Small Bathroom, Big Style: 8 Design Tips to Maximize Your Space

Whether you have a home that has a large master bath and a second small bathroom, or you have one tiny bathroom to work with, there is plenty that can be done so you can get the most out of the space you do have. It’s important to keep both efficiency and functionality in mind for small spaces, but don’t worry—there will still be room for style too. Our storage solutions and design ideas will help your bathroom feel larger without adding any square footage. If you’re looking for ways to revamp your small bathroom, our 8 design tips below will give you the inspiration you need to get started.

1. Utilize your corners.

Since you have a small area to work with, it’s important to use every square foot of space you have. The corners of your bathroom can provide the perfect spot for a corner sink or a shower, keeping these necessities from jutting out awkwardly into the floor space.

2. “Float” the necessities.

If a corner sink isn’t an option, consider a floating vanity or trough style sink that’s mounted to the wall. This can free up additional storage space underneath these items, or simply help create a more open feel. A wall mounted toilet can also help show off more of the floor, and create the illusion of a larger space.

3. Extend your space.

The area right above the toilet is often overlooked, but if your sink is located next to it, think about adding counter space that extends across the wall above your toilet. It will give you an extra place to store any necessities, and give you a larger amount of space to work with while you’re getting ready in the morning.

4. Build in your storage

Shelving that extends out from the wall will only take up valuable space, and make your bathroom feel even smaller. If you’re in need of extra storage space, build in instead of out with built in shelving, shower nooks, or a recessed medicine cabinet easily hidden by a mirror.

5. Scale up patterns

A small space can still have patterns, but large-scale patterns like wide stripes work best to create a more open feel. If you’re going solid, keep yourself limited to two paint colors to keep it simple. The busier a pattern or color scheme is, the more cluttered your space is likely to feel.

6. Add a glass door

Ditching the curtain and adding a sliding glass door to your shower will help your space feel less closed off, and make it appear bigger. Or you can go with a doorless shower design featuring glass panels for the same effect. This type of enclosure will also eliminate having to open a door out into precious floor space, or banging it into a nearby sink or toilet.

7. Shed some light

Lighting can have a huge impact on the look and feel of a room, and the bathroom is no exception. While natural light is ideal here, uplighting in the form of wall fixtures can help create the illusion of a higher ceiling and more space. In this case, you’ll want to stay away from pendant lighting which can create the illusion of a lower ceiling and shrink the space.

8. Make an entrance

It may not seem like much, but even rethinking how you enter your bathroom can help save space, and make the flow of movement throughout the room feel more efficient. If you want to stick with a traditional hinged door, make sure it swings out and not into the bathroom. If you’re really tight on space, a pocket door is another great option. This sliding style door is designed to slide into a hollow space or pocket built into the wall—hence the name “pocket door.”

Have a bathroom remodeling project in mind, and looking for more ideas? Feel free to contact the design-build experts at McClurg! We’ve been providing home remodeling, construction, and repair for over 30 years.