9 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Tiny Bathrooms

Article by: Laura Gaskill

Really small bathrooms can be incredibly challenging to design. When there is hardly room for a toilet and sink, let alone a shower (a tub being totally out of the question), the usual fixtures and room layout simply will not do. These nine ideas go beyond simply making your bathroom look bigger and actually free up more space. 

Modern Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers Winder Gibson Architects 

1. European-style wet bath. A wet bath is exactly what it sounds like: a bathroom where everything can (and does) get wet. This style of bath is quite common in Europe, where you will often see a tiny bathroom with the showerhead directly over the toilet, a small sink on the side and a drain in the middle of the floor. By forgoing a shower surround, you can really maximize square footage in a small space.

Contemporary Bathroom by Chicago Architects & Designers roomTEN design

Wet bath a little too wet for you? Add a shower curtain on a ceiling track. If you plan the layout so the shower nozzle doesn’t spray directly across the toilet, you’ll have the option of dividing the space with a shower curtain.

Modern Bathroom by Glen Ellyn Kitchen & Bath Remodelers The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn

2. Wall-mounted toilet. This wet bath has another feature widely used in Europe — a petite wall-mounted toilet. This style of toilet might look a little flimsy, but it’s actually quite strong when properly installed. Not having the center pedestal and upper tank to contend with makes this a major space saver.

Contemporary Bathroom by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators carde reimerdes

3. Compact shower stall. A mini shower stall with a partial wall is another good option, somewhere between a traditional shower and a wet bath. The openness makes the room feel larger, but the partial wall offers some sense of division.

4. Flat mirror plus narrow sink. A regular mirror instead of a medicine cabinet has two benefits: its slim profile visually expands the space, and it allows for a narrower sink profile than a fat medicine cabinet sticking out above.

Modern Bathroom by London Photographers David Churchill - Architectural Photographer

5. Teardrop-shaped sink. Curves feel more welcoming than sharp angles in a tight space, and this unique teardrop-shaped sink is both a space saver and a focal point. The curved shower wall in this wet bath echoes the lines of the sink, creating a smooth and seamless look.

Eclectic Powder Room by Brooklyn Interior Designers & Decorators indigo & ochre design

6. Water fountain–style sink. With a smaller scale than most sinks out there, a single-basin, single-handle, gooseneck faucet sink can fit into even the tightest spots. And it looks pretty swell doing it.

Rustic Bathroom by Seattle Kitchen & Bath Designers MLB Design Group

7. Sliding door. The designers of this space-conscious houseboat chose a sliding door to save room. The swing of a traditional door can eat up a lot of floor space; go with a pocket door or sliding barn door instead and save that precious square footage for other things.

Rustic Bathroom by Seattle Photographers The Tiny Tack House

8. Shower in a barrel. Rustic, charming and certainly not for everyone, this may be the most creative reuse of a wine barrel we’ve ever seen. The homeowners must wipe out the interior of the barrel after each shower to keep the unsealed wood in good shape, but it’s worth the effort for its scale and unique good looks.

Modern Bathroom by Toronto Architects & Designers Wanda Ely Architect Inc.

9. Custom-fit shelves. Hard to find storage space? Look closely and you may find a few nooks to tuck shelves into. Even 6-inch-wide shelves can be enough storage for toiletries, washcloths and extra soap. Don’t forget to look up, too — a high shelf or two can be a lifesaver if you need a place for extra towels.

Bathroom Remodel Insight: A Houzz Survey Reveals Homeowners’ Plans

Article by: Mitchell Parker

Older and younger generations often have widely differing viewpoints. But who knew bathrooms could be so divisive? In a recent Houzz survey, we asked homeowners planning a bathroom remodel or already in the process of one about their needs and desires. Of the 7,645 people who responded, young and old homeowners tended to fall into two clear groups. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Glen Ellyn Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Drury Design 

Homeowners 65 and older are more likely to skip adding a bathtub than those under 35. This could be for any number of reasons, but it’s likely that younger homeowners may have or expect to have children, who would be more likely to use a tub. Plus, those 65 and older likely choose showers because they’re more accessible for aging in place.

Bathtubs have traditionally boosted resale value (which 31 percent of the respondents said was the driving factor for their bathroom remodel), but older people may be planning to hang on to their homes longer, so resale isn’t as much of an issue.

