Room Design
Bathroom Design
Small Bathrooms
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process
Published on 05/26/24
Design a compact space that is functional and aesthetically pleasing with small bathroom ideas to suit any design style. Make a smaller bathroom feel larger with clever storage solutions. Beautify a modest-sized bathroom with paint, tile, wallpaper, fixtures, vanities, lighting, mirrors, window treatments, layout tips and more.
Check out these small bathroom ideas in a range of styles and budgets for inspiration.
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Hang Patterned Wallpaper
Give a compact powder room in an older home a sense of grandeur with bathroom wallpaper. Desiree Burns Interiors combined gray-and-white patterned wallpaper with white window trim and beadboard paneling for an elegant look. A painted ceiling that mimics the dark gray background of the wallpaper ties the small room together.
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Use Mirrors to Double Space
Hang a mirror on the far wall of a small narrow bathroom to double the perception of space and bounce light around. Marie Flanigan Interiors chose a round mirror with a thin brass frame to break up the straight lines of this tiny space. You can also install a mirror panel as a backsplash for a clean look that will lighten and brighten the space.
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Try Patterned Window Shades
Add privacy, light control, and a cozy feel to a small bathroom with a patterned window shade. Kate Marker Interiors chose a subtle pattern that allows the dark woodland-themed wallpaper to be the focus, but you can choose a bolder pattern in a neutral bathroom.
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Choose Black Flooring
Black flooring will give both traditional and modern bathrooms a sleek and chic look. Louis Duncan-He Designs tiled the narrow entrance to this small bathroom black hexagon tiles and white grout. Illustrated wallpaper and a pastel blue sink vanity adds interest to the windowless finished basement bathroom.
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Try a Colored Sink
Bring color into a small bathroom with a colorful sink. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a cool pastel mint green, paired with mixed metals, wood and woven accents, a gleaming zellige backsplash and darker green floor tile for a refreshing modern feel.
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Hang a Skinny Pendant Light
Wall sconces are a small bathroom go-to, but if your space has high ceilings, consider hanging a skinny pendant light from the ceiling instead. Louis Duncan-He Designs paired a sculptural pendant light with a decorative gold mirror and a botanical wallpaper accent in this guest bathroom.
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Choose Earth-Toned Paint
Warm up a contemporary bathroom with soft earth-toned paint colors. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a rosy beige in this powder room for a soft finish. Brass accents add shine.
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Add a Small Rug
Elevate your powder room or small bathroom with a rug. Whittney Parkinson Design chose a vintage rug to complement this traditional powder room decorated with beadboard wainscoting, wallpaper, and an aged brass and marble freestanding sink. Choose a runner to warm up the floor in a narrow galley-style bathroom.
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Save Space With a Wet Room
Turn your small bathroom into a wet room with a walk-in shower to save space anywhere from a studio apartment to a guest bathroom, like this minimalist space from Fantastic Frank.
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Paint the Ceiling
Add an unexpected color accent in a small neutral bathroom by painting the ceiling. This space from Fantastic Frank has a soothing medium-toned blue ceiling for an airy feel.
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Mix and Match Tiles
Embrace color in a small bathroom with mix and match tile. Studio Peake chose dark teal vertical shower tiles that draw the eye upward in this narrow London bathroom. Geometric tiles on the floor add movement and contrast.
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Choose a Farmhouse Vanity
Give a small modern farmhouse bathroom a cozy feel with a rustic vanity made from light wood and white marble. Kate Marker Interiors paired the vanity with painted wainscoting and woodland wallpaper for a layered feel.
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Skip the Shower Door
In a tight bathroom, skip the shower door to create maximum flow. Michelle Berwick Design drew the focus to the floor in this tight space with blue-and-white patterned tile.
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Channel Vintage Style
Decorate a vintage-style bathroom with marble-effect wallpaper, an antique mirror, brass accents, and retro fixtures, like this space from Brexton Cole Interiors. A freestanding sink with a built-in towel rack matches the style of the home.
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Find Creative Storage
Add storage to a smaller bathroom by using exploiting overlooked spaces. In this bathroom designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design, the window sill doubles as a storage cabinet with the addition of shelves.
