How to Gain Some Space for a Small Bathroom

In the world of decor, there are always other options, even for small bathrooms. You can find furniture that perfectly fit into your space.
How to Gain Some Space for a Small Bathroom

Last update: 28 January, 2019

Do you have a bathroom that’s on the smaller side, with barely enough space for your furniture and decor? Or maybe it’s so small that even moving around is tricky. Today, we’ll show you how to gain some space for a small bathroom.

It might seem impossible but there are always options in the world of interior design, even for small areas or others that barely offer plausible possibilities. The solution is out there.

Bathrooms are the rooms with the least amount of space. In fact, most bathrooms don’t even exceed 4 m². So, what can you do in a room so small?

Apartment bathrooms

Small bathroom 1

Generally speaking, apartment bathrooms are small. They’re proportional to the rest of the apartment’s size as these types of homes are more practical, functional and smaller sized.

It’s usual to see apartments in pricey neighborhoods, but they’re also normal in university towns and touristic areas as well. In that sense, you could say that apartments are usually temporary residences rather than permanent homes because they’re usually the only plausible option in many circumstances.

If you buy an apartment, the bathroom usually comes without decor and all the plumbing fixtures are all sort of squeezed in there. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t add some furniture and decor. What you need to do first, though, is analyze the space and think through the next steps.

— Remember that there are always options in the world of decor. —

What kind of furniture can you use?

Small bathroom 2

If you’re not sure about how to furnish your bathroom without rendering it impractical or inaccessible, here are some solutions:

  • Cabinet underneath the sink: the space beneath the sink is often wasted and left empty, or even with all the plumbing on display. You can use a cabinet with doors to adorn the space, and it doesn’t take up too much space.
  • Wall cabinet: whether it’s in a corner or somewhere else, if you have a spot for a long, narrow cabinet, you should try to install it because it’ll help store useful bathroom items.
  • Wicker bag or sack for dirty laundry, storing towels or other useful resources.
  • Shelving unit: it can line a corner. The shelves don’t have to be side, but you’ll want them to be tall. If you don’t have any space for them, you can let this idea go.

— The main thing is to make sure that there’s enough space to move around —

Wall decor

Small bathroom 3

Another interesting solution is working on your walls, applying functional resources that can serve as decor at the same time. Some examples include the following:

  • Hands down, mirrors are a must-have element for bathrooms. It should go right above the sink. For a set-up that’s more aesthetically pleasing, try looking for a mirror with a more elaborate frame, or one that’s an interesting color, matching with the setting.
  • Wooden shelf: you can place it wherever and as long as there’s enough space for it, a shelf is never a problem. Most people, however, choose to place it above the toilet. You can use it to hold decorative items.
  • Wall pictures: Oil or watercolor paintings aren’t a good idea because bathrooms are humid places. However, cross stitch, bobbin lace, plastic or vinyl pictures can be a great option.

Towel hanger

small bathroom 4
Rope towel hanger / etsy.com

Towel hangers are a fundamental bathroom element. Aside from being functional, they also decorate; but you need to know how to use them without up space.

You can find standing towel hangers and ones with extendable bars, but they take up a lot of space. You have to let go of these ideas and set out for a simpler alternative that won’t get in the way.

The best options are the towel hangers that are installed on the walls, next to the sink. They don’t have to be big; they just need to hold a towel. These might be a horizontal bar or a circle with a base that’s installed on the wall.

Bathroom lights

small bathroom 5

Bathroom lights are another resource that can help decorate the room tremendously. More and more designers and architects are opting for direct spotlights, but they really don’t offer anything to the overall bathroom decor.

A bell light or ceiling lamp, however, offers color and some design to help adorn the upper area of the bathroom without taking up any space.


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  • Lava Oliva, Rocío: Interiorismo, España, Vértice, 2008.