10 Space-saving bathrooms – clever tricks to steal from interior designers
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Loading... - Ingrid Crecelius
- 21 Jun 2022
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These space-saving bathrooms are designed to make a compact space feel not just bigger and well-functioning, but super-stylish too.
When it comes to small bathroom ideas, clever planning – which includes everything from layout, to fitting choices, to smart small bathroom storage options – is key to ensuring that even a tiny bathroom can still feel spacious. Stylish finishes that are also practical are the icing on the cake.
Up to recently, space-saving bathrooms always required a compromise – often with the bathtub becoming the first victim in the battle for space – not to mention issues arising from lack of storage. But the latest modern fixtures and fittings can still create a luxury bathroom from minimal square footage.
SPACE SAVING BATHROOMS
The best compact designs combine charm and practicality, so we've asked the interior design experts for their top transformative bathroom ideas to ensure your room is a well-design space, no matter the size.
1. BLUR THE LINES IN A DIMINUTIVE SPACE
In this main ensuite bathroom by interior designer Beata Heuman(opens in new tab), carrying the same color tones over multiple surfaces helps to blur out awkward angles and sloped ceiling lines.
‘All the walls and the bath are clad in Béton Ciré, which is a micro concrete paste and totally waterproof,’ explains Beata. ‘The idea here was to make the space feel warm and earthy, unlike most bathrooms. The wooden floor continues in from the bedroom, which connects the suite of rooms and also makes it feel more spacious.’
The characterful vanity, made from a rustic antique table, cuts a strong silhouette against the plastered walls.
2. GO ALL OUT
3. INVEST IN CUSTOM CUPBOARDS
Built-in bathroom storage is streets ahead of free-standing when it comes to making the most of every inch. Commissioning made-to-measure storage is especially worthwhile if you have wonky walls or unusual angles that simply will not accommodate the standard sizes of off-the-shelf furniture. Built-in storage can also improve the shape of a small bathroom; straightening out awkward corners to create a cleaner, more linear space.
Here, Knight Frank(opens in new tab) Interiors has utilised the narrowest niche for built-in storage that’s designed for both display and hiding away. Adding cornicing and an open plinth mimics the style of a freestanding piece, which can feel more relaxed and authentic in a traditional setting.
4. RAISE THE ROOF IN A TINY BATHROOM
If you can’t physically increase the footprint of your small bathroom, consider going upwards. Raising the ceiling is easiest if you have an empty loft space above – the height you can achieve will depend on the position of existing structural beams and supports. It’s wise to consult a structural engineer in the first instance.
In this narrow but tall wet room by Leanne Ford Interiors(opens in new tab), gentle curves provide a softer aesthetic compared to a pitched or vaulted ceiling, while allowing maximum height for an overhead shower rose. Increasing the window height with a clerestory panel and installing bright glossy tiles maximizes spaciousness in this small wet room.
5. FIND YOUR NICHE
‘For diminutive bathrooms with existing alcove spaces or redundant airing cupboards, built-in baths and recessed shower areas are a great solution as they utilize all the available space and can free up the floor area elsewhere,’ says Emma Scott, director of design, C.P. Hart(opens in new tab).
Wall-mounted taps will provide a neat aesthetic and allow perfect positioning for easy access. ‘Alcoves either side of chimney breasts also work well for his and her basin units as the depth is generally shallower. For smaller, awkward areas of dead space, consider built-in niches or shelving for extra storage,’ adds Emma.
6. ENHANCE WITH MIRRORS
The space-boosting powers of mirrored glass are well established, and the first rule is the bigger the mirror, the more space it will appear to create.
‘Think about what you are trying to achieve. Tall bathroom mirror ideas can enhance the proportions of a bathroom, making the ceiling feel higher. Likewise, in a narrow space we can trick the eye into thinking the space is wider,’ says Ali Johnson, director, Otta Design(opens in new tab). ‘Position a mirror opposite or next to a window to amplify the natural light or place it in the darkest corner of a bathroom, behind a light source, to encourage the light’s reach through the space.’ Read More...
