Innovative design for small bathrooms

Functional design for small bathrooms with ideas and creativity

Limited space doesn’t mean sacrificing function or comfort. A small bathroom needs ideas in every respect, so you can make the most of your limited space. Space-saving solutions exist for every requirement. 

Floor-level shower, shelf on the wall
Small bathroom, optimally designed and used: floor-level shower, storage space under the sink and on the wall.

Tried and tested ideas and innovations to design your small bathroom

Before you go into detail, let's go through some key questions:

  • Do you absolutely need a bath tub?
  • How much storage space needs to be available?
  • What materials do you prefer?

Discover exciting ideas for how to design your small bathroom – functionally, practically, and comfortably.

Furnish small bathrooms and create size in the process

Designing a small bathroom requires observation of the laws of visual perception. Open, continuous surfaces appear much larger than divided spaces. In concrete terms, this means using the same tiles on the floor and walls, creating uniformity that gives the impression of spaciousness.

Bathroom ideas for a small bathroom – Play with light

Bright colors will immediately make any room look larger. It's recommended you use dark tones sparingly in a small bathroom, in the accessories for example. Mirrors can also make a small bathroom feel bigger, so it’s worth asking yourself if you can accommodate more mirrored surfaces in your bathroom, in addition to a mirror cabinet.

You should also ensure optimal illumination. Daylight is ideal. You can brighten an interior bathroom with artificial light that provides a daylight spectrum. In a small bathroom, space-saving ceiling spots are a good choice.

Smart lamps can be controlled with your smartphone as needed, allowing you to shine all the colors of the rainbow in your bathroom, in addition to daylight. Research has shown that we prefer colder-colored light in the morning, and warmer light in the evening. Take a look at our article on bathroom lighting for additional ideas.

Bath tub or shower?

Are regular baths part of the good life for you? So-called space-saving bath tubs, which take account for the natural shape of the human body, are a good choice. 

If you can do without a bath tub, a floor-level shower with glass walls will fit into any small bathroom. It also offers the advantage of making your bathroom barrier-free.

Underfloor heating is also suitable for a small bathroom. It can often be easily implemented during a bathroom renovation. If this isn't possible, opt for a narrow towel radiator that can also serve as a towel bar.

Storage space, simple and stylish for the wall
The flexible WallStoris storage system not only offers practical storage space in a small bathroom, it can also be easily and individually attached to any wall.

Comfort and function combined with coziness in the small bathroom

When you're designing a small bathroom, the materials you use are twice as important. Luxurious tiles, ideally in large dimensions, automatically provide a high-quality look. Need a barrier-free bathroom? Choose non-slip tiles with a textured surface.

Combining natural materials has a particularly cozy effect. Wood grain combined with natural stones like marble makes an impression that is both luxurious and cozy. You can use wood on both the floor and wall surfaces.

A sink base cabinet, like a mirror cabinet in a small bathroom, is one of those ideas that have proven themselves many times over. You can also create storage space with some skillful wall surface design. A shelf embedded in the wall, wall cabinets, and a cabinet under a sloping roof can increase the available space enormously. 

Tidiness is especially important in a small bathroom, as every object lying around gives off the sense of a lack of space. Here, too, you can get inspiration from our article about order in the bathroom!

Design small bathrooms using laws of perception

In addition to ideas, designing a small bathroom requires knowledge of the basics of human perception. Bright colors, mirrors, and contiguous surfaces immediately make a bathroom with limited space look bigger. Optimal lighting, ideally through smart lights, high-quality materials, and skillful integration of storage space are other factors in a small bathroom that excites and inspires.

Frequently asked questions about ideas for a small bathroom

Can I furnish my small bathroom in black?

We recommend light tones for a small bathroom, because they make the room look larger. You can use black in the faucets and accessories, like towels.

What is the best way to light my bathroom?

In a small bathroom, ceiling spotlights are the ideal solution. Look for LED lights that look like natural daylight.

Which radiator should I choose if my bathroom doesn’t have underfloor heating?

A narrow towel radiator takes up little space while also serving as a towel bar.

Do I have to give up my bath tub in a small bathroom?

Choose a space-saving bath tub with a shape tailored to the human silhouette.

I prefer high-quality, natural materials. What do I use in a small bathroom?

The combination of grained wood and the natural texture of stones will bring quality and luxury to your small bathroom.
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