One of the toughest rooms to decorate is a small bathroom because of the little amount of space available, the low supply of natural light, and the number of fixtures it must fit. But when done properly, the space can appear brighter and larger. Moreover, for some ideas, you won’t need to spend a fortune or go past your budget to get your desired small bathroom. Compact bathrooms are created to ensure that a small area feels not just bigger and more functional but also elegant. Therefore, when it comes to designing a small bathroom, you should be mindful of the available space, size, natural light, colour, and budget. There are countless budget-friendly small bathroom design ideas and elements like mirrors, showers, etc., surfacing on the internet these days. If you want to keep it minimal yet modern, go for a simple small bathroom idea, like choosing a monochromatic scheme.
Even if you’ve got a compact bathroom, there’s no need to compromise on style. So, in this article, we have provided striking ideas to design your small bathroom. These ideas show that daring design elements may fit well in even the smallest spaces, going beyond simply maximising the usable floor space. You can also select the design of your choice from our exclusive image gallery. Keep reading to know more.
Contents[show]
Image Source: Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels
If you want your small bathroom to look sleek and tidy every day, you should consider organising it. To make every available inch of space count, install a built-in vanity in your restrooms so that it remains clutter-free. In addition, try going for floating vanity rather than covering the floor space. This modern small bathroom idea prevents your space from becoming too crowded.
Also see: 39+ Game-changing vanities for bathroom & selection guide (Buy here!) |
Image Source: Becki Owens
The smaller the room, the more you should go for a monochromatic palette. Using monochromatic shades can visibly eliminate spatial issues if you have a small bathroom. If you pick a light palette, be sure the lighting is warm enough to avoid a gloomy vibe. You can never go wrong with a black-and-white bathroom if you see your bathing ritual as a chance to clear your mind and unwind from the stress of the day.
Image Source: Sittonkirsty
Does your small bathroom lack space for windows? How about adding a skylight instead? Skylights can provide light and ventilation, reducing the need for a bathroom fan and assisting in the prevention of dampness. These work well in bathrooms without windows. Furthermore, skylights come in tubular, fixed, and ventilating varieties.
Image Source: Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels
Lighting is similar to jewellery for the bathroom. Modern lighting ideas add glamour to your small bathroom design on an affordable budget. Installing good lighting in your small bathroom serves as a functional as well as a decorative element. We recommend installing wall lights beside the mirror for proper illumination.
Also read: How to accentuate your rooms with designer wall lights? (Buy here!) |
Image Source: Becky Owens
The country-style components are ideal for a small, modestly-sized bathroom. You can add more creativity to this chic small bathroom by adding a ladder to hang towels. Compared to a bar, it can hold more towels and give the bathroom a distinctive look. This small bathroom design idea adds a rustic vintage look to your modern bathroom, keeping your budget in control.
Image Source: 2LG Studio
The mirrors reflect sunlight into every corner of the room and impart a quirky yet cohesive edge to an otherwise boring bathroom. A wall-to-wall mirror is a surefire way to make a room appear larger. You can also go for a mirror gallery on the wall. Despite having little natural light, these mirror ideas are budget-friendly and add a spacious feel to a small shower bathroom.
Also see: 65+ Trendy mirror designs for easy home decor (Shop online!) |
Image Source: Medium on Pinterest
Adding bright colours is a great way to liven up a small bathroom. Moreover, soft and bright hues reflect natural light. If you want to keep your small bathroom simple, you can opt for the idea of using a bright colour palette. It will give a minimalistic look. Consider using a vibrant shade, such as turquoise or coral, as an accent colour on a single wall to pair with your light colour palette.
Also read: The emergence of colours in bathroom design |
Image Source: Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels
Showers are convenient and use less water than a bath. Another advantage of bathroom showers is that they take up little space. A quadrant or curved enclosure is the best option if you want to save space. Adding gloss finish tiles enhances the appearance of the space by reflecting natural light throughout the room. These small bathroom ideas with shower cubicles fit neatly into the corner, giving your space a modern look.
Also see: 70 Bathroom tile designs we are so obsessed with! (Shop online) |
Image Source: Behance
When space is limited, sliding doors are a person’s best friend. Opt for a door on a rail that is always parallel to the wall rather than a door on a hinge that, when opened, takes up space in your small room. Using this idea while remodelling will ensure you have more space than you originally did.
