7 decor ideas for a small bathroom
Sometimes, our homes’ smallest, hard-to-decorate spaces hide the most potential. This is undoubtedly true for tiny bathrooms. Small powder rooms and bathrooms prioritise functionality above all else, but they also offer a blank canvas for us to express ourselves creatively and experiment with our own tastes. Furthermore, even the smallest tweaks can have a major impact due to their small size.
New York-based designer Kati Curtis is somewhat of a tiny bathroom expert and fully endorses this sentiment. With a small bathroom, she told ELLE Decor, she “[has] the freedom to be bold with dark colours and patterns” which, contrary to popular belief, can make a small space feel expansive and dimensional. The goal? “[Transforming] a small bathroom into a destination rather than a drawback.”
These tiny bathroom decor ideas are sure to spark your creativity, whether you’re opting for a simple makeover or a complete redesign.
Idea #1: Stick to a colour scheme
Whether or not you agree with Curtis’ stance on moody dark bathrooms, sticking to a colour scheme for your powder room is a solid starting point for your renovation. A fully white bathroom, for example, is a great choice if you don’t have lots of space, as it maximises space by reflecting light.
Kassatex
Slate Cotton Jar White
$25.00
Neiman Marcus
Jonathan Adler
White Hollywood Toothbrush Holder
$40.00
Neiman Marcus
Michael Aram
White Orchid Tissue Box Cover
$185.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Creative Displays Inc.
Blue Hydrangea Floral Arrangement
$49.99
Rue La La
Idea #2: Go for a vanity
The main hurdle for decorating a tiny bathroom is undoubtedly the lack of storage. To make things worse, nothing makes a small space feel even more suffocating than mess and clutter. Using a vanity instead of a pedestal is a great way to maximise storage and use the limited space wisely. A floating vanity will have the added benefit of making your tiny bathroom look bigger too!
-57%
ModWay
Scenic 30In Wall-Mount Bathroom Vanity
$424.99
$993.04
GILT
-54%
ModWay
Daylight 24In Bathroom Vanity Cabinet Brown
$499.99
$1,095.84
GILT
-54%
ModWay
Energize 48In Single Sink Compatible
$367.99
$803.68
GILT
Idea #3: Floating shelves are the way to go
Floating shelves are another must-have for tiny bathrooms. They’re a great way to leverage your wall space to the max and the perfect place to display your accent pieces. Moreover, they also won’t have the same cluttered feel that shelf brackets might give. If you’re going for a streamlined, modern aesthetic, glass shelves are the ones for you.
-10%
Ballard Designs
Marloe Shelf - Glass Shelves - Ballard Designs
$584.10
$649.00
Ballard Designs
-10%
Ballard Designs
Acrylic Wall Bracket - Ballard Designs
$143.10
$159.00
Ballard Designs
Sorbus
2 Tier Large Floating Shelf Blue
$29.99
Rue La La
-30%
Ballard Designs
Tulette Shelf - Ballard Designs
$139.30
$199.00
Ballard Designs
Idea #4: Add a pop of colour
A bright, colourful accent goes a long way to decorating your tiny bathroom. Whether it’s a vanity, a rug or bathmat, or some wall art, a pop of colour is sure to add character and personality to your bathroom, however small. Colour coordinating your accents—for example, by matching your towels to your mirror—adds depth to the space and makes it even more cohesive.
Missoni Home
Riverbero bath mat - unisex - Cotton - One Size - Red
$190.00
FARFETCH
Brooks Brothers
Herringbone Bath Mat Dark Blue
$24.99
Rue La La
Maeve
by Anthropologie Scalloped Cotton Bath Mat Blue
$68.00
Anthropologie
Missoni
Blandine bath mat Multi
$290.00
Mytheresa
Idea #5: Bold wallpaper
A small space is the perfect place to have fun and take creative risks when decorating, so why not bring your tiny bathroom to life with a splash of bold wallpaper? No matter what print you choose, a colourful wallpaper will transform your powder room into a real-life treasure chest.
Ballard Designs
Willow Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Emerald - Ballard Designs Green
$84.00
Ballard Designs
-30%
Ballard Designs
Brevard Teal Fabric by the Yard - Ballard Designs Blue
$50.40
$72.00
Ballard Designs
-10%
Ballard Designs
Fenton Drapery Panel - Slate, 50W X 108L - Ballard Designs
$269.10
$299.00
Ballard Designs
-30%
Ballard Designs
Bray Blue Fabric by the Yard - Ballard Designs
$50.40
$72.00
Ballard Designs
Idea #6: Don't forget accent pieces
Interior designer Annette English is on our side when it comes to seeing tiny bathrooms as treasure chests. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a maximum statement using a few key elements,” she explains. “Amazing sconces, artwork, tile, paint and plumbing go a long way to making a small bathroom become a special room.”
-10%
Ballard Designs
Rose 2-Light Alabaster Sconce - Ballard Designs
$206.10
$229.00
Ballard Designs
-25%
Frontgate
Gibson Wall Sconce - Individual - Frontgate
$441.75
$589.00
Frontgate
-10%
Ballard Designs
Bamboo Rectangular Pendant - Large - Ballard Designs
$494.10
$549.00
Ballard Designs
-20%
Frontgate
Tapered Chandelier & Sconce Shade - Ivory - Frontgate Blue
$39.20
$49.00
Frontgate
Idea #7: Decorate with your shower curtain
When dealing with a small bathroom, renovating the shower is one of the easiest ways to make a design statement. A bold and beautiful shower curtain will separate your shower from the rest of the space, making it feel larger as a whole, and also provide exciting and colourful design elements like wallpaper or tiles.
-10%
Ballard Designs
Amelie Embroidered Shower Curtain - Sandalwood, 72 - Ballard Designs
$125.10
$139.00
Ballard Designs
Peri Home
Sasha Bows Shower Curtain in Blue at Nordstrom
$39.99
Nordstrom
-10%
Ballard Designs
Amelie Embroidered Shower Curtain - White, 72 - Ballard Designs
$125.10
$139.00
Ballard Designs