Bathroom Designs

When someone starts planning a new bathroom in the UK, the first question is almost always: how big is my bathroom?

Size matters, but it doesn’t decide whether the space feels comfortable day to day. In practice, how to design a bathroom layout comes down to lifestyle: your morning routine, children, conflicting schedules, storage needs, mobility, time (or lack of it) for cleaning, and even how you like to unwind at the end of the day. That’s why many designs look fine on paper but feel frustrating in real life.

Most bathroom layout ideas are designed for square metres rather than people. And it’s worth remembering that UK bathrooms are often compact: many guides use a standard room of around 1.5–1.8 m × 2.4 m, and treat anything under about 4 m² as a small bathroom—common in smaller properties. If you’re reconfiguring the house as part of a wider renovation, the bathroom’s position can also affect what’s practical to move.

The good news is you can still create a dream bathroom, as long as you design for flow and the right choices, rather than trying to cram in everything you’ve saved on Pinterest.

In our ultimate guide to bathroom design, you’ll learn how to prioritise routine over size, measure and draw a floor plan to scale, understand how the soil pipe can affect layout and cost, and get the bathroom floor, bathroom walls, ventilation, and comfort right—without complicating the project.

Planning a New Bathroom: Start With Your Daily Routine Before Drawing Anything

Before thinking about showers, bathtubs, and tiles, think about behaviour. What do you actually do in that bathroom?

If it’s a family bathroom, peak usage is usually in the morning and at the end of the day. If it’s an en-suite, priorities are often quick functionality on weekdays and comfort at weekends. If there are small children, a bathtub may be essential. And if accessibility matters, the bathroom layout needs to allow movement and access without awkward manoeuvres—prioritise easy access to the shower and basin.

A simple rule that avoids expensive mistakes is to separate what’s essential from what’s a nice-to-have. Core bathroom products (toilet, sink, shower or bath) should support day-to-day use and be easy to clean. Extras—like storage upgrades or heated towel rails—can add comfort or luxury, but they’re worth considering only if they don’t disrupt flow, reduce usable space, or add maintenance.

Measure Accurately And Transform This Into a Scale Floor Plan

The step that saves the project the most is the one many people skip: measure carefully and draw the bathroom to the same scale before buying anything.

Aim for a simple floor plan (viewed from above) showing doors, windows, niches, cut-outs and sloping ceilings. Even a quick sketch on graph paper helps you test your bathroom layout and spot clashes that only show up on paper—door swings, cabinet drawers, shower enclosure openings, and the kind of dead space that becomes a daily trip hazard. Practical tip: mark door swings and drawer pull-outs before you commit to any fixture sizes.

In a small bathroom in the UK, we at Mermaid recommend leaving at least 60 cm of clear space in front of the sink, toilet and shower entrance, and checking that the main door and shower door don’t hit fittings when opened. These small tweaks can create a completely different sense of enough room, without knocking anything down.

What Dictates The Layout And Budget: Piping, Drainage And Soil Pipe

A bathroom layout is rarely a blank canvas. The position of the toilet is usually constrained by drainage and the existing soil pipe, and moving it too far often increases the cost—demolition, longer runs, new pipework and more labour time.

A good rule of thumb is to keep as much as you can where it is, as long as usability doesn’t suffer. And if you do change the bathroom layout, make it a real upgrade: better circulation, cleaner flow, more storage, or a more comfortable bathing zone.

One useful detail in many bathroom layout ideas is that when the soil pipe sits on the back wall, you may have a bit more flexibility (depending on the existing routes). In some ground-floor bathrooms, if you have external access and the conditions are right, that can also make a wet room more realistic—provided the falls, drainage and waterproofing can be done properly, and it genuinely suits how the room is used.

Budget In The UK: Define The Type of Renovation Before Falling In Love With Finishes

In the UK, costs vary because the price isn’t just what you buy—it’s how much you change what’s already there.

