Small Bathroom Ideas

Bathrooms can be functional and stylish, no matter the size of your space. Whether you’re looking for small bathroom colour ideas to refresh the décor or want to find the perfect storage design for small bathrooms, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of the best small bathroom designs, letting you create a haven where you can unwind in the evening and get ready each morning.

Our small bathroom design tips

Looking for ways to add colour to your bathroom? Our Creative Director, Marianne Shillingford, shares her top small bathroom design tips:

“The key to decorating small bathrooms is to make the space look and feel bigger, so consider using light neutrals or pastel shades on the walls for a brightening effect.

If you want your bathroom to make a statement with a bold colour scheme, bring additional colours into the design with accessories or a feature wall so the space doesn’t feel overpowered.

Alternatively, you can embrace the darkness in small bathrooms with no natural light to create a cosy and luxurious bathroom design with deep rich colours.”

Alongside Marianne’s colour recommendations, we’ve gathered 15 design tips to make your small bathroom feel bigger. Explore each one below to find your favourites.

1. Go bold with a dark colour scheme

Having a smaller bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t choose dark colours! While many people prefer lighter tones to maximise the feeling of space, darker tones can create a sense of luxury no matter the room size. We recommend pairing dark blue bathrooms and other jewel-toned shades like Highland Green and Deep Aubergine with metallic fixtures and a large mirror to give your bathroom dimension.

2. Opt for a fun accent wall

If you love the look of a black-and-white bathroom but don’t want a high-contrast colour scheme, try soft grey instead. Shades like Pebble Shore and Goose Down offer a subtle yet sophisticated contrast against white furnishings, tiles, bathtubs, and sinks. 

4. Play with contrast

Pairing dark and light shades of your favourite colour can work wonders for your bathroom. Whether trying this technique with vibrant hues or warm neutrals, we recommend using the darker colour in the lower areas of your bathroom. Then, contrast it with a lighter colour on the upper walls, creating a brightening two-tone effect.

If you'd prefer a pared-back look, there are other ways to create contrast in your bathroom. For example, you could contrast white fixtures with a darker shade on the walls to make these elements pop. If you’re dipping your toe into colourful interiors, introduce accessories and soft furnishings in your favourite shade for a subtle take on this design.

5. Streamline your paint colours

Opting for a limited colour palette gives your bathroom a refined sense of style and helps to make it feel bigger by reducing visual clutter. We recommend choosing a paint palette of two complementary colours for your walls and fixtures, like Blush Pink and Heart Wood. Pair them with white or soft neutral furniture and accessories to keep the design clean and let your chosen colours stand out.

6. Reflect light with mirrors

Large mirrors are an excellent decorating trick for bathrooms, creating the illusion of extra space. They reflect ambient and direct light, so a clever placement would be next to a light source to give your room extra brightness.

Eliminating dark corners will also help to open up your space. If you have limited wall space and a big mirror won’t work, consider placing multiple smaller designs around the room. The mirrors will reflect light off each other and add a sense of depth to your bathroom. 

 7. Install a feature light

Lighting is a great opportunity to showcase your style while brightening up your bathroom. A statement light fixture makes an eye-catching feature and can help your bathroom feel bigger, as it naturally draws the eye upwards, away from the walls.

Large pendant lights can take up a lot of room in bathrooms with low or sloping ceilings and make the space feel cramped, so be sure to take measurements before selecting a light.

8. Invest in clever storage

In small bathrooms, we recommend choosing furniture with drawers, cupboards or built-in shelves to maximise storage and reduce clutter. Open floor space is a top priority in smaller bathrooms, so choose low-profile storage and maximise every inch of space – whether corners, under-sink areas or walls.

Moveable storage like baskets or boxes can also be useful in small bathrooms. They let you customise the design more easily – choose colours and materials that complement your interior for a seamless look.

Want to make your storage a stand-out feature? You could paint shelves in a contrasting shade, opt for ladder shelving or install colourful hooks for towels.  

9. Maximise corner space

Awkward corners are a staple of small bathrooms, but it’s easy to make use of them. Corners provide a neat space for many bathroom essentials, such as storage or small fixtures like sinks. To make the most of these areas, we recommend custom-building shelves or storage units.

10. Decorate with tiles

Tiles are an easy way to add depth and dimension to your bathroom. Depending on the finish you choose, their glossy properties reflect light around the room, giving you the feeling of extra space. If you are using tiles to create a feature wall, try using a neutral contrasting colour on the other walls to maximise their brightening effect. 

11. Add metallic accents

Metallic accents give your bathroom a modern feel while introducing extra light and depth to your space. Whether silver, chrome, copper, brass or gold, metallics are timeless and complement most paint colours.

12. Utilise your windows

If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your small bathroom, there are several ways to work with it. Window ledges are the ideal place to showcase accessories and houseplants, but keep these to a minimum to prevent clutter. Placing furniture and fixings (such as the bathtub or sink) under a window will illuminate this area, making your bathroom feel bigger and brighter while creating a focal point.

13. Go timeless with monochrome shades

Looking for a classic colour palette that will stand the test of time? Black and white bathrooms are a simple yet stylish option for modern and traditional homes. In small bathrooms, we recommend introducing black bathroom accessories and furnishings to add a touch of contrast to bright white walls, keeping the design light and airy.

14. Create a feature floor

We’ve all heard of a feature wall, but have you ever considered a feature floor? Decorative tiles are an amazing small bathroom flooring solution if you love print but don’t want to use it on the walls, as they create plenty of visual interest. We recommend choosing a tile with a geometric pattern or picking out colours from the rest of your bathroom for a cohesive look.

15. Position fixtures against the walls

When it comes to small bathrooms, freeing up floor space is key. Consider placing your bath or shower close to your walls (not forgetting any corner areas!), as this will create space in the centre of the room.

For more decorating tips, check out our bathroom colour inspiration hub, featuring the best paint colours and expert design advice.