5 Tips for a Small Bathroom
If you're planning a bathroom that errs on the side of compact, fear not. You can still achieve statement and substance with some considered planning and a few clever tricks of the trade.
#1 Lean in to your LAYOUT
The first thing to do is to map out your floorplan. Measure up all the walls and sketch it up on paper, making sure to include any windows and doorways. Remember to take door swings into consideration, otherwise opting for a cavity slider might help to increase space significantly. When plotting your fixture locations, factor in the position of the entry door, optimising the focus as you enter (or walk past the room) on where you can dial up the glamour or design details, e.g. the vanity wall, and reducing the visibility of the less desirable features (the toilet).
#2 Factor in FITTINGS & FINISHES
Opting for a walk-in shower will create the illusion of a larger, more open bathroom and reduce visual clutter with only one fixed glass blade. If that's not achievable, a minimum 900 x 900mm corner-positioned shower in fully frameless glass will still feel quite open.
Other space saving choices might include an in-wall cistern, if you have non-solid walls. Wall-hung toilets are a streamlined option that give the illusion of extra space as the tiles beneath remain visible.
A wall-hung Basin is the ultimate space saver and works well with a recessed shaving cabinet to balance out the need for storage.
Sticking with a simple tile palette will help reduce the visual busyness in the room, and paler colours with matching grout will help to make it feel more open. To build more visual interest, dial up the texture factor, for example with some hand-made zellige tiles. Running a floor tile up the wall always gives the illusion of extra length of the room, as the eye can't determine where the floor ends. Tile to the ceiling where possible to accentuate the rooms height.
Include as large a mirror as possible - potentially one custom made - to bounce light around the room and create the illusion of extra dimension and openness.
#3 Strategise your STORAGE
Wall-hung vanities are fantastic for small bathrooms - the more floor you see beneath, the more spacious the bathroom will look and feel. Check in with your builder or bathroom company very early on as to whether a wall-hung vanity is an option, as the wall support structure may need reinforcing. Custom storage - including vanities and shaving cabinets or other wall-mounted cabinets are a great way to tailor a solution that perfectly suits the space you have, while open shelves on the wall can also make up for any storage deficit without taking up too much real estate, and can be a styling statement at the same time, with beautiful baskets or a small plant.
#4 Level up your LIGHTING
Lighting is so important in a bathroom - both natural and introduced, and can play a huge role in evoking a sanctuary-style mood in the room.
Introduce some personality like cute wall sconces or pendant lights and tick both styling and illumination boxes together.
Reduce the reliance on those bright, white downlights and opt for a more tailored, flexible and moody aesthetic.
LED strip lighting is also another clever lighting option - for under a wall hung vanity to highlight the floor space, or to softly illuminate your shower niche.
Try to also get as much natural light flowing as possible, by using mirrors to bounce the light streaming in from the window. A skylight overhead can bathe the whole room in light and give a more airy and lofty vibe to the whole room.
#5 Super-Style it
If you're designing a small bathroom, it's definitely worth investing in some luxe styling pieces to elevate your space to that extra level. Think about some of those five senses and play to those - Scented soaps and candles, gorgeous soft towels and warm natural lighting. Adding some timber elements like an open shelf will help to bring warmth into your bathroom. Even some fresh greenery / plants will bring life and interest into the space, no matter how teensy.