As a current reference, many UK cost guides put the average bathroom renovation at around £4,500. Avoiding major bathroom layout changes usually keeps costs down, because moving pipework adds time and labour. For a full renovation, a typical range is £4,500–£7,000, depending on size, materials and the extent of the work. Also factor in the cost of removing and disposing of the old bathroom, as this can add noticeably to the total.

The most helpful decision is to classify your project into one of three levels:

• Simple update: like-for-like replacement with no major layout changes (usually the most budget-friendly).
• Light remodelling: targeted improvements and small adjustments.
• More extensive renovation: a real change to layout and/or services.

Whether you’re renovating on a DIY basis or hiring professionals for bathroom installations, it’s worth getting multiple quotes so your budget and timeline reflect the market.

Once you know which level you’re working at, it becomes much easier to build a bathroom design that matches your budget and schedule—without starting small and ending up with an expensive surprise halfway through.

Bathroom Design for Flow, Privacy, and Comfort

A good bathroom is one you can walk into and move around without thinking. That’s flow: clear paths between fixtures, no detours, and no cramped pinch points.

As a general guide, aim for 700–760 mm of clear space in front of each fixture where possible. In tighter rooms, 60 cm can work as a practical minimum in some spots, but the closer you get to key areas, the more the room starts to feel cramped. If you’re planning for a truly wheelchair-friendly bathroom (for example, Category 3 requirements), allowing around 1500 mm for a turning circle helps ensure comfortable manoeuvring. In a compact bathroom, even small bathroom layout choices can create more space—for example, sliding doors can remove wasted swing area and free up floor space, helping you keep enough room where it matters.

Two decisions that usually improve everyday use:

• Toilet privacy: whenever possible, avoid it being the first thing visible when opening the door.
• Wet and dry zones: separating the bathing area from the countertop/storage area reduces splashing, improves maintenance, and keeps the room feeling calmer.

Bathroom Layout Ideas: Visualising Your Bathroom

Once you’ve drawn your scaled floor plan, take a moment to test a few different bathroom layout ideas. It’s one of the quickest ways to avoid costly mistakes and move closer to a dream bathroom that fits real life.

Start with a floor plan of your existing bathroom (or the area where the new bathroom will go). On graph paper, sketch the room to the same scale, marking doors, windows and any fixed points. This gives you a clear overview of your available space before you start moving pieces around. Then place the essentials—toilet, sink/basin, and bath or shower—and check clearances: door swings, shower enclosure openings, drawers, and whether there’s enough room and floor space to move comfortably.

As you refine the layout, match choices to routine: a walk-in shower for quick mornings, a double sink for busy households, or a wall hung toilet to free up floor area. In a small bathroom layout, sliding doors can reclaim dead space, and where conditions allow, a wet room can create a more open feel. Finally, sanity-check wall space for storage, the effect of natural light, and whether comfort upgrades like underfloor heating or heated towel rails suit your budget and maintenance. If you want to see options in 3D, online design tools—or an interior designer—can help you mock up the room before you commit.

Choose Pieces That Match Your Routine And The Actual Space

This is where lifestyle comes into play. Instead of choosing only what looks good in the showroom, think about the bathroom fitting in real life—plan and install fixtures that support your routine and suit the space.

If the goal is a quick daily shower, a walk-in shower is often the best use of the room, especially in narrow bathrooms. If the bathroom is shared by the family, a bathtub or a bath-shower combination is usually more practical. In smaller bathrooms, compact choices can make a noticeable difference to floor space—for example, a back-to-wall toilet keeps the footprint tidy without feeling compromised.

For small spaces, we at Mermaid recommend choosing between a walk-in shower, a bath over a shower, or a compact bathtub based on the length of the room and where the existing plumbing sits. Sometimes the right call is simply a 1500 mm bath when a 1700 mm model won’t fit.

