We spend more time in our bathroom than we think. We want it to be more comfortable, which is why bathroom design is the most important part of home renovation for people.
You want your bathroom to be comfortable and have enough space for you to meet your needs. But remodeling the bathroom is not easy, and it can be a pretty ambitious project.
Whether you are remodeling to improve your life or your property value, it is crucial that you are prepared for a project like this. That is why we have put these bathroom design tips from the experts to help you get going.
Table of Contents
15 Small Bathroom Design Ideas
A well-designed bathroom can not only add value to your home, but also create a relaxing and comfortable space for you to start and end your day. To help you achieve the perfect bathroom design, we have gathered some expert tips from interior designers and architects.
1. Choose a Spacious Layout
How many people are getting ready in the bathroom in the morning at the same time? Are there any tight spots or pinch points that make the bathroom feel chaotic and overcrowded? Think about how you could improve on these tight spaces to give the bathroom a more spacious layout. If possible, try to free up more space in front of the vanity and in front of the toilet since those tend to be the most common pinch points.
2. Hide the Toilet
Every bathroom needs to have a toilet, but that does not mean that the toilet should be the first thing you see when you walk through the door. Most toilets are eyesores or just not particularly attractive. You can get a nicer looking toilet to go with your decor, or you can tuck the toilet out of sight. You can tuck the toilet on the opposite side of the vanity, or if there is enough space in the bathroom, you can put it behind a door, a tiled wall, or another type of decorative item.
3. Don’t Forget the Lighting
When remodeling the bathroom, lighting is one of the most important things you need to consider. A well lit bathroom that does not cast any harsh shadows is important so you can see clearly enough when using it. If you do not have light fixtures that fully illuminate the mirror and the shower, it would be a good idea to add some here. You can also consider getting a mirror that lights up, which is great if you need to apply makeup.
Installing individual light fixtures in the bathroom can give you more control of the lighting if you do not always want every single light on at once. However, it is important to consult an electrician before you attempt to DIY this since electrical work can be difficult without experience. If you love taking relaxing baths, you can even install a dimmer switch to give you mood lighting.
4. Consider Moving the Sink to the Corner
Does the sink take up too much precious counter space? If you need to create more space on your bathroom counter, you can move the sink to the corner instead of having it in the middle of the vanity. For a smaller bathroom, this can be a big help to make the space feel bigger. Small bathrooms have become popular in newly constructed homes, so there is a good chance you will need to implement this design tip to give you more counter space.
5. Consider Your Tub Size
How big is your bathtub compared to the rest of the bathroom? Before you decide to install a large tub to soak in, make sure it will not completely dominate the bathroom and make it feel crowded. If your tub is currently big, would making it smaller make your bathroom feel a little less crowded?
Do you use your bathtub? If no one in your home likes taking baths, you do not need to keep your tub. Consider trading out the tub for a bigger, more spacious shower. However, if you do plan to sell your home in the next few years, it might not be as appealing to some buyers to buy a home without a bathtub, so that is something to keep in mind.
6. Turn Your Shower Into a Spa
Showers can help you energize for the day or help you relax and unwind at the end of the day. When redesigning your bathroom, it might be worthwhile to add a spa shower to it, especially if you plan on removing your bathtub. A rain shower on the ceiling with vertical shower heads can create a crisscross pattern that can make you feel like you are getting a water massage. Have one or more of the vertical shower heads be handheld so that you can direct the spray when you need to rinse off or clean off the shower when you are done with it.
To finish off the look, you can add a bench seat to let you sit down and relax. Glass doors to the shower and some attractive tiles will be the perfect look to make your spa shower feel more inviting and relaxing.
7. Pay for Quality Materials
It is expensive and time-consuming to remodel your bathroom, but it is usually worth it in the end. This is why it is crucial that you buy quality materials. Yes, sometimes these materials can feel overpriced, but it is going to cost you more in the long run if you buy the cheaper materials and have to replace them a year from now. Look for a balance between form and function. You can make the bathroom look great while still making sure it is safe and easy to use.
Something to keep in mind when you select bathroom materials is that you should avoid something that is overly smooth because it can get slippery when wet, and something that is too coarse can trap debris.
8. Install Faux Stone
Turning your bathroom into a relaxing oasis is much easier than you think. Stone in your shower or on the walls in the rest of the bathroom can make it feel like a spa, but it is expensive and not easy to DIY. Plus, stone is porous and not always great in a humid bathroom because it is not easy to keep it clean and maintained. To give your bathroom the feel without the expense that comes with natural stone, you can install faux stone instead. Faux stone is low maintenance and can be DIY installed, and it is much more affordable than natural stone. Make sure that the brand of faux stone you selected is waterproof; you do not want to get one that will be ruined by a bathroom’s humidity.
