9 Small Bathrooms Brimming With Style and Function

By
Deirdre Sullivan
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Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.
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Updated on 09/27/21
Small bathroom with glass shower wall and vessel sink with light decor and houseplants

The Spruce / Faith Provencher

There are plenty of ways to take your small bathroom to new stylish and functional levels. But first, there are few rules to consider. Got a jewel box-sized powder room? Consider going dramatic with vibrant colors and textures. On the flip side, hardworking full bathrooms with showers or tubs are at their best when they are chock-full of durable and more practical materials that are a cinch to keep clean. There are plenty of more ideas for you to ponder. The following small bathrooms are all brimming with smart updates.

  • 01 of 09

    Create a Dramatic Powder Room

    small bathroom with black tie and floral wallpaper
    Black Lacquer Design

    Dark colors can certainly add drama to any space. Here Black Lacquer Design combines sleek black subway tile with vibrant floral wallpaper in this statement-making small bathroom. Gorgeous stained wood lends natural texture to the mix—white fixtures, such as the basin balances the striking color scheme.

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  • 02 of 09

    How to Decorate a Bathroom Around a Theme

    Nautical bathroom in white and gray tones
    Alisberg Parker Architects

    Sticking to a decorating theme can really pull together a small bathroom, as shown in this example by Alisberg Parker Architects.  A few simple elements, most notably seaworthy lighting and a coordinating mirror, anchor the nautical-inspired space.

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  • 03 of 09

    Powder Room Light Fixtures for Dramatic Impact

    colorful powder room
    Ann Lowengart Interior Design

    Bold wallpaper punches up this compact bathroom by Ann Lowengart Interior Design. Painting the ceiling white keeps the small space from feeling too moody. If you don't need bright task lighting, consider more ambient options. The mid-century modern-inspired sconces shown here add to the powder room's stylish and nightclub-like appeal.

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  • 04 of 09

    Spice Up a Traditional Bathroom With Exciting Textures

    small bathroom with gorgeous textures
    Ann Lowengart

    Going with a traditional vibe is anything but boring in this small bright bathroom. With a spacious walk-in shower, this room by interior designerAnn Lowengart incorporates a variety of materials with subtle textures, which gives the space a big dose of one-of-a-kind style. First, there is the handmade pale green brick tile in the shower. It provides the bathroom with a spa-like appeal. While the shower floor looks like natural wood, it's actually durable porcelain tile. The countertop surrounding the sink basin is another practical material that is also incredibly chic—concrete.

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  • 05 of 09

    Wallpaper Your Powder Room

    patterned wallpaper in neutral bathroom
    Park and Oak

    Wallpaper just may be the easiest way to transform a small powder room. The interior designers at Park and Oak installed an abstract black and white wall covering. Keep in mind the best wallpapers for bathrooms should stand up to moisture.

    Yes, You Can Use Wallpaper in the Bathroom—Here's How
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  • 06 of 09

    Tricks for Maximizing Space in Your Small Bathroom

    small bathroom with small space fixtures
    Ann Lowengart

    This bathroom by interior designer Ann Lowengartis packed with smart tips for making the most of limited square footage. The sink and the toilet are both appropriately-sized small space fixtures that add both function and style. Both are wall-mounted, leaving the floor open, which adds to the sense of overall spaciousness. Take a good look at the faucet and knobs over the basin as they are also attached to the wall. It is a winning solution that made it possible to install a slightly larger sink without giving up additional elbow room.

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  • 07 of 09

    Use a Vanity to Make Room for Storage

    small bathroom with plenty of storage space
    Style by Emily Henderson

    If storage is at the top of your bathroom remodeling list, consider installing a large bathroom vanity. In this example, by Style by Emily Henderson, a broad, double-basin vanity makes the most of this small bathroom's narrow footprint. Gorgeous white wall tile, marble flooring, and a green stone shower surround pour on visual interest. Gold fixtures and cabinet knobs lend a luxurious touch.

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  • 08 of 09

    Perk Up a Neutral, Small Bathroom With Striking Flooring

    stylish floor in neutral small bathroom
    Fiona Leonard Interiors

    Liven up a small bathroom with eye-popping floor tiles. Fiona Leonard Interiors did just that in this space. If you are not a fan of the maximalist style, pair graphic tiles with a neutral and coordinating wall color, like shown. Metallic accents like the gold cabinet knobs and pictures frames add a splash of bling.

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  • 09 of 09

    Get Creative With Your Bathroom's Layout

    Glass shower walls and door in small bathroom
    Studio McGee

    When square footage feels limited, it provides an opportunity to get mighty creative. The design team at Studio McGee made room for a sizable vanity with a narrow shower. The glass partition keeps the bathroom feeling open and airy instead of cramped and cluttered.  We love features that make any bathroom feel more luxurious, such as the handy shower bench shown here. Bathrooms are the perfect spaces for patterned tile. Sticking to monochromatic hues as shown will keep things from feeling too busy.

15 Beautiful Small Bathroom Designs