Small & Great

Are you confined by space? Do you need some small bathroom ideas?

Gone are the days when size was a barrier; using the latest design ideas and bathroom pieces, your snug bathroom, ensuite or powder room will be comfortable, not cramped. The key is efficiency, utilising every centimetre of space to create something that feels spacious no matter what its dimensions or your small bathroom layout.

Float your boat

The more floor space that is visible, the larger the room will look, so floating vanities (wall hung vanities) and cupboards as well as wall-hung toilets are essential parts of small bathroom designs. These pieces don’t need to be bulky, elegant slim-line units are widely available.

Shower power

When it comes to the shower, aim to avoid enclosed versions with raised trays, instead going for more seamless, walk-in options using clear glass. Don’t feel a square box of a space is needed for this; it can fit the shape and size of your room layout. And if you want a bath, opt for one of the latest small sizes, and consider positioning it within the glass-fronted walk-in, to create a full wet area for bathing and showering.

Light and bright

Light colours are the not-so-secret weapon when it comes to creating a sense of space in a small bathroom layout. This doesn’t mean you have to stick to white, play with warm beige and soft greys, colours that reflect, rather than absorb any available light. While adding a single dark colour wall, perhaps with a graphic pattern, will create depth, in 2019 the concept of sticking to a single colour is on the rise.

Touchy feely

Because your palette will be fairly neutral, play with texture to energise the room. Explore using marble, granite and concrete – anything which creates that tactile feel while adding interest. Large format tiles give an impression of more space, but change these up by using contrasting ones to create an eye-catching panel or to tile niches.

Mirror, mirror

Don’t underestimate the power of mirrors to double the feeling of space in a small bathroom layout, while also adding a show stopping element to your room. Although wall-to-wall is extremely effective, recessed cabinet options create storage, which is at a premium when square meterage is limited. 

Cut the clutter

Less is more when dealing with small bathroom designs, so aim to either keep lotions and potions tucked away, or ensure they are tidy. If you don’t have room for cabinets, hooks and floating shelving are good storage options, but consider how you place items on these, so it isn’t a busy jumble of clutter – attractive baskets can be a good solution.

DID YOU KNOW?

The World’s Smallest Toilet, ‘Chisai Benjo’, was created by Takahashi Kaito at a nanotechnology firm in Japan. Made by etching silicone with an ion beam, it could only be seen when it was magnified 15000 times. The fact it was completely unusable seems to have been irrelevant.