If you're looking for narrow bathroom ideas to help you realise your perfect ensuite or family bathroom, you're in the right place.
The key to designing a successful narrow bathroom is to focus on functionality, organisation and creating the illusion of space. The good news is that with clever thinking and careful product selection, you can absolutely achieve the bathroom design you’ve been dreaming of.
Nowadays, there are lots of fixtures and fittings created with smaller rooms in mind – from short-projection basins and taps to compact baths and ultra-slim shower trays, as well as savvy storage solutions and interior design hacks that boost the feeling of space. Here, we take a look at some of the best narrow bathroom ideas.
1. Embrace the length of a narrow bathroom
Instead of fighting the awkward shape of a narrow bathroom, why not embrace it? When it comes to deciding on a layout, the three-in-a-row approach works best – with the shower or bath, toilet and sink all lined up against one wall.
This is the best way to make use of a narrow space, and in many cases there simply isn’t another option. On the plus side, this layout provides a continuous, easy-to-access walkway, looks clean and streamlined, and can even simplify plumbing.
If you have enough width, you could have the basin and toilet on one side and the shower or bath on the other, creating a galley-style layout where everything is within easy reach.
2. Choose wall-hung fittings in your narrow bathroom
To create the feeling of more space, mount your toilet, basin and storage on the wall so you can see the floor. You can even use this idea when it comes to the bath.
“The trick is to maximise the visible floor area, so use a freestanding bath on feet or a plinth,” says Phil Etherden, managing director of The Albion Bath Co.
Wall-hung fittings, such as a wall-hung toilet, will often save space as all of the mechanical parts will be hidden away within a stud wall so the overall projection is shorter. You can apply the same logic to the tap and go for a wall-hung design there too.
Phil Etherden is managing director of The Albion Bath Co. who specialise in creating high-quality bath tubs that combine classical design with a modern production method that make them perfect for period and renovation properties.
3. Go frameless with your shower
If your list of narrow bathroom ideas includes a walk-in shower, choose a shower screen that will seamlessly blend into the room and an ultra-slim shower tray that won’t lift too far up off the floor (remember every inch counts).
A frameless shower screen with discreet hinges or mounts will not distract the eye and will emphasise a feeling of openness.
For a luxury, spa-like design, you could create a wash zone with a compact bath and walk-in shower at one end of the room, both behind a minimal glass screen. When considering this option, it’s a good idea to think about tanking the wet zone to ensure proper waterproofing.
4. Combine functions with a shower bath
A shower over the bath can be stylish and is the ultimate space-saver for a double-duty function in a narrow bathroom. Combine it with a folding glazed screen that doesn’t take up too much space, or an even more flexible shower curtain, which can be tucked neatly away when not in use.
Not only will a shower bath save space, but it's also more cost-effective than installing a separate bath and shower and can be fitted with accessibility options, like non-slip surfaces and grab rails.
Andrea Clewett, co-founder of Showerscape, says, "We believe an above bath shower can be both practical and stylish. With the right details, a shower bath can feel entirely modern, curated and far from dated."
Andrea Clewett is a bathrooms expert and co-founder of award-winning Showerscape, which offers bespoke floor-to-ceiling photographic panels
5. Think about how you lay tiles in your narrow bathroom
How’s this for a narrow bathroom idea? The direction of your tiles will trick the eye into thinking your bathroom is bigger than it is.
“Laying floor tiles horizontally will give the illusion of a much wider space. Similarly, neutral tiles are generally more suited to smaller spaces than darker ones, as they will open up the space and allow natural light to bounce off them,” says Amanda Telford, marketing manager at CTD Tiles.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, choosing larger tiles in your small bathroom can actually make the room seem bigger – and this will apply to both your floor and wall tiles.
6. Be savvy with storage in a narrow space
Take stock of exactly what you need to store in your narrow bathroom and make a list. From there, come up with the best ways to get in everything you need and avoid ending up with too little or too much storage that isn’t practical or takes up too much space.
“Look for a vanity with a compact depth,” says Natalie Bird, brand marketing manager at Roca. “Some models are as shallow as 380mm but extend up to 800mm in length with the option of two or three drawers. This allows you to utilise the length of a narrow room while still having ample storage space.”
