Narrow and compact bathroom design ideas
The bathroom is a space for relaxation and rejuvenation; a sanctuary away from the hectic day to day. But if you’re faced with the challenge of a small or narrow bathroom, you may feel unsure of how to plan and design your restful retreat.
As well as being on the small side, many bathrooms or en-suites don’t receive much natural light, if any, and may have limited ceiling height, too. Help is at hand however, as we’ve got all the ideas you need to make a narrow and compact bathroom look and feel both stylish and practical.
From layout and products to the décor and design, our top tips will help you make the most of your space, enhancing and elevating it into something truly spacious and special.
Compact bathroom design ideas
1. Choose a countertop basin
When it comes to compact bathroom design ideas, a good place to start is with the basin. This hardworking hub of the bathroom can play a key role in dictating the style and feel of your space, as well as making your room feel larger at the same time.
Countertop basins are an ideal space-saver. Without a pedestal taking up valuable floor space, it sits elegantly on top of a vanity unit or countertop and is even more effective if said unit or countertop is wall-hung. Seen here Victoria + Albert’s Amiata 60 basin sits snugly on a tiled ledge within this distinctive dusky pink bathroom designed by London-based 2LG Studio.
Image Credit: Megan TaylorAnother great compact bathroom design idea is the Drayton 40 from Victoria + Albert, a more classic countertop basin with subtle rim detail. Team with wall-mounted brassware to free-up countertop space. You can view the range of wall-mounted designs from Perrin & Rowe here.
2. Save space with a 1500 bath
Freestanding baths remain the definitive statement of bathroom luxury. New compact models such as the Victoria + Albert Vetralla at just 1500mm long, can fit into alcoves where a fitted bath was once the only option. By exposing more floor space, they can also make the room feel larger. These compact designs also use less water and are quicker to fill, so fit with a modern lifestyle. Victoria + Albert offers 1500mm long designs on its most popular models, which can be seen here.
Image Credit: Victoria + Albert Napoli 57 Basin and Vetralla 1500 Bath. Design: Valentine Interiors + Design | Build: Justyn Dunn | Photography: Loic Le Guilly
3. Enjoy easy cleaning with a back-to-wall bath
Back-to-wall baths are great for compact bathroom design ideas, as they are placed against a wall or in the corner, saving space. The added bonus is that they are easy to clean due to fewer gaps for dust to hide. Not that cleaning has to be a chore anyway, as all Victoria + Albert baths are made from QUARRYCAST™, which is a naturally glossy surface that’s quick and easy to wipe clean.
The Lussari back-to-wall 1600 from Victoria + Albert is the perfect way to bring the sculptural freestanding feel into your compact or narrow space. Placed against the wall for a watertight seal, it has a generous deck area for brassware or you can pair with a wall-mounted bath/shower mixer for hair washing and children’s bath time.
There’s also the Lussari 1700 corner left - its sleek form brings a sense of structure to contemporary bathrooms and suites, elevated by clean lines for a neat and elegant finish.
Victoria + Albert Lussari Corner Bath
4. Pair the basin or bath with wall-mounted mixers
Wall-mounted taps are a really quick and simple way to save space in a small or narrow bathroom. As well as allowing you to choose a compact basin without a ledge for taps, it creates a sleek, modern and minimalist look that’s also easier to keep clean. Perrin & Rowe has introduced some fantastic new designs, including the Armstrong wall-mounted dual lever mixer (pictured) with its industrial look and Armstrong wall-mounted single lever mixer.
5. Combine bath and shower
When there’s no room for a separate shower, a shower bath offers the best of both, saving space with its multifunctional use. Perrin & Rowe has a classically stylish selection of wall-mounted bath-shower mixers to choose from, including its popular bold and geometric Deco design. As with all Perrin & Rowe brassware it is designed and crafted in the UK, including hand polishing for up 12 hours to ensure a depth of finish the brand is renowned for.
6. Achieve the illusion of space with mirrors
A compact bathroom will always feel instantly lighter, brighter and bigger with the clever use of mirrors. Try to place them strategically to maximise light reflection - a large mirror opposite the window for instance or a mirrored wall or splashback will visually expand the space.
7. Embrace pattern but use it sparingly
You can distract attention from the size of your bathroom by drawing the eye to a focal point or feature wall or splashback – go big with print, pattern or colour – but not so that it overwhelms the room.
Narrow bathroom design ideas
8. Maximise space with an undermount basin
Achieving the perfect blend of form and function can feel daunting when faced with a narrow space but there are plenty of narrow bathroom design ideas that can turn your slim space into a fully functional and stylish retreat.
An undermount basin for instance not only makes the most of every inch but also creates a sleek, minimal look thanks to its fuss-free edgeless finish. The Laceno 52 from Victoria + Albert is designed to be combined with custom-made vanities and countertops. Made from Volcanic Limestone composite, the basin is deep and generous in size as well as being strong and durable to stand the test of time.
For a more traditional look, the Barcelona 53 is a deep, oval design with internal overflow, perfect for marble vanity units and countertops. Seen here with Perrin & Rowe Armstrong brassware.
9. Keep the basin clutter-free with a single lever tap
Narrow bathrooms are also ideally suited to single lever taps, as they are small yet perfectly formed and only need one mounting hole, saving space and creating a sleek, streamlined finish for your basin area. Riobel has a stunning selection of contemporary single lever mixers perfect for narrow bathrooms. Highlights include the Venty tall and Paradox tall single (pictured) lever basin mixers with their strong, angular shape.
10. Design a galley layout
Just like a narrow kitchen, a narrow bathroom benefits hugely from a galley-style layout with a single or double vanity unit and basin along one side. A back-to-wall bath can then be added opposite for a compact yet functional space.