Traditional Bathroom by Atlanta General Contractors Cablik Enterprises 

For those adding tubs, freestanding models top the list, with 33 percent of respondents preferring them over drop-ins, undermounts and other styles. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Bethesda Design-Build Firms ART Design Build 

Young and old are also split on how they like their showers. If you’re under 45, you’re more likely to choose a rain shower and multiple showerheads. If you’re over 55, you likely prefer hand showers and sliding bars.

Rustic Bathroom by Toronto Photographers Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer 

Meanwhile, there are two camps when it comes to, er, No. 2. The survey found an even split when it comes to toilet exposure: 52 percent of people want an open toilet versus one behind a closed door. Younger homeowners (25 to 34 years old) prefer tankless or wall-mounted models over the traditional two-piece ones. 

Traditional Bathroom by Fort Washington General Contractors HomeTech Renovations, Inc. 

Upgrading features and fixtures was the main reason cited for remodeling a bathroom (49 percent). Frameless glass is one of the more popular choices. About 79 percent of people will choose all-glass enclosures for their main shower, and 54 percent will chose frameless glass.

Traditional Bathroom by Duxbury Design-Build Firms ARCHIA HOMES 

Lighting is important too, whether it’s bringing in the natural sunshine with skylights or adding more LED lights. New windows top the list too, with 48 percent of respondents saying they plan to add a window and 41 percent a lighted vanity mirror. And if that’s not enough, 7 percent say they’ll add a showerhead with LED lights.

Transitional Bathroom by Victoria Architects & Designers The Sky is the Limit Design 

Also, 42 percent of all respondents are planning to add a shower seat. I think it was Winston Churchill who said, “Why stand when you can sit?”

Traditional Bathroom by Larkspur Architects & Designers McCoppin Studios 

White cabinets are the preferred color choice, with 32 percent of homeowners saying they’ll choose this ultimate neutral hue.

Contemporary Bathroom by Portland Kitchen & Bath Designers Kirstin Havnaer, Hearthstone Interior Design, LLC 

Brushed nickel (26 percent) and polished chrome (24 percent) are the front-runners for faucet finishes.

Splendor in the Bath: Art Deco Brings on the Elegance

Article by: Judy Polan

I realized a few years ago that our upstairs bathroom — with its leaky tiles, rusty faucets and crumbling walls — was due for a major rehab. I still loved its retro seafoam-green bathtub and sink, and its champagne-bubbly black and white wallpaper, so I wanted to hold on to those features and design around them. The room lent itself to an art deco treatment, and I knew that the aesthetic would make it chic at minimal cost.

There’s just something about art deco — the exuberant decorative style that had its heyday in the period between the two world wars — that has beguiled the public for nearly a century. Perfectly suited to both grand communal spaces (think Radio City Music Hall and the Chrysler Building) and intimate home interiors, it has never really fallen from fashion since its introduction at Paris’ Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in 1925. Since then art deco’s signature parallel lines and repeated geometric motifs have been incorporated into vacuum cleaners and ocean liners, toasters and martini shakers. The style exudes an urban, industrial essence, as well as a sense of optimism and fun.

Here are some art deco bathrooms that inspired me and a couple of photos of our new bathroom. I hope they inspire you. 

Traditional Bathroom by Rochester Interior Designers & Decorators Robin Muto 

With its jazzy tile pattern, classic black and white color scheme, and streamlined, linear look, this bathroom projects the art deco sensibility in spades. The ziggurat pattern in the tiling evokes the image of a skyscraper; it’s a popular deco look. It’s based on an ancient Mesopotamian design. (Egyptian motifs were popular during the King Tut craze of the 1920s.) 

Modern Bathroom by Brisbane Interior Designers & Decorators Elle Decoration 

This bathroom exudes the self-confidence and futurism of the art deco age. This flamboyant fan-shaped mirror would look great in a larger space (such as the ladies’ room at Radio City Music Hall), but the simple white sink and black accessories (as well as the shower’s relatively restrained tile pattern) manage to tone down the energy level.

Eclectic Bathroom by Boston Cabinets & Cabinetry A Woodworkers Studio 

As people began to speed across the ocean in airliners and across the continent in locomotives, design became filled with allusions to transportation. The parallel vertical lines on this vanity base recall a rocket preparing for liftoff and express the style’s sense of speeding headlong into the future. The broad curving line of the top evokes ocean liner furniture and gracefully avoids sharp edges that would detract from the desired sleekness.

