Innovative Solutions for Maximizing Small Shower Spaces
From clever storage solutions to perfect fixtures, this guide will help you maximize your small bathroom while reflecting your personal style.
1. Black and White Small Shower Ideas
High-contrast neutrals like black and white make a bold statement in a small shower. This classic color combo is a great way to add visual interest while keeping the bathroom chic and timeless.
Keep it subtle by pairing white walls with black floor tiles and minimalist black accents. If you’re looking to jazz things up a little, go for a boldly patterned backsplash or graphic black shower tiles with white grout.
2. Cool Inspiration for Small Showers
Just because your shower is small doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. There are plenty of cool shower design ideas that work great with a small space. If your shower is narrow, try installing tiles that flow down one wall and across the floor to play up the design and elongate the space. Simple tiles and sleek metallic accents are other elements that help the compact size of your shower feel chic, not cramped.
If you’re still not happy with how the space feels, look up! Swapping out your shower head is a deceptively simple way to elevate your bathroom and improve your showering experience. Try a double showerhead with a removable, handheld option or a luxurious rainfall showerhead to take the atmosphere to another level.
3. Creative Corner Solutions
Corner showers are a blessing, no matter the size of the room. They’re out of the way, which is great for maximizing space in a small bathroom, and they even leave room for other fixtures like a bathtub in larger spaces.
Decorating your corner shower walls differently from the rest of the room is a great way to turn a run-of-the-mill fixture into a bold focal point. Try installing brightly patterned tiles to stand out against neutral walls, or juxtapose different colors like blue and sage green.
Not looking for quite so bold a statement? Incorporate elements already present in the space for a look that’s interesting and cohesive. For example, if subway tiles cover the floor or part of the walls, cover the back of the shower in that same design.
4. Dark Themes for Small Spaces
While white has long been the go-to color for bathroom design, dark hues have their place. Shades like black or slate grey create a sultry, sophisticated atmosphere. While you might be leery of dark walls in small spaces, natural light is all you need to keep the space from feeling cramped and shadowy.
If you want to soften the vibe and make it a little cozier, look to nature-inspired tones like cobalt blue or moss green. They bring a laid-back, serene vibe to the room. Cheery accents like off-white linens or colorful wall art can brighten the room and add a touch of levity to an otherwise somber space.
5. Doorless Innovations
Doorless showers are an effortlessly chic addition to any bathroom. They’re especially great for small bathrooms because the absence of a door means a little less visual clutter—which is crucial for opening up a space.
While they’re incredibly versatile, the inherently no-frills appearance of doorless showers makes them the perfect complement to a minimalist bathroom design. Lean into that aesthetic with greenery, sleek fixtures, and a monochromatic color palette.
6. Enhancing with Glass
If you’re struggling with a small bathroom and an even smaller shower, a glass shower might be the answer to your problems. Transparency is the key to opening up a small room, as it allows the gaze to travel through the entire space instead of stopping at the outer edge of the shower.
A possible issue with going for glass is that it leaves the contents of your shower on full display, but that’s easy to deal with. Put up attractive, wall-mounted shower shelves to keep your things in order, and consider swapping an outdated shower head for a sleek, modern alternative.
7. Understated Beauty of Gray Tones
Perhaps the most overlooked and misunderstood of the neutrals, gray has a way of putting things in perspective. It evokes serenity and steadfastness—two grounding qualities that are perfect for a bathroom.
If you want a more somber, sophisticated bathroom design, opt for darker hues like charcoal and offset them with black accents. Plush linens and plenty of natural light will keep the space from feeling too depressing.
If you want a more lighthearted vibe, pale gray is your answer. Ground it with dark accents, or brighten the room further with white fixtures and decor.
8. Embracing Uniqueness
Whether you have to make use of an awkward nook in your bathroom or you don’t have space for a square shower, irregularly shaped showers can make a bold statement all their own. Even if the square footage is the same, having a curved edge creates the illusion of more room in the shower—exactly what you want.
On the other hand, if it turns out that the irregular shape equals more shower space, don’t be afraid to take advantage. For example, adding a bench would upgrade your shower and bring you one step closer to the full spa experience.
9. Friendly Low Ceilings
Nothing cramps a shower like a low ceiling, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. If the roof is on a slant, installing a glass pane that’s cut to fit the space will take a cramped, awkward shower and make it look stylish and intentional.
To trick the eye and create the illusion of height, look for shower tile with vertical designs. Anything that trains the eye to glide straight down the wall will elongate the space.
