12 of the best small bathroom and ensuite design tips for 2020

Top 12 tips for designing your small bathroom or ensuite

Everyone loves a luxury super-sized bathroom - we're talking double vanity, his-and-hers shower and a big feature bath. But the reality is, most of us have titchy little spaces. Apartments, or older style homes, often have some pretty cosy bathrooms, and often a second bathroom or ensuite is not much bigger than your average economy class airline toilet. Yeah - not ideal.


Jimmy and Tam used clever tricks to make their ensuite look larger including a bold tile choice, hanging the vanity with a trough sink and using only a glass panel on the shower.

So it's time to reno! But how to maximise functionality in your small-sized bathroom or ensuite? Often, the challenge is configuring the toilet and sink to building code, while still allowing enough clearance for a shower, and room for those things we actually NEED every day, like towels, and toilet roll holders - you know, the basics.

In most cases, it’s still better to squeeze in an extra bathroom where one is desperately needed, even if it is small. And you CAN make it work. You just need to know-how. Read on!
 

Top 12 tips for your small bathroom or ensuite design
 

1. Install a corner sink
Sometimes a pedestal sink can disrupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom. If this is the case, placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than one placed across from the shower - the opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around condition. This is your easy-fix solution.
 

2. Use a shower curtain
A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door. Shower and bath combos work really well in small spaces, with some tubs coming in at 60 inches in length.


A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door.

3. Float the vanity
Besides visually helping the bathroom appear much bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor also frees up space for small items - tuck them away out of sight.


Deb and Andy helped create the illusion of space by floating their amazing timber vanity in their Master Ensuite.

4. Round the vanity
Tight spaces can make sharp corners a 'hip hazard'. If this might prove to be an issue, rounding the corners of your vanity and opting for a rounded sink is a good way to avoid this. No more bruised hips!
 

5. Extend the counter over the toilet
This banjo-style arrangement can be done with stone or a wood slab. The extended counter creates just enough space for a few needed items - toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.

The extended shelf creates some extra space for a few needed items - toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.

6. Use a large-scale pattern or colour
A large-scale colour or pattern like a wide stripe subway tile can trick the eye into seeing an expanded space. The square footage might stay the same, but the bathroom feels a WHOLE lot bigger.

7. Skip the shower door
If your bathroom is about 5 feet wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 30-by-60-inch bathtub. With tight conditions like this, consider using a glass panel instead of a glass shower door - it will keep most of the water in the shower and free up some wriggle room.


Harry and Tash used every possible space to create their cleverly designed ensuite with a bold colour tile.


8. Expand the mirror
In the tightest of spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.

 
9. Mount the towel bar on a door
Where can I put my towels? It's an oft-heard question. When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of them in a nearby linen closet, but having that one towel close by is essential.


10. Install a trough sink
The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking space solution. Trough sinks have a low profile - when wall-mounted, they free up floor space for storage or foot traffic.
 

Bianca and Carla utilised a wall-mounted faucet in their powder room, allowing for a narrow basin. When paired with a large mirror, it created a larger sense of space. 

11. Select a vanity with one shelf
Pedestal designs have gotten smarter - choose a vanity with a small shelf to hold towels or a basket for toilet paper. Folded towels beneath can also look great - but keep them neat.


Luke and Jasmin selected a timber vanity with shelf - great for storage!


12. Use a wall-mounted faucet
Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in traditional design - it works anywhere!
 
2020 Best Bathroom Trends HERE

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