Small bathrooms are common in Victorian and Edwardian London properties, often measuring just 1.5m x 2m or smaller. Whilst compact, clever design and smart product choices can transform these tight spaces into stylish, functional bathrooms that feel spacious and luxurious. This guide shares expert ideas for maximising small bathrooms in North London homes.
Space-Saving Fixtures
Wall-Hung Toilets: Free up floor space and create illusion of more room. Cistern concealed in wall, only pan visible. Easier to clean around. Cost: £400-£800 inc. installation.
Compact Basins: Narrow basins (40-50cm wide) fit tight spaces. Corner basins utilise awkward corners. Wall-hung basins keep floor clear. Cloakroom basins perfect for tiny bathrooms.
Shower Over Bath: Combines shower and bathing in footprint of bath alone. Install thermostatic shower mixer and glass screen. Saves 1-1.5 sq m vs separate shower.
Walk-In Showers: If replacing bath, wet room style walk-in shower feels spacious. Frameless glass maximises openness. Can include built-in seating and niches.
Compact Baths: 1500-1600mm baths (vs standard 1700mm) save 100-200mm length. Japanese-style soaking tubs deep but short. Corner baths utilise awkward spaces.
Storage Solutions
Recessed Shelving: Build shelves into wall thickness between studs. Perfect for toiletries and towels. No protruding storage taking space. Tile to match walls for cohesive look.
Mirrored Cabinets: Mirror cabinet above basin provides storage plus mirror. Doubles functionality. LED-lit versions add task lighting.
Vanity Units: Basin sits on cabinet providing under-sink storage. Essential for hiding pipework and storing items. Choose slim designs (300-400mm deep) for small spaces.
Tall Narrow Cabinets: Vertical storage uses height not floor space. Position in corners or beside basin. Can store towels, cleaning products, toiletries.
Over-Toilet Storage: Shelving or cabinets above toilet utilise otherwise wasted space. Keep items you don't need constantly.
Design Tricks to Maximise Space
Large Mirrors: Full-width or wall-to-wall mirrors visually double space. Reflect light making room brighter. Essential in windowless bathrooms.
Glass Shower Screens: Frameless glass doesn't visually divide space like curtains or frosted screens. Clear sightlines make bathroom feel larger.
Light Colours: White, cream, light grey reflect light and feel spacious. Dark colours make small spaces feel smaller. Save bold colours for accents.
Large Format Tiles: Bigger tiles (600x600mm or larger) mean fewer grout lines creating cleaner look. Paradoxically make small spaces feel bigger.
Continuous Floor Tiles: Same tiles throughout (no step to shower) creates unified space feeling larger. Requires proper waterproofing and drainage.
Vertical Lines: Vertically stacked tiles draw eye upward making ceiling feel higher. Vertical subway tiles create this effect.
Lighting Strategies
Layered Lighting: Combine ceiling lights, mirror lights, and accent lighting. Multiple light sources eliminate shadows. LED strips under floating vanities add ambient glow.
Recessed Downlights: Flush ceiling lights don't protrude. 3-4 downlights provide even illumination in small bathroom. Dimmable for flexibility.
LED Mirror Lighting: Backlit or frontlit mirrors provide excellent task lighting for grooming. Creates luxurious hotel bathroom feel.
Natural Light: Maximise existing windows with minimal window dressings. Frosted glass provides privacy while admitting light. Consider roof lights if possible.
Clever Layouts
Linear Layout: Fixtures along one wall maximises floor space. Toilet, basin, shower/bath in row. Works in narrow rooms.
L-Shaped Layout: Fixtures along two adjacent walls. Good for square small bathrooms. Leaves corner for entry.
Three-Point Layout: Fixtures on three walls works in very small square rooms. Efficient but can feel cramped—use light colours and glass.
Wet Room: Entire room is shower with drain in floor. No shower enclosure saves significant space. Requires expert waterproofing.
Product Recommendations
Compact Toilets: Short projection models (450-480mm vs standard 520-550mm). Back-to-wall toilets with concealed cisterns.
Slim Basins: 400-450mm wide basins with minimal surround. Rectangular shapes more space-efficient than oval.
Quadrant Showers: 800x800mm or 900x900mm corner enclosures. Curved front saves space vs square enclosure.
Sliding Shower Doors: Don't swing out requiring clearance. Better than pivot doors in tight spaces.
Heated Towel Rails: Vertical ladder rails use wall height efficiently. Provide heating plus towel drying.
Costs for Small Bathroom Renovation
Budget Renovation (2-3 sq m bathroom): £4,000-£7,000
- Basic white suite
- Mid-range tiles
- Standard fittings
- Functional not luxurious
Mid-Range Renovation: £7,000-£12,000
- Quality suite with modern design
- Designer tiles
- Thermostatic shower
- Under-floor heating
- Good lighting
Premium Renovation: £12,000-£20,000+
- Designer suite (Duravit, Villeroy & Boch)
- Stone or high-end tiles
- Luxury shower systems
- Bespoke storage
- High-specification finishes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Oversized Fixtures: Standard-size bath/shower too big for room. Choose compact alternatives.
- Dark Colours Throughout: Make small spaces feel cave-like. Use sparingly as accents.
- Inadequate Storage: Clutter makes small spaces feel smaller. Plan sufficient concealed storage.
- Poor Ventilation: Essential in bathrooms especially windowless ones. Install quality extractor fan.
- Small Tiles: Busy grout lines fragment space. Larger tiles cleaner and more spacious.
- Frameless Glass Compromise: Cheap shower enclosures with chunky frames block light and view.
Expert Small Bathroom Renovations in North London
Hampstead Renovations specialises in maximising compact bathrooms across North London. We create stylish, functional spaces that feel larger than their dimensions, combining smart design with quality products and expert installation.
Call: 07459 345456 | Email: contact@hampsteadrenovations.co.uk