The problem is that when you’re working with small bathroom ideas, you may have an inadequate floor plan or something in the wrong place that is causing chaos when it comes to perfecting your design. If you work with the right interior designer, they should be able to solve your space problem, but if you’re working on your own, you may need a little help.
We asked five contemporary designers their biggest and best bathroom hacks when it comes to getting the design right and looking for narrow, compact, and confusing bathrooms to learn lessons from their challenges.
Hack into the bathroom to make the most of a small or awkward space
There are some recurring problems when it comes to properly designing your bathroom. This includes the placement of the windows, where the bathroom and shower are located, and how to fit all the design elements you want when the space isn’t on your side.
You might find yourself playing Tetris with all the different combinations you want to include, but is there an idea you haven’t thought of that could revolutionize your design.
Chances are, and one of these 5 ideas is probably the one you were looking for.
1. Go to the bathroom customized to fit the narrow bathroom
(Image credit: Huxley Architects)
Fitting a shower into a small bathroom may be high on your agenda, but it isn’t always practical. Even if you choose a miniature mini bathroom, its success depends on the measurements of the space you are working with, and how much space is likely to be lost.
Richard Huxley, founder of Sydney-based Huxley Architects, explains: “The dimensions of the bathroom really precluded the use of a standard bathroom in the design. (Opens in a new tab) And designer this smart modern bathroom idea. “By designing a custom bathroom, it can perfectly fit into the space and we can also play with the geometry in the room; having the bathroom provides a counterpoint to the floating shelves opposite the marble vanity in the middle.
For a cohesive finish, the architect used a tadelakt lime paint across the walls and a custom bathroom. “It was important that the bathroom belong in the room and not overpower the composition,” Richard explains. “By making the bathroom an extension of the wall, it became strong enough to belong, while still being respectful of the other elements in the room.”
“This is the beauty of a custom bathroom design, it’s its flexibility and uniqueness,” he adds. You can select any suitable finish you want. You can design a bathroom of almost any shape or size, or respond to site-specific limitations with a design that a standard bathroom simply cannot handle.
2. Make a window work in the bathtub
(Photo credit: West One Pools)
Placing existing windows can be a real problem in getting your bathroom design right — moving them as part of a renovation is expensive and annoying, after all.
Whether the window is inside a shower room or enclosure is often a major planning concern, as there are some issues that come with it. A modern uPVC or aluminum window will do well in a shower enclosure, but old wood windows will struggle in this space. Likewise, you are limited by window treatment options, with privacy glass being the only real option for a shower window.
However, in this design by West One Bathrooms (Opens in a new tab)a clever bathroom hack was created to solve the problems presented by the design that saw the window into the shower enclosure – a reversible shower screen.
“The room was tiny and clients wanted a large shower, and the only place this could fit was under the window,” says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.
“To get around the problem of having a window right in the bathroom, we suggested a hinged fabricated glass panel to cover the window, this protects the woodwork and also allows for easy cleaning.”
3. Recessed storage in walls
(Image credit: Anson Smart. Design: Smac Studio)
A minimalist style bathroom is the perfect choice when you’re dealing with a small space. Undoubtedly, it will help the room feel more comfortable and streamlined, but you will still need to find storage space to keep the bathroom clutter-free.
Vanity mirror storage is a great way to add hidden space, but as a small bathroom storage idea, it can sometimes feel bulky and intrusive. Then consider the recess of the storage mirror when designing your space, so the mirror appears itself overlapping the wall.
Shauna McIlroy, founder of Smac Studio explains: “In this project, we were feeding a family, so we needed to stock up on the barber’s closet—but we put it in the wall and rounded out the front. (Opens in a new tab). “Mirrors have become a modern design feature as well as being very practical.”
4. Put a mirror in front of the window
(Photo credit: Gunter & Co)
If you can’t find a workaround to put your sink anywhere but in front of the mirror, that raises the question – where do you put the mirror?
“The natural placement of a bathroom mirror is above the sink, but when the sink is positioned in front of a window, it presents a design dilemma,” explains interior designer Erin Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co. (Opens in a new tab). Solutions include installing a mirror on one (or both) of the side walls. Another option is to attach a custom swivel mirror to the vanity top and ceiling, as shown in the shower room of this Chelsea townhouse.
“The beauty of this is that the mirror can be flipped sideways when not in use, so it doesn’t block out much light or view,” explains Erin.
5. Add a dividing wall to create a broken layout
(Photo credit: Katie McCrum Studio)
Small bathroom design ideas usually focus on fixtures and fittings around the edges of the room. It makes sense as a way to create the most floor space, but can you pack more features into your small space if you take a different approach?
In this bathroom by interior designer Katie McCrum of Katie McCrum Studio (Opens in a new tab)In this cramped space, a dividing wall has been created allowing for a more creative design.
“Designing this room was a serious challenge, it was a former kitchen full of oddly shaped nooks and crannies and a redundant table,” Katie explains. “Our goal was to create a stylish, modern retreat for relaxation, and the best way to manage all the different angles and accommodate the needed pipes was to create two separate areas using dramatic custom-designed Crittall-style screens.”
Not only in the bath and shower in a wet room enclosure, but the design also allowed for double vanity sinks without creating a “passage” for fixtures. Ornate mirrors are also placed on the Crittall-style split screen.
“Delicate details such as brass-embellished mirrors and ornate finishes provide subtle connections along with well-thought-out layers of lighting that define each area and provide an overall sense of depth, ambiance and sheer luxury,” adds Katie.