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Mount the Sink on the Wall
Save space in a smaller bathroom with a wall-mounted sink. Becca Interiors chose a compact black-and-white sink with black wall-mounted hardware in this little industrial-style bathroom for a timeless look. A pair of planters add a touch of natural greenery to the neutral space.
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Hang a Modern Mirror
A bathroom mirror is a practical necessity, but there's no reason it can't double as a decorative focal point in a smaller space. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a statement mirror that adds some modern edge to the neutral space.
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Opt for a Half-Wall Shower
In a small narrow bathroom, a half-wall shower can help define the shower from the vanity. Marie Flanigan Interiors mixed black and white patterns to add dynamism to this sliver of a space, with plenty of built-in storage in the vanity to keep it clutter-free.
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Bring the Outdoors Inside
Floral accents and decor will add a fresh note to a small bathroom. Blogger Ursula Carmona for Home Made By Carmona hung oversized black-and-white floral wallpaper in this powder room, and used the wainscoting below as a blank canvas for a pair of botanical prints.
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Float the Sink
Float the sink in a small powder room to preserve an airy feel. Studio Peake floated a substantial pink marble sink and matching backsplash just above the floor in this powder room covered in illustrated palm tree wallpaper for a tropical resort feel in a London bathroom.
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Install Window Shutters
Install half shutters on the window of a small bathroom to add privacy without blocking views. Becca Interiors painted the shutters the same color as window trim and walls and wainscoting in this bathroom decorated with an antique pedestal sink with wooden legs.
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Try a Colored Glass Mirror
In a powder room, hang a flattering tinted mirror that will make your guests feel good when they check themselves before heading back to the party. Michelle Berwick Design chose a rose-tinted round mirror to complement a coral sink and floral wallpaper, but you can opt for brass to create a warm glow, too.
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Add Stacked Shower Niches
Create storage space in a small bathroom with a shower niche (or two). In this compact shower from Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design, a pair of stacked niches hold everyday essentials, while removable hooks add storage for a body brush and a bunch of eucalyptus to add a natural fragrance when the shower steams up.
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Accent With Gold
Elevate a small bathroom with gold accents. Desiree Burns Interiors gave this half bathroom a lift with gold-toned plumbing fixtures, a gilded frame, a sconce over the mirror, and a brass toilet paper holder.
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Match Wall and Floor Tile
Make the ceilings in a smaller bathroom feel taller with a full-wall backsplash. Michelle Berwick Design matched the wall and floor tile in this modern bathroom for a seamless look that is easy to maintain.
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Mix Old and New
Mix old and new fixtures and finishes to add charm to a small bathroom in an older home. Desiree Burns Interiors paired a vintage-style pedestal sink with a modern mirror with a wavy frame and hung wallpaper illustrated with floral and lemon branches for a timeless feel.
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Fill Gaps With Open Shelves
In a small bathroom, fill gaps between the sink vanity and the wall with open shelving to add additional storage. Marie Flanigan Interiors chose light wood shelving that matches the drawers on the sink vanity for a cohesive look.
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Personalize With Mosaic Tile
Give a small guest bathroom a friendly and welcoming feel with a mosaic tile greeting. Michelle Berwick Design kept it casual in this bright modern space, but you can personalize a penny tile greeting with your favorite turn of phrase.
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Install a Shower Bench
Add a small corner bench in a small shower with enough width to optimize space. Tyler Karu Design and Interiors carved out a nearly wall-to-wall shower niche to maximize storage.
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Choose Period Finishes
Renovate a small bathroom in an older home using period finishes and fixtures for an authentic feel. Erin Williamson Design gave a vintage bungalow bathroom a facelift with classic subway and penny tiles, chrome finishes, and a freestanding sink for a timeless look.
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Choose Terrazzo Flooring
Add color, pattern, flair, and individuality to a small bathroom with terrazzo tile flooring. Neva Interior Design paired the multicolored floor tile with a pink square tile backsplash, white walls and furniture, and brass accents for a bright, modern feel in this Parisian space.
