Planning a small bathroom

Planning a small bathroom may seem straightforward, due to the limited space available, however, it can prove tricky, trying to find room for everything you need.

Whether starting from scratch or simply refurbishing an existing small bathroom, maximising space is the key to creating a stylish and highly functional place in which to unwind and relax.

In this room planning guide, we'll show you that a small bathroom needn't mean compromising on quality. In fact, we'll demonstrate exactly how a small bathroom can end up punching well above its weight. This article focuses on your master bathroom, however, if you are looking to plan a second small bathroom in your home, you may wish to read one of the following guides:

With full, coordinated suites available, the Wharfe collection from Orchard Bathrooms will help you create a fresh, modern look in your bathroom

Focal point

A bathroom of substance always has a bathtub as a centrepiece and this doesn’t have to be lost even if you are working with a small space. At just 1500mm in length, the small Traditional double ended roll top bath from The Bath Co. can bring elegance to any bathroom and attracts plenty of attention as you enter the room. If you are planning a traditional bathroom, the Dulwich freestanding shower bath (pictured below) combines the best of both worlds, saving on space and providing both bathing and showering options.

With all the elegance of a traditional roll top bath, the Dulwich freestanding shower bath will help you optimise your space

Showers

Of course, some people use a smaller space to make the most of the convenience that a shower can offer, so basing your new room around an enclosure, or better still, a luxurious shower cabin, can be a great choice.

A small space is also a great opportunity if you want to build a small “wet room” and our range of walk in showers can be a great way to start off in that direction.

Handy hint: Discover the benefits of a wet room and find out how small you can go with a wet room.

When planning a small bathroom, don't immediately rule out the idea of a wet room

Illusions

Making a small bathroom appear bigger can be done effectively with a few tried and tested tips and tricks. Light colours for wall and floor tiles can help, and the way that you use your bathroom lighting can be key. If your room doesn’t have any natural light from outside, using full spectrum bulbs (which best replicate natural light) can help make the room feel less enclosed.

For a room with a low ceiling, vertical stripes on the walls are a great way to create the impression of height but consider keeping this to a feature wall. Uplighting can also help form the illusion of a taller room.

A combination of downlights and spotlights will help illuminate every corner of your small bathroom

Discover how you can make your bathroom feel larger by choosing the best small bathroom colours.

Storage

The less space you have, the more storage becomes an issue. The number of small things that clutter our bathrooms can be amazing, so make sure you have a bathroom cabinet that is practical, like the small Eden white vanity unit and basin. This not only offers a great storage solution but also gives a clean, modern high-gloss finish, which helps make everything feel bigger and more spacious.

Discover how to create an Oriental Spa style small bathroom by clicking on the image above

Use your corners

The corners of your bathroom often get overlooked, yet can be turned to your advantage. With corner-fitting toilets (like the one below, from our Derwent collection), you can think outside the box a little when it comes to planning a small bathroom.

Corner basins are also worth considering. Vanity units like the one pictured below, from our great value Clarity collection, help to maximise space by providing much-needed storage, without taking up a large footprint.

Your small bathroom designed for FREE

Yes, that’s right. With our professional Bathroom Design Service, we’ll provide you with a highly realistic 3D image and 2D floor plan, taking your tastes and preferences into consideration. What’s more, we’ll create your very own bespoke shopping basket, which you can pass on to your chosen bathroom fitter, making the whole process nice and easy. And, the best part, it’s completely FREE OF CHARGE, with no obligation to buy.

Simply click the image below to enquire about our Bathroom Design Service today.

Shop for small spaces

You'll find plenty of stylish, space-saving bathroom products right here at Victoria Plum. Click on the image below to browse.

Small bathroom ideas

As part of your planning process, why not head to our Small Spaces hub or check out more great small bathroom ideas at Victoria Plum and turn your small space into a big hit!