5 SMALL BATHROOM CHALLENGES AND HOW YOU CAN FIX THEM

By Amanda Pollard in association with 

Designing a small bathroom can be tough. Find out some of the challenges you might be facing and how to fix them.

1. Free up floor space

Photo by CLPM Limited – Search transitional bathroom design ideas

Problem: You’re feeling crammed in your tiny bathroom.

Solution: Create the illusion of space by freeing up the floor area. Choose wall-hung sinks and toilets that float above ground and leave the area below clear. Your washroom will feel airier, and you’ll create some versatile storage space for stowing baskets or rubbish bins beneath the sink.

Browse bathrooms with wall-hung toilets

2. Create extra storage

Photo by VORBILD Architecture – Search transitional bathroom design ideas

Problem: You’ve squeezed in your shower, loo and sink, but now you’re left with zero room for storage.

Solution: Rather than use up valuable space, create some extra areas by getting a builder or joiner to cut into the wall. In this compact washroom, storage niches have been built into the shower area and wall above the toilet, providing plenty of space for towels and toiletries.

3. Light up a windowless room

Photo by RISE Design Studio – Browse contemporary bathroom ideas

Problem: Your bathroom is tucked into a room with no windows and it feels a little dark.

Solution: Think carefully about your lighting design to include as much illumination as possible. Incorporate both overhead fittings and ones around the mirror to reflect the light around the room.

You could also make a feature of your lighting, as they’ve done here with LED strips concealed within the ceiling recesses. The alcoves give off a diffused light, which creates a pretty dappled glow on the grey walls.

4. Style up your over-the-bath shower

Photo by Fido Projects

Problem: You still can’t include a separate shower space, but want to make a feature of your fittings.

Solution: Here, the on-trend black shower has turned an over-bath spray into a stylish statement. If you don’t fancy black, you could go for another finish, such as copper.

Shower-bath combos for smaller bathrooms

5. Pop in a basin

Photo by Brosh Architects – More contemporary bathroom ideas

Problem: The room is so tiny, there’s not even space for a sink.

Solution: Get around this by opting for a very small washbasin, and maximise space by fixing your taps to the wall. This round sink fits perfectly into the area and the neat tap and faucet above don’t take up too much room.