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A small bathroom space can be just as beautiful as a master bathroom. Just because it’s tiny doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make your space feel big and luxurious. In this blog, we’ll offer ways you can create your dream bathroom designs for small spaces.

What is the Best Flooring for a Small Bathroom?

Your bathroom floors are important for many reasons. Not only do you want a practical floor that’s easy to clean, but your flooring material can do a lot to create the appearance of more space in a tiny bathroom. 

Below, we’ve listed the best flooring options you can look into as you start creating a renovation plan for your dream small bathroom.

1. Natural Stones

Natural stone tiles, such as marble, travertine, slate, and granite are also great options to consider in your tiny bathroom. Whether you’re trying to create a modern look with sleek slate floors, or a quaint powder room with marble floors, these stones create a luxurious bathroom aesthetic for any type of decor. 

While natural stone tiles can be pricey, they’re great options for small bathrooms because the limited space may make the cost fit into your budget easier. 

2. Luxury Vinyl Planks

Homeowners usually know better than to put solid hardwood floors in a space that’s often wet, like your bathroom. High-end vinyl planks are the perfect way to give the appearance of hardwood floors without the hassle of maintenance and upkeep. 

These planks are made with a strong, solid core. A vinyl sheet with a high-resolution photo of hardwood is glued to the core and then layered with a final clear coat that protects the vinyl from scratches and stains. 

Vinyl planks are 100% waterproof and they’re installed as a floating floor. This means they don’t require glue or nails, making them easy to install, especially in a small bathroom. 

3. Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

One of the most popular and traditional bathroom flooring options is ceramic and porcelain tile. Not only is it water resistant and easy to clean, but it’s easy to install, especially in small bathroom spaces. 

You may think that using smaller tiles is the best option for your dream small bathroom, but larger tiles actually create a sense of openness, making your tiny space seem less cramped. 

If you’re looking for tile design ideas for small bathrooms, consider using unconventional tile shapes. Doing this will make your floor the focal point of your bathroom and create interest without having to add more accessories or features.

Ceramic and porcelain tiled bathroom floor.

Best Colors for a Small Bathroom

There are a number of things you can do with your paint to make a small bathroom feel larger. One of the best practices homeowners can adopt when painting a tiny bathroom is to choose a high-gloss paint sheen. This will work to reflect the light off the walls as well as amplify the space. 

You can also paint the ceiling, trim, and doors the same color. This gives the impression of a wider, more spacious room. Just be sure to keep in mind that certain colors work better in certain rooms. 

For example, darker colors should be used in north-facing rooms while lighter colors are best in south-facing rooms. Sunset hues, such as blush, are favored in west-facing rooms.

Below, we’ve listed the 6 best colors you can use for inspiration as you begin to plan your dream small bathroom

1. Stark White

Stark white may be the most obvious choice for homeowners to use to make any room look bigger. Traditionally, light colors make spaces look larger, especially if the room is bathed in natural sunlight. 

White is one of the best paint colors to use to make a bathroom look bigger, but it’s also one of the best colors to use as you begin your decor process. No matter what bathroom aesthetic you’re hoping to achieve, white allows you to begin with a clean, bright canvas. 

2. Soft Black

Conversely, if you’re dealing with a room that has little to no natural sunlight, a soft black is actually the best option for your small space. Without sunlight, white colors may leave you with “white box syndrome” – a room with no personality. 

Dark hues like charcoal or black give small spaces an intimate feel while also offering the appearance of grandeur. Not to mention there are many small black bathroom designs that are becoming more popular with homeowners. 

3. Blush Pink

Blush works to make a room feel cheery and light. Best used in rooms with more natural light, blush is stunning during sunset hours. It’s well complimented with light, warm, and neutral tones such as beige, sand, and ivory.

By painting the ceiling in the same hue, you can create an enveloping feeling. While some may think blush is a more feminine color, it actually works very well with more masculine accents such as dark woods and modern metals. 

4. Dark Navy

Rooms with little natural light are perfect options for a deep navy color. This dark color creates the impression of depth and makes a space feel dramatic and stately. Dark navy is great for people who don’t want to commit to a completely black room. 

Consider trying to keep cabinets the same color as your navy walls. This helps to blur the lines between edges, making the room look larger. 

5. Cool Gray

A great alternative to stark white, cool gray colors feels fresh and bright without the harshness of pure white. A cool color helps to visually create the appearance of more space. Using this color in rooms with moderate light allows it to bounce off the walls in a pleasing way. 

6. Light Taupe

Some homeowners aren’t ready to jump into painting a bathroom entirely white, but they still want a neutral and light paint color. If this is the case, you may consider using a light taupe or greige color. These colors make spaces feel large and elegant.

They are great options for small bathrooms because they’re bright enough to allow the light to bounce from wall to wall, yet they still add a touch of warmth. Light taupe is a rich tone and has the potential to make a room look expensive. That being said, try to use it in a space with little architectural detailing and keep other furnishings white. 

Light taupe tiled shower with glass door.

Shower, Tub, & Sink Ideas for a Small Bathroom

1. Use a Glass Shower Door or No Shower Door

If you’re creating your dream small bathroom from scratch, consider installing a glass shower door instead of using a curtain. The glass will help open the room up, plus you won’t have to worry about introducing a new color or pattern for your curtain.

Another option is to get rid of a shower door altogether. Open-plan living layouts have become increasingly popular for all home types, even in the bathrooms. Removing a shower door allows the room to feel more spacious because the entire area will be open. 

2. Extend Your Tile to Your Shower or Sink

As we mentioned above, choosing tiles for your bathroom flooring is a popular and practical choice. If you choose this route, consider extending your tiles to your shower and/or sink area. This gives your room the effect of an unbroken surface, creating more depth and making the entire room feel larger.

3. Use Compact Pieces

You want to avoid large pieces that will make your room feel claustrophobic. Installing compact toilets and sinks will give you your necessities without overwhelming the space. And if your small bathroom has a tub, consider an option like a Japanese soaking tub, to create a serene bathroom aesthetic without taking up too much square footage. 

4. Add a Shower Niche or Shelf

Adding a shower niche or shelf is a great small bathroom organization hack. This allows you to keep all your shower and bath necessities in one place without taking up counter or cabinet space. Installing a shower niche or shelf is a simple solution and doesn’t take too much time, yet it will save you space in the long run.

5. Install a Corner Sink or Floating Sink

Taking advantage of corners can go a long way when making the most of a small bathroom. Installing a corner sink allows you to take up unwanted space and it’s easier to keep up with when cleaning. You can also consider using floating sinks. These free up space underneath your sink area, leaving you more room for storage. 

If you do choose to install a floating sink, we recommend also installing a wall-mounted faucet. These types of faucets don’t take up a lot of space and they give the appearance of a modern, sleek bathroom. 

Compact bathroom sink.

Just because the size of your bathroom seems small, doesn’t mean your interior design style has to be. Whether it’s the paint color, the floors, or your bathroom accessories, you can always find a way to spruce up a small space to make it feel bigger and better. 

Interested in remodeling your bathroom? Our design experts are here to help you create your dream space, regardless of size.