If your bathroom is on the small side, don't assume you have to compromise on style. With a few creative design tricks and thoughtful decorating ideas, even the most compact space can feel brighter, calmer and surprisingly spacious.
From characterful wallpaper to smart storage solutions and space-saving fittings, there are plenty of ways to make every inch work harder. And yes, with the right layout, you might even be able to squeeze in that freestanding bath you've always dreamed of.
Read on for our favourite small bathroom ideas that prove compact spaces can be every bit as beautiful as larger ones.
Think in verticals
Vertical panelling on the walls and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry will draw the eye upwards, making even a tiny bathroom appear bigger. Here, fresh seafoam beadboard paneling brings a soothing vibe as well as a classic country robustness.
If you're a wallpaper lover, consider panelling to dado height and adding your chosen pattern above. This ensures the pattern isn't overwhelming, while protecting the paper from the primary splash zone.
Create a cubby
Need more storage space? Consider creating a cubby space under your sink for towels, bath products and more. Woven baskets make great additions to keep clutter at bay. If you prefer not to see what's under the sink, add a skirt to wrap around the base to cover it up and add some fun pattern and/or color to the room.
Embrace darker hues
While bright, airy colours can make cramped bathrooms feel larger, by contrast darker colours can add a unique depth and drama to enliven a small space. Here, a deep, aubergine brown covers the walls and trim for a colour-drenched look that feels design-led rather than dingy.
Fit a slender basin
One of the most tried-and-true space savers in a bathroom is a classic pedestal sink, with its compact footprint and slender silhouette. Here, a vintage pedestal sink is the centrepiece of this petite bathroom, paired with vintage ship wheel sconces lined with fisherman's rope to add that coastal charm.
Embrace colourful sanitaryware
The easiest way to add a dose of panache, colourful sanitaryware – such as Burlington's pastel designs – shows confidence and character enough for a huge bathroom. Available in slimline styles that are perfectly suited to compact spaces, it's proof that small bathrooms don't have to play it safe. Team with patterned tiles, warm brass fittings and plenty of natural texture to create a room that feels every bit as considered as the rest of your home
Get creative with fixtures
Even if your square footage is limited, that doesn't mean you have to choose between a tub and a shower. Instead, combine them! If you have a classic claw-foot tub, you can buy a shower kit that's both easy to install and gentle on the budget.
Try wraparound wallpaper
In a small bathroom, wallpaper should shout rather than whisper. Choose bold and busy prints and take them up the ceiling as well as around the walls to create an indulgent, cocooning feel that actually tricks the eye into thinking it's larger than it is.
Here, Annika Reed Studio's Red Coat wallpaper has been wrapped around and finished with complementary paint colours that tie the whole space together.
Ultimately, a small bathroom needn't feel like a compromise. Whether you choose space-enhancing panelling, bold wallpaper, clever storage or colourful sanitaryware, it's the thoughtful details that make the biggest difference.
By embracing your bathroom's proportions rather than fighting them, you can create a practical space, inviting and full of personality – proving, once and for all, that even the tiniest room in the house deserves design kudos.
Willaton Rustic Sage Gloss Wall Tiles
Deco Baby Roddy Wall Light
Grove Simple Knob, Small
Maddy is the Homes Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she can be found writing about the latest interiors news and collating inspiring trend edits. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Classics and Ancient History from the University of Manchester and a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, where she was the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper.
