Small Bathroom Makeover Ideas | Small Bathroom Ideas

A bigger bathroom doesn’t necessarily mean a better one. With the help of our small bathroom makeover ideas, you can create a sophisticated and contemporary space, whatever size your bathroom is.

The best way to create the illusion of space is by being smart with your bathroom design ideas. Opt for storage solutions that combine functionality and style, create clever optical illusions with a large mirror, and choose a seamless colour scheme across the floor and walls.

We’ve put together this guide of small bathroom makeover ideas, so you can make the most of your space.

Before you start

Read our DIY Safety Tips guide. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using power tools and make sure the room is well ventilated when painting. Without further ado, here are our favourite small bathroom ideas to kickstart your next room transformation:

A note on minimalism

Although trinkets and treasures can help to make a room feel homely, over-the-top decorations can cause a small bathroom to seem even smaller so stick to items that have a functional value. A scented candle will add a personal touch and doubles as a luxurious addition to a relaxing bath. Similarly, a pretty trinket dish is handy for keeping jewellery safe while you shower. Otherwise, keep decorations to a minimum and allow your bathroom furniture and tiling to do the talking.

Let’s talk tiling

When choosing bathroom floor and wall tiles, opt for similar materials, colours and tones throughout your bathroom and avoid clashing prints and textures, as they can make a small space feel crowded. For a touch of luxury, consider marble-effect, sandstone or slate tiles.

Opt for large tiles to open up the floor space. Taking the same tiles up the walls will reduce the contrast between walls and floor, helping to make your space feel larger. Steer clear of bold patterns and bright colours (unless, of course, you’re renovating a small downstairs toilet – this can be a fun space to experiment with rich navy and emerald green paint, or a botanical wallpaper).

Top tip: If you plan on laying your own tiles, take a look at this guide on how to fit floor and wall tiles before you get started.

Consider your colour scheme

One of the smartest small bathroom ideas is to use cool-toned paint colours, such as whites, light greys, pale blues and greens. Not only do cool tones create a crisp, clean ambience that brightens up a room, but their colour frequencies hit our senses slower, giving the illusion of more space.

The same goes for bathroom cabinets, vanity units and toilet units – keep everything the same colour to create an illusion of extra space.

If you’re looking for ways to revamp your bathroom without the additional work and cost of a full renovation, then our Maison Déco Refresh Bathroom Paint is the perfect solution and one of our lower budget small bathroom ideas. It’s specially formulated for painting over tiles, wood, laminate and melamine and is highly resistant to water and high temperatures.

Top tip: When giving your small bathroom a makeover, put some time aside to paint your ceiling a bright white. This will add depth and really help to freshen up the space.

Bath, shower, or both?

Consider how you and your family will be using the bathroom – do you need a bath, a shower, or both? It’s a common misconception that smaller bathrooms don’t have room for both a bath and a shower. However, there are several stylish yet space-savvy ways to incorporate both if you like having the choice. Our collection includes free-standing, corner and square shower baths, offering the luxury of a long bath as well and the practicality of a shower without taking up any more all-important floorspace.

Alternatively, a small bathroom lends itself well to a sleek wet room – simply install a walk-in shower with frameless panels for a ‘barely-there’ look.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Mirrors are key to making a small bathroom feel bigger, as they will reflect the light around the space. Don’t be afraid to go big: a large frameless or circular bathroom mirror will create a space-enhancing feature wall, while mirrored cabinets are a sleek and practical option if you’re short of wall space.

Top tip: If your bathroom is windowless or lacking in natural light, illuminated bathroom mirrors are a fantastic way to amplify space and light.

Where there’s a wall, there’s a way

Utilising the walls is a great space-saving solution for small bathrooms. Wall-hung basins and vanity units are easy to clean around and don’t take up any floor space.

Mirrored bathroom wall cabinets will provide extra storage, while also doubling up as a vanity for applying makeup, doing skincare and shaving. Plus, don’t forget their space-enhancing benefits mentioned above!

Bathroom shelves are handy for holding essentials like towels and your favourite shower products. When it comes to being clever with small bathroom makeovers, wall-mounted mixer taps are a must – as the pipework can be hidden without the need for a bulky basin pedestal.

Simple but smart storage

Opting for a bathroom vanity unit with concealed storage will maximise your space, while still looking modern and contemporary.

When it comes to towel storage, a heated towel rail takes up less room than an additional cupboard, and will also keep your space warm over the winter months.

Top tip: The key to making a small room feel bigger is to keep it organised! Keep shampoo and shower gel neat and tidy with a shower caddy.

And those are our ideas for a small bathroom makeover! Don’t forget to share your favourite small bathroom ideas with us on Instagram and tag us @homebase_uk. If you’re looking for more bathroom design inspiration, check out our other guides here.