Also read: Sliding door hardware: Decoding the best hardware & brands |
Image Source: Spiffy spools
Looking for something new than the average plastic shower curtains? Try using curtains that will look more like drapery. Using a lightweight fabric for the curtains is recommended as it lets in most light. Furthermore, extending the curtain closer to the ceiling will definitely lengthen the walls. Avoid horizontal patterns with a lot of colour and floral prints because they tend to dominate the space and make it seem smaller. Rather choose them in the same colour as the walls or a slightly lighter shade. Use white shower curtains for small bathrooms. The idea behind this is that white curtains open up a room and typically match any bathroom design.
Also read: Curtains: A comprehensive selection & design digest (Shop online) |
Image Source: Overstock.com
Lighting is an important element for your bathroom. It literally can make or break the interiors if not used properly. However, when you use it correctly, it can do wonders. Installing a mirror backlight elevates bathroom aesthetics. If you do not have room for sconces or hanging lights, a mirror backlight is a great option. This design idea can give you the modern and chic look you desire for your bathroom.
Also see: 49+ Lighting fixtures for bathroom you can’t go wrong with (Shop here!) |
Image Source: Unsplash
Whether renovating a kitchen or bathroom, we often overlook the flooring. However, we forget that it is one of the important elements in your home. Patterned floors are the key to making your bathroom appear larger than it is. You can opt for Herringbone tiles as they are in trend; believe it or not, they look amazing with matte tiles.
Also see: Flooring tiles to grab your gaze (80+ floor designs) |
Image Source: Domino.com on Pinterest
Another space-saving idea for your small bathroom design is adding a shower niche. It’s one of the budget and space-saving small bathroom ideas. A shower niche provides enough space to store your shower accessories.
Image Source: transitionalhomedecor.pf on Pinterest
Consider your hardware and its finishes while designing your bathroom. Bring the aesthetics together by matching the finishes of your basin, light fixtures, and towel rod. Matching the hardware finishes with other elements can be satisfying to the eye.
On the other hand, you can even try mix-matching the hardware finishes. No matter whether you want a chic, classy, or timeless design, this trend will last longer. However, it’s recommended to select not more than three finishes for a single room.
Image Source: Etsy.com
Creative planning and efficiency are the keys to organising your small bathroom. You need to be creative and efficient at the same time. Every corner must be considered to maximise the available space. So, make sure that no dead wall space is wasted. Add recessed shelving, nooks, or crannies to utilise this dead wall space. This idea will increase the storage capacity of your modern small bathroom.
Also see: 20 Designer bathroom ideas for fancy & functional decor inspiration |
When designing your bathroom, choosing a colour scheme is an important decision to make, as it reflects the mood you want to create. Adding vibrant colours and pairing them with finishes like soft & gloss matte will add a wow factor to your space. Apart from vibrant hues, you can opt for pastels. Patels are great for a small bathroom as they maximise light, making it appear bigger.
Also read: Bathroom Design Guide – You can’t go wrong with this (33+ Images) |
Choosing large tiles can be beneficial for small bathrooms. This makes the walls and floors appear less cluttered. Moreover, large tiles make the room appear larger with fewer grout lines. Use 30-60 cm neutral-coloured tiles on the walls as well as the floors. These tiles will blur the lines, making your floor space less distinct. If you want to embrace the intimacy of your space and highlight its modest dimensions, pick tiny tiles like mosaics.
Small bathrooms are beautiful and should be designed in a way that makes them appear larger. There are many factors that contribute to adding an illusion of space to your compact restrooms. Whether you want to go for a simple or a modern look, all you need is eye-catching ideas (such as a built-in vanity or bathtub with shower) to design the small bathroom. These ideas will instantly elevate your space. However, you must have a clear understanding of your tastes and style before starting any project. So, draw inspiration from some of the best ideas mentioned above and make your small bathroom feel more spacious and enjoyable on an affordable budget.
*The featured image used in this article is from Lot 1 Design
In this exclusive interview in the series Channel Partner Talk with BuildingandInteriors, Krunal Sidhapura, Director, Ginger Modular Kitchen and Wardrobes,…
Cabinet handles not only provide a comfortable grip to open and close cabinets easily, but they also add to the…
The summers in India are getting unbearable every year. Now, all of us are at the mercy of air conditioners…
It takes a professional approach to succeed in the market and win a place in the hearts and minds of…
Doors are the sliding or hinged barriers that separate an entryway from being closed or opened. These entryway barriers are…
The paint industry of India is one of the fastest-growing industries in Asia. The domestic paint industry is estimated at…