A small bathroom is often the cause of dissatisfaction among apartment owners in apartment buildings.
However, with the right approach to renovating a room, you can make it very cozy. Let's look at what techniques can be used to optimize space in a small bathroom.
Where to start redevelopment
First of all, you should decide what kind of bathroom you need: combined or separate. When connecting a toilet and a bathtub, the area of the bathroom increases, which allows you to save on building materials for repairs.
Of course, there are also disadvantages to such a redevelopment:
- it is necessary to obtain permission from special authorities;
- water supply or sewer pipes and other communications that can be damaged;
- For big family the combined bathroom is inconvenient practical point vision.
A separate bathroom also has a significant drawback - the small area of both rooms. You can add a few meters to the bathroom by reducing the area of the hallway or corridor.
Bathroom finishing
Due to the fact that the bathroom is always very high humidity, all finishing materials must be resistant to moisture and temperature changes. The floor is most often simply tiled. But if you want to take this issue more seriously, it is advisable to install a heated floor system.
This will allow installation indoors comfortable temperature. A dense waterproofing layer will also not hurt, as it will not allow moisture to seep out in the event of a flood.
When choosing tiles, give preference to materials with a rough texture; smooth, glossy tiles will be very slippery when wet.
To decorate the walls in a small bathroom, use ceramic tiles, plastic panels, paint, fake diamond or moisture-resistant wallpaper.
When using tiles, the most important thing is to plaster and prime the walls well. Can also be used to level the surface.
It is preferable to choose non-toxic paints water based. Oil paints They are not suitable for such a room, they take a long time to dry, smell of acetone and do not tolerate high temperatures.
Stretch film is best suited for ceiling decoration. It is durable, resistant to high humidity, it is easy to wash. In addition, if the vases are flooded by neighbors, losses will be minimal.
Painting – more a budget option, but in this case, be prepared for the fact that such coverage needs to be updated annually.
You can also sheathe the ceiling in the bathroom plastic panels. A stainless metal profile should be used as a frame.
Choosing between a bathtub and a shower cabin
For a small bathroom, a shower stall is definitely more suitable. It will not only help save space, but also reduce the amount of water consumed, which will have a positive effect on the family budget.
If you absolutely want to be able to lie in the bathroom, it makes sense to pay attention to angular and curved models.
How to place furniture, appliances and accessories
The correct arrangement of plumbing fixtures and furniture will allow optimal use of space in the bathroom, and will also make the room comfortable and practical.
In an adjacent bathroom, it is advisable to hide the tank in the wall, leaving the drain button outside. If you can’t do this, you should consider purchasing a corner or tall narrow tank.
Small washing machine with side loading it will not be difficult to install under a sink, boiler, in the corner between the bathroom and the wall, etc. You just need to install an insulated socket and hide the pipes discreetly. Drainage of dirty water should be carried out directly into the sewer hole.
To store bath accessories, use tall pencil cases, hanging shelves, retractable racks.
Lighting in a small bathroom
With a modest room size, there is no need to install several light sources - one will be enough.
You can install ceiling lights, neon stripes or spotlights. It is not recommended to use incandescent lamps in the bathroom; it is better to choose LED lamps.
Color solutions for a small bathroom
As with any small room, for small bathroom Light colors that visually expand the space are best.
If you want to use multiple colors, it is recommended to choose no more than three and try to keep them close in saturation to each other.
Dark shades and voluminous designs will not be appropriate in a small bathroom. When finishing, white, beige, blue, pale pink, light green are often used.
Interesting accessories and original plumbing fixtures can become a highlight and an expressive accent in your apartment. An excellent example is shown in the following photo. An antique set and a mirror in a luxurious frame look great. A beautiful large wallpaper pattern and a marble backsplash complete the look. decorative composition interior
This room is not just trimmed wood panels. The designers masterfully adjusted the pattern of the vein lines - it smoothly flows from one panel to another. Wood finishes create a feeling of coziness and warmth. The lighting in the niche deserves special attention. It gives a modern touch classic interior, attracts the eye and distracts attention from the white toilet.
A contrasting technique can look quite interesting. The upper and lower parts of the walls are completely different, both in color and texture. The top is covered with bright painted wallpaper, and the bottom is lined with painted panels. More expensive finishes are immediately noticeable and are highlighted very favorably by the natural light coming from the skylight.
The design of a small bathroom in the next photo looks impressive. Although the room is dominated by two types of materials and a neutral color scheme, thanks to the non-standard design in the form of books on the shelves, it looks very original. At the same time, charming vegetation in white pots on the windowsill adds a touch of color.
