Whether you hire an interior designer or DIY the room, small bathrooms are a great place to get creative. Ask any interior design expert and they’ll tell you the same thing: these small bathrooms are the perfect “jewel box” spaces because that’s where you can experiment with different styles and really let your design shine. That’s why you’ll often see bolder patterns, features, and colors in the bathroom than you would elsewhere in the home. If you’ve got the cash to spare but still need some visual inspiration, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite small bathroom design ideas for you.
Whatever your budget, there are ways to make your small bathroom more livable. These designers have added interest to your bathroom with a variety of styles, from clever hanging shelves to investing in decorative boxes to hide items and great tricks like using color to expand the space. Read on to discover 60 expert tips for updating your small bathroom smartly and beautifully, then start planning your next project.
In this tiny powder room designed by Liz Carroll, she made sure to make the most of the empty space. From the thin wall sconces to the small towel rings and floating shelves for hanging vases and decorative bowls, everything that adds character to this small bathroom was carefully chosen to save as much space as possible while still being beautiful.
It may seem counterproductive: a small bathroom. However, since there is no storage space below and no countertop above, the double-faucet sink designed by Wendy Labrum makes the small bathroom look tidier.
Vertical stripes serve the same function in home decor as they do in fashion: they add height to a space. In a small bathroom with a low ceiling, you can make the space feel taller by using vertical striped wallpaper, as designer Ashley Gilbreath did in this powder room.
In this small bathroom design idea, Christina Salway used vintage elements to add unique personality while also making the space feel less crowded. She used this vintage toilet to add height and dimension to the space while leaving an open view so the bottom half of the room doesn’t feel crowded.
If your small bathroom is short on storage, work with your contractor to find a way to solve the problem by installing built-in storage. The Gordon Dunning team chose to install shelves on the wall opposite the tub to keep towels and other amenities close at hand. However, you can make this area more private if you prefer.
Adding a corner vanity not only saves space, but also adds an interesting focal point that you wouldn’t typically find elsewhere. The designer of this small bathroom, Alexandra Koehler, hung a vintage mirror in the corner to enhance the flow of the design.
Related Story: Designer Alexandra Keller Creates English-Style Interiors on Chicago’s North Shore
This gorgeous floating vanity is more than just a custom finishing touch; it’s also a secret compartment. Carefully chosen for the bathroom by designer Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar of Far Studio, this quartzite mini vanity cleverly conceals the sink’s plumbing for a clean look that avoids clutter.
A surefire way to make a small bathroom feel bigger is to use small details and decor. In this powder room, designer Ann Hepfer chose a compact corner vanity, a slim mirror, and two wall sconces to accommodate all the essentials without making the space feel cramped.
Of course, a bathroom wouldn’t be complete without a mirror, but designer Katie Ridder made this small vanity area even more perfect by using a reflective surface. Ridder painted the door a rich merlot red (Benjamin Moore’s Arroyo Red), which not only adds beauty and contrast to the space, but also serves as an extra sparkle, visually enlarging the room by reflecting light.
It’s no secret that light colors can make a small room look bigger, so why not try this trick to brighten up your small bathroom design? Designer Ben Dhong masterfully mixed vintage and modern elements in this powder room to create a peaceful, calming space full of personality.
Suzanne Sharbin, founder and creative director of multidisciplinary creative studio The Beaux Arts, forgoes traditional storage in this bathroom, opting instead for a vintage stool that matches the home’s vintage bathroom. This allows towels to sit on the floor without any oversized furniture.
The doors of this houseboat, renovated by Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni of CDS Interiors, mimic traditional ship portholes. The glass panels not only reflect the home’s nautical style, but also allow more light into the small space.
In House Beautiful’s 2023 “Whole House” series, Marita Simmons and Krista Gibbons of Kipling House chose a floor-to-ceiling mirror for the girls’ bathroom to make the initially small space feel larger. Not only does the mirror create an optical illusion, it also reflects light, making the small room feel larger.
To direct light where it’s needed, three traditional wall sconces are mounted on a mirror in this small bathroom design idea by Sarah Swabb of Storie Collective and Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths. The mirror solution was a creative one: “While we originally envisioned a single mirror with a hand-blown brass finish, it was too big to fit in the room,” says Swabb. “To save a little money, we decided to make four separate beveled mirrors, which turned out to be one of our favorite design details.”
Create a sense of openness by decorating a small bathroom with white accents, like this one designed by Toledo Geller. The various white marble tiles, white ceiling, and ivory curtains work together to create a bright and soft atmosphere. The glass shower door makes the space feel more spacious, and a small brass vanity adds a touch of elegance.
To compensate for the lack of countertop space and storage in the bathroom of her Los Angeles home, designer Francesca Grace placed a small cabinet next to the sink. In this small bathroom design idea, a simple wall hook can hang a hand towel, and a wide mirror reflects light and makes the space appear larger.
If you don’t have a lot of space to make a statement, add some vintage pieces to the mix. In the bathroom of a 1960s bungalow in West Palm Beach, Florida, Jillian Segal created a romantic atmosphere by placing a sleek vintage wall sconce between curved mirrors sourced from Mecox.
Chintz adds a garden touch to the bathroom of this holiday home in Southampton. Justin Cushing cleverly hid the vanity and matching chair in the bathroom, which can be stored under the vanity. The skirting also hides other toiletries.
Opt for sheer curtains to provide privacy without sacrificing light. These small rattan bathroom curtains from Becca Casey not only provide privacy, but also add texture and warmth to the space.
Alexander Reid adds personality to this small rental bathroom with a monogrammed shower curtain and classic trim. A beautiful picture frame and garden stool create a formal and sophisticated feel without taking up too much space.
Post time: Jun-04-2025
