Small spaces are always challenging to design, and a bathroom is no exception. Nonetheless, there are numerous design tricks and clever storage solutions that can help you achieve a stylish and functional compact powder room or bathroom.
Whether you’re using wallpaper, tile, paint, mirrors, vanities, lighting fixtures, or layout tips, you can easily beautify a small bathroom. Furthermore, even the tiniest changes deliver a significant impact because of the limited square footage.
We’ve compiled various small bathroom ideas for different styles and budgets that will make your compact space functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Take a look!
1. Go for a Timeless Look
This small bathroom uses a shade of blue on the vanity to create a focal point that makes a statement. The classic subway tiles, beadboard paneling, and geometric tiles give the bathroom a facelift for an authentic, timeless look.
A petite frameless shower screen with metal latticework adds dimension and separates the shower from the rest of the room while helping the space feel enormous. Botanical artwork on the wall brings the small bathroom to life.
2. Contrast White and Black Tiles
The black tiles at the foot and top of this bathroom’s walls nicely contrast with the white subway tiles while adding depth and visual interest.
A light wood floor anchors the room, and several black accents throughout keep the scheme cohesive. The shower screen separates the shower from the toilet, lending the space a sense of urban sophistication.
3. Bring a Boho Feel
Showcase your green thumb with your favorite plants in a small bathroom. A mix of plants in this boho-inspired bathroom makes the space feel bright and light.
Light wood tones on the vanity, floor, mirror frame, and shower niches emit warmth, while the crisp white walls, bathtub, cabinets, and accents evoke a contemporary and polished feel. The woven storage basket and floor mat bring texture to the room.
4. Charm with a Walk-In Shower
Utilizing a walk-in shower can save space in your small bathroom. This bathroom preserves sightlines by using a transparent splash guard that virtually disappears in the space, allowing the black and white geometric floor tiles to take center stage.
The repurposed vintage console table with a marble top adds character and gives the space a transitional feel. The mix of old and new elements adds charm to this bathroom, lending it a timeless feel.
5. Glam with Gold Finishes
The gold finishes on this small bathroom’s hardware add a subtle hint of glamor and elevate the space. Light wood tones on the floor and floating shelves add a touch of warmth and contrast nicely with the black-and-white minimalist design.
The wall-hung toilet and sink help create the illusion of space. The statement mirror doubles as a decorative focal point while adding some modern edge to the space.
6. Utilize Corners
A corner vanity is an excellent way to save space and creates an exciting focal point, like the one in this apartment’s bathroom. This vanity increases functionality with open shelves for bathroom essentials while floating shelves above it add more storage.
The gray window shade adds privacy, light control, and a cozy feel. Small plants on the window shade bring a subtle pop of color.
7. Use a Neutral Color Palette
Light neutral colors are well-known for making small rooms feel larger, and the same applies to your small bathroom. Plus, several design tricks, such as mirrors and appropriate lighting, can amplify this effect.
Crisp white, cool gray, and ivory tones in this small bathroom mix with chrome brassware, creating a serene space filled with character and harmony. The full-wall backsplash makes the bathroom’s ceiling feel taller and pairs with the floor tiles for a seamless and timeless look.
8. Hang a Pendant
Wall sconces are the typical lighting fixtures in small bathrooms. However, if your bathroom has high ceilings, you can use a ceiling pendant light instead. The abstract pendant light in this small bathroom draws the eye up and accentuates the high ceilings.
The mosaic floor tile gives the space a friendly and welcoming feel, and a similar pattern on the shower niche makes the design feel personal and intentional.
9. Accent with Black
The matte black accents in this small bathroom, like the towel rack, toilet, pendant lighting, and shower hardware, add definition to the space.
The patterned feature wall pairs with the white and wood palette for a sleek, modern look.
10. Add an Oversized Plant
Plants are an excellent way to add a touch of natural greenery to a space, and they can also act as focal points, like the one in this small bathroom.
Vertical lines on the wall help add height, making the space feel taller. Multiple mirrors above the vanity bounce light around and double the perception of space. The gray window shades add privacy without blocking the views and complement the neutral palette.
11. Spruce Up Your Space
The biggest challenge with small bathrooms is monotony. One way to prevent this is to combine different colors, motifs, and dimensions.
This small bathroom combines a playful terrazzo pattern and neutral gray tiles, adding color, pattern, individuality, and flair to the space. The wooden floating sink preserves an airy feel and brings some contemporary finesse to the small bathroom.
12. Fill Gaps with Cabinets
When renovating a narrow bathroom, consider filling the gap above the toilet with cabinets. The built-in cabinets in this small bathroom idea match the ones on the sink vanity and brass accents for a cohesive look.
The white walls, subway tiles, and accents pair with the gray-and-white terrazzo floor for a bright yet soft atmosphere. The small walk-in shower creates a sleek feel, and its glass door makes the space feel larger.
13. Consider Green Tiles
Blue and white are usually the go-to bathroom colors, but green can also bring a nature-inspired and equally soothing fresh look. The green and brown tiles in this small bathroom bring drama and dimension to the space.
White on the tub, wall-hung toilet, wall-hung basin, and window frame brighten up the space with some color. Using the same tiles on the walls and floor creates a harmonious feel.
14. Mix and Match
Add an unexpected touch to your small bathroom with contrasting tiles. This bathroom uses brown floor tiles on the shower walls and trim to bring a transformative color.
The white wall tiles give the space a lift and maintain the airy feel.
15. Embrace Navy
The deep navy shade on this small bathroom’s bathtub and vanity combines with the white walls and accents to add dynamism to this exquisite space.
A fanciful area rug brings fun, bright colors into the space and warms the space underfoot. Natural elements such as wood and plants enhance the cozy feel, while various signs personalize the space.
16. Incorporate a Rustic Finish
Adding rustic fixtures, furniture, or finishes adds warmth to a small bathroom. The light wood vanity in this small bathroom brings a textural feel to the space. The dominant white palette makes the space feel brighter and more extensive, with the marble wall tiles and geometric floor tiles ensuring plenty of style.
A bunch of eucalyptus hanging from the showerhead adds color and natural fragrance whenever the bathroom steams up. Simple, cohesive black floating shelves add polish, making the small bathroom more functional and beautiful.
17. Infuse Style with Wallpaper
Bathroom wallpaper is an excellent way to add a sense of grandeur to small powder rooms. The gray brick wallpaper in this small bathroom pairs perfectly with the gray wall tiles for an elegant look.
A much darker gray hue on the floor tiles ties the compact space together.
18. Go for Black and White
Black and white is a classic combination that you can pull off in any bathroom, big or small. The black marble accent wall in this small bathroom idea gives the space presence despite its compact size.
White and light gray shades balance out the bold color, and plenty of natural light helps keep the space from feeling dark. The floating shelf above the toilet pops against the black accent wall, and an abstract print on it adds a dose of personality.
19. Opt for Black Tiles
Consider black tiles and finishes for a dark and moody feel in your small bathroom. The black subway tiles in this bathroom contrast with brass fixtures and white on the bathtub, toilet, sink, and shiplap wall for a dramatic effect in the compact space.
The patterned floor tiles create an immersive feel, while shades of green on the door, cabinets, and window balance the riot of bold and light colors and patterns.
20. Add a Skylight
Natural light is critical to making small spaces feel spacious. If your small bathroom lacks windows, consider adding a skylight, like the one featured in this idea.
This skylight floods the space with light, making it feel larger. The gray terrazzo flooring adds interest to the small bathroom and complements the off-white walls. A built-in storage system with cabinets and open shelves utilizes every inch of space to help keep clutter at bay.