9. Cabinet Considerations
The vanity in your bathroom is much more important than you might think. Not only does it hold your sink, but it is usually the main storage space in the bathroom, and the counter houses your toiletries.
Consider what you want out of your bathroom vanity. Do you want more counter space? What about two sinks? You can buy a custom vanity, build one, or buy something already made that fits your needs. Once you have your cabinet picked out, you can pick out the hardware for it — the handles to open the drawers and cupboard and the sink spigot.
If you have a big enough bathroom and love applying makeup, you can even consider having a small section of your bathroom that dips down and allows you to add a seat so you can have a little vanity to sit in front of to apply your makeup.
10. Leave Essentials to Experts
Unless you have experience in bathroom plumbing, electrical work, and waterproofing, it is a good idea to leave these things to the experts. These can cause problems if they are not done right, so it is a good idea to leave these to licensed experts to ensure things are done right the first time. It is more expensive to go back and fix things later than it is to just hire a contractor the first time around.
Water damage is not cheap to fix, and many insurance companies will not cover water damage to a home. Electrical issues have the potential to lead to a fire. Either way, you do not want to risk it when it comes to things like this. While this is not a design tip per se, it is something important to think about when you are planning on doing any remodeling to your bathroom.
11. Design Tips for the Bathroom Floor
Your bathroom floor needs to be attractive, but it also needs to be waterproof and slip resistant. The most common choices that can make your bathroom feel luxurious are ceramic or stone tiles, but make sure you do not pick any that are polished too smoothly to prevent slipping. You can get smaller tiles, too, with grout between them to give you a little more traction when the floor is wet.
While tiles are a great bathroom flooring option, they are not always the most affordable option. For something with a lower price point, you can get vinyl plank flooring, which is durable and slip resistant.
12. Keep Maintenance in Mind
Bathrooms require regular cleaning, so when you remodel yours, make sure you choose materials that are easy to clean and low maintenance. If you want a porous, make sure they are somewhere that is easy to clean. Some low maintenance materials include:
- Porcelain
- Quartz
- Vinyl tiles
- Reconstituted stone
- Faux stone
- Acrylic
13. Luxurious Bathroom Amenities
If you want to feel like you are stepping into a spa and are about to get pampered when you walk into your bathroom, there are some luxurious amenities that you can add to transform the bathroom.
For those who love to spend time soaking in the tub, adding a fireplace to the bathroom can make it feel even cozier and more inviting than ever. While adding a real fireplace is a big expense, you can add a fake one and get the same feel. For example, you can get a wall heater that looks like a fireplace, then surround it in faux stone or brick so it looks like the real deal.
Another fun amenity to add to your bathroom if you like to soak in the tub is adding a small TV to the room so you can watch something while you soak. Or you can wire a new sound system into the bathroom to listen to relaxing music in the shower or tub.
If your bathroom floor is usually pretty cold, you can have radiant heating installed in the flooring so you will not step out of the shower and onto a freezing cold floor.
14. Go Bold
A small space like a bathroom does not need to be in all light or neutral colors, even though that used to be the main design trend for that style. However, your restroom is a place you spend a lot of time in, so why go for a bland design when you could have some fun with it? You can hang some wallpaper to create a fun, whimsical design to make the bathroom uniquely yours. You can choose a jewel toned paint for the ceiling, giving the room a little more dimension. As long as you feel happy when you look at your designs in the room, that is all that matters.
15. Design Tips for Your Bathroom Colors
Color can play a big role in how you perceive a room. What mood do you want to evoke when you are in the bathroom? Once you know what color palette you want your bathroom to have, keep it in mind when you choose everything. It is not just the color of the walls and tile that plays into your color scheme. The colors of the vanity cabinets also play a factor; even the tub and sink can play a role, depending on what materials they are made of and what materials surround them.
Conclusion
By following these bathroom design tips, you can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. Remember to prioritize storage, lighting, and ventilation, as well as incorporating elements that reflect your personal style. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and add unique touches to make the space truly your own. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a bathroom that not only meets your practical needs but also serves as a peaceful and relaxing sanctuary. So, whether you’re starting from scratch or simply looking to update your current bathroom, keep these tips in mind to achieve a beautiful and functional design.
Auz Burger
Auz Burger is a freelance writer and an expert in faux stone and brick veneer and home DIY projects. She has a BA from Washington State University and has been writing and editing professionally for over a decade.
