We've all been in that typical 80's or 90's Greek bathroom: You open the door (which barely hits the sink), try to squeeze between the sink and the washing machine, and feel the walls slamming into you. When the available space is lacking—and we are talking about surfaces from 2 to 4 square meters—the slightest design failure costs dearly in your daily life.
Renovating a very small bathroom doesn't necessarily require knocking down walls to steal space from the next room. It requires millimeter precision design and the use of smart, modern materials. As engineers, we know that the goal is twofold: to fit all the essentials, while creating the optical illusion of a much larger space.
Let's look at the 5 layout techniques that will save your small bathroom.
A classic opening door requires about 0.8 to 1 square meter of clearance just to open inwards. In a 3 m2 bathroom, that's 1/3 of your total space!
The installation of a sliding door. If you're doing a complete renovation, go for a flush-mounted sliding door (which hides inside the wall, but requires double wall/plasterboard construction). If amenities must be limited, an exterior sliding (barn door type) that slides into the exterior wall of the hallway is the ultimate lifesaver.
The golden rule of small spaces is to free up the floor. The more solid flooring (tile) the eye sees, the bigger the room looks (and the easier it is to mop).
Forget bulky porcelain faucets. Placing the mechanism inside the wall (or in a narrow plasterboard structure), you gain 10-15 precious centimeters.
Ask the store for sanitary ware with "short projection". These basins are 48-50cm long instead of the standard 55-60cm, offering the same seat comfort but giving you extra room for your knees.
A heavy, wooden floor piece of furniture "suffocates" a small bathroom. You need something minimal and practical.
Choose a hanging piece of furniture with a depth of 30 to 40 cm (instead of the classic 50 cm). To prevent water from splashing out when you wash, choose a sink with an asymmetrical trough or place the faucet on the side.
In less than 4 sq.m. it is unlikely to accommodate a tall storage column. A 15 cm deep mirror-cabinet is absolutely necessary to hide cosmetics, toothbrushes and medicines, keeping the vanity counter clean (clutter-free).
Keeping a small (e.g. 1.20m), awkward bathtub that you rarely use just "cuts" the space.
Remove the raised platform. Continue the floor tile into the shower, giving the correct slopes towards an elegant linear drain. This "tricks" the eye, making the space appear huge.
Use a single, fixed, frameless separator.
Avoid sandblasted (sablé) or matte glass. The clear crystal allows light to penetrate the entire room, making it appear unified. If the shower door hits the sanitary ware, opt for split (retractable) glass that folds completely into the wall when you're not showering.
When you have no width, the only path is up.
Renovating a small bathroom is a "game" of measurements. Applying these solutions, you can transform even the smallest WC into a comfortable, highly functional space.
In the next article, we will look at a completely different challenge: How to properly arrange a Long Narrow Bathroom (hallway type layout) without it looking like a dark tunnel.
If you have built the wall to hide the built-in cistern, a "step" (shelf) is automatically created above. Use it for decoration or build ceiling-high floating shelves for folded towels.
Don't screw metal baskets into the already narrow shower (you'll bump your elbows). Ask your craftsman to create built-in niches between the bricks, which will seal perfectly and accommodate your shampoos without protruding even an inch.
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