27 Small Bathroom Ideas For A Functional And Stylish Space

Less square footage doesn't have to mean sacrificing on design.

Dorothy Shain Henderson Bathroom
Photo:

JAMES RANSOM; STYLING: VERONICA OLSON

While designing a small bathroom can be a challenge, it doesn't have to require a total renovation to make it look and feel larger. Even with less square footage, you can create your dream bathroom while maintaining a realistic budget.

Whether it's a powder room or primary bathroom, small bathrooms are a chance to stretch your design muscles and use unexpected colors and materials to create a little treasure box. Check out these small bathroom ideas so you can have a functional space without sacrificing style or breaking the bank.

01 of 27

Use Wainscoting for Visual Interest

Laura Kay Bathroom

HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH

Overdecorating is a common issue when designing a small bathroom, as it can easily feel cramped with the wrong decor. In this bathroom, designer Laura Kay used wainscoting as a simple yet appealing break up the bold wallpaper.

02 of 27

Keep Toiletries Hidden

Heather Chadduck Hillegas Blount Springs, AL Lake House Bathroom
Hector Manuel Sanchez

With smaller bathrooms, storage is extremely important to ensure you're space isn't cluttered. Here, an under the sink cabinet (that blends nicely with the color palette) conceals any bathroom items and products that are less aesthetically pleasing.

03 of 27

Add a Floating Shelf

Wall Shelf in Bathroom

@jenniferbeekhunter

If storage is an issue, a floating shelf can add space while adding an element of design. In this bathroom, the floating shelf holds hand towels and blends in nicely with the wainscoting for a functional yet stylish element.

04 of 27

Mix Art and Functionality

Natalie Steen Bathroom

Alison Gootee; Styling: Page Mullins

If you have limited wall space, use your mirror as an opportunity to display a piece of art as well. In this small bathroom, a emerald cut glass mirror by Worlds Away grabs your attention with a little extra sparkle.

05 of 27

Raise the Sink

Idea House 2020 Powder Bathroom Vanity
Robbie Caponetto; Styking: Kendra Surface

Counter space is a luxury in smaller bathrooms, and it's not always a given. Try raising the sink instead of a built in to allow for more space on the counter.

06 of 27

Use White Accents

Powder room with wallpaper
Courtesy of Rachel Cannon Limited Interiors, Photography by Haylei Smith

For many small bathrooms, natural light isn't as prevalent. Whether there's no windows or just a small one, using white accents like in the mirror frame, cabinet paint, and countertop can help keep the space bright.

07 of 27

Lean into Unique Elements

Bath with Vintage Pink Tub and Complimentary Details
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox

Whether you keep the character of a old bathroom with existing colorful tile and fixtures or add them in yourself, small spaces with a little bit of quirkiness can feel like hidden treasure boxes.

08 of 27

Prop Up the Mirror

Blue Bathroom
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

If the layout of your space dictates the sink in front of a window, you don't have to sacrifice the mirror. Instead of mounting it on a different wall or blocking all the natural light by covering the window, select a slender mirror leaned against the glass panes.

09 of 27

Add Color in Unexpected Places

2022 Idea House guest bath
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLING BY KENDRA SURFACE

Don't save paint just for the walls! The ceiling, trim, and vanities are a great way to incorporated additional color without overwhelming smaller spaces. Here, a buttery yellow vanity adds an extra layer of personality.

10 of 27

Use Tiles as Wallpaper

Chapel Hill House Bathroom with Chicken Wire Wallpaper
Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo; Styling: Ed Gallagher

While it's common to use wallpaper in a powder room to create intrigue, adding tiles to the wall makes a unique statement—and are splash proof. Not only can it brighten up a space, but it also aids in humidity control.

11 of 27

Create Cohesion with Hardware

Grass cloth wallpaper bathroom
Courtesy of Peltier Interiors, Photography by Andrew Bui

If you have a full bath that is on the smaller side, making sure the space is cohesive is extremely important in making it look visually appealing. In this bathroom, the black hardware goes from the sink and into the shower to make a seamless look.

12 of 27

Go All Natural

Unpainted, unfinished wood recalls bygone beach style―imagine a Key West cottage in the days of Hemingway. The look is authentic, natural, and beach-chic all at the same time.
Jean Allsopp

Incorporating elements from nature into any bathroom can truly make it feel like an oasis. Wood, rattan, and bamboo textures give this space a relaxing feel.