The play of light and shapes give this room a unique atmosphere. Just look at the ceiling vault. Just good example when the bathroom is too compact for such experiments to cost you a considerable amount. The image of trees on the wallpaper luxuriously plays up the wood lining of the floors and walls. The illuminated arch creates the effect of depth of space. It seems that somewhere there is still a forest going on. The shape of the arched wall resembles a door, and the lighting creates the illusion that it is slightly open. 
Elegant simplicity doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Noble color and the exquisite painting on the wall gives the bathroom a rich look. In this case, only paint was used in the finishing.
There are several general rules for decorating small spaces. If they are followed, even the smallest room will look much more spacious and bright. Do not neglect these rules when creating the interior of your home bathroom.
- Use light colors for decoration. The design of a small bathroom is bright and too dark colors can only be used as accents.
- Use mirrors - they can visually double the area of a small bathroom. At the same time, do not hang mirrors opposite each other, so as not to create a “tunnel” effect - it is better if one wall is mirrored, or two walls converging at right angles.
- Use glossy surfaces in bathroom design - they create a play of reflections, thereby complicating the interior and adding light to it. For example, a glossy stretch ceiling would be appropriate.
- Provide good lighting - the brighter the room, the larger it appears. In a small bathroom, ceiling mounts are required. Spotlights and desirable additional sources Sveta.
- Partitions and even individual parts of glass furniture will “dissolve” in the air and make the space larger.
- There should be little furniture, and it should be multifunctional so as not to “eat up” the space of an already small bathroom.
- Consider installing a walk-in shower instead of a standard bath - it will make a small room feel much more spacious.
Moreover, in bathroom design small size You can also use other “little tricks”, for example, installing a washbasin on a long countertop, part of which will extend into the space above the bathtub. In this case, the countertop can be used to store shampoos, conditioners, shower gels and other bathing items.
Important: Don't forget that corners can be used rationally. Corner bath or the shower stall takes up much less space than ordinary straight ones, in addition, you can place a sink in the corner and hang special “corner” shelves.
Remember that hanging plumbing facilitates not only cleaning, but also the visual perception of a small room.
Tiles in a modern small bathroom design: the right choice
- Color
According to the basic rules for decorating small rooms, the tiles should have light colors. Do not forget that cool shades (blue, turquoise) visually “pull back” the walls, and a small room seems larger. Warm tones, on the contrary, “bring the walls closer to the viewer,” thereby making the room smaller.
- Size
The best design option is tiles small size. Large-format visually will immediately make the room very small, and may even upset the proportions. Part of the walls can be tiled with mosaics.
Eat general rule: A person is impressed not by the size of each of the tiles, but by their total number, which he estimates by eye, by the number of seams between the tiles. The more there are, the larger the room according to psychological perception space.
- Texture
In the design of a small bathroom, it is better to avoid large images, the recently popular 3D design, and shiny rhinestones. Follow the rule “the simpler the better.” Even better if finishing material has a natural origin or a classic texture. Traditional “hog” tiles, calm ornament, tiles under natural materials, for example, marble, or natural travertine is an excellent choice for a compact bathroom.
Usage wooden surfaces or wood-look tiles enhance the design of any room, including those for plumbing purposes. Tiles with small patterns are also allowed, but it is better that they are directed vertically. Mirror tiles in a bathroom design will help add “extra volume” and look very aesthetically pleasing, although they require more complex maintenance.
- Laying
When designing a small bathroom, avoid dividing the walls horizontally. It is better to direct colored or ornamented stripes from the floor to the ceiling, highlighting, for example, the toilet installation area or the “wet” area. You should not lay out large patterns - this will visually make a small bathroom smaller.
Important: In design, glossy surfaces have a mirror effect, so their use in small rooms is encouraged.
Design of a small bathroom with toilet: choosing furniture
The principle of minimalism, according to which small rooms, says: there should be as little furniture as possible, and it should be multifunctional. It’s even better if the same piece of furniture can perform several functions at the same time.
- Cabinet furniture
Conventional “column” cabinets should give way to built-in storage systems, light shelving, and niches. Storage systems can be closed with doors, or they can be open. For furniture design, a light tone or color of natural wood is preferred.
Important: If you equip storage systems with glass or mirror doors, a small room will seem more spacious. In this case, labor costs for cleaning increase slightly.
