How to make the most out of a small bathroom space

A small bathroom doesn't have to feel poky. There are plenty of small bathroom solutions that can maximise your use of space.

The tips in this guide work perfectly for en suite bathrooms as well as smaller main bathrooms.

Find a small toilet and bath to fit the space

Very small bathrooms can benefit from space-saving bathroom suites, and you might be surprised at the smallest bath size you can get.

What are the smallest bath sizes?

Options include hip baths, which are much smaller than conventional bathtubs. They're designed to be used in a sitting position and often include an inner step or seat where you can sit down with water up to your waist.

Shower ideas for small bathrooms

A shower and bath combination is a good idea in a small space. You could, for example, have a hip bath with a showerhead above it, or a handheld showerhead connected from your bath taps.
Consider a shower curtain instead of a rigid shower screen. Alternatively, take a look at the available shower enclosures for small bathrooms, as with some planning, you might be able to fit a shower cubicle alongside a small bath or instead of a bathtub.

Wall hung toilet

A wall hung toilet is fitted directly to the wall with no pedestal below it. You'll need a strong enough load-bearing wall to support it, but it's a good way to create an illusion of extra space.

Small cloakroom basins

There are some very small cloakrooms basins - just think of some of the slimline sinks you've seen in public bathrooms, especially in restaurants and bars.

In many cases these are contemporary designs that will make the bathroom feel more modern too, so they can add aesthetic value as well as saving space.

Assess your storage options

Storing all those bits and bobs in a small bathroom or en suite can be a challenge, but with careful planning, you can make good use of the space. Think about where you have room in the bathroom. That might be a corner of unused floor, higher up on the walls in a high-ceiling bathroom, or under the sink where a U-shaped sink vanity unit could be placed.

Bathroom cabinets

Choose the bathroom cabinets carefully, as storage will still be needed for items such as spare toilet roll, and shampoo and conditioner refills. There are plenty of bathroom cabinets for small bathrooms, which maximise storage space with a minimised floor footprint.

Examples include tall bathroom storage units that create shelf space from floor to ceiling, or wall-mounted bathroom cabinets that can go over the sink and elsewhere, without using any floor space at all.

Corner storage

A corner bathroom cabinet is a good way to use the space in a far corner of the bathroom, if there is no toilet, sink, bath or shower in that area. This is similar to putting the bed against a corner wall in a small bedroom - it reduces the effective footprint of the furniture, as you don't need space to walk around it on the third and fourth sides.

Under the sink cupboards

Under the sink cupboards make ideal small cloakroom vanity units, as they utilise space that is often overlooked below the basin.

They may be horseshoe-shaped to fit around the sink pedestal, or come with a U-shape cut out of the back for the pedestal, but a traditional flat-fronted cupboard.

You can get under sink shelving that leaves items open for easy access, or choose a small vanity unit with doors to hide things away until they’re needed. In a small family bathroom, for example, this gives a hiding place for lots of spares, refills, and all those various bottles the kids need, without everything being visible at all times.

Use colours that complement your space

The walls can have a big impact on the perception of space in your bathroom or en suite. Light colours can make small rooms feel larger. A feature wall can change the perceived shape of the room too, allowing you to make narrow rooms feel wider and compensate for unusual dimensions.

The best tile size for small bathroom walls is a subject of debate. Some people prefer the cleaner look of large tiles, with fewer grout joints. Others say small tiles make walls look bigger.,Ultimately it's down to personal preference, but by using plain tiles, you can avoid the cluttered feeling of a busy pattern or too many different colours on your walls.

Add your own finishing touches

Finally, leave room for some personal finishing touches, such as wall art, mirrors, and the essential rubber duck on the side of the bath.

With forward planning and some of the tricks we've mentioned in this article, even a small bathroom can not only make great use of space, but leave room to make it feel like home.