Designing a small bathroom can feel like solving a puzzle. You want it to look beautiful, feel comfortable, and include everything you need, yet space is extremely limited. Add a shower into the mix, and it can seem even more challenging.
But here’s the good news: a compact bathroom doesn’t mean compromising on style or functionality.
With clever planning, smart storage, and thoughtful design choices, even the tiniest bathroom can feel spacious, modern, and luxurious.
Whether you’re renovating a small en-suite, updating a cloakroom, or redesigning a family bathroom, these small bathroom ideas with a shower will help you maximise every inch while creating a stunning space you love using every day.
At Oraanj Interiors, we specialise in transforming compact spaces into elegant, highly functional interiors across the UK. This guide shares expert design strategies, practical tips, and modern inspiration to help you create the perfect small bathroom with a shower.
Let’s dive in.
Why Small Bathrooms Can Be Better Than Large Ones?
It might sound surprising, but small bathrooms often offer unique advantages.
Compact bathrooms are:
· Easier to clean
· More efficient to use
· Faster to renovate
· Budget-friendly
· Cosier and more practical
When designed well, everything is within easy reach, creating a seamless daily routine.
The key is smart design, not square footage.
Start with Smart Planning
Before choosing tiles or fittings, focus on layout.
In small bathrooms, poor planning leads to:
· Cramped movement
· Wasted space
· Clutter
· Awkward layouts
Good planning creates flow, comfort, and efficiency.
Ask yourself:
· Who uses the bathroom daily?
· Do you prefer quick showers or longer ones?
· Do you need storage for towels and toiletries?
· Is this an en-suite or family bathroom?
· What feels cramped right now?
Answering these questions will guide your design decisions and form the foundation of great small bathroom design.
1. Choose the Right Shower Style
Your shower type has the biggest impact on space.
Selecting the correct option instantly improves layout and usability.
Best shower options for small bathrooms:
Walk-in showers
Frameless glass panels create openness and visual continuity.
They:
· Make rooms look bigger
· Feel modern and minimal
· Remove bulky doors
Corner showers
Perfect for tight layouts. These utilise unused corners efficiently.
Sliding door showers
Save space compared to hinged doors that swing outward.
Wet rooms
Fully open, waterproofed floors remove barriers entirely.
Ideal for ultra-compact bathrooms.
If you’re exploring small bathroom ideas with a shower, frameless walk-in designs are often the most space-enhancing solution.
2. Use Light Colours to Make the Room Feel Bigger
Colour can dramatically change how spacious your bathroom feels.
Best shades for small bathrooms:
· White
· Soft grey
· Beige
· Light blue
· Warm neutrals
These reflect light and visually expand the room.
Dark colours can work too, but use them carefully as accents or feature walls rather than everywhere.
Pro tip:
Gloss or satin finishes bounce light and enhance openness.
3. Go Wall-Mounted Wherever Possible
Floating fixtures create visible floor space, making your bathroom feel larger instantly.
Install:
· Wall-hung toilets
· Floating vanities
· Wall-mounted taps
· Suspended cabinets
Seeing more floor gives the illusion of extra square footage.
Plus, cleaning becomes easier.
This is one of the smartest modern small bathroom ideas designers consistently recommend.
4. Opt for Space-Saving Vanity Units
Bulky sinks waste valuable room.
Instead, choose compact or slimline vanities.
Great options:
· Corner sinks
· Narrow-depth units
· Floating vanities
· Drawer-based storage
Drawers are better than cupboards because they maximise every centimetre.
Look for designs with built-in organisers for toiletries.
5. Use Large Tiles (Yes, Really!)
Many people think small tiles work best in small bathrooms, but that’s a myth.
Large tiles actually:
· Reduce grout lines
· Create cleaner visuals
· Make rooms look bigger
· Feel more modern
Choose large-format porcelain or ceramic tiles for walls and floors to create a seamless flow.
This simple trick makes a dramatic difference.
6. Smart Storage is Essential
Clutter makes small bathrooms feel even smaller.
The goal is hidden, efficient storage.
Try:
· Recessed shower niches
· Mirrored cabinets
· Built-in shelving
· Under-sink drawers
· Over-toilet storage
· Tall vertical cabinets
Think vertically, not horizontally.
Maximising wall space keeps floors clear and open.
7. Install Glass Instead of Curtains
Shower curtains visually cut the room in half.