- Laundry basket
This is an essential element of bathroom equipment, which, in addition to a purely utilitarian function, can also serve as a decorative element in the design of the room. However, in small bathrooms, such a basket takes up a lot of space and can attract too much attention. Therefore, it is better if it is put away in the pantry, or “merges” with overall design walls Space for a small laundry basket can be provided in the built-in storage system, and a washing machine can also be hidden there.
- Mirror
In a small bathroom design, mirrors have vital importance. They not only provide comfort when performing hygiene procedures, but also affect the perception of the size of a small room, increasing it significantly. The choice should be a simple mirror; the larger it is, the better. A small cabinet with mirrored doors above the sink is inappropriate - it dramatically reduces the volume of the room. A more radical design option is a mirrored wall behind the washbasin.
Design of a small combined bathroom: styling concept
Minimalism is the style that can be considered the most correct for the design of a small bathroom. Its main principles: light colors in the design, the use of only the most necessary furniture and a minimum of decorative elements. The dimensions of bathroom furniture should be small.
Additional elements in bathroom design, such as soap dishes, holders toilet paper and toothbrushes, bottles with liquid detergents must not stand out from the general color range. You can use live plants, small paintings or sea shells as decoration.
Compact bathroom: standard bath
The bathtub is the most bulky item in the plumbing room. As a rule, it completely occupies one of the walls. If you love taking baths and can't imagine living without one, consider upgrading your standard bathtub to a corner or compact one. This will help save scarce space and install a small washing machine or storage system in the free space.
Compact bathroom: shower cabin
To save vital space, consider replacing your bathtub with a walk-in shower. This will not only visually, but also actually increase the free space of a small bathroom and make it possible to equip it in the most efficient way. If the bowl size of a regular bathroom starts from 170 cm, then the size of a small shower cabin (minimum) is only 70 cm. Those who think that it is impossible to do without a bathtub can choose a shower cabin model with a sitting bathtub below.
Important: In a small bathroom the best solution There will be a shower stall with transparent doors installed; it will not clutter up the room. The cleaner and more transparent the glass of the doors, the stronger the effect of visually “dissolving” the cabin in space.
Designers consider shower stalls ideal option for placement in small bathrooms. Preference should be given to small ones corner models– they take up less space and, with the same dimensions, are more functional and convenient to use.
The main advantages of shower cabins over traditional bathtubs:
- Space is saved significantly;
- The family's water resources and financial resources are saved, since washing in the shower uses significantly less water than washing in the bathtub.
- The shower cabin can be equipped with a hydromassage device, which increases the comfort of use and has a positive effect on well-being;
- The bathroom design looks more modern and stylish.
Important: There is no need to turn a small bathroom into a warehouse; it is best not to occupy the space freed up after installing a shower stall, if possible. Follow the laws of ergonomics and place only necessary items. For example, a washing machine can be installed in the pantry, if there is one in the apartment.
In most standard apartments in our country, bathrooms are more than modest in size. At 3.5-4's square meters it is necessary to place plumbing fixtures with accessories, storage systems and, in some cases, even a washing machine. With all this, it is important to create not just a functional room, but also an aesthetic, comfortable atmosphere in which you can relax at the end of the working day and recharge your batteries at the beginning of the next. The task is not easy, but doable. Behind long years Working with small-sized utilitarian spaces, designers have accumulated considerable experience in creating a rational room design. If it is not possible to physically increase the volume, then it is necessary to ensure at least a visual expansion of the space using effective design techniques. You will find examples of such design methods, as well as effective layouts of plumbing fixtures in small bathrooms, in our selection of 100 modern, practical and visually attractive bathroom design projects.
Before you start repairing
The smaller the space, the more carefully the preparation for its design should be carried out. The designer is advocated for total planning - absolutely all interior elements are selected - from water pipes to accessories such as soap dishes and towel holders. Detailed preparation for repairs will help you not only maintain the overall concept without missing any detail, but also save time and money. So, the choice of design for a small bathroom and the layout of the plumbing fixtures will be influenced by the following factors:
- shape of the room (in standard apartments, almost all bathrooms have the same layout; in private houses or apartments after redevelopment, options are possible);
- passage of communication lines (with rare exceptions, any engineering systems in bathrooms can be moved for convenient placement of plumbing fixtures);
- the location of the doorway, the presence of a window (hang the door so that it opens not into the bathroom, but into the corridor, bedroom or hallway);
- the possibility of installing a forced ventilation system (as a rule, there are no problems with this item in apartments of the most varied modifications).