11. Use sliding doors
Whether it’s for shower or storage, sliding, bi-fold or pocket doors will save space, maintaining a sleek and streamlined look and feel throughout.
12. Have everything wall-hung
Choosing wall-hung or wall-mounted storage and vanity unit or countertop keeps the floor area clear, creating the illusion of space while also making it easier and quicker to clean the bathroom, which is always a good thing.
13. Layer the lighting
In the bathroom, no matter what its size, a layered lighting approach will always enhance the space. This is even more essential in a narrow bathroom or en-suite, as the right combination of ambient, task and feature lighting will make your room more inviting and relaxing, with clever highlighting to draw the eye.
What works best in a small bathroom?
14. Be space efficient with a D-shaped basin
In a small or narrow bathroom or en-suite, it’s all about being efficient with your space, so choose products wisely. D-shaped basins are a great start, as they are both space-saving and functional with a flat back edge that can be flush fit against the wall. Victoria + Albert’s Lussari 50 is new for 2025 and features slim walls and a gently curved rim.
15. Keep the floor clear
One of the best design tricks for a small or narrow bathroom is to leave the floor clear as much as possible. This means choosing a wall-hung basin or vanity and WC as well as wall-mounted storage and taps. The effect of a clear and uninterrupted floor area makes a huge difference.
16. Tile everywhere
When considering what is the best thing for a small bathroom, it’s often said that a streamlined look is key, so consider tiling the floor and walls in the same design for a seamless finish. Think large format tiles or waterproof panels rather than small, intricate tiles, so there’s less grouting to draw the eye.
17. Make the most of natural light
If the bathroom or en-suite has a window, try not to clutter it up with an over-fussy window dressing. While an unadorned window can feel cold, especially in winter, keep it simple with a moisture-resistant roller or Roman blind or wooden shutters for a more traditional feel.
18. Think vertical rather than horizontal
Drawing the eye upwards rather than outwards will help your bathroom feel more spacious than it really is. Tallboys are great storage solutions, especially when wall-mounted, and consider floating shelves or a standout ceiling light fitting.
What makes a small bathroom look bigger?
19. Go for smaller sized products
It may sound obvious but selecting compact, shorter or reduced length bathroom products will make your small bathroom look bigger instantly. You can buy reduced depth WCs as well as smaller basins and shorter-length baths and you can replace the need for a separate shower with a bath-shower mixer over your 1500 bath.
Single lever mixers are also more minimal than dual lever, taking up less space both literally and aesthetically. At House of Rohl, you’ll find a huge choice from Perrin & Rowe, including the Armstrong, Deco and Georgian designs.
20. Complement your bath with a slim freestanding bath shower mixer
Freestanding bath shower mixers that are tall and slim are designed to stand elegantly over a freestanding bath. Riobel has a wide selection such as the Venty, Paradox and GS that will elevate any compact or narrow bathroom.
21. Pick a pale palette
Whether it’s the tiles, waterproof panels, paint colour or any other surface in your compact or narrow bathroom, it will instantly feel lighter, brighter and bigger if you choose pale colours throughout, such as soft greens, dusky pink, earthy browns, mineral greys or sky blues for a calm and serene space.
In this bathroom, London-based design studio, 2LG, have used an unglazed, porcelain tile in ‘Victorian Pink’ to create a neutral and serene space. The matt, pale pink tiles are soft under foot and offer an authentic connection to the Victorian features of the rest of the home. Featuring the Victoria + Albert Amiata bath and Perrin & Rowe brassware.
Image Credit: Megan Taylor22. Space-saving storage goes a long way
Clutter is the nemesis of all small bathrooms, so keep your toiletries neatly tucked away to leave surfaces clear. As well as being visually neater, it also makes everything so much quicker and easier to clean.
How to clean a small or narrow bathroom
23. Declutter, dust, clean and organise
Speaking of being easier to clean, the great thing about a compact or narrow bathroom is that it should be quicker and simpler to keep clean. Start by having a good declutter, removing things from surfaces, shelving and drawers. Dust throughout then clean with a mild general-purpose cleaner. Try to avoid putting things back that you don’t need, to maintain a sleek and clutter-free space.
24. Cleaning your QUARRYCAST™ bath and basin
When you purchase a Victoria + Albert basin or bath, you get the benefit of its unique QUARRYCAST™ material, a blend of Volcanic Limestone™ and high-performing resins that makes these bathroom essentials durable, strong, low maintenance, an excellent insulator and extremely easy to clean. For light daily use, rinse the bath and basin with warm, soapy water. If you use bath oils or salts, drain the bath after use and clean with fresh, warm water straight away. QUARRYCAST™ does have excellent stain resistance but if any marks do occur, use a mild, non-abrasive cleaner.
25. Caring for your Perrin & Rowe brassware
All Perrin & Rowe taps and accessories are made from premium quality brass, and each piece is hand-polished and electroplated in your choice of finish. To preserve their beauty, it’s best to follow this advice:
- Chrome is the most durable but it’s best to avoid harsh cleaning products, as these may contain corrosive chemicals.
- Nickel and pewter will gently age over time so for best results, dry with a soft cloth after each use and clean regularly with warm water or warm water and a mild pH-neutral liquid soap before polishing with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.
- Gold plated designs should be cleaned gently with warm water and non-abrasive liquid soap then dried with a chamois leather cloth.
- English bronze may scratch if mistreated so follow the same rules as for nickel and pewter.
- Polished and satin brass will develop a unique patina over time so don’t be alarmed when this happens as it simply enhances the finish.
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