Having a small bathroom can leave you with many concerns about how to maximise space and the best ways to design your bathroom layout.

Although having little space to work with can be frustrating and leave you scratching your head, there are plenty of ways to maximise a small space and transform your bathroom design project into a fun activity!

One of the critical benefits of only having a small bathroom layout to work with is that it forces you to be innovative.

Whether you're thinking of a minimalistic bathroom design or a maximalist in search of furnishings and fixtures that communicate your personality, we're here to help you with the best ways to design your bathroom, making the best of your small bathroom layouts.

11 small bathroom design ideas

Here are 11 small bathroom layout ideas that can help you make the best out of your small bathroom layout:

Consider a walk-in shower

A lack of floor space can be one of the most frustrating things about having a small bathroom layout, especially considering having a shower cubicle. Having a lack of floor space can mean you have to decide between having vital bathroom furnishings or being able to move around your bathroom space.

If this is something you're concerned about, then you should consider using a walk-in shower. A walk-in shower is a great way to maximise your floor space and ensure you don't take up additional room with bulky furnishings like a shower cubicle.

A walk-in shower consists of gradient flooring to ensure the water drains properly, a floor drain, and a shower head. This means you can incorporate a stylish shower without sacrificing floor space for a shower cubicle or bath.

The critical thing to remember when creating a walk-in shower is to ensure you provide adequate waterproofing in the area to avoid leaks or dampness. Consider investing in ThermaSheet Insulation slabs to enhance your heat insulation and waterproofing in a wet zone.

Use recessed medicine cabinets

Storage is a big thing to consider when you're looking to use a small bathroom layout. A recessed cabinet refers to cabinets sunk into the tiling, giving the illusion of a flatter surface, meaning homeowners and renters don't need to worry about bulky furniture taking up floor space or protruding cabinets becoming an eyesore.

Use underfloor heating instead of radiators

We know that radiators are a vital part of keeping warm on those icy winters, but they can take up a lot of space, especially if you have only a narrow space to work with. Small bathrooms need innovative solutions; luckily for you, that's where underfloor heating comes in!

Underfloor heating is a great and efficient way to keep your toes toasty on chilly mornings. Still, it's also an incredible space saver that means you don't need to bump into protruding radiator covers while walking around your bathroom.

That means you can use the same wall you were considering using a radiator for other space-saving bathroom fixtures like recessed cabinets or even a double sink. After all, a small bathroom needn't mean you have to forego luxuries!

Match wall and floor tiles

Choosing conflicting tile patterns or colours makes the boundaries of your bathroom even more distinct, making the space feel a little more closed in.

A great interior design tip is to use the same tiles for your wall and flooring. This blurs the lines between your wall and floor and can make the room look like a much larger space!

Why not use a floating vanity or shelves

One of the best things about modern storage solutions is that you can ditch clunky cabinets for floating shelves, saving you tons of space on your walls while still providing you with all the storage and open shelving space you need for your cosmetics and toiletries.

A floating double vanity or shelves is a great way to add a modern flare to your bathroom while making the most of the space. A floating shelf is a type of shelf that hides the fixings in the shelf.

That means you'll have a sleek-looking storage option that houses all your trinkets and gives you more room for other fixings. Other wall-mounted options, like a wall-mounted bathroom shelf with visible fixings, are a great way to free up more space instead of relying on a cabinet.

Consider finding a floating mirror to accompany your floating vanity; this will transform your bathroom into a modern, hotel-like space.

Consider a pocket door.

If you've never heard of pocket doors, now is the time to start your research. Pocket doors are sliding doors that open by sliding the door into a narrow pocket in the wall.

This will save on those extra square feet as you won't need to allocate space to swing an open door. This will also give the illusion that your bathroom is much more spacious and give you a more luxurious feel. Instead of walking into a bathroom, you'll feel like you're entering your own powder room!