It is also necessary to think in advance about the models of plumbing fixtures that you will install in the bathroom, because not only the layout of the room, but also its appearance. U modern manufacturers a wide selection of models of bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets of the most different forms and sizes - an owner with any wallet size can find an option suitable for the bathroom.
Decide on the style of bathroom design. Unfortunately, there are few options for creating a truly original, exclusive design within a room with an area of 3.5 sq.m. Designers recommend adhering to modern style, which tends towards minimalism. A simple and laconic design with a minimal amount of decor, a strict set of plumbing fixtures, without bulky storage systems - best option for decorating a small bathroom.
Color scheme for small bathrooms
Russians, accustomed to the need to decorate small utilitarian rooms (and others have rarely seen buildings from the last century in apartments) know very well that light shades will help decorate a modest-sized bathroom not only by bringing lightness and freshness to the interior, but also visual expansion space. For most of us, the white color is a symbol of cleanliness and freshness, which are so necessary in the room for water and sanitary procedures.
But don’t get hung up on light-colored surfaces just because the bathroom is modest in size. Color accents are also necessary to rid all household members of persistent associations with hospital ward or the operating room, which is certainly clean and even sterile, but absolutely uncomfortable. But the bathroom, no matter how small it is, is intended not only to perform the basic functions of providing opportunities for water procedures, but also for relaxation. IN large families The bathroom is often the only place for privacy. Agree that such a space needs to be designed with special care. So, how can you diversify light shades (which, of course, will prevail in the design small room)?
The abundance of white surfaces always creates a somewhat cool atmosphere in the room. Designers recommend “dilute” the snow-white tone by integrating wooden surfaces. These can be the facades of storage systems (most often these are small drawers under sinks, less often - wall cabinets and open shelves), imitation wood on ceramic tiles, which is used for finishing floors or decorating an apron over a bathtub or sink.
Even in a very small room, all surfaces cannot be painted white. The floor covering must be at least 2-3 shades darker. This is necessary to create a favorable interior picture from the point of view of the emotional state. If the flooring is made in a light tone, like the walls and ceiling of the bathroom, it creates a feeling that the room has no form, and a person literally “leaks the ground from under his feet.” You can use imitation wood or stone, choose tiles with a variegated pattern or in a plain version, but not light
Besides white, there are many color options for creating a light, calm finish that will not burden the image of a small room and will help create a relaxing atmosphere. All pastel shades are suitable as a basis for wall decoration in a small bathroom. Light beige tones, among other things, will help create a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Moreover, in the background beige walls Snow-white plumbing looks more impressive. You can add contrast to a light room using darker colors. color solutions For flooring or execution of storage systems.
Various shades gray can be used to decorate a small bathroom. Not only white plumbing fixtures look great against a gray background. But also the shine of chrome bathroom accessories - various holders, mixers, taps. A light gray tone can be taken as a basis, and with the help of darker, deeper shades, you can emphasize the geometry of the room or highlight one or another functional area.
Not only by choosing the color for finishing the main surfaces, you can influence the visual perception of the room, its size and boundaries. Small color inserts, various edgings, placement of prints on tiles - using various design techniques you can achieve positive effects to create a comfortable image of a small bathroom. For example, placing a narrow border or colored insert not in the middle of the room, but slightly higher, will visually increase the height of the room.
Can such a thing exist in a small bathroom? design technique, How accent wall, highlighted with rich color? Designers unanimously answer yes. Standard sizes a bathroom and even an irregularly shaped room can benefit from the presence of a colorful finish on one of the surfaces. It will not visually reduce the space, but will emphasize the shape of the utilitarian room. Most often, the shower area is chosen for a bright or contrastingly dark design, but you can also accent surface use the wall behind the bathtub or sink with a mirror.
Plumbing for a modest bathroom
Modern manufacturers focus on the needs of customers. The demand for compact models of plumbing fixtures is not falling, despite the improvement in the quality of life and the increase in the possibilities of utilitarian spaces in apartments and private houses. Pay attention to wall-hung models of plumbing fixtures - toilets and sinks. They are built into niches specially created for them, inside which all engineering systems can be hidden. Console models will help save much-needed centimeters of usable space in small rooms. Not to mention the aesthetic side of the issue, because wall hung toilet or a sink that seems to be built into the wall without any pipes - an excellent solution for a modern and stylish bathroom look.
If your bathroom is an irregularly shaped room or looks like a very elongated rectangle, what is the background small area becomes a particularly problematic design option, then only a compact shower cabin can significantly save useful space. In the lines of modern manufacturers there are models with pallet sizes of 70x70 and 80x80. Such modest-sized hydroboxes fit effectively into niches (or occupy the entire width of a small bathroom), but at the same time perfectly perform their main functions.
