9 Small Bathroom Ideas

A new bathroom vanity is one of the best purchases you can make for your small bathroom. With storage at a premium, it's important to get a vanity that can fit your toiletries, cleaning supplies and more. Small bathrooms can typically accommodate single-sink small vanities that are 24-, 30- or 36-inches wide.

There are also a couple of design tricks to keep your bathroom from looking cramped. Try installing a floating vanity. These vanities don't have legs, so they give the illusion of a more open space. If you have a powder room where storage isn't a concern, purchase a console vanity. These vanities typically have a quartz or marble top and open legs, making your small space feel larger.

If you want to select your vanity base and countertop separately, use our vanity customizer for the best colors, sizes and options that are available. For more information about selecting the best vanity for your bathroom, read our Bathroom Vanity Buying Guide.

When it comes to small bathrooms, investing in storage solutions is a must. Here are a few ways to maximize space in your small bathroom.

Medicine Cabinets
Recessed or wall-mounted medicine cabinets do double duty as a mirror and storage for items you use frequently. It not only saves space, but will provide the perfect lighting to get ready in the morning. Lighted medicine cabinets have dimming and defogging functions and can include outlets for electric toothbrushes, hair dryers, shavers and more.

Shelving
Shelving provides an easy place to access your daily necessities. Use open shelving over the toilet or on a side wall for decorative or practical purposes. Corner shelving units can transform unused square footage into a spot for towels, toilet paper and more. Consider an organizer that can hang on the back of the bathroom door to hold lotions, serums, makeup, etc.

Linen or Wall Cabinets
If you have additional floor space, a linen cabinet is an ideal way to store sheets, towels, extra supplies and more. Bathroom wall cabinets are hung over the toilet and are useful for concealing clutter.

For additional ideas and inspiration, read the following:
6 Ideas for Organizing a Small Linen Closet
Stylish Organization Ideas for a Child's Bathroom

Paint and wallpaper are two of the most dramatic and cost effective ways to make a statement in a small bathroom. If it's a bathroom where you'll be getting ready in the morning, light and bright colors are preferred and will make a space feel larger. 

If you want to take risks, a powder room is an ideal location to use a bold wallpaper or a deep, vibrant paint color. Here are some other tips and tricks to keep in mind: 

• Use vertically-striped wallpaper to make the ceilings appear higher.
• Surprise your guests with a beautiful color on the ceiling.
• Paint the ceilings, walls and moulding all one color for a cohesive and cozy space.

For more paint and wallpaper ideas:
12 Bathroom Updates That Won’t Crush Your Budget
Paint Color Forecast: 9 Trending Shades
How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Are you undergoing a larger bathroom remodel? This is a great time to add a shower or a wall niche. A shower niche is embedded in the wall and neatly stores shampoo, bath gel, bath sponges and more. You can purchase an unfinished niche that can be tiled or there are finished niches in PVC or stainless steel.

If you have a spare wall in your bathroom, consider installing built-in shelving between the studs. As shown in the image, the shelving can accommodate toiletries, towels, plants and decorative items. Smaller items can be stored in wicker baskets and on trays.

Shower, wall and floor tile is a great way to bring color and pattern into a small bathroom. Some of the most popular tile types include: subway, peel-and-stick, encaustic, marble and wood look.

Subway
This is the most cost effective and timeless tile. They can be formed a myriad of ways including: brick style, herringbone, vertically-stacked and more. For ideas on how to use subway tile in your bathroom, visit 5 Uncommon Subway Tile Patterns.

Peel and Stick
Peel-and-stick tiles are an easy and affordable way to update your small bathroom. They can be installed over any smooth subfloor, including wood, concrete and vinyl. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are also scratch resistant, scuff resistant and easy to clean.

Encaustic
Encaustic tiles have bold, colorful patterns that are reminiscent of tiled walls and floors in southern Europe. As shown in the image, this blue, black and white bathroom flooring makes a statement in a small bathroom. Genuine encaustic tile must be sealed, but versions in ceramic offer a more affordable, maintenance-free option.

Marble
Marble floors and walls are a luxurious addition to your small space. This natural stone is an elegant upgrade and comes in many variations including: subway tile, mosaics, herringbone, square and Arabesque patterns.

Wood-Look Tile
Wood-look tile made of porcelain has become a popular option that has the natural appearance and classic look of wood, but it's waterproof and stain-, scratch- and slip- resistant for long-lasting use.

For more inspiration and ideas, visit:
How to Prep and Install Bathroom Shower Tile
Tile Buying Guide

Good lighting is not only important for applying makeup or getting ready in the morning, but it can also create a stylish backdrop for your small bathroom. Here are some recommendations:

Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is ideal in showers or across the bathroom ceiling. Put them on dimmers to control the brightness.

Wall Sconces 
Flank your bathroom mirror with matching wall sconces. Versions in brass, marble or matte black are a sophisticated update.

Vanity Lighting
If you don't have enough room on either side of your mirror for wall sconces, you can use vanity lighting above your mirror or medicine cabinet.

Pendant Light
If you're hoping to create a ""wow factor"" over a freestanding tub, consider a pendant light. Keep in mind that it should be wet-rated and hung high enough that it doesn't create a hazard.

To select the best lighting for your small bathroom, read the following:
5 Great Looking Bathroom Light Fixtures
Vanity Lighting Buying Guide
Best Bathroom Lighting Ideas

An easy way to refresh a small bathroom is by replacing hardware, including cabinet pulls, knobs, decorative hardware sets, bathroom faucets and bathtub/shower faucet combinations.

Cabinet & Decorative Hardware
Freshen up your bathroom by changing out cabinet pulls and knobs on your vanity. Then add towel bars, towel rings, toilet roll holders and hooks in a matching finish. Popular finishes include: matte black, brushed nickel and brushed gold. Learn more in our Bathroom Hardware Buying Guide.

Bathroom Faucets
While you're changing out the cabinet hardware, switch out your bathroom faucet in the same finish. To determine the best faucet for your home, read Bathroom Sink Faucets Buying Guide.

Bathtub and Shower Combinations
Make sure your new bathroom faucet and the hardware in your bathtub and/or shower matches. Learn how to replace a bathtub or shower faucet.

When every square foot counts, showers and tubs are a big consideration in a small space. Here are a few ideas.

Wet Room
A wet room is when a freestanding tub and a shower are in one location and sit behind a glass door. The whole area is designed to be wet. The floor is usually slightly sloped and the water drains to one location. Wet rooms are not only space-savers, but they're great with kids and pets because they're contained.

Small Bathtubs
If you love taking a bath, but you're short on space, we advise getting a freestanding tub that's under 54-inches long. To select the best tub for your bathroom, read our Bathtub, Whirlpool and Air Bath Buying Guide.

Shower Enclosures
If you have an outdated shower, a shower enclosure is relatively easy to install, saving you money and time. Select the size you need, as well as the option for a shower only or a shower and tub combination. To learn more, read How to Choose the Best Shower Stall or Enclosure.

Now that you've planned out the fundamentals, it's time to add some small luxuries to the mix. 

• Swap out your old shower curtain for a stylish new one. 
• Purchase plush towels and bath mats. 
• Add a hardwired or plug-in towel warmer for those cold winter mornings. 
• If you're remodeling and putting down a new floor, consider a heated floor. They're easy to install, affordable and energy efficient. 

For more ideas, read Wrap Yourself in Luxury with the Perfect Bath Towels and Bath Mats.