Finally, if the bathroom door steals too much room, we continue to recommend sliding doors. They reduce dead space and improve circulation without changing the size of the bathroom. If you’re using a shower enclosure, clear glass can also help the bathroom feel more open.

Storage, Bathroom Walls and Bathroom Floor

If there is one clear difference between a beautiful bathroom and a good bathroom, it is storage. In smaller bathrooms, visual clutter quickly swallows the feeling of space.

The best results come from storage planned from the start and built into the design, not improvised later. Use wall space wherever you can: a mirrored cabinet, wall-mounted shelves (including space above the toilet), a vanity with drawers, recessed niches in the shower, and a tall cabinet for everyday items. Done well, this is one of the simplest ways to create more space without changing the room.

For finishes, what works is balancing style with maintenance. In 2026, more handcrafted-looking tiles (including zellige), richer colours, added texture and expressive shapes are becoming more popular. If you follow the latest bathroom trends, use bold texture or colour as an accent rather than across every wall. These finishes tend to work best on bathroom walls as an accent wall or focal zone, so you get impact without turning cleaning into a chore. For the bathroom floor (or bathroom flooring), prioritise durable, easy-clean materials and a surface that feels secure underfoot, especially in wet zones.

Natural Light and Lighting

Natural light also has a big impact on how open the room feels. Keep windows as unobstructed as possible and use clear glass where you can so light travels through the space. Large mirrors can amplify daylight, and the right ceiling lights and light colour help the bathroom feel brighter and more comfortable in the evenings.

Comfort And Standards In The UK: Ventilation, Electrical And Water Efficiency

The rules can vary by location, but the least glamorous details are the ones that make a bathroom work properly. Even the latest bathroom designs won’t perform well if ventilation, electrics and water choices are ignored.

Ventilation: Approved Document F sets a minimum intermittent extraction rate of 15 L/s for bathrooms. If the bathroom has no openable window, it also recommends controls that keep the extractor running for at least 15 minutes after the room is vacated.

Electrical: NICEIC notes that electricians registered with a recognised certification body are assessed against BS 7671 and should be able to advise on bathroom zones and installation requirements.

Water: Approved Document G sets a standard water consumption target of 125 litres/person/day in new homes (with an optional 110 in specific cases). The fittings approach is a useful shortcut for selecting efficient fixtures: WC 6/4 L (dual flush) or 4.5 L (single flush), shower 10 L/min, bath 185 L, basin taps 6 L/min (and sink taps 8 L/min). Even if you’re renovating rather than building from scratch, these benchmarks help align choices with real use and running costs.

How Mermaid Bathrooms Can Help

Small bathrooms work best when decisions are joined up: fixture depth, door openings, storage, natural light, ventilation, and what can (and can’t) be moved in the pipework.

Taken together, these choices reduce surprises during the build and lead to a bathroom that’s easier to use and maintain day to day.

Why Choose Mermaid?

Here at Mermaid Bathrooms, the focus is on turning a bathroom that works on paper into one that works in day-to-day use. With over 30 years’ experience in bespoke bathrooms, the service combines design and fitting to balance flow, storage, comfort and finish—even in tiny spaces—and can manage complete bathroom installations from planning through to completion.

In practice, support starts by setting priorities and creating a layout drawn to scale, then moves into choosing materials and fixtures, while flagging the problems that most often cause regret in small bathrooms: awkward door openings, bulky furniture depth, tight circulation, poorly defined wet zones, and plumbing constraints. The aim is a joined-up project with fewer surprises during the build and a bathroom that’s easier to use and maintain every day.

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Summary

In our analysis, the most comfortable bathroom is not the one that fits everything, but the one that is designed for everyday use. The sequence that tends to reduce errors and rework is simple: first define how the bathroom is used (morning/evening peaks, children, storage and accessibility needs), then lock in the bathroom layout with measurements and scale drawings, and only then choose fixtures and finishes that respect circulation, doors and furniture depth. In smaller bathrooms, this order avoids purchases that look good in the showroom but hinder everyday use.