10. Maximizing Space
Maybe your ceilings are nice and high, and it’s the walls of your shower room that are pressing in. That doesn’t have to be a problem either. An outer wall made entirely of glass keeps the shower from feeling cut off from the rest of the bathroom.
Since you don’t have much room to maneuver, you’ll want to stay away from bulky shower shelves that poke out from the wall and cramp the space even further. Sleek built-in shelves provide storage without getting in the way.
11. The Charm of Shower Cubicle Designs
A compact shower cubicle is an excellent option for saving space in a small bathroom. They can fill out a square nook off to the side or tuck into the corner of the room.
If you really want to maximize space, you could opt for a collapsible shower cubicle with a door that folds away when not in use. Every square inch counts, so you might as well make the most of them.
12. Striking Statement Tiles
If you want your shower to double as a work of art, look no further than statement tiles. Bright colors like an electric turquoise or fire engine red will energize the space. You could also opt for an attention-grabbing pattern to fill the room.
Not one for bright colors? White tiles in irregular shapes and textures can also add visual interest, and they don’t introduce any new colors, leaving your neutral color scheme exactly as you pictured it.
Of course, a statement doesn’t necessarily have to be bold. You can still create a stunning focal point even if you’re not a fan of loud patterns or out-there textures. Even soft colors can revitalize a room, as long as the rest of the bathroom design is low-key. Muted tones like sage green or blush pink can make your shower pop without overwhelming the space.
13. Subway Tiles for Perfection
Solid, timeless, and effortlessly chic; you can’t go wrong with subway tiles. Whether you lay them out in a classic running bond or change things up with a herringbone layout, you’re sure to end up with a bathroom design that’s both old-school and enviably on-trend.
Even though they’ve been around for nearly a century, subway tiles are far from going stale. If classic white is a little too on the nose for you, try adding a pop of color to liven things up. You could even incorporate multiple colors to breathe life into the space and make it truly your own.
14. Downsizing Dreams
It probably goes without saying, but a tiny house means an even tinier shower. If you live in a tiny home, small spaces are no stranger to you. The good news is all you need is enough space to stand up, turn around, and stash a few shower essentials.
The layout of your shower will vary depending on the layout of your overall living space. You might keep your toilet and shower in one enclosure, or you might have the space to separate the two with a curtain.
15. Wet Bathroom Concepts
If you’re looking for something to tie your modern bathroom design together, a wet room might be the perfect choice. Consisting of a shower at the same level as the rest of the bathroom floor, wet rooms fit in seamlessly and are totally minimalist.
Installing a glass enclosure keeps water from splashing around the room and creates a little visual separation. This separation could be useful if you want to break up the space a bit. However, if you’re going to go full minimalist, you could forgo the enclosure entirely and embrace the open concept.
16. Achieving Freshness in White Bathrooms
Always a classic, opting for a white shower will ensure that your bathroom design is sleek and lasts through the ages. It’s an especially great option for small bathroom design because it bounces light all around the room—perfect for opening up the space.
To keep your white bathroom from feeling flat, look for white tiles that add a little dimension. Big stone wall tiles, for example, might have varying shades of grey scattered throughout, which can add some much-needed visual weight. You could also set white tiles with black grout, which adds an understated graphic pop that keeps the eye engaged.
FAQs
How can I make a small shower appear larger without major renovations?
To create the illusion of a larger space in your small shower, consider using lighter colors for your tiles and walls. Lighter shades reflect more natural light and can make the area feel airier. Additionally, opt for frameless glass shower doors or curtains instead of opaque ones to allow the eye to travel freely, making the space seem less confined. Using large, continuous tiles rather than small ones can also minimize visual clutter and create a more expansive feel.
What are some space-saving storage solutions for a small shower?
Maximizing storage is crucial in a small shower. Install built-in niches or shelves within the shower walls to keep bath essentials within arm’s reach without adding bulky furniture. Consider corner shelves, hanging shower caddies, or magnetic organizers for additional storage options. Choose products designed specifically for small spaces, such as compact shower organizers and slim-profile showerheads.
What lighting options work best in a small shower?
For a small shower, it’s essential to prioritize both ambient and task lighting. Recessed LED lighting in the ceiling can provide even illumination, while waterproof LED strips or fixtures inside the shower can enhance visibility during bathing. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the lighting to your preference, creating a cozy or invigorating atmosphere as needed.
