accommodate this,” Peck says. “We opted for a small 4-inch step up into the entire bathroom from the bedroom to achieve the look.”
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