13 of 27

Add a Storage Shelf

Leaning Bathroom Shelf

@carlaelliman

If your small bathroom doesn't have any storage already built in, add in your own! This bathroom put a standing shelf in next to the sink to allow for more storage without taking up too much room.

14 of 27

Go Back in Time

Shaun Smith New Orleans Ranch Guest Bathroom
Laurey W. Glenn

Vintage interior design styles can make any small bathroom become a true wow factor of your home. This bathroom used the Art Deco aesthetic to create a unique, stunning statement room.

15 of 27

Double the Mirror as a Shelf

Yellow patterned wallpaper and green sink
Courtesy of Nomita Joshi Interior Design, Photographer Alison Gootee

In small spaces, storage is necessary to keep the clutter at a minimum. Here, a mirror with a ledge spanning the width of the wall is used that can hold items like towels and soaps.

16 of 27

Go White and Bright

Gibson Cottage in South Carolina
Laurey W. Glenn

When space is an issue, keeping an all-white color palette can really help brighten and elongate the room. In this bathroom, white wood and white tiles were used on the walls to make a seamless and bright space.

17 of 27

Make the Floor Shine

Meg Kelly's 1960s Ranch Bathroom
Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason

If you're looking to add light into your small bathroom without relying on a window, adding shiny floor tiles is a great way to get that reflection and brightness while staying practical.

18 of 27

Go Bold with Paint

Dorothy Shain Henderson bathroom

JAMES RANSOM; STYLING: Veronica Olson

Don't let small spaces limit your color choices. Here, artist Dorthy Shain Henderson opted for a vibrant blue (Farrow & Ball's Stone Blue No. 86.) to evoke a cheerful and energetic space.

19 of 27

Don't Forget About the Ceiling

2018 Idea House in Austin, Texas Girl's Vanity Bathroom
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

When adding wallpaper to your small bathroom, don't stop at just the sides. Extend the wallpaper to the ceiling as well to create a fun and cohesive nook.

20 of 27

Get Some Funky Lighting

Bathroom with dark, patterned wallpaper
Courtesy of Arditi Design, Photography by Claire Esparros

With less square footage comes more opportunity to design a fun, eclectic space in your home. In this bathroom, unique overhead lighting and sconces were incorporated to make a bold statement.

21 of 27

Go Big With the Mirror

Ornate mirror on patterned wallpaper
Courtesy of Andrea May Interiors

Having a big mirror in a small bathroom not only fills up wall space, but also helps reflect light to brighten up the space.

22 of 27

Throw in Some Patterned Tiles

Katie Davis Powder Bath
Kerry Kirk

Tiles are great in bathrooms for preventing water damage, and adding one with a pattern is a great way to add extra visual interest while still being functional.

23 of 27

Don't Shy From Bright Colors

Green and Blue Bathroom with Wallpaper
Laurey W.Glenn

Small bathrooms don't usually bring in a ton of natural light, so you can incorporate your own brightness through a purposeful color palette. This bathroom uses a bold yellow-green color in throughout the space to make it brighter.

24 of 27

Get Inspired by the Garden

Floral bathroom wallpaper
Courtesy of Jennifer Barron Interiors

Bringing the outside in is a lovely way to liven up your space. Incorporating floral wallpaper into your small bathroom can create a visually appealing and lightened space.

25 of 27

Make the Shower a Focal Point

christinakim-pc_raquel-langworthy.jpg
Raquel Langworthy

When your full bath is snug, creating contrast is a great way to make it feel bigger. In this bathroom. the shower is covered in a gorgeous black tile to separate it from the white color in the rest of the bathroom.

26 of 27

Put Your Personality Into It

Blue and white bathroom
Courtesy of Miretta Interiors, Photography by Dustin Peck

Adding bits of yourself anywhere in your house can truly make it feel like a lived-in home. In this bathroom, designer Zandy Gammons used a Biggie Smalls inspired wallpaper to honor and represent the town of Brooklyn in a subtle, stylish way.

27 of 27

Go Full Glam

Brown bird wallpaper bathroom
Courtesy of Peter Spaulding, Photography by Kelley Kish

If you've always wanted to decorate a room in a bold, glamorous manner, a small bathroom is the perfect opportunity to show off your design prowess. This bathroom went all out with the moody, vintage-inspired glamor to create a unique and beautiful space in the home.

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