The budget is usually decided by how much the existing plumbing is changed, so major changes are only worthwhile when they deliver real gains in flow, bathing or storage. And for the result to last, the technical side needs to be treated as a priority from the outset: adequate ventilation, correct electrical zoning and water choices in line with use and maintenance. In the end, the dream bathroom in the UK is usually born less from square footage and more from connected decisions, made in the right order.

FAQ

Before you sign off on plans, order tile, or commit to a freestanding bath you have been eyeing on Pinterest, pause. Most bathroom design mistakes happen in the planning stage, not during installation, and they are far more expensive to fix once the plumber has left.

Many Pinterest-perfect rooms ignore real-world UK constraints, especially in a small bathroom or a tiny bathroom:

• Tight 1.5m to 1.8m wide rooms in Victorian terraces and modern flats
• Awkward window and bathroom door positions that limit bathroom layout options
• Plumbing that has not been updated since the 1970s
• Building regulations around ventilation and bathroom lighting

At Mermaid Bathrooms, we design and install bathrooms across the UK, and professional small bathroom design is often what prevents expensive work, broken tiles, and moved pipework later.

In this guide, we will cover the biggest bathroom design mistakes we see most often, and exactly how to avoid them.

Forcing Too Much Into A Tiny Floorplan

A classic small bathroom design mistake is treating a small space like a larger room. UK bathrooms often sit around 1.7m x 2.2m, sometimes less. That is not enough space for every fixture you saw online.

Trying to squeeze in both a bath and a separate shower in a tiny bathroom often sacrifices floor space, creates tight corners, and makes the room feel awkward. You may still spend the same budget, but end up with less comfort and less usable space.

How to avoid it

• Mark footprints with masking tape to scale on the floor and test movement
• Check the bathroom door swing, drawers, and shower entry for clashes
• Prioritise based on how the household actually uses the bathroom

A practical bathroom layout order that often improves flow is:

• Vanity unit near the bathroom door
• Toilet in the middle zone
• Shower or bath at the far end

This usually makes all the difference in how the room feels when you walk in.

Treating Storage As An Afterthought

If storage is not planned early, you end up with open storage everywhere. Bottles on the vanity unit, razors on a window ledge, towels on the radiator, and cleaning products in sight. That clutter is a common mistake that makes a small bathroom feel chaotic.

How to avoid it

Do a quick inventory before choosing cabinets:

• Daily shower items, spare toiletries, medications
• Cleaning products
• Spare toilet rolls and towels
• Hair tools and grooming items

Then choose storage solutions that fit the small bathroom:

• Wall-hung vanity unit with drawers (better than open shelving)
• Mirrored cabinet above the basin for daily items
• Recessed niches on the shower back wall for shampoo and shower gel
• Robe hooks and a towel bar behind the bathroom door to protect wall space

Be careful with oversized floor-to-ceiling cabinets. In a small bathroom, they can make the room feel like a corridor. Slim, shallow cabinets often work better, especially where there is limited wall space.

Clever storage using vertical space

Vertical space is often underused. Built-in shelves above the toilet or above the door can provide extra storage for items used weekly or monthly. Done neatly, this adds additional storage without making the room feel cramped.

Ignoring Light, Colour, And Reflections

Bad bathroom lighting makes small spaces feel gloomy or clinical. A single overhead lighting point in a windowless room leaves corners in shadow and makes the mirror area unflattering.

How to avoid it

Use layered lighting:

• Ceiling lighting for general illumination
• Task lighting at the mirror (wall lights or an illuminated mirror)
• Accent lighting for depth (for example, under a vanity unit or along a niche)

Good lighting changes the room’s feel instantly and helps create more space visually.

Colour and tile guidance

Pale neutral colours usually work best in a small bathroom because they reflect light. If you love bold colours, keep them to one feature wall rather than all four walls.