Use frameless glass in your shower

Whether you choose to turn your bathroom into a wet room, walk-in shower, or choose an integrated bath and shower design, you'll need to have a protective covering between the shower and the rest of the room. This will keep any areas of your bathroom that aren't totally watertight safe from any dampness.

However, we know how annoying the typical plastic shower curtain can be. Not only do these harbour things like mold and dirt, but they also take up a significant amount of space. To combat this, you should consider using frameless glass in your shower.

Frameless glass is a great way to incorporate more of a minimalist style while providing adequate protection against splashes and spillages. As frameless glass is either clear or frosted, this opens up the space and offers more continuity to your bathroom, making the space appear larger.

For additional protection against spillages, you can use a transparent silicone sealant at the bottom of your frameless glass to prevent any water from spilling onto your tiles or your flooring.

Use a wall-hung toilet

Toilets come in different shapes and sizes, and if you're not one of the lucky ones with a separate toilet room, you'll know that a clunky toilet can take up a significant amount of floor space.

A protruding U-bend can mean that your toilet sticks out of the wall, which robs you of valuable space you'll need for other bathroom features. To curb this, consider using a wall-hung toilet.

A wall-hung toilet hides the U-bend and siphon, meaning you'll only see the bowl and the water tank. This is beneficial as it still gives you access to the water tank if you need to conduct any plumbing work but hides extra piping that can be an eyesore.

Use a shower and bath together

If you're set on having both a tub and a shower, and you're not willing to compromise, there are some ways you can have both a luxurious tub and the convenience of a quick and easy shower. You can find integrated baths and showers that are great for saving space.

Essentially, this consists of a wall-mounted shower head and a bathtub which means you can choose from a long luxurious soak in the tub or a quick hot shower to wake you up in the mornings.

Use a wall-mounted toilet roll holder

We don't think about the little fixings that make a big difference to our space, but if you've only got a small bathroom design to work with, then every centimetre counts. Consider using a wall-mounted toilet roll holder to alleviate some of your small bathroom floor space.

Using the wall space instead of the floor means you'll create a more sleek-looking bathroom without needing to take up any space with freestanding toilet roll holders that interrupt your beautiful tile floors.

Use a shower niche

For a little extra storage, you should consider using a shower niche. A shower niche is an excellent way to get the most use out of one wall. The niche essentially creates a small recess in the wall, allowing you to store your shampoo bottles and other cosmetics in the shower instead of on the floor.

This clever design storage solution is a relatively modern solution best used with a ThermaNiche wall niche that creates a watertight storage solution in your small spaces. This is guaranteed never to rot or leak, making it the perfect option for a small room that needs a hint of modern flare!

Summary

Are you looking to design a new bathroom? Need equipment to start working on your small bathroom floor plans? Look no further than Trade Warehouse. At Trade Warehouse, we supply our customers with a vast range of equipment they'll need to build their dream bathroom or shower room.

From sealant to heated towel rails, we've got everything you could need to transform small bathrooms into luxury spaces quickly.

We offer our customers nationwide delivery of our goods, so no matter where you live, you can find what you need at Trade Warehouse. Why not check out the rest of our blog for more insider DIY tips or more information about how our products can help you?

FAQs

Is a 5x8 bathroom too small?

No! 5x8 is the typical standard for a regular-sized bathroom design. You'd be surprised what you can fit into this space. You'll have plenty of room for a standard sink, tub or shower combo, with all your other necessities like toilets and additional fixings. To maximise the space, why not find alternative doors, like sliding or pocket doors, to free up your floor?

 

What is the minimum size for a small bathroom?

As a minimum, the smallest size a powder room should be is about 15 square footage. This will usually only give you space for a toilet and a small sink, so this may be only useful as a separate room from your main bathroom.

 

Can a bathroom be 6x6?

Yes! It's possible that a bathroom can be 6x6 in size. This meets the minimum requirement for a standard-size tub, but it may be worth investing in shorter furnishings to maximise the space!