If a shower stall as an alternative to taking a bath is not an option for your family, then the largest plumbing fixture in a utilitarian room must be built in along the width of the room. In this case, you will have to choose a model that most closely matches the size of the room, regardless of your personal preferences and even the height of your household. In small spaces, it is often necessary to sacrifice partial comfort for the correct layout of plumbing fixtures.
If in your family there are those who love to soak in the bath and those who prefer the invigorating effects of a contrast shower, then it will be necessary to equip the bath with additional elements. To be able to easily take a shower while standing in the bathtub, not much is needed - a holder for a cheap shower head mounted into the wall and a glass partition protecting the bathroom space outside the makeshift shower. Glass partition will not burden the image of the bathroom, but at the same time reliably protect against water splashing throughout the space.
Decor and lighting in a small space
For small space light is one of essential elements creating an image of the interior. He is the main assistant in the matter visual increase room volume. Reflecting from mirrors, glossy and glass surfaces, the light spreads throughout the entire provided volume of a small utilitarian room. This is why one ceiling light will not be enough. Spot lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling, highlighting a mirror, using strip lighting or combining lamps of different designs and modifications - even in small space options are possible.
The mirrors mentioned more than once can be classified as both functional and decorative elements interior Not a single bathroom is complete without a mirror, and in a small space it becomes not only a means of reflecting objects, but also serves as a visual expander of the volume of the room. If, instead of an ordinary mirror, you install a large mirror cloth above the sink, possibly occupying the entire width of the room, the boundaries of such a bathroom will literally be erased. Not to mention the multiple reflections of artificial light.
In mirror surfaces, which often serve not only as reflective elements above sinks, but also as aprons, you can drill holes for mounting lamps or connecting communication systems for installing a faucet. To make it more impressive, strip lighting can be installed around the perimeter of such a mirror panel or in the lower part.
If you decide to use hanging systems storage above the sink, you can safely purchase a cabinet with mirrored doors. As a result, you will receive a multifunctional piece of furniture - a storage system, mirror surface to reflect light and visually increase the volume of the bathroom and original item design. Mirror facades can be smooth or have fittings. It is important to understand that a smooth door without a handle will attract fingerprints.
There are often simply no options left for decorating a small bathroom. To avoid fragmenting the image of the room into small parts, designers recommend not only not getting carried away with interior decoration, but also minimizing all accessories and additional elements interior And yet, we always have the opportunity to bring color, originality and simply variety to the bright and often boring image of the room with the help of household items, which no bathroom can do without - bright towels or shower curtains. A rug in front of the sink or bathtub, original sets of bath accessories, various dispensers and holders.
Decorative elements can also include such functional interior items as faucets, shower heads, taps, heated towel rails, paper and towel holders, and various dispensers. Original design or unusual material execution (surface coating) will not only diversify even the most trivial interior, but will also raise the degree of uniqueness of the design of a small bathroom.
In conditions of severe space saving, efficient storage becomes a priority in organizing the bathroom environment. It is important to distribute the necessary household items and bath accessories in the smallest number of storage systems. Separating inserts are also used for drawers, and hidden hangers, hooks and other devices, of which there are many in modern plumbing and bathroom accessories stores.
With a full all-inclusive set with a jacuzzi, bidet and hydrobox, of course, it is possible, but in reality it is important to wisely use the space that is available today in order to create your own good design small bathroom. Even if this space is a legacy of the times of Khrushchev’s “generosity” or the typical and inexpressive design of a small bathroom in panel house. The paradox is that what smaller room, the more difficult it is to think through its ergonomic functionality (remove all that is unnecessary and combine what is necessary). Ready-made ones will help to encourage your imagination. design solutions for the arrangement of small bathrooms. Creating a spectacular bathroom lighting will solve many nuances. In this case, there is no point in reinventing the wheel, because all the mistakes have already been taken into account before you.
Advice! The most important aspect design is Find out all the intricacies of this process from our article.
Design of a small bathroom combined with a toilet
Many people decide to completely remove the plaster cast. partition separating the bathroom and bathroom with sealing of one of the entrance openings. Some believe that this is unhygienic and impractical from the point of view of combining two different-purpose plumbing items. We will leave this choice at your discretion, but we will assume that you are a supporter of the first option. After preparatory work your 5 (if you're lucky - 7 or more) squares will shine with the pristine purity of bare
