How To Style a Small Bathroom

When it comes to interior design, bathrooms are really having a moment. From jazzy geometric tiles to sleek black fixings, Instagram is full of inspiration for the most functional space in the house. But what if your bathroom is on the small side? 

Many houses in the UK compromise on bathroom space to make way for bigger bedrooms. Whether you have a shower over the bath or the classic separate toilet situation, bathroom layouts can be uninspiring at best and miniscule at worst. So how do you make a small bathroom look bigger? It’s all in the detail…

Let’s start with the basics – the colour you choose for the walls can have a big impact on how spacious your bathroom feels. If you’re going for a full makeover and want to make the most of a small bathroom space, start with colour. 

In general, dark colours will draw walls in and make things seem closer together, while light colours do the opposite – pushing the walls away and giving the illusion of more space. For your small bathroom, choose airy neutrals that reflect the light like soft taupe, off-white or calming dove grey. 

Statement tiles are a key trend for bathrooms, but a bold pattern or strong colour can be overwhelming in a small bathroom. Keep things simple with a classic white metro tile and contrasting dark grout, or ditch the tiles altogether and try waterproof panelling instead. 

Panel boards are printed to look textured – like natural stone or luxe marble – and are a great way to add subtle detail to your walls without overpowering the space. 

Maximising natural light is important in making a room feel more spacious, and the easiest way to do this is with mirrors and glass. Which, luckily, is pretty easy in a bathroom!

Starting with mirrors – consider hanging multiple mirrors together to make a style statement and reflect as much of that natural light as possible. We love the Ornica irregular round mirrors – hang two smaller ones beneath a medium shaped mirror for a cool, offbeat look. Or for a more vintage vibe, a set of round brass hanging mirrors would look great alongside matching aged brass fixings. 

Another clever trick for making the most of natural light in a small bathroom is with a glass shower panel or surround. Using glass around your shower means your eye can travel freely across the whole room without anything blocking your line of sight, creating the illusion of more space and allowing light to flow through. 

If you can’t use a glass shower panel or surround, go for a very simple shower curtain. A chic white canvas shower curtain works in a similar way to glass, allowing light through. 

Organisation is paramount when you’re working with a small space. There’s nothing worse than a cluttered, messy bathroom – it should be a space of sanctuary and solace, where you can unwind and destress. Plus, having lots of stuff on shelves, overflowing drawers and piles of products everywhere is an instant space-killer. 

Small spaces can be hard to keep minimal, especially small bathrooms where you’re storing everything from skin serum to toilet roll, but with some clever storage solutions, and organisation tricks, it can be done. 

Here are some small bathroom storage ideas to keep clutter to a minimum. 

Hanging towels out of the way, especially when they’re wet, makes a big difference to a small bathroom space. An over-door towel rack is ideal – it tucks away on the back of your door so is out of sight, and has lots of space to keep your towels dry and fluffy. 

If you have an abundant skincare collection but you’re struggling for storage space, a bathroom vanity unit is a great way to keep your products organised and within easy reach. 

This teak tinted unit has a real luxury spa feel, and it has two deep cupboards along with an open storage section at the bottom. You can mount a sink on the top too – we love a multifunctional piece!

Shower storage is another solution that can clear up clutter in an instant. A shower caddy that hangs from the showerhead and lies flush against the wall is a real space saver, keeping your pots and potions neat and tidy without protruding out into the room.

Something you might not think would take up a lot of space but that can affect the airy feel of a small bathroom is the toilet roll holder. Hear us out on this one! 

A toilet roll holder that sticks far out from the wall or one that is big and chunky will take up more space than is necessary. Go for something that sits flush against the wall, like this gorgeous brass and leather-look roll holder. Love it!

Don’t forget to utilise your wall space when it comes to bathroom storage solutions. A cleverly-placed shelf will give you space for more decorative items, like a trailing plant or fragrant candle. Even better, look for a shelf that does two jobs in one - this wooden style wall shelf has a towel rail beneath the shelf. Not only can you use the rail for towels, but you could also use a double-ended hook to hang a rattan basket that you can then fill with light things like cotton wool, flannels or tissue. 

There are plenty of things you can do with a small bathroom to give it that stylish, Instagrammable finish – you don’t have to choose form over function, and even the tiniest bathroom can be spruced up. With smart storage solutions, a focus on natural light and clever, considered décor, you can bring a spacious, airy feel to your small bathroom space. 

 

For more inspiration, read our blog post to discover small ways to update your bathroom. From new bath mats to plants and accessories, treat yourself to a few little luxuries and update your space with the help of La Redoute.