Bathroom Design Tips for Small Spaces

Small bathrooms present unique challenges, but they also offer opportunities for creative problem-solving. Whether you're working with a tiny ensuite, a compact apartment bathroom, or a heritage home's original bathroom, thoughtful design choices can make your space feel larger, function better, and look more inviting. This guide covers practical strategies for maximising small bathrooms, from layout considerations to the often-overlooked details like choosing the right bath mat.

Understanding Your Space

Before making any changes, thoroughly assess your bathroom. Measure everything: floor area, wall heights, distances between fixtures, and any architectural features like windows or alcoves. Note where the plumbing connections are located, as moving them is expensive and may not be worthwhile for minor gains.

Consider how you actually use the space. Do you primarily shower or bathe? Does one person use it or multiple family members? Do you need storage for medications and toiletries, or do you keep those elsewhere? Understanding your specific needs helps prioritise which improvements matter most.

In Australian homes, bathrooms are often smaller than in some other countries, with standard apartment bathrooms ranging from just 3 to 5 square metres. Even modest improvements to layout, storage, and visual design can transform how these compact spaces feel and function.

Layout Optimisation

The arrangement of fixtures dramatically affects both the functionality and perceived size of a small bathroom. While major layout changes require professional help, understanding the principles helps you make informed decisions.

Traffic Flow

Leave adequate clearance for movement. Standard guidelines suggest at least 60cm of clear floor space in front of the toilet and sink, and 70cm for shower entry. In very small spaces, look for fixtures designed with compact dimensions—wall-hung toilets, corner sinks, and sliding shower doors all save precious centimetres.

Fixture Selection

Choose fixtures scaled appropriately for your space. A large freestanding bathtub might be your dream, but in a small bathroom, it dominates the room and makes movement difficult. Consider a compact bath-shower combination or, if you rarely bathe, replacing the bath with a spacious walk-in shower. Modern slim-profile toilets and wall-mounted vanities free up floor space and make the room feel larger.

Creating Visual Space

Sometimes making a small bathroom look larger is just as valuable as making it function better. Visual tricks can significantly impact how spacious a room feels.

Colour Choices

Light colours reflect more light and make spaces feel open and airy. White, cream, pale grey, and soft pastels are classic choices for small bathrooms. This doesn't mean everything must be white—consider using a single light base colour with accents of a bolder shade for interest.

Using the same tile from floor to wall (or continuing wall colour to ceiling) creates a seamless look that eliminates visual breaks, making the space feel continuous and larger. Large-format tiles with minimal grout lines have a similar effect.

Mirrors and Lighting

Mirrors are perhaps the most powerful tool for expanding perceived space. A large mirror above the vanity reflects light and creates the illusion of depth. For maximum impact, consider a wall-to-wall mirror or mirrors on opposing walls.

Good lighting is essential. Natural light is ideal—if you have a window, keep treatments minimal to maximise daylight. Supplement with layered artificial lighting: ambient ceiling lights, task lighting around mirrors, and consider accent lighting to add depth and interest.

Visual Continuity

Reduce visual clutter by keeping surfaces clear and storage concealed. Open shelving can display attractive items, but miscellaneous toiletries and products create visual chaos. Frameless shower screens are less visually intrusive than framed options, and clear glass allows the eye to travel through the space uninterrupted.

Smart Storage Solutions

Storage is often the biggest challenge in small bathrooms. You need places for towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and personal items, but bulky storage solutions eat into precious floor space.

Vertical Storage

When floor space is limited, build upward. Tall, narrow cabinets use vertical space efficiently. Shelving above the toilet (often wasted space) can hold baskets or decorative storage. Hooks on walls and behind doors accommodate towels and robes without requiring floor space or drawer room.

Built-In Solutions

Recessed shelving (often called a niche) built into shower walls provides storage for products without protruding into the showering area. Medicine cabinets recessed into walls provide storage while keeping the mirror flush with the wall surface. If you're renovating, discuss built-in options with your builder or designer.

Multi-Functional Items

Choose items that serve multiple purposes. A vanity with drawers or cabinets provides storage while supporting the sink. A mirrored cabinet combines storage and reflection. A step stool with hidden storage inside helps children reach the sink while holding supplies.

Bath Mats for Small Bathrooms

In a compact bathroom, even your bath mat choice matters. An oversized mat overwhelms the space and may cause tripping hazards, while too small a mat fails to provide adequate coverage or safety.

Size Selection

For most small bathrooms, look for bath mats in the 40x60cm to 50x70cm range. Measure the space where you'll place the mat, ensuring it won't block door swings, cabinet openings, or traffic paths. The mat should cover the primary stepping area when exiting the shower or bath but not extend so far that it interferes with other bathroom functions.

Shape Considerations

Rectangular mats work in most situations, but consider alternatives for unusual layouts. Curved mats suit round or oval bathtubs. Corner mats are available for corner shower installations. Some brands offer contoured mats designed to fit around toilet bases, keeping floor coverage comprehensive without overlapping.

Colour and Design

In small spaces, bath mat colour impacts the overall feel. Match your mat to the room's dominant colour for a seamless, space-expanding effect. Alternatively, use the mat as an accent piece—a single bold colour can add interest without overwhelming. Avoid busy patterns in very small bathrooms; they add visual clutter.

Drying Considerations

Small bathrooms often have ventilation challenges, making quick-drying mats especially valuable. Consider microfiber or diatomaceous earth options that dry rapidly, reducing humidity in an already moisture-prone space. Always hang your mat to dry between uses—leaving it flat on the floor in a small, humid bathroom is a recipe for mould problems.

Ventilation in Small Bathrooms

Compact bathrooms concentrate moisture in a small area, making ventilation crucial. Without adequate airflow, humidity damages finishes, encourages mould growth, and creates an unpleasant environment.

If your bathroom lacks a window, a powerful exhaust fan is essential. The fan should be rated for your bathroom's size—check the cubic metre per hour (m³/h) rating and match it to your room volume. Run the fan during bathing and for at least 15-20 minutes afterward.

For bathrooms with windows, use them! Open windows after bathing to clear steam and humidity. If privacy is a concern, frosted glass or top-opening windows allow ventilation while maintaining privacy.

Renovation Tips for Small Bathrooms

If you're planning a renovation, keep these small-bathroom-specific considerations in mind:

• Prioritise functionality: In a small space, every centimetre matters. Prioritise practical improvements over aesthetic upgrades
• Consider walk-in showers: Removing a bathtub in favour of a walk-in shower can dramatically open up a small bathroom
• Install larger tiles: Fewer grout lines create a cleaner, more spacious appearance
• Waterproof properly: Moisture problems are magnified in small spaces—ensure excellent waterproofing during any renovation
• Plan lighting carefully: Shadows make small spaces feel cramped; good lighting design opens them up
• Think about door swing: A sliding door or pocket door eliminates the floor space consumed by a swinging door

Small bathrooms require thoughtful design, but they don't require settling for cramped, uncomfortable, or ugly spaces. By understanding the principles of layout optimisation, visual expansion, and smart storage, you can transform even the smallest bathroom into a functional, attractive space you'll enjoy using every day.