The very small size of the room, which is often reserved for the bathroom in apartments with a small area, cannot be a stumbling block in order to design it beautifully and stylishly. The result can be unexpected and original, the main thing is to decide on the basic idea of the interior. In this article, we will talk about interesting ideas for the design of a small bathroom : decoration, materials and plumbing.
Where to begin?
Repair planning should always be approached with the utmost seriousness and every detail should be thought out in advance, from the idea of decorating the ceiling, walls and floor to the optimal placement of all necessary furniture and appliances. This is especially true when it comes to the modern design of a small bathtub. First of all, it is necessary to solve several pressing issues that are very important for everyone living in the apartment:
- What is the minimum set of necessary plumbing necessary to place on such a limited area? It immediately becomes apparent that there can be no question of installing, for example, a double sink, bidet or jacuzzi.
- According to generally accepted rules, the door leading to the room should open inside it, but in our case, you can move away from the canons and do the opposite or even change it to a sliding structure.
- Is there a need to install the washing machine in the bathroom, or can it be placed, for example, in the kitchen.
- Is it important for all households to have a bathtub, or can it be replaced with a compact corner hydrobox, which will help to significantly save such necessary usable space?
- Is there a need to transfer any communications for an optimal layout, since nowadays it is allowed to transfer not only sewer, water, but also heating pipes within the given premises?
What can be changed?
Now on the Internet you can find many ready-made projects specially created for a small bath. The design of a bathroom of such sizes requires the most balanced arrangement of plumbing. It is clear that an ideal planning method that would suit absolutely everyone does not exist. Everyone will have to choose for themselves, based on the following real components:
- provisions of communication systems;
- the optimal amount of plumbing (depending on whether the bathroom is combined or not);
- the location of the door and window, if any;
- room shape.
Usually, specialists designing a small bathtub try to arrange the sink and mirror above it so that the person who opens the door to the room is the first to see these objects. However, in fact, it is not always possible to follow such a rule. Therefore, it is best to move the sink to the bathroom, while the toilet should be placed closer to the wall and the sewage system.
The minimum set of the most necessary plumbing will help to create a comfortable and fashionable design of a small bathroom. A washbasin, toilet bowl and bathtub are all effective substitutes. If the presence of the latter is not essential, then replacing it with a shower stall will significantly free up the useful space of a small room. This will allow you to place in it a washing machine. If this option is not to your liking, designers offer another - a combined shower with bathtub. It is equipped with a transparent glass partition, which does not allow water to spill beyond.
Bathroom tile size
The design of a small bath can be made beautiful and original, if you choose the right finish for walls and floors. Most often, they prefer a material such as ceramic tile, because it gives room for imagination, looks great and is easy to clean. Nowadays, there is no problem in finding exactly the color, pattern or texture of this finishing material, which I would like to see the bathroom.
In a small room, the size of the tile matters, since large-format can visually narrow the room and even upset its proportions. To prevent this from happening, some of the walls are laid out with mosaics.
Texture and styling
In the design of small bathtubs, tiles look very good. But such a currently popular design as 3D images, as well as a large number of shiny rhinestones, experts do not recommend using. It is better to use tiles with an unobtrusive ornament or imitating natural material, for example, natural stone travertine or more familiar marble.
Tile “wood-like” will help to refine the design. You can also use tiles with a small pattern, which will look best if laid vertically. Designers also recommend using a stylish mirror tile, as it can give the room additional volume, but at the same time it will require more thorough and complex care.
In the design of a small bathroom, it is recommended to divide the walls vertically and in no case horizontally. Stripes with ornaments or colored inserts directed from the ceiling to the floor will help to zoning the room, especially if it is a combined bathroom. Large patterns on the tiles will only narrow the small room.
Light finish
The color of the bathroom tile is also very important . The design of a small bath, according to generally accepted rules, should be executed in bright colors. At the same time, you need to know that warm shades visually reduce the room, while cool shades, on the contrary, move the walls away from the person looking at them.
Indeed, light tile will help create an atmosphere of lightness and ease. However, when dealing with snow-white tiles, the main thing is not to overdo it, since there is a risk of turning your bathroom into a sterile operating room. Decorating the lower part and the floor with darker tones can add height to the room.
If you still decided on the totally light design of a small bathroom, then you will definitely need to create some kind of color accent. This can be done, for example, using various lighting fixtures or other decorative elements: a small original rug, bright towels, as well as an unusual kind of shelves or cabinets designed to store the necessary toiletries.
