Bathroom Accessories
Basins
Baths
Cabinets
Mirrors
Showers
Bathroom Taps
Toilets & Bidets
Wall Tiles
Floor Tiles
Feature Tiles
Taps
Kitchen Sinks
Floor Tiles
Kitchen Mosaic Tiles
Outdoor Tiles
Swimming Pool Coping
Natural Stone Cladding
Swimming Pool Mosaic Tiles
The shift from grand, old-fashioned bathroom to the more compact, modern design, particularly in contemporary apartments, didn’t happen overnight. It was a gradual evolution tied to changes in lifestyle, urban planning, architecture and technology. Back in the Victorian era, bathrooms were a luxury reserved for the very wealthy. These spaces were often large, ornate and “leisurely”, featuring oversize clawfoot tubs and plenty of room for an armchair or a chaise longue, a side table or two, and often, a sumptuous fireplace. All a reflection of a time when homes were bigger, servants handled all the upkeep, and bathing was something of a ritual.
Cut to the aftermath of the two world wars, and rapid urbanisation, with folk flocking to the cities for work... the rise of mass production enabled widespread indoor plumbing. Bathrooms became a standard feature rather than a luxury. But they shrank in size to accommodate growing families in smaller homes. By the late 1950s, the mighty Victorian-style bath chamber was a thing of the past, and sleeker, more functional spaces became vogueish. By the 21st century, with the proliferation of apartment construction, compact bathrooms on building plans were well established.
Today, we’re diving into the art of transforming a small bathroom into a space that’s equal parts functional and fabulous. At Italtile, we believe that even the slimmest of bathroom spaces can exude timeless style and sophistication. Take it from us, weeny dimensions can be wonder-filled, with a sense of spaciousness, if one follows a few style-savvy suggestions. This guide is packed with advice we’ve gleaned over the 50+ years of working in the luxury interior design and décor space. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to the ultimate small bathroom remodel together... with practicality, functionality beauty, durability, timeless stylishness, sophistication and sustainability in mind.
Maximising Space: Put The Focus On Spatial Planning.
Small bathrooms can feel grand with the right layout. It’s all about clever spatial planning. Think sleek bathroom vanities that hug the wall; walk-in showers and corner baths instead of a freestanding tub; ingeniously designed slimline toilets and sleek bathroom basins that save precious centimetres. At Italtile, we’re obsessed with functional beauty: we recommend that you invest in high-end bathroom vanities that double as storage for all your bathroom essentials, keeping countertops clutter-free and super-sleek. Simplicity is the key when envisioning a serene space.
Small Bathroom Design on a Budget: Style Savvy meets Cost-Conscious.
Who said a glam sanctuary has to costa plenty? If you’ve got champagne dreams but you’re faced with the reality of a lemonade budget, affordable luxe is the name of the game. Perhaps consider one investment piece to elevate your small sanctuary, and layer it up with elements that are no less gorgeous, and built to last. We’re referring here to our very own Divina brand of beautifully functional bathroom ware. Say hello to good buys - contemporary ranges that deliver exceptional value for money. The eco-chic Divina collection includes compact bathtubs and matching basins, a super-duper selection of bathroom mixer taps (including stainless steel bathroom mixer taps and black bathroom mixer taps), shower columns, and sleek toilets. Backed with iron-clad guarantees and warranties. Selecting beautiful pieces from the Divina ranges means you’re guarding against flash-in-the-pan fads and fashions and choosing durable, stylish staples that have been designed to stand the test of time.
Lighting Up Small Spaces to Curate the Mood.
Your small bathroom may have plenty of natural light streaming in from artfully designed windows. But if you’re not so fortunate, your little sanctuary may need a little lift with clever lighting options. Swap harsh overheads from soft, layered options. Dimmer switches, if you please. Think bathroom mirrors with built-in LED ( choose from Italtile’s wide range of Affirmations LED mirrors ). Wall sconces that cast a warm glow. You want to be washed with soft illumination, not struck by lightning. Craft a mood that feels sophisticated and serene. Flattering and romantic.
Storage Solutions For Small Bathrooms.
Storage is the Achilles’ heel of the small bathroom. But as we mentioned earlier, wall-hung bathroom cabinets, bathroom vanities and floating shelves will help you conquer the clutter, calm the chaos and make Marie Kondo proud. Our exclusive, 100% Spanish Vision White Wall-Hung Vanity 800x480 is the perfect candidate for smaller sanctuaries. Two deep, soft-close drawers will hide away all your spare towels and bathroom essentials, while abbreviated and clean lines will contribute to the sense of spaciousness you’re looking for. If possible and if the reno or remodel plans allow, opt for built-in niches in your walk-in shower or shower stall. Consider a nifty bathtub shower combo. We champion solutions that blend seamlessly into your design and help you keep the focus on functionality.
Choosing The Right Fixtures: Basins, Baths, Toilets And Showers For Compact Bathrooms.
