A combination vanity and toilet is ideal for small bathrooms and cloakrooms.

Ideas for small bathrooms

By Donal Higgins, World of Tiles

What small bathrooms lack in square meterage, they can make up for in style. Meet the challenge of making small bathrooms look bigger with these creative ideas.

Large format looks larger

Grout lines create a grid pattern that can make rooms look smaller. It may sound counter-intuitive, however large-format tiles reduce the number of grout lines, creating a seamless space. We’re seeing customers increasingly opting for larger tiles and it’s definitely a growing trend. Rectified tiles laid with narrow spacers (1.5mm, or 1mm if the tiler is top-notch) will also reduce the grout-line grid. After all, you want to show off tiles, not grout.

Floating in space

We’re also seeing a growing preference for wall-hung vanity units and ceramics. Freeing up floor space reduces the cluttered look and has the added benefit of making the floor easy to clean.

Compact combos

Ideal for a cloakroom or small en-suite, a combination toilet-vanity gives you all the essentials plus storage. A slim seat also helps keep the look tidy.

Wet room illusion

When space is tight, a wet room creates a luxe look that suggests there’s room to spare. The effect is best achieved with a frameless glass shower screen. The glass will also reflect the available light and make the bathroom appear bigger.

Power of a good mirror

A mirrored wall will double the size of a small bathroom, however, it’s not to everybody’s taste, or may not be structurally feasible. The latest mirrors have in-built LED lighting with a choice of mirrors and mirror cabinets with backlighting, strip-lighting or surround lighting. Keep an eye on what the mirror reflects. It’s not ideal to be looking at the toilet every time you look in the mirror.

Colour illusion

Light colours will add brightness and a sense of space. Tiling floors and walls in the same tile adds to that effect. However, small bathrooms don’t need to be boring. With a multitude of marble, concrete and stone-effect designs, with light-reflective polished or glossy surfaces, you can introduce texture and achieve a contemporary appeal. Add interest with mosaics or decor relief tiles matching the base tile.

Squeeze in tub

Nothing says luxury like a beautiful bath. Small bathrooms aren’t ideal for these, however, if you can squeeze one in, a free-standing or slipper bath is a good option. The elegant curved shapes will break the boxy lines of the small space.

Sliding door

Sliding shower doors make the world of difference in small bathrooms, with options for square, rectangular and curved corner units.

Hide it and seek it

Free up space, particularly the clutter of bottles, with good storage. A wall-mounted tall boy is a great addition. Pair it with a matching floating vanity with drawers for easy access to all those bits.

Light it up

In a perfect world, every bathroom would be flooded with natural light. In reality, a small bathroom may have no windows at all. Besides mirrors with no-touch LED lighting, you can also consider vanity units with lighting inside the drawers, and alcoves with little LED lights for both mood and that extra bit of brightness. See www.worldoftiles.ie.