Kelly, one of my readers, recently contacted me and asked me if I would ever consider doing a post on Powder Rooms. Interestingly enough our fixer-upper involves reconfiguring a half bath to make room for a tiny shower and vanity that will be our master bath. Not only was Kelly’s request timely it got me thinking about an idea for a new series. I get a lot of emails about specific problems so I thought it would be fun to do a monthly post titled “Ask Cindy”. If you would like to have a chance to have your question featured email me and I will pick one idea per month. I think we can have fun with this. Let’s check out some inspiration for stylish solutions for small baths.
A small bathroom design often doesn’t often have enough real estate for tubs, a walk-in shower, double vanity complicated storage options, or fancy spa options. They often do not have a lot of natural light with challenging configurations. What can you do to make the most of the small space?
Go Big With Mirrors
I admit it I am not a big pink fan but This bath by casavilora from the one-room challenge is stunningly finished. Note the large mirror almost goes to the ceiling creating the illusion of space. The hanging fixtures are small enough that they do not detract from the design. The pretty marble vanity adds the only pattern in the room.
Use Hooks Instead of Towel Bars and Rings
I almost always use hooks instead of a towel bar or rings in my projects for two reasons. They are a great space saver in a small or awkward space, you don’t have to fold them, and the towels dry faster! I don’t use “fancy” ones as they don’t even show with a towel. They can be purchased at Target, Home Depot, or wherever you can find them reasonably. No need to spend any big bucks on these. Save your money for something you can see. I will link some of the ones I have used at the bottom of the post.
Stylist Kerry Lockwood created a “wetroom” in order to carve out enough space for both a shower and a bathtub, by eliminating the need of a shower door or shower curtain. The brass hardware provides continuity. Love the small shower enclosure, the pedestal sink, black and white floor tile and the vintage vibe of the space.
Get Creative with Storage
We use this vintage ammunition backpack above the toilet to hold extra TP in our former powder room. Don’t be afraid to add something out of the ordinary for storage to create interest in a small bath. Be creative.
The shelf at the bottom of the mirror provides much needed storage in this tiny bath by Liz Calka.
Wall to Wall Vanity
This bath design was done by me with the help of my son and daughter-in-law. When they purchased the home it was a dark little space. We installed a wall-to-wall slab with an open space below. The large simple mirror makes the space seem twice its size. The loo is directly across from the vanity under the window. We installed simple black and white timeless ceramic tile to keep the space clean and open. It is located right inside their back door across from the laundry room that I posted about here.
Wall Mounted Faucets
Wall-mounted Faucets go a long way in freeing up space on a small vanity. The vanity in our small in-progress bath can only be l8″ deep, so wall-mounted faucets will be a necessity. I Love this design by Amber Interiors. The gorgeous stone vanity creates a wow factor that is hard to beat. Everything else is simple and the finishes are consistent.
Corral Necessary Items on Trays and in Baskets
The question posed by my reader was regarding the mirror in her powder room. The sink is under the window. Her question was could the mirror be placed to the side like this example from Terri Ricci interiors. Of course! This creative vanity offers plenty of room for toiletries, towels and supplies.
Another option would be to place a floating mirror in front of the window, like this example from My Domaine. Love the mix of reflective surfaces that enhance the light and feel of the space.
Utilize a Pocket Door
This beauty from Lisa Burke Interiors stands proud due to the graphic tile and gorgeous brass accessories. Without a pocket door this space would be nearly impossible to move around in.
ADD INTERESTING ART & ARTIFACTS
This bath from lindsay, my eclectic abode designed small bath looms large with the graphic wallpaper and vintage art. Thanks for the correction Stacy! Her feed is gorgeous!
