8 Ways to Save Space in the Bathroom
These efficient features can help you squeeze more function into your room
Becky Harris
15 June 2017
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Smart design decisions can make the difference between fitting the toilet, the sink and the shower into your existing bathroom or having to expand. And once you fit all that stuff in, you certainly don’t want it to feel stuffed to the gills. Here are eight ways to accommodate everything you need in a compact bathroom while making it feel more expansive.
1. A wall-mounted toilet
The tanks from these toilets are stored behind the wall, saving all that space they usually take up in a room. These inches play an important role because there are requirements for how much space there should be in front of and around the commode.
The tanks from these toilets are stored behind the wall, saving all that space they usually take up in a room. These inches play an important role because there are requirements for how much space there should be in front of and around the commode.
2. Wall-mounted faucets
Countertop faucets require space on the countertop between the sink and the wall, while those mounted over the sink save you that precious surface area. It can mean the difference between being able to fit in a tight sink or not.
If you’re not a fan of wall-mounted faucets but are short on counter depth, see if you can place the faucet to the side of the sink. This will save you from having to expand the counter to accommodate the faucet behind the sink.
Countertop faucets require space on the countertop between the sink and the wall, while those mounted over the sink save you that precious surface area. It can mean the difference between being able to fit in a tight sink or not.
If you’re not a fan of wall-mounted faucets but are short on counter depth, see if you can place the faucet to the side of the sink. This will save you from having to expand the counter to accommodate the faucet behind the sink.
3. The toilet-sink combo
Designed for the tightest of bathroom spaces, this shrewd invention has fresh water come out of the faucet, then drain into the tank for flushing.
I must admit I have yet to use one of these and am not sure whether, in a tight space like this, it’s just an extended lean-over, a commode straddle or a knee on the seat that’s required to reach one’s hands under the faucet. If you’ve used one, please report in the Comments section.
Designed for the tightest of bathroom spaces, this shrewd invention has fresh water come out of the faucet, then drain into the tank for flushing.
I must admit I have yet to use one of these and am not sure whether, in a tight space like this, it’s just an extended lean-over, a commode straddle or a knee on the seat that’s required to reach one’s hands under the faucet. If you’ve used one, please report in the Comments section.
4. Wet room layouts
More popular in European countries, these rooms maximise a small bathroom footprint. If you’ve ever had a sleeper car on a train, you know how this works. A separate shower stall is not required and everything in the room can stand up to the water.
This bathroom uses the toilet-sink combo as well, allowing its total measurements to come in at just 3 feet by 3 feet.
The half-wet room (see below) is a strategy that’s easier to live with. The tub and shower are combined in the same area where the water is contained. This saves on the footprint required for a full bath with tub and separate shower, and the only thing getting wet is the bathtub.
More popular in European countries, these rooms maximise a small bathroom footprint. If you’ve ever had a sleeper car on a train, you know how this works. A separate shower stall is not required and everything in the room can stand up to the water.
This bathroom uses the toilet-sink combo as well, allowing its total measurements to come in at just 3 feet by 3 feet.
The half-wet room (see below) is a strategy that’s easier to live with. The tub and shower are combined in the same area where the water is contained. This saves on the footprint required for a full bath with tub and separate shower, and the only thing getting wet is the bathtub.
5. A low-profile toilet and extended counter combination
Interior designer Bridget McMullin deems this a “hotel trick,” a clever move she picked up from hotel bathrooms. The low-profile toilet leaves enough space to extend the counter into a shelf above it. By extending the counter over the back of the toilet you gain more surface for a box of tissues, an orchid or other items you want to keep handy. With its location right next to the shower, as you see here, it can also serve the shower by holding shampoo, conditioner, shave gel and more. This is especially useful in a shared bathroom or vacation home where you have limited space inside the shower stall.
Interior designer Bridget McMullin deems this a “hotel trick,” a clever move she picked up from hotel bathrooms. The low-profile toilet leaves enough space to extend the counter into a shelf above it. By extending the counter over the back of the toilet you gain more surface for a box of tissues, an orchid or other items you want to keep handy. With its location right next to the shower, as you see here, it can also serve the shower by holding shampoo, conditioner, shave gel and more. This is especially useful in a shared bathroom or vacation home where you have limited space inside the shower stall.
6. Recessed medicine cabinets
Keeping clutter at bay is key in a small bathroom. These cabinets don’t intrude into the room and allow you to stash everything you’ll need at the sink within easy reach. This particular bathroom has three cabinets so that the three people who share the bathroom each have their own.
Keeping clutter at bay is key in a small bathroom. These cabinets don’t intrude into the room and allow you to stash everything you’ll need at the sink within easy reach. This particular bathroom has three cabinets so that the three people who share the bathroom each have their own.
7. Clear glass surrounds
Where other types of surrounds can chop up a room and make it feel closed-in, clear glass keeps everything open and larger. While clear glass does not literally save space, it makes a tight room feel bigger, which is almost as important.
Where other types of surrounds can chop up a room and make it feel closed-in, clear glass keeps everything open and larger. While clear glass does not literally save space, it makes a tight room feel bigger, which is almost as important.
8. A cantilevered vanity
Much like the clear glass, these pieces are about expanding the space visually. The extended floor underneath makes the room feel more open and larger than it really is.
Find out which vanity is right for your bathroom
Much like the clear glass, these pieces are about expanding the space visually. The extended floor underneath makes the room feel more open and larger than it really is.
Find out which vanity is right for your bathroom
Read more:
Solutions to 9 Big Problems in Small Bathrooms
Your turn: What are your favourite space savers in the bathroom? Please share them with us in the Comments.
Solutions to 9 Big Problems in Small Bathrooms
Your turn: What are your favourite space savers in the bathroom? Please share them with us in the Comments.
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I do the same, never have to do anything else to the shower/bath side of the screen, just the outside.
In some parts of the country, the water is very hard (lots of minerals), so much so that even a water softener only partially helps. Dark tile and glass take constant cleaning. Lots of Lime-Away !
For hard water and soap scum on tile and fixtures -- try using white vinegar in a spray bottle or just wipe down tiles with a rag soaked in it. You won't believe how well it works -- better than scrubbing w/ Lime-away or any of the bathroom sprays!