15 Small Baths That Live Large
Who said small baths had to skimp on style? These little loos pack a lot of good looks into a tight footprint.
Old Is New Again
Shabby meets chic in this pretty powder room where a rustic, whitewashed vanity, tongue-and-groove wainscoting and a marble mosaic floor really boost this bath's charm factor.
Play With Pattern
Graphic Chinoiserie-style wallpaper fills this little loo with playful pops of color.
Strike a Balance
An overscale wallpaper pattern is a great choice for a small bath. The key to keep it from overpowering the space is to limit the graphic to a small area as the team at TerraCotta Design Build have here.
Light It Up
Although our natural tendency is to avoid dark colors in small spaces, this bathroom proves that you can go as dark as you wish (even black!) as long as you brighen it up with lots of light fixtures.
No Space Wasted
Designer Harmony Wells chose a tall cabinet to solve several problems in her clients’ small bath. “Because the space only had 8-foot high ceilings, we wanted to draw the eye up. The floor-to-ceiling custom linen cabinet makes the room feel larger and lighter,” she says. Wells designed the piece with an open-and-closed combination of storage. “This makes the unit less busy, visually, and keeps the overall scale on the smaller side, so it doesn’t compete with the shower.”
Sculptural Sink
A pedestal sink is the perfect solution when bathroom floor space is really at a premium. To minimize visual clutter, look for a model with concealed plumbing and a sculptural silhouette.
Smart Storage
Hardworking storage solutions, like this pull-out shelf, pack a lot of storage into a slim space. If a custom-constructed vanity is in your future, ask the carpenter to work them in — or look for stock units with similar features at your local big-box store or kitchen and bath design center. Smart storage add-ons may cost more upfront but, in the long run, they're one investment you'll be glad you made.
Freshen Up for Less
If your bathroom could use a pick-me-up on a tight budget, rely on the power of paint to give stock cabinets a trendy update. Because bathrooms often face moisture issues, be sure to choose a paint that's rated for use in kitchens and baths.
Work With What You Have
Designer Christina Tello made the most of this small bath's unique floorplan by sneaking a custom vanity into the bathroom's deep but narrow niche. The apronfront sink features modern lines while a pair of bullet sconces brighten up the recess.
Choose a Statement Tile
Designer Lindye Galloway went bold in this bathroom that features eye-catching black-and-white tile on both the shower's back wall and floor. Lindye keeps the rest of the room crisp white to allow the tile's geometric pattern to really shine.
Add Interest to the Walls
Horizontal wood paneling gives this small bath a vintage character while the contemporary vessel sink and fixtures bring it into the modern age.
Think Vertically
In this compact master bath, slim storage cabinets add lots of room for stashing bathroom necessities without sacrifycing precious floor space.
Try Texture
Textured wallpaper, like this toothy grasscloth, is a great way to warm up a builder-basic bath. Grasscloth, sometimes called sisal, comes in a rainbow of colors and (bonus!) can even be painted.
Throw 'Em a Curve
Too many straight lines can cause a small bath to feel cold and institutional. Mix things up by incorporating a few curves, like the hatbox-style vessel sink and Art Deco-inspired vanity shades that designer Jordan Iverson chose here.
Clever Storage Solution
When faced with a tight bathroom, designers have to get creative when planning storage. "This was a small space with little room to spare for storage,” says designer Kari Arendsen. “I found these cute storage boxes and hung them from the wall to save space and keep floor space clear. Also the choice of a high contrast application on the walls is helpful to make a space feel larger than it really is."
