If your bathroom is small and compact and you want to remodel it, there are a number of things to consider in order to achieve a successful small bathroom design that is functional while also stylish and spacious. The layout, bathroom fittings, tiles, accessories and smart storage choices are all important aspects of small bathroom design which can stop it from feeling poky and cramped. From narrow freestanding baths to small toilets and tiny countertop wash basins, there are now a variety of small bathroom options available for compact spaces within the home. In this post, I’m featuring eight interior design ideas on how to easily make a small bathroom look bigger as part of a bathroom renovation project:

1. Invest in a short and narrow freestanding bathtub

2. Consider skinny bathroom furniture

3. Hang a big mirror to bounce around light

4. A small counter wash basin provides extra space for ample bathroom storage

5. Elongate the walls with tiles

6. A simple glass shower divider screen keeps things light

7. Put in flat, multi-functional wall-hung radiator rail

8. Install a wall-hung toilet that won’t take up valuable floor space

Invest in a short and narrow freestanding bathtub

For small bathrooms, there used to have to be a compromise on bath vs spacious shower. Now, there are a multitude of compact soaking tubs available that fit in tiny alcove spaces or in the corner of smaller bathrooms. Clawfoot baths are better for small spaces as the legs lift the tub off the ground, allowing for light and air to travel around the room and contributing to a feeling of spaciousness. If you have tall family members, invest in a bathtub that is narrow but deep and add a mixer tap with a shower attachment so that you have both a bath and a shower option in one area of the room.

Consider skinny bathroom furniture

‘Skinny furniture’ is an interior design term for slimline, slender furniture that is almost see-through. Bulky, chunky furniture that sits on the floor and doesn’t allow visibility through it is very demanding within a room and should only be used in large spaces, whereas skinny furniture allows light and air to travel around it - reducing its impact on the room as a whole. Choose bathroom storage furniture with feet and narrow frames that can be supported or placed against a wall (such as a storage ladder that will hold towels and baskets).

Hang a big mirror to bounce around light

Brighten up a small bathroom by hanging a large bathroom mirror that will bounce light around the space. Even if you do not have a window in the room, natural light will be absorbed by the mirror when the bathroom door is open - making the room feel larger and lighter.

If you do have a window in your bathroom, you definitely want to take advantage of this as natural light has a way of immediately making any small room feel expansive. When it comes to window treatments, you want something that gives you privacy but doesn’t block out any illumination. Try indoor roller blinds that allow for all the light to shine in this private room, or frosted window film.

A small counter wash basin provides extra space for ample bathroom storage

Free up space in your small bathroom by combining a small counter wash basin on a storage cabinet or vintage stand suitable for hosting a sink. As well as being practical, a small basin supported on a cabinet can be a fun way to add character into your bathroom as it can be painted in a bold colour or feature embellished detailing. You can buy ready-made bathroom cabinets with existing sinks, or you can DIY your own by cutting into a cabinet to allow for the pipework. Add a cut-to-size top made from marble or granite to provide a durable surface area around the basin.

Elongate the walls with tiles

If your small bathroom has a low ceiling, consider elongating the walls and making them look bigger with tiles. Stripe-effect tiles draw the eye upwards and make the walls feel taller. Alternatively, colour-drenching the room in the same paint colour (where the walls, ceiling and woodwork are all the same shade) creates the feeling of a bigger, more cohesive space.

A simple glass shower divider screen keeps things light

Avoid critical-style or thick-framed glass screens or shower walls in a small bathroom; instead keep the space free-flowing, allowing uninterrupted light to travel with a simple shower screen.

Put in flat, multi-functional wall-hung radiator rail

A slimline, flat panel radiator rail will heat the small room while storing and drying off towels. Choose a design that rests as close to the wall as possible so that it doesn’t feel imposing.

Install a wall-hung toilet that won’t take up valuable floor space

Wall-hung sanitaryware is much more space-saving than its floor-standing counterparts as it frees up floor space, making the compact room look larger. For really small bathrooms, choose ‘cloakroom’ wall-hung sinks and toilets which have thinner, narrower dimensions and provide more accessible areas of space.

For more bathroom decoration ideas, check out my recent family bathroom remodel, or my striking purple shower room makeover.