Increasingly, in modern design projects, all kinds of shades of gray are used. Such a neutral color can be an excellent background both for snow-white equipment and for shiny accessories organically complementing it. In this case, various combinations of gray tones and tile sizes are often used, with which you can create modern original interiors.
Dark shades and vibrant colors
As for the contrasting interior, it is always in fashion, as it cannot be boring. Light finishes, against which dark shades will dynamically look, allow you to create distinctly structured interiors. In this case, the game of contrasts can be used in the edging, a pattern located on an accent surface, or in an ornament on the floor.
For those who like bright colors, there is also a way out. They are much more difficult to combine, however, if the main one is white, then this task is slightly simplified. You can immediately make a whole sector, an accent wall or a wide strip. For example, paint in a bright color or lay an apron near the sink, a shower area or a niche where the bathroom is located with tiles. Another option is to leave the ceiling and walls light, and to lay the finishing material with a beautiful ornament on the floor.
Decoration of ceilings
At first glance, you would think that almost no one pays attention to them, but if you just make a mistake, it will catch your eye. To avoid this, you need to know what exactly cannot be done when designing a small bathroom. Firstly, it is not recommended to choose dark tones for the design of the ceiling, and secondly, you must immediately abandon the multi-level design.
Sometimes houses of an old construction come across in which the ceilings are more or less high. They can be originally decorated by playing on the contrast of colors. But when the ceiling height is standard, at the entrance to such a room it seems that it is about to crush you. This is a very unpleasant sensation, so dark tones should be avoided. As for the now fashionable multi-level ceilings, then in a modest-sized room they will look rather bulky.
When developing a fashionable design for a small bathroom, the main goal will be to achieve spaciousness, albeit visual. The use of transparent materials, all the same light colors, and bright lighting can help with this. When choosing a finish, it must be borne in mind that it will be subject to constant temperature changes and moisture. In this regard, such ceilings as mirror, stretch and rack aluminum are most suitable.
Mirror Shapes
No matter how small the bathroom is, you can’t do without them. With the right selection, mirrors can make a narrow room wider, and a dark one - lighter. Many when buying this accessory are guided only by their own aesthetic preferences, however, it is also necessary to take into account the various flaws of the room, its layout and size. Here are some tips that will surely come in handy for everyone:
- A square mirror will make the room more proportional. This is especially true if the room is narrow or rectangular.
- A round mirror will add extra volume to the mini-bathtub. In addition, it will make the interior more harmonious.
- A rectangular horizontal mirror will visually transform the room. It will make it a little more spacious.
- An elongated mirror suspended vertically will visually increase the height of the ceiling. It can be either oval or rectangular.
Mirror Sizes
The size of this accessory may vary. However, a large mirror in the modern design of a small bathroom is always a huge plus. Do not place it too low, above the sink itself. It is better to hang it 35 - 45 cm above it. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust these parameters taking into account the growth of all households. The width of the mirror is also not limited by anything except the size of the wall.
Style solutions
The design of a small bath can be carried out in the same manner with the whole apartment or radically differ from it. In our case, the most optimal are:
- Provence style. It is characterized by natural materials and pastel colors.
- Classic style. This is the best option that always looks expensive and exclusive.
- Country style. It is famous for its comfort and the use of natural materials in the design.
- Scandinavian style. Natural colors, extreme simplicity and functionality are characteristic of it.
- Hi-tech style. These are, first of all, the latest finishing materials, laconic lines and modern technology.
Which bath to choose?
What will help to give this room the greatest exclusivity? Of course, a bathtub of an unusual configuration and color. In addition to the rectangular shapes familiar to us, there are also other varieties: angular, deep, asymmetric and sessile. In any case, the design of a small bathtub with a bathtub of an unusual shape will look very fashionable, modern and original, even despite the modest size of the room.
Corner models are considered the most optimal of all of the above, since their minimum size is only 90 cm in length and 55 cm in width. Most often, such bathtubs have special recesses resembling shelves. For the greatest comfort, they are produced for both right-handed and left-handed installation.
The design of a small bathtub with a bathtub of an unusual configuration, for example, in the form of a heart, a drop or tapering to one of the sides, looks very elegant, but compared to classic models they cost several times more.
Combined bathroom
The design of a small bath with a toilet is practically no different from the above. The only thing that the toilet will have to be added to the room. As for the size of the plumbing for such bathrooms, there are no clear standards.
It will be easy enough to find a suitable sink, bathtub, toilet bowl and shower cubicle in specialized stores. In addition, the same applies to design, since there are an incredible number of options for its execution, ranging from classical to the most elaborate forms.