Small Bathroom Design Ideas: Getting it right, when designing small bathrooms.
- Aydin
- May 6
- 4 min read
Designing a small bathroom doesn’t mean sacrificing style, comfort, or functionality.
In fact, smaller spaces offer a unique opportunity to get creative — and when done right, they can feel even more luxurious than their larger counterparts.
In this article, we break down the key principles of a successful small bathroom design, using a real project we designed for a client in South West London.
1. Start with the layout – every inch counts.
In small bathrooms, layout is king! Before choosing tiles or fittings, ensure the flow works.
The right layout can make the room feel twice as large and far more functional. Start by assessing how you use the space — for example, is it primarily used in the morning rush or more for winding down? This helps determine what features take priority.
In this ensuite, we removed a bulky bifold shower door and replaced it with a minimal, frameless hinged screen to open up the visual footprint. We also slightly adjusted the WC and vanity to maximize floor space, ensuring clear access and a comfortable flow between all fixtures.
Pro tips:
Always leave at least 60cm of clearance in front of the toilet and vanity for comfort.
If space allows, a wall-hung toilet or vanity can create the illusion of more floor space.
2. Light and colour make the space feel bigger.
Light, neutral tones reflect more light and give the illusion of space. In this project, we used a soft palette with fluted textures and layered lighting to add depth.
Light is one of the most powerful tools in making a small bathroom feel open and airy — and colour plays a key role in how that light behaves. In compact spaces, light, neutral tones like warm beige, soft taupe, and off-white help bounce natural and artificial light around the room, visually expanding the space.
In this ensuite, we leaned into this principle by choosing a soft, tonal palette with subtle contrasts — pairing warm neutral wall tiles with a light wood-effect vanity and creamy fluted feature tiles in the shower. This created visual interest without breaking up the space with harsh lines or dark colours.
We also layered lighting:
LED downlights for bright, even general light
Mirror lighting for practical tasks like shaving or makeup
Accent lighting around niches to add a boutique hotel feel
These layers don’t just make the room more functional — they add depth and ambiance, which can elevate even the smallest of bathrooms. The Vanquish mirrored cabinet from HIB is recessed into the wall to save you even more space, whilst also providing storage, lighting and a shaver socket.
3. Go big on storage (but make it invisible)
Storage is crucial in a small bathroom — but the key is integrating it so well that it doesn’t dominate the space.
Clutter makes a room feel cramped, while seamless storage solutions help maintain that clean, spacious look. In this ensuite, we built in storage wherever we could without compromising the visual flow.
A mirrored cabinet above the WC doubled as a place to keep daily essentials while reflecting light to enhance the sense of space.
We also included a wall niche in the shower area — perfect for bottles and soaps — which keeps surfaces clear and maintains a sleek look.
The tiles used here are part of the Bamboo range from Ca Pietra and are very classy and elegant - perfect for a timeless luxurious finish.
Another great trick is to choose vanity units with internal drawers or shelving, rather than open shelving, to keep the aesthetic minimal and tidy. In compact bathrooms, even small decisions like opting for wall-mounted hooks over freestanding towel ladders can make a big difference in keeping the space open.
The fitted furniture used here is made by Vanity Hall and comes in a variety of different colours and finishes.
Pro tip: Use a consistent finish for cabinetry and walls (e.g. matt white or light wood tones) so storage blends in rather than standing out.
4. Shower smarter, not bigger
In a small bathroom, the shower area needs to be efficient, visually light, and as open as possible — without compromising function.
The goal isn’t necessarily to have a bigger shower, but to design one that feels more spacious and blends seamlessly into the room.
For this ensuite, we replaced their old bifold enclosure with a minimal, frameless hinged screen in particular the Rio from Majestic Showers — instantly making the space feel more open and modern.
Frameless glass reduces visual boundaries, allowing the eye to travel further, which tricks the brain into feeling like the room is larger.
We also used a full-width slate textured shower tray from Merlyn's Truestone Range , running wall to wall. This removes awkward gaps, creates a cleaner finish, and gives a walk-in look without the cost or complexity of a true wet-room.
Paired with large-format tiles and a subtle fluted feature wall, the shower becomes a design feature, not a visual barrier.
Additional space-enhancing tips:
Choose a wall-mounted shower valve and keep pipework concealed.
Use recessed niches for storage instead of protruding baskets.
Match the floor tile inside and outside the shower for a more continuous flow.
5. Details elevate the space
Finishing touches like brassware, lighting zones, and fluted textures take a small bathroom from functional to luxurious.
We hope these Small Bathroom Design Ideas helped!
If you're planning a bathroom renovation — whether it's a compact ensuite or a full home refresh — we can help.
Our tailored design service gives you a clear plan, realistic visuals, and a full shopping list to take the stress out of your renovation.
Want more inspiration?
Follow us on Instagram @LondonBathroomDesignCo for real projects, tips, and behind-the-scenes design ideas.
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