Mirrors also matter. Larger mirrors can create the illusion of doubled depth and bounce extra light around the room. If you have a window, position mirrors to reflect natural light where possible.

Avoid a common lighting error: downlights directly over the mirror without side lighting. That setup creates harsh shadows. Side lighting at face height is usually more flattering and more practical.

Choosing The Wrong Materials For A Wet, Compact Space

In a small bathroom, every surface sits close to steam and water. Poor material choice leads to staining, warping, and mould.

Materials that commonly fail

• Solid wood flooring
• Standard laminate
• Untreated timber accessories near the shower or bath

Better options

• Porcelain tile on the floor with appropriate slip resistance
• Textured natural stone (with regular sealing)
• Bathroom-rated LVT is suitable

For shower tile and grout, small errors show more because everything is at arm’s length. Consider:

• Narrow grout lines where appropriate
• Mid-tone grout to hide dirt better than pure white
• Durable grout options in wet areas

Ventilation mistakes

Relying on a window alone is one of the common bathroom design mistakes in the UK. In winter, windows stay shut, moisture lingers, and mould follows. A properly specified extractor fan is essential in a bathroom renovation, especially for a tiny bathroom with hard surfaces.

Overlooking Practical Details That Drive You Mad Later

Some bathroom design mistakes only show up once you start using the room daily.

Shower mixer positioning

Placing the mixer directly under the shower head means you get hit with cold water before it warms. Position the controls so you can reach in and turn the shower on without stepping under the spray. A thermostatic mixer helps maintain temperature and reduces cold water shocks.

Door and drawer conflicts

Check that every door and drawer can open fully without hitting:

• Radiators
• Toilet
• Shower screens
• Towel bar and robe hooks

Plan accessories before tiling. Decide where towels hang, where toilet roll sits, and where toothbrushes live. Small space planning is about eliminating daily annoyances.

Tile ordering

Order extra tile from the same batch. In small bathrooms, colour shifts and missing replacements are obvious, particularly with large-format tile.

Going Fully DIY Instead Of Using Professionals When It Matters

Bathrooms are expensive to redo, and small spaces magnify errors. Some tasks are reasonable DIY for confident homeowners, like painting with bathroom-rated paint or fitting simple accessories. But critical wet-room tasks should be handled by professionals.

Jobs are best left to professionals.

• Plumbing and plumbing fixtures
• Waterproofing and tanking
• Electrics to meet UK requirements
• Complex tiling and shower installation
• Underfloor heating installation and controls

Professional bathroom design and design experts often save money by preventing re-work, ordering correctly sized fixtures, and coordinating trades efficiently. This is especially true in a bathroom renovation where layout changes are planned.

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How To Plan A Small Bathroom Renovation The Smart Way

A smart plan prevents the biggest bathroom design mistakes.

1. Finalise design, bathroom layout, and specification first
2. Order everything before work starts
3. Strip-out and first fix (plumbing, electrics, waterproofing)
4. Tiling and floor installation
5. Second fix (toilet, vanity unit, shower, accessories)
6. Decoration and finishing touches

Sample materials in the actual room. Light changes undertones. What looks warm in a showroom can look cold at home, especially with limited natural light.

How Mermaid Bathrooms Can Help

At Mermaid Bathrooms, we provide professional small bathroom design and full installation. We help you avoid design mistakes by:

• Planning bathroom layout and circulation so you have enough space
• Specifying compact fixtures, wall-mounted options, and wall-hung fixtures to protect floor space
• Building storage solutions, hidden storage, and additional storage into the design from the start
• Designing bathroom lighting with layered lighting, not just overhead lighting
• Selecting materials that perform in wet, compact rooms

If you are planning a small bathroom update, send measurements and photos, and we can advise on layout, storage, lighting, and specification. Getting it right on paper is what prevents expensive changes later.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A small bathroom does not have to feel cramped, dark, or uninspiring. With the right approach to decorating small bathrooms, even the tiniest room in your home can become a calm, functional retreat. The good news is that you do not need a full renovation to make all the difference. Sometimes a few clever changes are enough to transform how your space looks and feels.