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Create a Moody Feel
Pair dark wall paint, furniture, and fixtures to create a dark and moody feel in a small bathroom. Interior designer Maite Granda accented this all-black sink alcove with brass plumbing fixtures and a pair of emerald green vases filled with tall branches for a dramatic effect in a compact space.
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Go for a Statement Sink
In a small, neutral bathroom, make a statement with a signature element. Becca Interiors created a focal point in this bathroom painted in shades of beige with a dramatic stone sink for a memorable finish.
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Organize Under-Sink Storage
Don't forget to incorporate smart storage options to make your small bathroom functional as well as stylish. Emily Henderson Design optimized the under-sink vanity cabinet with wire baskets that slide in and out so that items don't get lost at the back of the cabinet.
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Choose a Water Theme
Embrace a water theme in a small powder room with whimsical wallpaper. Michelle Berwick Design chose an illustrated scene of ducks floating in water in this black-and-white powder room that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Accent With Green
Blue is a go-to bathroom color, but consider green for a fresh look that is equally soothing and nature-inspired. Studio Peake layered green accents in this white bathroom, from the wood paneling to the window trim, wallpaper, and vase to give this London bathroom a lift.
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Select Multipurpose Pieces
When furnishing a small bathroom or powder room, look for multipurpose pieces that will save space and increase functionality. Michelle Berwick Design chose a modern mirror with an integrated shelf to add storage and display options in this guest bath.
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Carve Out a Bathtub Niche
If your bathroom is big enough for a clawfoot bathtub but lacks storage, consider a wall niche. Tyler Karu Design and Interiors finished the back of this vertical niche with the same patterned tile as the floor for a harmonious feel.
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Stick to Black and White
A black-and-white bathroom is a classic combination that can work in any size or style space. Interior designer Alvin Wayne stuck to bold swaths of black and white in this New York City bathroom that gives it presence despite its small size.
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Brighten With Paint
Brighten a smaller bathroom that lacks natural light with sunny yellow paint. Dazey Den paired saffron wall paint with colorful wall art and a vintage mirror in this midcentury modern Palm Springs bathroom for a retro feel that will wake you up in the morning.
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Incorporate Rustic Finishes
Incorporate rustic finishes and fixtures to add warmth to a small powder room.
Marie Flanigan Interiors paired exposed wood ceilings with a rustic stone sink and an antique mirror in this guest bathroom for a textural feel that gives the small space presence and a reassuring sense that it's been there for awhile.
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Hang Some Artwork
Hang some artwork on the walls of a small powder room to bring it to life. Mary Patton Design hung a mix of framed prints to add personality to the walls of this modern guest bathroom that pop against the matte black paint.
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Add Storage With a Cart
Maximize storage in a small bathroom that lacks cabinet space with a tiered cart on wheels. Julie Rose for Emily Henderson Design stationed a white metal cart in the corner to store essentials that can be wheeled out of the way when it's time to mop the floors.
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Lay Neutral Patterned Tile
Lay patterned bathroom floor tile in neutral shades to add interest to a small powder room. Desiree Burns Interiors finished this guest bathroom with a delicate pattern that complements light taupe walls and shiny brass accents.
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Utilize Every Surface
In a small space, every inch counts. Utilize the forgotten space on the top of a flat-top toilet to store items in tidy lidded baskets that will keep clutter at bay, like this space Emily Henderson Design.
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Add Color and Pattern
Create an immersive feel in a small powder room with a memorable mix of paint and wallpaper. Studio Peake paired sage paint with bold wallpaper that incorporates shades of green, blue, and orange, and finished with silver-toned fixtures to balance the riot of color and pattern.
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Clad Walls in Shiplap
Horizontal shiplap wall panels will make a narrow bathroom feel wider and more spacious. My 100 Year Old Homeused wrap-around white shiplap that creates a sense of movement and makes the tight space feel airier and lighter.
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Bring Retro Glam
Bring retro glam to a tiny powder room with bold finishes and decor. Erin Williamson Design paired leopard print wallpaper with a vintage mirror and pendant light to create an outsized impact in a miniature space.
