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12 top tips for renovating small bathrooms

By Jen Bishop โ€ข Leave a Comment

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From floating vanities to the use of mirrors, glass and neutral paint, there are plenty of space saving solutions for small bathrooms. As with any tight space, clever storage is paramount too.

1. Mirror

Itโ€™s no secret that mirrors make a space look larger โ€“ the way they reflect light is the main reason why. For this reason I would install a mirrored cabinet, often called a shaving cabinet, above the sink. Not only will it make the room feel more expansive but it lets you use the full vertical space for storage.

2. Use neutrals

Any small space is best served by using white or cream paint and the bathroom is no different. Use a neutral base colour palette to make the space feel larger. I wouldnโ€™t recommend using any bright colours as the space can look closed in.

The same goes for your bath, shower, vanity and toilet โ€“ stick to white to make your bathroom look clean and freshly renovated.ย 

3. Glass

When it comes to small spaces, judicious use of glass is very important as it will make the room feel larger. Rather than using walls around your shower, use glass instead as not only will you save space but youโ€™ll make the area look bigger as the whole space can be visualised.ย 

12 top tips for renovating small bathroomsImage source: Dwell

4. Storage

Clever storage solutions are imperative for small bathrooms โ€“ itโ€™s a space that can never have too much stowage. Install vanities that have in-built storage โ€“ not only will this use space wisely but it will allow you to have more space for your bathroom necessities.

In addition, you could install DIY shelving in between your vanity, shower and toilet to add extra storage where space is often wasted. Floating shelves are a great idea too as they can be installed next to your mirror or above the toilet and try to recess as much of the storage into the wall cavities as you can โ€“ this will increase the usable space inside the room.

I would also use wall niches as not only are they an excellent use of space they are also visually appealing and offer extra storage too.

5. Windows

Natural light is essential in a bathroom so avoid blocking the windows that you may have and never install small bathroom windows.ย  Use the top quarter of your wall as a window (I prefer 2100mm or above) which will also maximise your usable wall space. Frosted glass is another good alternative and they can be as big as you like.

6. Consistency

Donโ€™t overcomplicate the design and strive for consistency. Use the same tiles in your shower and/or walls as are on the floor as this will create the illusion of one large space rather than two small spaces.ย 

12 top tips for renovating small bathroomsImage source: Ideal Home

7. Avoid pattern

Patterned tiles look fabulous in large bathrooms but not so in smaller spaces. Patterned tiles will make a small space look crowded and even more diminutive. Stick to simple, neutral tones to make the space look brighter and more spacious.

8. Towel rails

Install towel rails on the outside of your shower door to save on space โ€“ when installed on walls they take up precious storage space.

9. Sliding doors

Unlike conventional doors, sliding doors are ideal for small bathrooms as they allow you to preserve more usable space within the room.

12 top tips for renovating small bathroomsImage source: House Beautiful

10. Styling

Crucial to the overall look and feel of your bathroom, consider things like pendant lights or hanging plants to maximise the use of vertical space. After all, nobody wants to skimp on styling! As a side note, as with any small space, try to utilise as much vertical space as you can.

11. Showers

A shower is always a better use of space than a bath however if you really want a bath, avoid a freestanding one and install one that doubles as a shower too.

12. The vanity

Avoid anything to bulky as it will juts out too far into the precious space. A slim, long vanity will make a small bathroom feel larger โ€“ not only does this give you a chance to have extra in-built storage along your wall but it also provides extra space in the centre of your bathroom. A wall hung vanity only creates an even greater illusion of space.ย 

12 top tips for renovating small bathroomsImage source: Apartment Therapy

Naomi Findlay is one of our resident experts, principal ofย Silk Homeย and founder of theย International Institute of Home Staging.ย 

Read all her articles for Reno Addict.

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January 24, 2017

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too ๐Ÿฟ because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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