At Mermaid Bathrooms, we design and install bathrooms of all sizes across the UK, and small spaces are one of the most common challenges we see. While many clients come to us for full refurbishments, we also know that not every improvement requires major building work.

The ideas below reflect the same design principles we apply in professional bathroom projects: improving light, reducing visual clutter, and making better use of layout and storage. They are simple changes that can make an immediate difference, whether you are planning a future refurbishment or just want your bathroom to work better right now.

Quick Wins: 15 Ideas You Can Try This Weekend

Before you start knocking down walls or ripping out tiles, consider how much impact small changes can make. These 15 ideas are all projects you can tackle in a single afternoon, and many cost under £50. They are ideal bathroom decorating ideas for small spaces that deliver instant results.

1. Swap dark towels for white or light neutrals. Pale hand towels and bath sheets instantly make a small room feel lighter and more spa-like. Matching sets also reduce visual clutter on your towel rail.
2. Add a large frameless mirror above the basin. Large mirrors reflect light and create the illusion of more space. A frameless design looks sleek and will not overwhelm narrow bathrooms.
3. Replace a patterned shower curtain with clear glass or a plain white one. This simple swap opens up visual space and lets natural light travel further into the room.
4. Install adhesive hooks on the back of your door. These are perfect for drying towels, hanging robes, or storing shower caddies without drilling holes or taking up valuable wall space.
5. Add a slim over-the-door towel rack. These narrow racks are ideal for busy households where multiple people need somewhere to hang their towels.
6. Stick on LED mirror lights. Battery-powered or USB rechargeable LED strips can transform a dim, windowless room without any electrical work.
7. Bring in a narrow trolley or caddy. IKEA-style rolling carts around 20 to 30 cm wide fit into awkward corners and provide additional storage space for bathroom products.
8. Declutter and decant into matching storage jars. Cotton pads, bath salts, and everyday items look calmer in coordinated containers. This instantly reduces visual overload.
9. Try peel-and-stick wall panels. Renters can use removable vinyl panels to cover tired tiles without damaging surfaces, which is ideal for UK rentals in 2026 where permanent changes are not allowed.
10. Lay vinyl floor tiles over existing flooring. Self-adhesive LVT tiles in light stone or oak tones can refresh a dated floor in an afternoon.
11. Add a small plant. Moisture-loving plants like pothos or Boston ferns bring life to compact spaces without taking up precious vanity space.
12. Upgrade tired fixtures where possible. Even small changes to sanitaryware can lift the room, and when clients are ready for a bigger update, compact toilets and basins are often the first specification changes we recommend for small bathrooms.
13. Use a magnetic strip for metal grooming tools. Mount a slim magnetic strip inside a cabinet door to hold tweezers, nail scissors, and hair grips.
14. Replace chrome accessories with metallic accents in brushed brass or matt black. Coordinated finishes on toilet roll holders, hooks, and taps create a more considered look.
15. Add a small tray on the vanity. Grouping soap, toothbrush, and hand cream on a single tray keeps surfaces clear and makes your bathroom feel organised.

These quick wins prove you do not need a full renovation to feel a big difference. Even renters can make most of these changes and easily reverse them when moving out.

Planning Your Small Bathroom: Layout, Light And Flow

These quick wins are a great starting point, but lasting improvements in a small bathroom usually come from smart layout decisions and well-chosen fixtures. This is where professional design makes the biggest difference.

Typical UK Small Bathroom Sizes

Most small bathrooms in UK homes measure around 1.5 m × 2 m, roughly 5 ft × 8 ft, or even smaller. Victorian terraces, 1960s semis, and modern flats often have main bathroom spaces under 4 square metres. Understanding your room size helps you choose fixtures that actually fit without cramping circulation.

