Whether you’re working with a tight budget or aiming for a luxurious update, there are countless ways to infuse personality, elegance, and efficiency into your bathroom. From clever storage solutions to creative color schemes, these small bathroom decorating ideas will help you make the most of every inch.
Transforming a small bathroom into a stylish and functional space can be a rewarding challenge. With the right design choices, you can maximize both form and function, creating a room that feels more spacious and inviting.
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Small Bathroom Decorating Ideas
Small bathrooms can be a major pain to decorate. There isn’t a ton of room but you will need space to store items such as toilet paper, towels, and toiletry items.
What is a person to do? Well I have some great options for you to consider for your small bathroom.
Choose a petite bathtub
Unless you are a very tall person a petite bathtub can really free up space. A small tub like this one can give you additional room for a laundry basket or toilet.
Skip the tub and only have a shower
If you aren’t a bath person then just skip it! This has been a huge trend in the last 5 or so years. Eight years ago my Mom built a house and opted for no bathtub.
By choosing to ditch the tub you can have more space for a larger shower!
Hang your shower curtain high
Just like in a family room hanging curtains high can make your ceilings look taller, the same principle applies with shower curtains.
Hang your shower curtain as high as possible to elevate the look of the height of your bathroom.
Have ample light
I need lots of light to be able to see when putting makeup on! But the type of lighting you have is very important.
First you need overhead lighting to illuminate the whole space. That can be recessed lights in the ceiling or a gorgeous chandelier.
Then you need task lights around your mirror. This will help you be able to see your face well. I like the drop lights here or some wall sconces would be great too.
Use mirrors to make the space feel bigger
This is a design trick that has been used over and over. Adding mirrors not only bounces light around the room but it also make the room feel bigger.
Add decorative tile
Decorative tile can give you a wonderful focal point like in the photo above or a great look to have under your feet.
Adding a decorative tile makes the space feel expensive and what’s great is if the tile is a little more pricey you don’t need that much of it because it’s a small space!
Install a medicine cabinet
In the mid 1900’s every home had a medicine cabinet but as we got closer to 2000 they were considered a dated concept. But then we have the issue of where do you put your stuff?!
In small bathrooms organization can be very important. The old medicine cabinets are a hard no but the new style of medicine cabinets are totally in! They can be recessed into the wall or hang on the wall. They are a great option for small bathrooms.
Decorate with plants
I always love to add plants to a room to make the room feel fresh and lived in. The bathroom is no exception. There are also a lot of great plants that can be beneficial to your health when placed in the bathroom!
Add shiplap
Shiplap isn’t just for farmhouse style, it can be used in a very modern space and look fabulous. What’s great about using shiplap is it makes the space feel bigger!
The horizontal lines in the photo above make the space feel larger. If you have a space with low ceilings you can run the shiplap vertically to make the room feel taller.
Use a wall-to-wall vanity
Maximize space by adding wall to wall cabinetry. Not only does this add more storage but running cabinetry like this tricks the eye into thinking the space is wider than it is.
Install a pedestal sink
Another option is to install a pedestal sink. It takes up less floor space leaving you with with the illusion of the room looking bigger.
Add wainscotting
You might think wainscoting cuts the room and will make it feel smaller but it doesn’t! Having wainscoting adds interest to the space without taking up space.
Make an accent wall
Every space needs a focal wall, the bathroom is no different. By adding a focal point you give the room personality and a place to focus your attention, not on the fact that the space is small.
Have a floating vanity
If you are short on floor space having a floating vanity will give you the illusion that the space is bigger. The reason why is because you can see more of the floor than if the vanity went all the way down.
Use wallpaper
Small bathrooms are a great place to inject something fun and wallpaper is a great option! It gives the room personality and keeps you from feeling that the space is small.
Control the clutter
Nothing can make a space feel small than a lot of clutter. Making sure everything has a place is so important. Empty counters give the illusion of a larger space.
Add an area rug
Bathrooms are a very cold space with lots of hard surfaces. Adding a rug can really help soften the space and give you something warm under your feet.
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As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.