TRY NOT TO MIX FINISHES
Okay, I know you are not going to believe this coming from me, but in a teeny bath, I would not mix finishes. It’s too busy in a small space in my opinion. The eye needs places to rest and if you have too much going on, ie a bold wallpaper, interesting art, etc., mixing the finishes is just too much. I am sure there are plenty that would disagree with me on this one, but It is my humble opinion. I am all for mixing up finishes in larger spaces but in a small space I would keep it simple.
Designer Ann Marie Barton was able to squeeze in a bigger mirror by placing the sconces on the side walls. Keeping the finishes to a minimum makes this space work. Utilizing a console sink instead of a vanity makes the space seem less cramped.
Architect Gaia Mia Cola worked wonders with this small space including the addition of a washer and dryer. You can see more of this space on Instagram.
SHOP STYLISH SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL BATHS
These articles have tons of useful information.
Forbes 12 Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better
Tiny Bathrooms that Will Inspire you to Downsize and DeClutter
25 Genius Design & Storage Ideas for Your Small Bathroom-Apartment Therapy
House Beautiful Tricks that make small bathrooms seem bigger
Storage Ideas to Make the Most of a Small Bathroom-Good Housekeeping
I hope you enjoyed Stylish Solutions for Small Baths. If you have a question or an idea for the monthly post, leave a comment or send me an email. I will be back on Friday with the Contessa for our latest addition of Ageless Style. Thanks for being here. I so appreciate your input!
Beautiful bathrooms and some great ideas! Thank you for all the research. I think “ask cindy” would be a wonderful series. Are you moving? I must have missed a post where you talked about the fixed upper.
Thanks for sharing both your wonderful design style and the fashion posts. I love both.
Just added a few storage baskets from Homegoods thanks to you 🙂 Keep on the good work!
Oh my gosh – These are all incredible! Love your kids bath and appreciate the inclusion budget saving tips! Have just starting updating paint/fixtures in our 3 baths -so this couldn’t have been timed better! Can’t wait for ‘Ask Cindy’! Hoping your small laundry room will be a feature.
Hi Barb
Feel free to “ask cindy” I love all of your ideas!
Hi Cindy,
We’ve almost always had small bathrooms. There are some great ideas for small bathrooms in this post. Thank you for such inspiring posts.
Good luck with your move. I know you’ll work your magic and it will be wonderful.
xo,
Karen
Hi Karen
You know none of my baths here are even very big now that I think about it. However the new master in the fixer is pretty teeney!! Glad you enjoyed the post. Sorry it took me so long to reply!
Cindy! I love all of them! Beautiful ideas to incorporate in any size bath!
Hi Annie
It’s amazing what great information one can find when you dig deep enough!!
Cindy,
I love your eye for design and these bathroom just proved it again ! I would love to see you do a monthly series! In fact, I wouldn’t be unhappy at all if you’d post more on design. I love your fresh ideas while still seeing a traditional vibe that fits my taste. Please continue to inspire all of us!
Thank you,
Judy
What wonderful ideas, Cindy! Love Collin and Lauren’s countertop. Great photos and research!!
Hi Mary Ann
I need to take you to see their house next time you are down. They are amazing what they have done.
Hi Judy
Thank you so much for your support. My goal is to have 50% design and 50% fashion. I try to keep a healthy balance on the Sunday Favorites and do a design post on thursday and a fashiion on Tuesday. Sometimes that varies, due to comittments.
Great ideas! I have always said small spaces and small budgets often elicit the most creative solutions. My home was built in 1968 a and both full baths and powder room are small. When redoing my bath, I took out the tub (sob! sigh!), I knew as I age I would prefer a shower. I couldn’t find a vanity I liked and I kept eye my John Boos maple and stainless cart on wheels…yes, I did that!!!! To the folks at John Boos, my plumber said it was hardest thing he ever had to saw into!!! I have a Toto vessel and used a bar faucet for the tight clearance to the wall. Still love it. Sounds like reality is getting close! Crazy weather! We had snow last week, now in a thunderstorm.