Traditional Bathroom by Los Angeles Architects & Designers Tim Barber LTD Architecture & Interior Design 

This bathroom has the whole art deco package, with its classic color combo of black, white and seafoam green; creative linear touches in black; and elegant glass and chrome wall sconces. The vertical-horizontal dynamic is enhanced by the placement of the green wall tiles, which alternate between horizontal and vertical pairs.

Modern Spaces by Other Metro Artists & Artisans Clearlight Designs 

Cleverly incorporating the nautical look that is a hallmark of art deco design, this recently made piece functions as both a light and a mirror. Circular windows have always evoked the portholes on ocean liners, and this one even comes with a fish. 

Contemporary Powder Room by Mill Valley Architects & Designers Thompson Studio Architects 

A shiny black vanity top rests on a sturdy chrome base against a backdrop of black and white ceramic floor tiles and glass light fixtures, evoking the high-gloss aura of art deco. The wallpaper’s pattern of powder-gray lines (reflected in the mirror) echoes the open vertical spaces in the light fixtures, providing a clever softening touch.

Traditional Bathroom by Berkeley Architects & Designers Devi Dutta Architecture 

This bathroom is a little more restrained than the usual art deco confection, but it still includes the basic elements. The chrome towel rack at the foot of the tub is a nice touch, while the suspended shower curtain ring and elongated shower stem give the room the illusion of greater verticality.

Traditional Bathroom by London Interior Designers & Decorators Adrienne Chinn 

Cleopatra would have loved this elegant black, white and apple-green bathroom, with its ziggurat motif and touch of Nile-blue glass. The gleaming walls are made of Vitrolite, a lustrous structural glass that was very popular in the 1930s. You could get a similar look today with back-painted glass tile.

Modern Bathroom 

This is a corner of our new bathroom. We redid the wall in period-appropriate (and easy-care) subway tiles, with a horizontal line of green glass tiles on the shower wall and a vertical black line that’s out of view. A green glass shelf (with rounded corners) and chrome plumbing fixtures complete the look — although we’re still searching for a circular, black-framed mirror that will fit in the small space above the sink.

Modern Bathroom

We treated ourselves to an accent panel depicting Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s popular Glasgow rose. We’ve incorporated Glasgow roses into other places in our house; we like the idea of repeating favorite motifs from room to room. Mackintosh’s visionary design work — most of it executed during the era of Victorian fussiness — is often considered a foundation of art deco.

10 Elements of a Dream Master Bath

Article by: Laura Gaskill

Dreaming of revamping your master bath? From dual showers and soaking tubs to saunas, live-edge wood and built-in storage, more options abound than ever before. See if any of these 10 features make the wish list for your ultimate master bath. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Great Falls Interior Designers & Decorators NF interiors 

A dual shower. Would you forgo a bathtub altogether in favor of a shower? What if it were a really nice shower? This gorgeous shower has dual showerheads, black slate and built-in storage for towels and soap.

Contemporary Bathroom by Bainbridge Island Architects & Designers Coates Design Architects Seattle 

A Japanese soaking tub. If you do go for a tub, consider a Japanese-style soaking tub rather than a full-size version. A soaking tub is ideal for smaller spaces or when you want to devote more real estate to the shower; although it has a smaller footprint, it’s deep enough for bathers to fully submerge. 

Modern Bathroom by Seattle Interior Designers & Decorators NB Design Group, Inc 

Slightly larger than a traditional Japanese soaking tub, this one is deep enough for someone to have a good, relaxing soak and wide enough for two. The clean lines of the cube-shaped tub pair well with the narrow horizontal wood slats for an organic modern look.

Modern Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers Feldman Architecture, Inc. 

Wood. Wood in bathrooms has been trending for several years now and shows no signs of slowing — and why not? With marine-grade supplies and specialty finishes, it’s possible to enjoy the warm look and feel of wood in the bathroom. Say goodbye to cold tile! 

Contemporary Family Room by Other Metro Architects & Designers Susanna Cots 

The bath in the bedroom. Would you bathe in the bedroom? Combining bath and bed tends to ignite controversy — superluxurious, say some, while others prefer a distinct separation. Where do you stand?

Rustic Bathroom by Richmond Architects & Designers Birdseye Design 

A sauna. Live somewhere cold or just love a good sweat? Embrace the wintertime traditions of Nordic countries with your very own sauna at home. Saunas don’t need to eat up too much space, and having one installed may cost less than you think.

