If like me, you are constrained by the space available in your bathroom and feel claustrophobic even thinking about your next shower then I hope this post finds its way to you. After doing a lot of soul-searching and researching on how I can make the most of my small space, I thought I would condense and revise it so that I can help others make their bathrooms the most stylish and space-savvy place they can be. .I have listed my top tips for designing and decorating your bathroom, and, as per, have included pictures to showcase just how gorgeous that small space can be.
1. If you're lucky enough to start from scratch and you're struggling to conceptualise a luxury bathroom with the space given, then why not ditch the pool-sized bathtub for a walk-in shower. Nothing screams luxury than an oversized shower head and even more style points are granted if you dedicate the whole space as a wet-room. This does away with the tub and the basin of the shower all together.
2. The amount of space you have and what the eye perceives are not necessarily the same thing. Play with the boundaries of perception by tiling with the same design across your walls and floor space. This makes it harder to distinguish where each begins therefore making your space feel larger.
This is one of the main benefits of tiling. As long as your tiles are the same thickness, they can be used in different patterns from floor to ceiling, in strips connecting one wall, across the floor and up the other, from in the shower to behind the sink...
3. Following on from this, cover your corners! Just as similar shading hides different surfaces, covering corners gives a sense of flow rather than stopping and starting as you move your eyesight across the room.
4. Don't shy away from wallpaper! One of the best ways to disguise a small bathroom is to use a striking wallpaper which creates interest and sends thoughts about the size to the back of the mind.
5. Reflect your boundaries. We have all heard of placing a mirror on the opposite wall to the window so that the light reflects and this is no different from your bathroom. If, like myself, you have no window to let in any light, then introducing mirrored units and metallic shades throughout the decor will reflect the lighting that you do have, even if it is a measly energy-saving dimmer bulb! If you have the ability to buy a mirror or unit that covers the entire wall then even better.
6. If you are lucky enough to have a window - Maximise! The bigger the better, as it lets in lots of natural light and washes the bathroom with a fresher light than shop-bought bulbs. If you’re worried about peeping toms then get frosted glass which can make a floor-to-ceiling window the key to spacious success and the height of bathroom elegance.
7. Simplicity is key for small bathrooms. This applies to decor (think white-washed walls, marble tiling from floor to ceiling, one-colour suits all palette) but it also applies to what items you furnish the bathroom with. Steer clear from littering the place with tiny trinkets and an array of half-used bottles. If it doesn't add anything to the decor then get rid. If it isn't a 24-hour essential then pack it away.
8. This is where we begin with storage. Built-in shelving or hole-in-the-wall style units can be blended in to the decor by painting or covering with the same colour as the rest of the unit or the space.
9. Mounted shelving is one of the best ways to answer storage needs as it clears space from the floor and can span across every surface. Interest can be added by varying the heights and what you put on your shelves - use your towels as decoration, add those all important house plants, or add a pop of colour by painting along the edge of the shelf.
10. Another clutter-clearing method is to invest in movable shelving such as a tiered storage caddy or a chic bar trolley which can be used for your toiletries and can be moved in and out of the bathroom with ease, keeping the place open and tidy.
11. And finally - plants! These will add an organic and refreshing element to your bathroom, will air out the stuffy space and make the experience more spa-like and wholesome. What's not to love?
Happy bathrooming!