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12 tips to help you maximise a small bathroom

You can turn a small space into a beautiful bathroom if you employ some clever trickery…

Making a small bathroom both functional and stylish can be a challenge. But it’s definitely not impossible!

There are a few fail-safe tricks that will help maximise a tight space, trick the eye and give the illusion of scale and depth.

From budget-friendly bathroom storage ideas and design touches that work in limited spaces to architectural elements that will add grandeur, these 12 small bathrooms are packed with inspiration.

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Throw it wide open. Casement windows give a small bathroom an indulgently spacious and contemporary feel. Show-stopping and practical, they’re an excellent architectural trick for any small space.

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Opt for in-shower shelving. Make the most of an untapped space by creating some in-shower, recessed shelving. It will give you more storage and looks ultra-chic, too. A wall-mounted towel rail always helps save space, too.

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Opt for an integrated cistern. Traditional toilets can be bulky, taking up more space than you realistically have in a small bathroom. Look for an innovative integrated design instead.

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Add some greenery. Indoor plants can work with whatever space you have making them an ideal finishing touch for a small bathroom. Be guided by your bathroom’s limitations when it comes to selection, and remember, no matter how small  your shrubbery, it will add a calming balance to the room.

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If in doubt, white out. An all-white bathroom palette instantly maximises a small space and gives the illusion of scale. It also adds a serene and spa-like edge, turning your bathroom into a personal sanctuary.

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Multiple mirrors. In a tight space, having more than one mirror can allow multiple people to get ready at once. Using pop colours and different sized mirrors also helps to make a big impact in a small space.

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Round it out. Sharp edges aren’t the most friendly in tight spaces. Opt for softer finishes in a rounded wall basin or curved bath. They’ll feel less intrusive and will help you avoid any painful middle-of-the-night bumps.

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Brighten up. Exposed brickwork and patterned walls aren’t off the table in small spaces. Just ensure that you have plenty of overhead or pendant lighting to keep your bathroom bright and airy.

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A head-to-toe solution. Natural light beams through this floor-to-ceiling louvre window making a smaller bathroom feel so much brighter and more spacious. A great trick to employ in a small space.

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Break the rules. Ditch large-format tiles and use lightly-hued finger tiles to complement a small space. If you have the privacy, consider a glass wall, too. These combined features will really help to maximise your space.

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Narrow your choice. Wall-mounted cabinets work well in small bathrooms. Opt for ingenious narrow units that can stow a surprising amount, yet take up very little space.

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Expand the vanity. By stretching out the vanity to the full width of the bathroom, you give yourself more options for storage and shelving. You also make the bathroom more efficient so that multiple people can get ready at once.

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