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Add Contemporary Flair
Add some contemporary flair to a small bathroom with bold decor choices. Louis Duncan-He Designs decorated this compact space with modern lighting, abstract wallpaper, mixed stone finishes, and shades of blue for a sophisticated feel.
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Use a Glass Shower Panel
Preserve sightlines in a small bathroom by choosing a transparent glass splash guard instead of a shower curtain or sliding doors. Jessica Nelson Design used a half partition in this bathroom that practically disappears to keep the focus on the colorful geometric floor tiles.
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Accent With Black
Black accents like plumbing fixtures, mirrors, and lighting will add definition to a small bathroom. Space Factory paired matte black accents with small square taupe tiles and a concrete sink to give this small bathroom a sleek modern look.
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Do a Tile Half Wall
Add transformative color to a small bathroom with a tiled half-wall. House of Chais used the same pill-shaped tile on the walls of this compact space, with bright white on the top and a wrap-around half wall in alternating warm shades of pink on the bottom.
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Use a Galley-Style Layout
Use a galley-style layout for a small bathroom with a bathtub shower, like this primary en suite from Charlie Interior Design. While the door opens into the small space, it rests against the fixed glass shower panel rather than encroaching on space to preserve flow.
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Make Room for a Tub
Squeeze a bathtub into a smaller bathroom with a freestanding oval tub with soothing rounded edges. COTTAGE + SEA decorated behind the tub with a large cactus and a decorative towel ladder to warm up the bath corner.
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Try Geometric Bathtub Tile
Decorate a bathtub shower combo with colorful geometric tile to create a focal point in a bathroom with a limited footprint. Sonya Lee Architect chose colorful geometric cement tiles in shades of blue and gray in this Brooklyn townhouse bathroom.
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Pay Attention to Details
Add small finishing details to make your small bathroom more functional and beautiful.
Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design tucked a small wooden stool next to the tub to hold a soap dish, and hung a bunch eucalyptus from the showerhead to add color and natural fragrance when the bathroom steams up. A simple framed print and cohesive black accents add polish.
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Install a Walk-In Shower
Create a sleek feel with a small walk-in shower. Space Factory added a textured sandy beige finish to this space and added a wall-to-wall integrated bench that makes the narrow space feel wider.
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Brighten With Floor Tile
Brighten a small black-and-white bathroom with colorful patterned floor tiles. This small Scandinavian bathroom from Fantastic Frank gets a lift from a patterned floor in shades of bright blue for a modern feel.
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Install Integrated Lighting
If your small bathroom lacks natural light, consider adding a backlit mirror over the sink. Tina Ramchandani Creative added flattering ambient light in this New York City apartment bathroom and a glass shower panel that amplifies it and makes the space feel larger.
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Use Vertical Tiles
Make a small bathroom feel taller with vertical tile stacks. Studio Peake chose blue wall tiles in this small space that draws the eye up toward the skylight over the shower.
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Fill the Shower With Plants
If your guest bathroom has a shower that looks a little empty when your don't have friends and family in town, turn it into a place to display plants. A mix of plants in matching white planters makes this modern bathroom from Leaf and Lolo feel light and bright.
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Hang a Roman Shade
Hang a Roman shade in a natural material like sustainable linen to soften the windows and diffuse light in a powder room, like this space from Becca Interiors. You can pair it with a simple roller shade if you need more light or privacy control.
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Repurpose an Antique Vanity
In a small bathroom, repurpose antique or vintage furniture as a sink vanity to save space and add character. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors paired dark wood with brass and shades of green to give this space a transitional feel.
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Try Abstract Wall Graphics
Bold graphics will give a small bathroom a big dose of personality that will distract from its size. Interior designer Alvin Wayne chose a large-scale abstract pattern with a hand-drawn quality in this black-and-white New York City bathroom for a modern feel.
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Add Geometric Decor Accents
Use geometric accents to add a modern feel in an industrial-inspired bathroom. Jacqueline Blum Design paired industrial black-framed windows and a glass shower partition with geometric pendants and wall planters in this black-and-white bathroom.