Keeping Circulation Clear

Aim for at least 60 cm of clear floor space in front of the basin, toilet, and shower entrance. This gives you enough room to move comfortably and makes the entire space feel less cramped. Check that doors, whether the main entrance or a shower enclosure, do not clash with fixtures when opened.

Choosing Your Main Fixtures

Your choice between a walk-in shower, a shower over bath, or a compact bath depends on the room length and where the existing pipework sits.

Room length and best options

• Under 1.8 m: walk-in shower with a single glass panel
• 1.8 to 2.2 m: shower baths, P-shaped or L-shaped
• 2.2 m and above: separate shower and 1500 mm straight bath

If your soil pipe sits at the back wall, you will usually have more flexibility with layout. Ground-floor bathrooms with external access may allow for a wet room conversion if you want a seamless, open space feel.

Light And Visual Flow

Natural light is your best friend in a small bathroom. Where possible, keep windows unobstructed or use frosted film rather than heavy blinds. Clear glass shower screens let light travel through the room, while frosted or framed enclosures can block sightlines and make the space feel smaller.

Keep busy design elements to one area. A patterned feature wall behind the bath or shower works well, but avoid covering every surface with bold tiles. Limiting contrast helps the room feel lighter and more cohesive, which is essential when space is limited.

Space-Saving Fixtures: Basins, Toilets, Baths And Showers

Compact, multi-functional fixtures are key for bathroom decorating ideas in small spaces. The right choices can free up valuable room without sacrificing style or practicality.

Basins

Wall-hung basins and slim vanity units work far better than bulky pedestals. A vanity unit with drawers provides useful storage, while a cloakroom basin around 40 to 50 cm wide is ideal for very narrow bathrooms or ground-floor WCs.

Avoid deep, protruding basins that eat into circulation space. Combination units that pair a basin with toilet storage can save space in busy households.

Toilets

Short-projection WCs around 60 to 65 cm or wall-hung toilets make a noticeable difference in tight layouts. Wall-mounted options free up floor space and make cleaning easier. The concealed cistern can be boxed in to create a practical shelf for everyday items.

Baths

For UK bathrooms, 1500 mm straight baths are a practical choice when a full 1700 mm bath will not fit. L-shaped and P-shaped shower baths combine bathing and showering in one fixture, which works well in narrow bathrooms found in 1930s terraces and 1960s semis.

If a bath is not essential, removing it and installing a walk-in shower can dramatically open up a smaller space.

Showers

Corner shower enclosures from 800 × 800 mm fit well in most small bathrooms. For maximum openness, consider a walk-in shower with a single clear glass panel instead of a fully enclosed cubicle. This creates an open feel and avoids visual clutter from frames and doors.

Wall-mounted mixer taps and slim overhead showers help fixtures appear less bulky. Clear glass rather than frosted glass reflects more light and adds depth.

Smart Storage And Furniture For Compact Bathrooms

Clutter is the main enemy in small bathroom design. When every surface is covered with products, even a well-designed room feels chaotic. The solution is storage that is built into the layout from the start.

Vertical Storage

Think floor to ceiling when planning bathroom furniture. Wall-hung vanity units keep the floor visible, making even very small UK cloakrooms feel larger. Tall cabinets and narrow shelving around 20 to 30 cm deep use height efficiently without encroaching on circulation space.

Mirror Cabinets

Mirror cabinets above the basin serve double duty, combining storage and light reflection. Modern options in 2026 include integrated shaver sockets, LED lighting, and demisting pads, all without taking up additional wall space.

Built-In Solutions

Recessed niches in shower areas provide storage for shampoo and soap without protruding into the shower space. If you are renovating, ask your installer about creating a niche in the back wall. It is one of the smartest uses of available space.