Glass screens keep sightlines open.
Benefits include:
· More light
· Cleaner look
· Modern aesthetic
· Easier maintenance
Frameless or slim-profile glass panels work best for compact bathrooms.
8. Add Mirrors to Double the Space
Mirrors are powerful tools in small rooms.
They reflect light and create the illusion of depth, and with the right wall mirror decoration ideas, you can also add style while enhancing spaciousness.
Consider:
· Full-width mirrors
· Mirrored cabinets
· Backlit mirrors
A large mirror above the vanity instantly makes your bathroom feel twice as big.
9. Use Vertical Storage
When floor space is limited, go up.
Install:
· Tall cabinets
· Open shelving
· Ladder shelves
· Wall hooks
Vertical design draws the eye upward and maximises space efficiently.
10. Clever Small Bathroom Layout Ideas
Layout matters more than décor.
Popular layouts:
Linear layout
Everything along one wall, ideal for narrow bathrooms.
Corner layout
Shower tucked into the corner to free the central space.
Wet room style
Fully open shower zone for ultimate efficiency.
Professional layout planning ensures smooth movement and comfort.
11. Lighting Makes a Huge Difference
Poor lighting makes small bathrooms feel cramped.
Layered lighting creates brightness and depth.
Include:
· Ceiling spotlights
· Mirror lighting
· Shower lights
· LED strips under cabinets
Warm white lighting feels inviting without being harsh.
Natural light is even better; keep windows unobstructed.
12. Add Texture & Style Without Clutter
Small doesn’t mean boring.
You can still add personality.
Try:
· Textured tiles
· Statement taps
· Wooden accents
· Matte black hardware
· Plants
· Stylish towels
Just keep accessories minimal.
Too many items create visual chaos.
13. Budget-Friendly Small Bathroom Ideas
You don’t always need a full renovation.
Affordable upgrades:
· Repaint walls
· Change taps
· Replace the mirror
· Update lighting
· Add shelves
· Swap cabinet handles
· Regrout tiles
Small improvements can completely refresh your bathroom.
These are perfect small bathroom ideas with a shower on a budget.
14. Modern Design Trends for Small Bathrooms
If you love contemporary interiors, try:
· Minimalist fittings
· Frameless showers
· Neutral palettes
· Hidden storage
· Floating furniture
· Matte finishes
Modern design works exceptionally well in small spaces because it prioritises simplicity.
Less clutter = more space.
For those wanting something bolder, design influences like Moroccan Bathroom Ideas can introduce colour, pattern, and character while still working beautifully in compact layouts.
15. Bespoke Design Maximises Every Inch
Off-the-shelf solutions don’t always fit compact bathrooms properly.
Custom design ensures:
· Perfect proportions
· No wasted gaps
· Better storage
· Seamless finish
· Higher quality
At Oraanj Interiors, we design bespoke small bathrooms that feel surprisingly spacious, stylish, and practical.
Professional design often saves money long-term by avoiding costly mistakes, especially when aiming for refined, high-end finishes inspired by Luxury Bathroom Ideas.
Bonus Design Tips to Make Your Small Bathroom Feel Bigger & More Luxurious
When working with compact bathrooms, it’s often the subtle details that make the biggest visual difference.
Keep sightlines clear, use consistent materials, install recessed features, choose slim shower fittings, add natural textures, and pay attention to finishing details like coordinated towels and accessories.
Quality materials matter too; porcelain tiles, moisture-resistant paint, rust-proof fittings, and waterproof cabinetry ensure longevity.
By combining these strategies with thoughtful planning, your small bathroom with a shower can feel just as luxurious as a spa, only smarter and more efficient.
Small Space, Big Impact
A small bathroom doesn’t limit you; it challenges you to design smarter.
By combining:
· Space-saving showers
· Wall-mounted fixtures
· Light colours
· Clever storage
· Glass screens
· Smart lighting
You can create a bathroom that feels bigger, brighter, and more luxurious than you imagined.
The best small bathroom ideas with a shower focus on efficiency, simplicity, and thoughtful details.
Because great design isn’t about size, it’s about how well the space works for you.
Ready to Transform Your Small Bathroom?
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation or want expert guidance, Oraanj Interiors can help you design a beautiful, space-efficient bathroom tailored to your home.
Contact us today to create a compact bathroom that feels anything but small.
