12 Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better

I have been in some small bathrooms — you know, the kind that make you feel like you have to lose 5 pounds to enter them. But I really like working on this type of bathroom design. Trying to make everything fit in the available space is like doing a giant crossword puzzle.

Among the challenges: configuring the toilet and sink to code, allowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towels and t.p. Despite the challenges, in most cases it’s still better to squeeze in an extra bathroom where one is desperately needed, even if it must be small.

Here are 12 tips for designing a small bathroom. And yes, you’re off the hook for the 5 pounds.

1. Install a corner sink. Sometimes even a pedestal sink can disrupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom.

In this case placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than a sink across from the shower. The opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around condition.

2. Use a shower curtain. A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door that moves in and out. Shower-tub combos actually can fit into small spaces, with some tubs coming in at 60 inches in length.

3. Float the vanity. Besides just visually helping the bathroom appear bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor frees up a little space for small items.

More Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better

12 Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better