Maximising small spaces with clever bathroom design

Don’t underestimate the importance of effective bathroom design. A well thought out bathroom can not only provide optimum functionality, but it also means you can maximise the available space. Here in the Illawarra, we are seeing increased demand for small bathroom renovations, as children remain in the home well into adulthood and families are looking to create a second bathroom within their home. We want to share some of the factors we consider when looking at clever bathroom design for a small space.

Why is clever bathroom design so important?

You’ve probably experienced a bathroom that is poorly laid out at some point in your life. Picture the bathroom door that doesn’t open fully because of the toilet wedged behind it, or the towel rail hanging above the toilet that risks all sorts of germs coming into contact with your nice clean towels. Small, but common issues we see is the toilet roll holder being awkwardly positioned, or poor lighting.

A well designed bathroom means that you can move seamlessly between each area – the hand towel being close to the sink, the shower being easily accessible, and plenty of functional storage.

When it comes to smaller bathrooms, design plays an even more critical factor. Not only can smart design maximise the functionality of a small bathroom, but it can also do wonder for making the room appear larger than it is.

Factors to consider in small bathroom design

Understanding your space.

Measure up and measure again! Only when you have an accurate picture of your available space can you start to figure out what you can do with it. We have worked with many Illawarra residents who have an idea of what they want in their new bathroom, but once we have the measurements, they realise that it might not work out as first planned. The good news is that our expert team can offer suggestions and options to help come up with a solution that our clients will love.

Different shaped rooms need different solutions too. Whether it’s an L-shaped layout, a long skinny space, or a sloping ceiling to contend with, we tailor our bathroom designs to work with what’s available to maximise the potential of the room.

Space saving fixtures.

Compact toilets and pedestal sinks are some of the ways you can optimise functionality in a tiny bathroom. If the depth of the vanity is restricted, we can use wall mounted faucets to maximise the basin space.

Choice of colours and finishes.

Lighter colours will tend to open up a small space better than dark or bright ones will. We also find that glossy finishes on tiles can help to reflect light more.

Strategic use of mirrors.

Carefully placed mirrors can really enhance the perception of space and make a room seem bigger than it is. Pair this with some effective lighting options and you’d be surprised at how a small bathroom can appear larger than it is.

Doors that use less space.

Sliding and cavity doors are great options when space is limited. Not only are they efficient with space compared to their swinging door counterparts, but sliding doors can add a nice aesthetic too. From sleek, minimalistic sliding panels, to rustic barn door sliders, your bathroom door can really add to the overall feel of the room.

Example: Small bathroom renovation in Corrimal

Our team completed a new bathroom in Corrimal where the customer wanted a separate bath and shower included in a small space. Our team were able to design and install a walk-in shower with a drop down base and a custom 1200mm recess shaving cabinet with LED lights. The bathroom included an in-wall toilet cistern as well to create a small, yet functional space.

Example: Small bathroom for Illawarra AirBNB

We had a customer reach out to us who wanted to maximise space and create a new bathroom for her AirBNB property, while staying within her budget. We removed her linen cupboard to better utilise the space and completely relocated the bathroom door, installing a cavity slider.

Our local bathroom renovation team completed the job from start to finish, including relocation of all fixtures to allow for a large walk-in shower. The end result has added loads of value to the property for our customer and helped her to get recurring income from her short term rental guests.

If you have some ideas for giving your existing bathroom a facelift, or are wondering if you can turn a unused space into a small bathroom, our local team at Bedford Bathrooms are here to help. With years of experience in maximising small spaces with clever bathroom design, we can take your new bathroom through from concept to completion. Contact our team to day to book a free consultation and quote.