60 Designer-Approved Small Bathroom Ideas That Maximize Every Corner

Vertical stripes work the same way in home interiors as they do in fashion: they add height. In a small bathroom with a low ceiling, use a wallcovering with vertical stripes, as designer Ashley Gilbreath did in this powder room, to make the space feel taller.

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In this small bathroom design idea, Christina Salway added character with her vintage touches, which also made the space feel less crowded. Using this vintage toilet, she added height and dimension, leaving an open pocket for the eye so the bottom half of the room wouldn’t feel busy.

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If storage is an issue in your small bathroom, work with your contractor to install built-ins that solve the problem. The team at Gordon Dunning chose to put shelves in the wall facing the tub for easy access to towels and other amenities, but you can make the area more closed off if that's what you prefer.

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Not only does adding a corner vanity help save space, but it also adds an interesting focal point that you typically won't find elsewhere. The designer of this small bathroom, Alexandra Kaehler, hung an antique mirror in the corner to help the flow of the design.

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This gorgeous, floating vanity is not simply a custom statement piece—it also serves as a secret compartment. The quartzite mini counter, selected for the bathroom by designer Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar of Far Studio, hides the plumbing for the sink, creating a clean look and avoiding clutter.

One surefire way of making your small bathroom appear larger is by using small details and decor. In this powder room, designer Anne Hepfer chose a compact corner vanity, a skinny and long mirror, and double wall sconces to still fit everything she wanted in this room without it feeling cramped.

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You’re obviously going to have a mirror in your bathroom, but designer Katie Ridder took it a step further when it came to reflective surfaces in this small powder room. Ridder painted the door in a rich, merlot lacquer (Arroyo Red from Benjamin Moore), which added beautiful character and contrast to the space while also serving as an extra shiny surface, making the room appear larger thanks to its reflection of light.

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Everyone knows that light colors can help make a small room feel larger, so follow that tip for your small bathroom design idea. Designer Ben Dhong used vintage pieces mixed with new modern ones in this powder room, creating a serene space with plenty of character and harmony.

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Susannah Charbin, founder and creative director of the multidisciplinary creative studio The Beaux Arts, chose to forego traditional storage pieces in this bathroom. Instead, she opted for a vintage stool to blend with the family's vintage bathtub. Towels can stay off the floor without the need for any too-large furniture.

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In this floating home renovated by Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni of CDS Interiors, the door mimics the traditional porthole of a ship. The glass pane is not only a nod to the home's nautical nature, but it also allows more light to enter the small space.

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In House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home, Marita Simmons and Krysta Gibbons of Kipling House chose a floor-to-ceiling wall mirror for this bathroom in the ladies’ lounge to make the tiny space feel that much bigger. Not only does the mirror create an optical illusion, but it also works to reflect light around the small room.

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To direct light where it’s needed, three traditional sconces were mounted on the mirrors of this small bathroom design idea—designed by Sara Swabb of Storie Collective and Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths. The mirror came from a creative solution: “While we originally envisioned one single mirror with hand-finished brass trim, it would have been too large to get into the house,” says Swabb. “Instead, we decided to save a little money by doing four separate mirrors with beveled edges, which turned out to be one of our favorite design details.”

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Create a sense of openness by drenching a small bathroom in white, as Toledo Geller did in this bathroom. Together, the varying white marble tiles, white ceiling, and off-white window shade provide a bright yet soft atmosphere. Glass shower doors make the space feel larger, while the small brass table adds a pop of elegance.

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To make up for the lack of counter space and storage in the bathroom of her Los Angeles home, designer Francesca Grace placed a small cabinet next to the sink. A simple wall hook holds a single hand towel in this small bathroom design idea, while the wide mirror reflects light and makes the space feel bigger.

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If you don't have a ton of room to make a statement, do so with small vintage pieces. In the bathroom of a 1960s West Palm Beach, Florida, bungalow, Gillian Segal placed a delicate vintage sconce in between curved mirrors sourced from Mecox for a romantic touch.

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Chintz brings a touch of the garden into the bathroom of this Southampton retreat, where Justine Cushing managed to fit in a dressing table and a matching chair that tucks underneath it, thanks to a clever layout. The skirt hides other essential toiletries, too.

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Ensure privacy without sacrificing light by picking out translucent window shades. The rattan shade in this small bathroom design idea by Becca Casey balances those needs while adding texture and warmth to the space.

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Alexander Reid personalized this small rental bathroom with a monogrammed shower curtain that also features a classic border. Pretty framed prints and a garden stool take up little space but go a long way as far as making it feel formal and polished.

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