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Small bathroom ideas for compact spaces, cloakrooms and shower rooms

By Jessie Stewart

Clever storage options and smart finishes means that even the smallest of bathrooms can be stylish as well as practical. Whether you opt for a sleek streamlined look, or traditional detailing, there are plenty of ways to pack a punch

Looking for small bathroom ideas? A small bathroom can be stylish, practical and, with the right know-how, space-efficient.

Big bathrooms are a luxury many of us can only dream about – a free-standing bath in the middle of the room, complete with roaring fire and sumptuous armchair is on everyone’s wish list, right? However true that may be, we think compact bathrooms can be just as gorgeous!

A small space doesn’t have to look cluttered or cramped when you incorporate a few clever tricks of the trade – your room can soon ooze style and sophistication, even if all you have is a shower room to experiment with.

A couple of space-saving tips mixed in with a splash of gorgeous accessories and textiles will turn the most modest of bathrooms into an enviable space in minutes. We show you how to create the small bathroom of your dreams.

1. Be clever with glass

A walk-in shower with frameless panels looks barely there in this bijou bathroom. The bath is smaller than standard, but perfect for kids. White marble for the wall tiles gives the small space a dash of glamour.

2. Be a shape shifter

These hexagonal tiles add interest without overwhelming this small room with pattern. The owners have used hexagons in the porch and kitchen, too – as a subtle link through the house.

3. Stay inline

The old green striped wallpaper was stripped out of this room and replaced with smart tongue-and-groove panelling painted in white and repeated on the bath panel for a streamlined approach. The old carpet was swapped for an industrial-look lino flooring, which is more hygienic and pleasing to the eye.

4. Use clever paint effects to create an illusion of height

Paint halfway up a wall to create an illusion of height. By lowering the eye with a darker paint shade you create a distance from the upper portion of the wall. If the wall was all one colour the room wouldn’t have as much depth. This clever, yet simple paint trick is a great way to make a small space appear larger than it really is.

5. Mount your taps to the wall

Wall-mounted mixer taps work well in compact bathroom designs as the pipework can be hidden without the need for a basin pedestal. You can use that freed-up space to house shelving or a laundry basket. 

6. Think like an expert

Architecturally and visually, it is best to keep a small bathroom feeling open by not crowding too many things into it. Edit your amenities often, hang your towels on bars or hooks, keep pattern to a minimum, and generally, make it simple. The room will feel bigger if you use a pedestal sink rather than a bulky vanity, a clear glass door rather than shower curtain and reflective surfaces such as glossy ceramic tiles in a large scale.

7. Work in a wall-mounted unit

Wall-mounted modular furniture remains a favourite for storage, due to its fuss-free, streamlined look. Available in a range of heights, widths and depths, it means that you can create semi-bespoke furniture that best suits your space.

You’ll find a wide range of colours, from soft hues to strong brave tones, available too, as well as plenty of different textures.

8. Wallpaper a cloakroom

One of the best ways to disguise a small bathroom is to create interest and a striking wallpaper is ideal for this. If you have a bath or shower in the room (rather than it being a cloakroom), make sure you buy one that’s made specifically for bathrooms, which will cope with the damp, warm conditions.

9. Buy freestanding and multi-functional furniture

A limited footprint shouldn’t impact on your creative flair. If your bathroom is verging on the small side, consider using freestanding furniture that you can move around at a moment’s notice.

Going for freestanding storage and seating allows you to move your scheme around whenever you like and, unlike fitted bathroom units, you can take freestanding pieces with you when it’s time to move out.

10. Trick the eye with tiles

The amount of space you have and what the eye perceives aren’t necessarily the same thing. Play with the boundaries of perception by tiling the side of your bath and the wall with the same design – it makes it hard to distinguish where each begins, thereby making your space feel larger.

Marble is particularly effective here, as it looks almost like one huge sheet and the individual tiles aren’t very obvious.

To read the full article see the following source: www.idealhome.co.uk

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