Tips for Tiny Bathrooms

The bathroom has many functions that we find are important in our daily routines. No matter the size, big or small, the bathroom can be functional and stylish at the same time.

If your itty bitty bathroom is ready for a redo, check out these 12 projects that make the most of limited space with clever tricks.

Faced with the challenge of a 240-square-foot New York apartment in desperate need of a refresh, architect Tim Seggerman went straight to his toolbox to craft a Nakashima-inspired interior. The architect brightens the limited space with warm wood and tiny tile. Photo by David Engelhardt.

Faced with the challenge of a 240-square-foot New York apartment in desperate need of a refresh, architect Tim Seggerman went straight to his toolbox to craft a Nakashima-inspired interior. The architect brightens the limited space with warm wood and tiny tile. Photo by David Engelhardt.

To create a sense of visual connection, Vinciguerra and Santiard set a colored window between the two rooms. They spent days making sure that the green transparency would meld nicely with the shade of green on the kitchen shelves.

To create a sense of visual connection, Vinciguerra and Santiard set a colored window between the two rooms. They spent days making sure that the green transparency would meld nicely with the shade of green on the kitchen shelves.

The bathroom’s width and reinforced handrails accommodate Wansbrough’s needs.

The bathroom’s width and reinforced handrails accommodate Wansbrough’s needs.

Linden used standard 2x2 daltile in the bathroom, but swapped out individual tiles to create a custom pattern. The toilet is by Duravit, the sink and cabinet are by Ikea, and the faucet is Kohler.

Linden used standard 2x2 daltile in the bathroom, but swapped out individual tiles to create a custom pattern. The toilet is by Duravit, the sink and cabinet are by Ikea, and the faucet is Kohler.

"Because it’s a small space, it was possible to make everything pristine," says Dulkinys, standing in her dream bathroom, outfitted with full-slab Carrara marble, a Duravit sink, and fixtures by Dornbracht.

"Because it’s a small space, it was possible to make everything pristine," says Dulkinys, standing in her dream bathroom, outfitted with full-slab Carrara marble, a Duravit sink, and fixtures by Dornbracht.

The house’s small square footage also necessitated that the bathroom do double duty as the laundry room.

The house’s small square footage also necessitated that the bathroom do double duty as the laundry room.

Popp removed the old bath/shower combo and remodeled the configuration of the shower, which now has one-level access for safety and ease of use, and installed a remote operating device. "The tile is all Heath seconds," says Popp, who found enough pieces to cover the entire 250-square-foot bathroom.

Popp removed the old bath/shower combo and remodeled the configuration of the shower, which now has one-level access for safety and ease of use, and installed a remote operating device. "The tile is all Heath seconds," says Popp, who found enough pieces to cover the entire 250-square-foot bathroom.

Chan outfitted the bathroom in marine fir plywood from Rosenzweig Lumber for its resistance to high-moisture environments. The fixtures are from Vola; the bathtub, countertop and sinks are of magnesite. The full-height glass is stationary except for a sliding door at left, and a curtain can be rolled down for privacy.

Chan outfitted the bathroom in marine fir plywood from Rosenzweig Lumber for its resistance to high-moisture environments. The fixtures are from Vola; the bathtub, countertop and sinks are of magnesite. The full-height glass is stationary except for a sliding door at left, and a curtain can be rolled down for privacy.

Tiles from Ramacieri-Soligo brighten the bathroom, off the hall.

Tiles from Ramacieri-Soligo brighten the bathroom, off the hall.

Black tiles and fittings lend the bathroom a dramatic look. The black bathtub is made of recycled plastic. Photo by Per Magnus Persson.

Black tiles and fittings lend the bathroom a dramatic look. The black bathtub is made of recycled plastic. Photo by Per Magnus Persson.

Azevedo shoehorned a small bathroom next to the kitchen, under the dormer. The etched translucent glass lets light into the main living area and serves as one side of the shower. Photo by Susanne Friedrich.

Azevedo shoehorned a small bathroom next to the kitchen, under the dormer. The etched translucent glass lets light into the main living area and serves as one side of the shower. Photo by Susanne Friedrich.

A skylight in the compact bathroom opens the space, and green tiles give the room a spa-like feel.

A skylight in the compact bathroom opens the space, and green tiles give the room a spa-like feel.

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Erika Heet
Erika Heet has been working in publishing for more than 20 years, including years spent as a senior editor at Architectural Digest and Robb Report.

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