Eclectic Bathroom by Mill Valley Cabinets & Cabinetry Studio Marler 

Sneaky storage. If you are redoing the whole bathroom, you may as well give some thought to your storage options — things have evolved since the days when your only choices were pedestal sink or double vanity. 

Sneak in pullout shelves, wall cubbies, recessed niches and more to get exactly the right storage for your stuff.

Contemporary Bathroom by Other Metro Architects & Designers Susanna Cots 

What would have been a wasted section of wall space here was transformed into hidden shelving that’s perfect for storing spare toiletries.

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Shirley Meisels 

Black and white. You really can’t go wrong with black and white — it’s chic, versatile and always in.Whether you bring the scheme to life with hand-painted floor tiles and horizontal black wall tiles, as in this hip space, or go for the classic subway and hex-tile combo, it’s bound to look good even five or 10 years out.

Modern Powder Room by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jodie Rosen Design 

Live-edge wood. Well suited for both rustic and modern interiors, a live-edge wood slab makes a great bathroom feature.

Modern Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers John Maniscalco Architecture 

A view. Sadly, this won’t work for all of us (at least not those of us with close neighbors), but if you are lucky enough to have a home with some privacy, I say make use of it! 

A wall-to-wall window like this one will give you the feeling of soaking right out in nature — and making the bottom of the window level with the top of the tub will keep you from feeling overexposed. You can also always add window shades for privacy and light filtering.

Contemporary Windows And Doors by Everett Windows Quantum Windows & Doors, Inc. 

Open air. If privacy isn’t an issue, consider opening up an entire wall to the outdoors. On cool days you can still enjoy the view, and on warm days you can slide open the glass and let the sun shine in!

Bathroom Floor Tile: Glass Mosaic for a Luxurious Look

Article by: Rachel Grace

Glass mosaic tile flooring can certainly add beauty to a bathroom, but it’s still a hotly debated material choice for flooring. No one can deny how great it looks, but some people question its durability and safety in a wet environment. Here you’ll learn all about the pros, cons and costs to help you decide if glass mosaic tile is a good fit for your bathroom. Could this luxurious material work for you? 

Contemporary Bathroom by Austin Architects & Designers Merzbau Design Collective

The basics. Glass mosaic tile, made up of many small tiles in different colors or the same color, can dramatically change a space. You will want to find an experienced installer and use proper setting materials and grout.

Cost. Glass mosaic tile is considered a high-end material, so it’s more expensive than average bathroom flooring. However, there’s a wide price range: High-quality, beautiful glass tile in sheets is typically $25 to $40 per square foot; custom murals can be $70 to $150 per square foot; and standard solid colors can start as low as $4 per square foot.

Contemporary Bathroom by Santa Monica Interior Designers & Decorators Sarah Barnard Design 

Advantages. Glass mosaic tile is one of the most lavish and luxurious bathroom flooring materials on the market. With its gorgeous reflective surface, it will add value and appeal. It also has a nonporous surface that’s resistant to stains, mold, mildew and chemical damage. 

Traditional Bathroom by Saint Charles Home Builders Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers 

Disadvantages. Make sure your glass tile has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials for flooring use. Confirm all the ins and outs of the warranty with the manufacturer. 

Hire an experienced professional to install your glass tile bathroom floor, since installation can prove tricky due to transparency. You can’t rush glass tile installation or treat it like larger-format tiles. 

Also, while glass mosaic tile is surprisingly strong, its surface is susceptible to scratching and etching and can also become slippery when wet.

Traditional Bathroom by Beverly Architects & Designers Siemasko + Verbridge

Sustainability. Many glass tile manufacturers have become environmentally aware and have created ecofriendly lines using recycled glass.

Contemporary Bathroom by Minneapolis Kitchen & Bath Designers Casa Verde Design

Maintenance. Glass mosaic is quite easy to clean, and it is important to maintain your floor to lengthen its life span and boost its reflectivity. One of the most important things you can do to help keep your glass tile floor in tip-top shape is to keep it free of dirt and grit that can scratch its surface. You’ll also want to wash away soap scum and mineral deposits with a standard bathroom cleanser and a soft bristle brush.

“Look at what is indicated on the grout bag. Glass tile is not going to be influenced by many things, but the grout often is affected by what is used,” says Christina White, general manager of Hakatai Enterprises.“This may in turn change the appearance of the tile, when actually it is the grout that has changed.”