Short on space, big on ideas! 7 small bathrooms filled with creative and functional solutions

1. A striking accent wall created with concrete plaster

A simple clear glass wall separates the shower from the rest of the space. The glass wall is from Itä-Helsingin Lasi, the rain shower is by Mora, and the wall tiles are from Laattapiste.

The concrete plaster accent wall beautifully complements the neutral decor. The towel warmer is by Rej Design.

The small bathroom of this two-room apartment was renovated into a minimalistic beauty based on interior designer Laura Seppänen’s ideas. The unified, highly reflective shower wall was created by making the white mortar joint narrower than usual and using a straight tile layout. It serves as a backdrop for the real eye-catcher: the concrete plaster accent wall. Valuable extra space was gained with a wall-mounted toilet, open shelving, and storage baskets.

2. A surprising tile layout elevates the basic tile to a new level

Alternating the three vertical tiles creates a lively effect. The Oras shower is separated from the sink by tempered glass. The drying rack was salvaged from the old bathroom but moved from beside the door closer to the shower.

The cheerful green bathroom furniture, along with the tile layout, makes the space look fresh. The matte-finish, one meter wide vanity cabinet is from the Swedish company Swoon’s ‘Soft’ collection. You can choose the drawer front color from 15 options; this one is ‘Shades of Emerald’. The beautifully curved sink is shiny porcelain, and the faucet is Optima by Oras.

The special feature of this rectangular, three-square-meter bathroom is the alternation of three differently sized vertical tiles. The combination of basic white matte tiles is exceptionally striking, and installing them requires a precise professional eye and tiling experience. The sizes of the alternating tiles from Kaakelikeskus are 60 × 30 cm, 60 × 20 cm, and 60 × 10 cm. The floor features trendy mosaic hexagon tiles from ABL. Light gray mortar completes the graphic look, while the dark gray mortar on the floor is easier to maintain than light mortar.

3. Replacing tiling with a photograph

A photo enlargement is a striking element that suits many bathroom styles. Keep in mind that the image subject defines the atmosphere of the entire space.

You can create a unique bathroom by combining elements you love. It doesn’t matter if they are of different styles and ages. In this bathroom, the sink cabinet and faucets are new, while the enameled bathtub is old. The most endearing and distinctive feature is the wall-sized photograph of the family’s son on the back wall, protected from splashes with transparent plexiglass.

4. The smallest space deserves the most striking patterns

In small toilet spaces, a striking wallpaper can replace tiling. The sink is made of Chinese porcelain, and the vanity cabinet with lattice doors is from Opdeco.

This small toilet in an old house delights both the residents and their guests. The wallpaper makes the toilet feel more like any other room and significantly increases its coziness. The bold, Oriental-inspired pattern doesn’t look busy because it uses only two colors, and the chosen interior style is cohesive.

5. Classic simplicity suits an old house

Svedbergs’ ‘Stil’ storage furniture with its granite countertops, the Ebb sink, and the Svea faucet all aim for classic lines. The Svedbergs mirror features a matte gold-colored frame. The toilet seat is by Ido.

A shower corner protected by a partition works better in a small space than a bathtub and shower combination. The ‘Forsa’ dividing wall is by Svedbergs. The ‘Raindance Select 240 Showerpipe’ shower by Hansgrohe is from LVI Juhani Niemi. Large, high-gloss tiles enhance the sense of space. Laattapiste’s ‘Nuance’ tiles measure 25 × 75 cm.

At only 3.9 square meters, there’s no room for laundry facilities in this bathroom. Nevertheless, it feels spacious. The vertically installed wall tiles are white, glossy and mirror-like to emphasize the brightness. A traditional shower cabin would seem too bulky and make the space feel cramped, so a clear glass partition wall was chosen instead. Since the bathroom is in an early 1900s house, the style reflects its classic atmosphere, visible in all materials and shapes.

6. Laundry facilities out of sight

The most striking element in this light and minimalist space is the eye-catching tiling. The hexagonal ‘Dandelion’ cement tiles by Marrakech Design form a graphic pattern you could follow endlessly.

The combined washing machine and dryer were integrated into 60 centimeter deep base cabinets. The ‘Corian’ countertop is wide enough to function as a baby changing table and serves as an excellent folding surface for dry laundry. An LED light strip was integrated into the lower and upper edges of the handleless, three-section mirrored cabinet.

Before the renovation, this small bathroom had a massive washer-dryer tower that cluttered the space and couldn’t fully open in the narrow area. The lowered wooden ceiling further reduced the sense of space, and the toilet was directly in front of the door. A custom-made birch plywood sliding door was installed inside the wall to replace the hinged door. The placement of the fixtures is also new. Instead of tiles, the walls are covered with interior plaster suitable for damp spaces.

7. Who here loves blue?

The vertical metro tiling is like a piece of installation art, making the room appear taller. The sleek bathtub designed by Philippe Starck is from LVI Juhani Niemi’s selection.

The calm sink area provides a good contrast to the striking tiling.

The highlight of this bathroom is Pukkila’s stunning forget-me-not blue ‘Metro’ tile, laid in a vertical brick pattern to add height to the space. Pukkila’s large sand-colored ‘Blackboard’ floor tiles and a sink cabinet by Topi-Keittiöt complement the tile deligthfully. The black shower and faucet are from Tapwell. The bathroom’s overall design is by interior architect Maija Rasila, who is also known for her Pihkala blog.