Small bathroom ideas with showers can challenge you in a completely different way: how to fit functionality and style into the smallest of spaces.
Adding a shower to this sort of space can seem daunting, but you can make the most of every inch with smart design decisions.
So whether you’re revamping or creating a new bathroom, the right tactics can help transform even the tiniest space into an open, organized, and welcoming room.
This guide will teach you countless space-saving ideas for shower styles and practical tips for making a beautiful and functional small bathroom.
How to Make the Most of Your Space in a Small Bath With a Shower
When square footage is at a premium, no decision can be costly. Small bathrooms require creative solutions to squeeze in all the essential fixtures, whether showers, sinks, or toilets — without skimping on comfort or design. Here are some principles to help guide your stalking:
- Focus on Functionality: Opt for fixtures and arrangements that enhance usability. This compact shower design is perfect for small areas.
- Think Vertical: Use Walls for Storage and as Design Features to Clear Floors
- Use Reflective Surfaces: Mirrors, glass, and light-hued tiles can help make the space feel bigger.
- Follow Minimalist Design: Do not use unnecessary items or more significant elements to cramp the bathroom.
Keeping these principles in mind, let’s look at specific shower options and layouts that can work practical magic on your small bathroom.
Best Shower Designs to Save Space in a Small Bathroom
The proper shower can help the bathroom feel much more spacious. So those are some of the best designs for small spaces;
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are stylish and modern and are often selected for smaller bathrooms. They give an open, seamless look without a door or enclosure. Pair them with:
- Frameless Glass Panels: These panels maintain an airy, unobstructed look.
- Curbless Entries: Removing the threshold creates a barrier-free design that can make the bathroom seem more significant and enhance accessibility.
Corner Showers
The shower’s placement in a corner allows you to use the most floor space possible. Common designs include:
- Neo-Angle Showers: These showers are modern, with an angled door and a small footprint.
- Quarter-Round Showers: With curved doors, quarter-round showers soften the aesthetic and save space.
Glass Enclosures
Glass-enclosed showers are the best choice for small bathrooms, too, since they permit light to flow without obstruction, which helps to create the illusion of more space. Options include:
- Sliding Doors: These take up less space than hinged doors that swing out.
- Frosted or Clear Glass: Frosted glass provides privacy, but clear glass keeps an open appearance.
Compact Shower-Bathtub Combos
You can also opt for a shower-tub combination if a bathtub is necessary in a small bathroom. Smaller tubs — like Japanese soaking tubs — are designed to fit into tight spaces but don’t sacrifice comfort.
Small Bathroom Ideas with Showers
Space-Saving Designs for Small Bathrooms
A small bathroom can have functional and aesthetic value if you reshape the arrangement of bathroom fittings. Here are some layout ideas:
Linear Layout
A linear configuration lines up all the fixtures — shower, toilet, and sink — along a single wall. This is an efficient design, and it also reduces plumbing costs.
Split Zones
Use glass partitions or half walls to separate the shower from the toilet and sink. That way, you can clearly define areas without overcrowding the space.
Corner-Focused Layout
Use corners for the shower or sink to open up central floor space. Combine this layout with floating fixtures for a contemporary, spacious feel.
Wet Room Design
Turn the whole bath area into a wet room with open and unconfined shower space. Install slanted flooring for drainage and wall/ceiling waterproofing.
Smart storage methods that need to be integrated
Lack of storage is a common pain point in tiny bathrooms, but you can make space for the essentials with ingenuity.
Vertical Storage
Put up a shelf or a cabinet over the toilet or the vanity.
Floating shelves are a great way to give the bathroom space for towels and toiletries without wasting valuable floor space.
Recessed Storage
Recessed niches in the shower walls are ideal for storing shampoo, soap, and other essentials without occupying additional space.
Multipurpose Furniture
Opt for furniture with built-in storage, like a vanity, drawers, or a medicine cabinet with mirrored doors.
Over-the-Door Organizers
Hooks or one of those hanging organizers can be used to hold it all: towels, robes, and even smaller items if you place them on the bathroom door.
Lighting for Small Bathrooms
Proper lighting helps a tiny bathroom feel more extensive and more welcoming. This is how you use it properly:
Layered Lighting
Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to light the bathroom effectively. For example:
- Add a ceiling light for broad strokes of brightness.
- Install LED strips around mirrors for task lighting.
- Incorporate sconces or pendant lights for a decorative touch.
Natural Light
Make the most of natural light by leaving windows bare or dressing with sheer curtains. Skylights are an even better choice for windowless bathrooms.
Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors and shiny tiles reflect light, increasing brightness and giving wings to the space.
Chic Storage Solutions for Narrow Washrooms
Decorating a small bathroom doesn’t have to be a style sacrifice. Check out these ideas for bringing your space to the next level:
Neutral Color Palette
Bright and neutral colors like white, beige, or light gray help the bathroom feel bigger. Introduce color through accessories such as towels, rugs, or artwork.
Compact Fixtures
Opt for space-efficient fixtures, like pedestal sinks, wall-hung toilets, or slim vanities, that occupy less real estate without compromising utility.
Greenery
Incorporate small, low-maintenance plants such as succulents or ferns to add life and freshness to the space.
Patterned: Using bold, patterned tiles on the floor or as a backsplash can add that visual interest without taking over the room.
Minimalist Accessories
Choose minimalist accessories that don’t make the space feel busy. Opt for storage containers and organizers that harmonize the bathroom’s overall design.