It’s a good idea to consider multi-functional storage solutions like a basin unit with storage underneath or even a bath that has storage under it. Mirrors will help to boost the feeling of light and space, but why not go even further and choose a mirrored cabinet or a design with a shelf?
Shop our favourite storage solutions
With pretty pink paneling and a luxurious marble-style top, this unit is both practical and stylish.
This wood-finish unit comes with an adjustable internal shelf and inner door storage.
With brass handles and a panelled design, this under-sink storage will look elegant in your bathroom.
Natalie has nearly a decade’s worth of experience in the field of bathroom products, having worked for a plumber’s merchant and now Roca, a leading company in the design and production of bathroom furniture, brassware and sanitaryware.
7. Don’t be afraid to go bold in your narrow bathroom
A narrow bathroom doesn't have to be a plain one, so don't hold back when it comes to decorating this compact space.
While an all-white palette can make a big difference because it can make the room seem brighter and larger, you can still introduce colour and pattern if you get the overall balance right. A dark colour can create a cosy ambience and a bold feature or statement piece will create a talking point that you’ll love.
Jamie Bebbington, managing director at Aston Matthews says, “Don’t be afraid to use dark colours or bold wallpaper in a small space. You can offset this with pale tiles and white sanitaryware for a striking contrast.
8. Use clear sliding doors to visually open up the space
You might not have considered the doorway a significant part of your narrow bathroom design, but it can make a big difference to how open and spacious the room feels – especially when choosing transparent materials and sliding mechanisms.
Andrea Clewett says, "Sliding glass doors are one of the most effective ways to open up a narrow bathroom without altering the physical footprint. Because the panels glide rather than swing, you remove the need for clearance space, instantly making the room feel less cramped and more considered.
"The obvious transparency of glass plays a huge role too, so choosing a frameless sleek design is essential here. A sliding door allows the eye to travel from wall to wall, creating a continuous line of sight instead of visually dividing the room. That uninterrupted flow is what gives the impression of greater width and depth."
9. Create the illusion of space with floor-to-ceiling tiles
By installing floor-to-ceiling tiles, as seen in the photo above, you can trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it really is, as it emphasises the height.
In smaller spaces, where there’s little room for trinkets and accessories, it can be tricky to inject personal style – but this bathroom tiling idea offers a solution, allowing you to choose a statement tile as a focal point that catches the eye.
"Floor-to-ceiling tiling instantly makes a narrow bathroom feel taller and more open. Continuous vertical lines draw the eye upward, creating the impression of added height and reducing the sense of confinement," says Andrea Clewett.
Planning your narrow bathroom
Before you buy anything for your new bathroom, make sure you do your research to make the most of the tight space. This includes properly measuring up and taking detailed notes on the distances between walls, doors (when open and closed), windows, and floor to ceiling, including different ceiling heights if you have a pitched roof or any other changes in levels.
Then, when browsing products, make sure to carefully look at the dimensions and pay attention to technical drawings that list intricate measurements such as the depth of a shower tray, projection of a tap or how far a drawer pulls out, for example. Design success is all in the detail when space is at a premium so every little bit matters.
“Minimum movement distances can be tricky but are crucial. Typically, you want at least 30 inches in front of fixtures for unhampered movement,” says Matt Hagens, founder of Mr Faucet.
“But don't let standard measurements deter you. I once worked on a home where the owner was taller than most, so custom measurements were essential. It's a lesson in why you should always design for the user, not strictly by the book.”
And remember to think about what you actually need and will use. While a double basin and large vanity unit may be a beautiful focal point, it will only hamper the overall design if it obstructs that all-important flow. It’s a good idea to make compromises on some style decisions and find solutions that offer both the type of look you want with the proper function to suit the space too.
You might have to make a few compromises to make a narrow bathroom work, but that doesn’t mean a beautiful and practical design is off the table – it just takes a little extra thought and consideration.
If you found this helpful, you might also want to learn about the biggest bathroom layout mistakes to avoid in your next project or explore these modern bathroom ideas for inspiration.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.
