Maximising Space and Design in your Bathroom Renovation

Small bathrooms can be difficult to style due to space limitations, but it’s not an impossible task. With the right tactics and smart planning, you can optimise the space you have to create a functional bathroom that looks just as good as every other room in your home.

Interiors can become dated quickly if they’re designed with fleeting trends in mind, but bathrooms often show their age the most. Given this area of the home is one that prospective buyers and tenants are most drawn to, it can be off-putting to find it looking drab and dull.

Refreshing a bathroom not only makes the space more practical for daily use but also more appealing, increasing the value of your property, once you choose to sell. If you want to embark on a bathroom reno, but don’t know where to start, read on for our tips and advice.

Planning and preparation

Create a clear vision to start with by gathering inspiration from different sources. Browse home improvement magazines, explore online platforms like Pinterest and Houzz, or even visit showrooms to look at materials and fixtures firsthand. Pay close attention to the common trends and details that resonate with you, filtering those ideas through the lens of your specific needs and budget constraints. 

Begin by establishing a realistic budget and carefully scrutinise the detailed costs of all your quotes. ”Before diving into specific expenses, establish a realistic total budget that includes a 20% contingency fund for unexpected issues“, explains Village Bathrooms, “Remember that installation typically accounts for 35-50% of your total budget, while materials make up the remainder”. 

Once these aspects are understood, you can turn your attention to the physical layout. To really optimise the flow of your bathroom, you need to assess the space and layout you have to work with, maintaining clear paths between key fixtures. You should allow at least 700mm of clear floor space in front of each fixture for ease of movement, as this is key to creating a luxury design that feels intuitive and effortless to navigate. 

Deciding between a DIY approach or a professional installation will very much depend on your budget, available time, and the complexity of the project. However, it’s also worth remembering that professionals will have the knowledge to help you make the best use of available space, by suggesting space-saving solutions or layouts you might not have considered.

Style and aesthetics

Choosing a design theme provides the framework for all subsequent decisions you make in your renovation, and it also makes or breaks your use of space. Modern styles emphasise clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and sleek materials like glass and metal, so they’re ideal for optimising square footage. Traditional approaches incorporate classic elements such as pedestal sinks, clawfoot tubs, and detailed millwork, but they may work better in a slightly larger bathroom for this reason.

Colour palettes also impact mood and perceived space. Light, neutral colours reflect more light and create a feeling of openness, while darker tones add sophistication and intimacy but might close in an already cramped bathroom. Think about how colours will interact with both natural and artificial lighting throughout the day too. Try painting sample colours onto large sheets of paper that you can move around the room to see how they’ll interact with light.

Materials and fixtures

Materials are an important aspect of your renovation, not just in terms of budget but also how they look and their durability. Natural materials like marble or stone offer water resistance and make an impact visually, but might be on the more expensive side, while ceramic tiles are a more cost-effective solution. Likewise, think about fixtures like taps and hardware, as this balances the overall look of the space, so aim for a cohesive look that’s timeless.

Your choice of bathtub and shower depends on how much space you have available, as well as personal preferences. Freestanding tubs create dramatic focal points but require adequate floor space, so they’re not always feasible in smaller apartments. Corner showers are great for optimising floor space while wet rooms eliminate traditional shower enclosures for seamless, spa-like experiences that work particularly well in smaller spaces.

Where possible, try to incorporate environmentally conscious choices that will benefit the planet and your utility bills. For example, low-flow fixtures reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance, while LED lighting provides energy savings and tends to have longer lifespans. Often, these options are more streamlined for a space-saving solution too.

Finishing touches

Styling your completed bathroom transforms it from construction project to personal sanctuary. Colourful fresh towels, some curated artwork, and plants add personality while maintaining the clean aesthetic you've worked hard to achieve. You can also now add in furniture that will make the most of vertical space, such as tall and narrow drawer units that can house toiletries or spare towels without taking up too much room. Mirrors can also serve double duty by reflecting light to brighten up a smaller room.

Updating your bathroom to boost your home’s value and market appeal? Contact Maguire Jackson today for a professional home valuation and expert advice.