Fixtures are the unsung heroes of any bathroom. Italtile’s ranges include beautiful options designed to make the floor plan seem larger: we’re thinking here about space-saving basins and toilets from Swiss sanware specialists LAUFEN, in particular their superb LAUFEN Pro S waterwise sanitaryware. Italtile’s diverse range of built-in baths are well worth a browse, but if we were you, we’d fixate on the Victoria & Albert Lussari Gloss White Back to Wall Bath 1599x562x580. Sheer ingenuity. It might not be the freestanding centre-stage crowd-wower you’d find in a bigger bathroom, but its quietly classy character lacks none of V&A’s luxury hotel-style beauty.
How To Optimise Your Small Bathroom Floor Plan.
Some smart thinking from our interior design experts:
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Prioritise The Essentials: You need a toilet, sink and bathing area – shower or tub (maybe not both). The trick is arranging them to maximise space and movement.
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Work with the door swing: The door shouldn’t crash into fixtures or block access. Ideally it should open outwards or slide to save room.
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Keep it open: Avoid chopping the space into cramped zones – aim for a clear path and a layout that feels airy, even if it’s a wee bit tight. You need to be able to navigate your way around the space without fear of bumps and bruises against objects in the way. A clean sightline is key.
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Leverage vertical space: Walls are your friends for storage and fixtures, keeping the floor free.
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The linear layout for skinny spaces: Line up the toilet, sink and shower/tub along one wall. This keeps the opposite side open for movement. Add a chic LED mirror over the sink/sinks to stretch the space visually.
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The L-shaped layout for square spaces: Place the toilet and sink along one wall, with the shower or bathtub shower combo tucked into an adjacent corner.
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The wet room layout – the ultimate space saver: Combine the shower and open floor space with a drain, placing the toilet and basin nearby... against a wall or in a corner. A bold modern choice for a seamless look.
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Pro tips for space optimisation: Corner fixtures (corner sinks and corner baths) free up wall space. Sliding doors or pocket doors allow you to ditch the door swing for extra room. Built-in wall niches offer storage space in shower stalls. A large bathroom mirror or two bounces light and tricks the eye into seeing more space.
Tile Trends for Small Bathrooms: Design Aesthetics and Material Choices.
Tiles are where the magic happens. Bathroom wall tiles in light neutral tones are always on trend. These incandescent beauties will illuminate the space, help reflect available light and really open up the space. Porcelain Marble-Look Tiles are the conjurers, here. More sustainable and way more affordable than quarried marble, and non-porous, too... so they’re ideal to clad walls that will get wet. If you’re a stickler for the classics, our exclusive selection of Subway Tiles are your best friends. Of course, if you’re hankering after some deeply moody magic, invest in (but you’ll need to get the advice of a lighting specialist to choreograph some “simpatico” lighting effects). Something a little different? Porcelain stone-look tiles will transform your little sanctuary into a minimalist haven... here we suggest taking a gander at our 1200 x 1200 Boost Mineral matt rectified porcelain stone-look range by Italian tile innovators Atlas Concorde. A crisp and contemporary take on natural stone with an alluringly urban edge. If you incline towards the more textural and rustic side of things, take a walk through our woods: porcelain reimagining of authentic timber of every conceivable kind. Our vast porcelain wood-look tile collection is engineered for both walls and floors.
Should I Lay Small Format Tiles Or Large Format Tiles In My Small Bathroom?
No, the correct answer isn’t “small tiles”, believe it or not. Larger tiles create the illusion of a large space by minimising grout lines and promoting a more seamless look, while small tiles, if used across the entire wall expanse, can tend to break up the space with multiple grout lines. Having said that, the judicious use of small tiles here and there will add character and texture, if strategically placed. We love what our micro-mosaic tiles and mini-subway mosaic tiles do for a shower stall or accent wall.
Small Bathroom Colour Palettes: The Role Of Colour In A Small Space.
Thoughtful use of colour sets the tone. Soft neutrals or pale light bathroom tiles make a room feel airy, while bold accents, via, say, a set of black bathroom taps, inject personality. For an ultra-luxe twist, pair porcelain marble look tiles with our exclusive Tivoli Cavallino brushed gold bathroom taps and Axios brushed gold bathroom accessories. The Axios bathroom accessories range is exclusive to Italtile and has been custom-designed to match the Tivoli Cavallino tap range.
Biophilic greens of every kind have been popular for quite a while, to ramp up your well-being in the bathroom. Not the shrieking Kelly Green or Lime Green variety, mind. We’re talking about the subtle new neutrals of sage and deep forest to add character on an accent wall or on the shower stall. One look at our swoon-worthy Spanish brick-style tiles – Vogue Esmeralda – will be enough to give you the tingles. Ditto, our sassy Italian Tetris Sage Luc – by Italian tile alchemists Ceramica Sant-Agostino. Italtile’s approach to colour in the bathroom is all about harmony, layering up a colour palette that’s sophisticated, calming, and curated to last beyond seasonal whims.
In Conclusion.
Remodelling a small bathroom doesn’t have to break the bank, but wise investment in top quality products will up the resale value of your house.
Select the very best quality your budget can handle. Always choose sustainable options. At Italtile, we’re your go-to for eco-chic design. From porcelain tiles, bathtubs and bathroom taps to top-notch toilets, bathroom vanities and bathroom accessories, our LiveGreen label helps you marry sophistication with sustainable living.
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