Thinking of you and your new adventure! You should write a book on this. I’m seeing the “choose your own adverture” format”. You know, for how to live big in a small bath, turn to page 7. For how to turn a concrete garden into an oasis turn to page 15 kind of thing!!! Ha Ha!!
Hi Patricia
We will only have a shower in our teeney master in the fixer. The other bathroom (all original ick) does have a nice tub. Love your book ideas. Will you be my editor!!
Incredible ideas. Facing a move to a retirement apartment this spurs my imagination. Love the washer/dryer in the small second bathroom.
I look forward to seeing your small master bath when you finish.
I’d love your advice on small kitchens with/without an island. Thank you.
Wishing you the best as you move,
Diney on Camano Island
Hi Diane
One small kitchen coming up. We are going to have to be creative there let me tell you! Those old houses did not have big kitchens. I will definitely do a post on it soon!
Cindy,
I am the woman who originally posed the question about challenges with powder rooms. This article was beyond any answer I would have hoped for. You generously gave us readers so many wonderful examples, suggestions, and solutions for small bathroom design. I love all the pictures, the articles, and, of course, your ideas. Thank you so much I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it!
Kelly
P.S. Love the idea of “Ask Cindy!” I look forward to learning about more beautiful solutions to design challenges!
HI KELLY
I could not find your email anywhere, I apologize. I am so happy you enjoyed the post. I do try and do my research and not disappoint. I certainly am very grateful when all of you approve!!
What great ideas! I’m especially loving the idea of hooks over towels bars.
All these baths are stunning! Love the idea of “Ask Cindy” monthly post.
Cindy, first of all I hope your move is going as smoothly as possible. This was such a timely post for me as we are currently in process of making over a tiny guest bath. We have taken the room down to the studs and are building it back up. I’ve used some of the ideas you mentioned above, but you provided more ideas to bring to the table. Thank you again for helpful and timely information.
You have outdone yourself. As always this is very conveniently timed. I’m coming back later to study. Merci. 😘
As you get older those floor tiles in the bathroom are not so comfortable.
Wondering what other choices are available, everyone I seem is tile, I know rugs
help but not a solution for me, it’s a big bathroom.
Love all the great ideas in these small spaces, thx C.
Love all these baths. I have always felt that one can be really over the top with a small room,whether with wallpaper,fixture,etc.If one gets tired of it,because it is a small room, it is easy to change out wall[paper(especially now with the stick- ons )paint and decorative items. I realize it is harder to change things like vanities,showers ,etc because of the cost. But I think small rooms are where one can have more gun in decorating. But all the examples you showed are such fun. Makes me wish I had a small space to be creative in right now!
I completely agree with you Susan. In my present powder bath I stenciled it in a cheetah pattern. I have always shied away from wallpaper personally (though I love it in other’s homes), because I was always afraid I would tite of it. My “stenciled paper” I completed about eight years ago. If I were here I might be ready for a change, but I do still love it!
In a small bathroom where do you keep toothbrushes, etc.? Most have very limited countertop or other storage space.
We are going to have a small bathroom soon. At the lake I kept mine behind the basket on the lower shelf. In my new one it will be kept in the baskets. Great question!
Cindy, love all these inspiring small rooms! I wanted to let you know that I think the bathroom that you labeled as Beth Brown might actually belong to the talented Lindsay @myeclecticabode on Instagram. I could be wrong but I think so. 🙂 She’s incredibly talented and does everything in a thrifty way.
Hi Stacey
Thank you so much for the heads up about My Eclectic Abode. I found it on another feed where it apparently was not credited. So glad you introduced me to Lindsay! Love her feed and just followed her. She is clever!
I began following My Eclectic Abode after seeing her powder room. Just an FYI – it’s paint, not wallpaper! Love it, and several of the others that you’ve highlighted. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi CK
It’s funny because I painted the walls of my powder room similar to that. #1 to save money and #2 because I could just paint over them when I tire of it!!