Practical Additions

• ladder-style towel rails that lean against walls
• under-sink baskets for cleaning products
• hooks on the back of doors for robes and towels
• magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for metal grooming tools
• small trays on the vanity to group everyday items

Furniture Finishes

Choose finishes that match or complement your wall tiles. Matt white, soft grey, or pale oak tones reduce visual clutter and help the eye move smoothly around the room. A contrasting vanity can work as a focal point, but keep the overall palette unified.

Walls, Tiles, Colours And Floors That Make Space Feel Bigger

Colour and material choices can visually enlarge a small bathroom without moving a single wall. This is where smart surface selection really pays off.

Wall Treatments

Light colours make a small room feel more spacious. Stick to light neutrals like soft white, pale greige, or light stone tones. Moisture-resistant paint works well for areas away from direct water, while tiles should be reserved for splash zones and shower areas.

Using tiles only where needed rather than floor to ceiling throughout prevents a boxed-in feel and gives the room visual breathing space.

Tile Selection

Large-format tiles with minimal grout lines work well in small bathrooms. Common UK sizes include 60 × 60 cm and 60 × 30 cm. Laying rectangular tiles vertically can add the illusion of height in rooms with low ceilings.

Glossy finishes reflect light and create depth, making spaces feel more open than matt alternatives.

Feature Walls

One subtle feature wall can add interest without overwhelming the room. Tone-on-tone patterns, fluted tiles, or gentle terrazzo behind the bath or shower work well. Avoid high-contrast designs or multiple patterns in very compact spaces.

Flooring

Light porcelain tiles, LVT, or sheet vinyl in stone or oak-effect finishes suit small bathrooms well. Avoid strong checkerboard patterns, which can make narrow rooms feel tighter.

For a wet room look, continue the same floor finish into the shower area, ensuring appropriate slip resistance. This seamless approach removes visual boundaries and makes the room feel larger.

Lighting, Mirrors And Warming Touches

Thoughtful lighting and mirrors are among the most effective decorating ideas for small bathrooms.

Overhead Lighting

IP-rated LED downlights or compact flush ceiling fittings provide even light without hanging into the room. Choose warm white bulbs around 2700 to 3000K for a softer, more relaxing atmosphere.

Task Lighting

Wall lights either side of the mirror reduce shadows and are ideal for shaving or makeup. An illuminated mirror cabinet can also provide task lighting and storage in one.

Strategic Mirror Placement

Use the widest possible mirror above the basin to reflect light and create the impression of more space. In very narrow bathrooms, wall-to-wall mirrors on one side can visually double the width of the room.

Heating Solutions

Slim towel radiators or vertical radiators free up wall space while keeping towels warm. Electric underfloor heating mats are another space-efficient option and remove the need for wall-mounted radiators altogether.

Soft Décor

Coordinated towels, a simple bath mat, and one or two moisture-loving plants such as a Boston fern or pothos add warmth without clutter. Keep accessories minimal and intentional.

The key is restraint. One well-chosen accessory creates a focal point. Too many items create visual clutter and make even well-designed small bathrooms feel cramped.

How Mermaid Bathrooms Can Help

Small bathrooms demand careful planning. Every decision, from fixture depth to door swing and storage placement, affects how the room feels day to day. At Mermaid Bathrooms, we specialise in designing and installing compact bathrooms that balance space, storage, and style without unnecessary structural work.

Our team can help with every stage of your project, from initial layout planning and fixture selection to storage design and choosing the right tiles, colours, and lighting for your space. We work with existing pipework wherever possible to keep budgets realistic, and we also deliver full refurbishments for clients who want a complete refresh in 2026 and beyond.

Explore our full range of bathroom design and installation services to see how we can support your project from first sketch to final installation.

If you are not sure where to start, get in touch with measurements and photos of your current bathroom. We will review your space and propose tailored ideas that suit your room, lifestyle, and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions