World's smallest bathroom
Thu, 4 Nov 2010Here is an email we received from a reader named Mari: "I have the world's smallest bathroom. I tried a couple of things, but nothing's seem to work in it. The worst thing it's not its small size, but how the things are put together. I even had an architect to take a look, but there was no way to change the things out of their original place. The bathroom is 83cm x 2.40m. The shower is 80x80cm. I was wondering if you can get me some ideas." I honestly don't know what to say about this because it really is T. I. N. Y. My advice is blow out a wall but I'm guessing that ain't gonna happen. An architect friend of Mari's said that it would be possible to blow out the wall on the left, but when it was time to do it, it was discovered that that was some kind of building regulation against it. So if you guys have any ideas for Mari, fire away! (P.S. I did a "small bathroom" reader request a couple months back but I'm not sure that post would even help in this case).
Reader Comments (43)
trust me. it's not the world's smallest. everybody's right. the cabinet and sink must go. can u switch the toilet and shower? maybe not. sliding door is also a great idea. u get addtl space by removing the old door.
Yeah streamline that sink closer to the wall and have you thought of a folding or even sliding door to minimalise the swing there? If you have the space outside in the hall a sliding door would give it more in the length and then you could have shelves above or below the sink... I have lived with a teeny tiny bathroom and kitchen before and its all about sliding doors giving more space!! Good luck!
One thing I haven't seen mentioned -- lighting. Shadows in a room that small are going to cut into the visual space. So light the heck out of it! If you can manage something intriguing and all-inclusive on the ceiling -- a run of small abalone chandaliers, something with sparkle, that stretches the length of the room and leaves nothing unlit, dingy or to the imagination -- then you'll improve on the feeling of spaciousness.
And like everyone else, I recommend going narrow, including the mirror, and totally decluttering. There are narrow rectangular floating sinks, which might work well in this space. Lose the cabinet, and if you need storage, go with a rolling wire bin. Definitely rehang the door to open out, and use the back of the door for everything you can, from towels to product storage.
Paint the tiles with a tile paint - I did it in a bathroom and kitchen - worked a treat! as your space is so small i suggest something very pale even just a super clean white for lots and lots of light - jazz the room up with a beautiful light fixture, mirror - there is loads you can do here!!
For small-space solutions I would definitely head to Ikea. A commenter above recommended the GODMORGON series, but I think I'd rather go for LILLÅNGEN, which is even narrower, only 16 1/8" deep. For example this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89858687 or this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09858672 with white doors.
If you go here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/bathroom and look at the two last pictures in the slideshow you can see how it looks in an actual space.
If you think there is room you could also replace the mirror above the sink with a mirrored medicine cabinet, if not you could replace the one you have with an even bigger one. And like others have said, a big mirror on the opposite wall would work wonders, I think.
And I wouldn't worry about the clutter. ;) Who doesn't have clutter in their bathroom? In a small space like yours where you can't hide everything away I'd try to put everything in matching neutral bottles - I got clear acrylic bottles from Muji for all my soaps and bathroom things. They are also square and would line up nicely on your shelf in the shower for example.
As for styling the space, I imagine some natural, rustic elements would work well with those tiles. A couple of dark wooden boxes for clutter that might accumulate in the window perhaps, a dark basket next to the toilet to hold toilet paper? A nice, soft bathmat in either white or dark brown. :)
Good luck with your space!
My small bathroom seems palatial after seeing this one. I feel claustrophic just looking at your pics.
"Treat the outside area as part of the bathroom"
This is a good idea -- I once had a tiny bathroom in an apartment that opened into the hall. In the hall I had a little inexpensive white cabinet with doors from Lowe's bathroom section, and it held toilet paper and towels which could be carried in when needed, and all the curling irons and things that I didn't use every day. It was in fact a great space saver.
Perhaps you're asking too much of this space. It could easily be left as is..it's not bad looking at all, but just use it for the most basic intended purposes: toilet, shower, handwashing & toothbrushing. Then create a space in your bedroom for dressing, makeup, hairstyling, etc with a vanity/dressing table, mirrors, etc.
hey Marie,
like many I'd remove the vanity...or change it.
If you have to keep it, mirror or paint it white/a bright fun colour...and push the sink back so it's flush with the wall.
If you can remove it:
create a narrower floating single drawer/ two with a mirrored surface / light colour
+ sink flush to the wall & integrated into the new vanity
I would also use a mirrored surface behind/above the toilet and if you dont want to re-tile
then if you can paint tiles a white or a brighter shade.
I would also add some type of shelving - along the line of the bottom of the mirror towards the toilet Molger is a cheap option and you can paint it http://www.ikea.co.il/?catid={1E364773-5DE7-4F32-B677-42BB228FE29D}&details_type=1&itemid={EF47C586-4C30-41A2-AB18-9FFFBB791C5A}
if you cant find glass. I'd probably make two shelves on top of each other so you have more storage...
rather than using the window as a shelf...I would also add a plant / plants to the window instead
I also agree with whoever recommended adding a glass shelf or something into shower
- there are rounded triangular ones that can fit into a corner to hold necessities
finally you can also add a towel rail horizontal to the shower door (kind of like what you have on an oven)
overall I think removing the big vanity & making narrower sink + single drawer &+ more shelving solutions
+ changing the colour of the tiles to something brighter/more reflective (with paint or retiling)
& extending mirrored surfaces will feel bigger & better (I wish the window wasn't there, I'd put a huge mirror over the toilet)
and I really recommend adding something living - green plant life - to the window sill
good luck!!!
Same idea: Nix the cabinet and get a pedestal sink
Oh, and if you can, remove the door and install a pocket door. Doors are often the last thing people think of when trying to create the illusion of more space
We have a tiny bathroom as well, though it's bigger than yours! I would definitely nix the pedestal sink idea. Sure it's pretty, but it doesn't allow for storage and in a small bathroom that's a big requirement. We're taking out our pedestal sink and replacing with a Lillangen sink from IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/15288/). They're only 16 inches/41 cm deep and come in three different lengths. They have a lot of storage for such a small space and will free up a lot of space.
For additional help, try a mirror over the toilet. That should visually open the space a bit.
Good luck!
Wow! That is little! Mine is tiny, as well : 3 ft., 8" by 7 feet. I am in the process of redoing it, and hope my blog can help you out!
Pedestal sink and shelving for storage. The cabinet takes up way too much space and a pedestal would immediately make things seem larger. Moving the storage up onto storage instead of on the floor in a cabinet woud open up floor space and give you more room. I also like the idea of a folding or even sliding door if it's possible.
I think it is simple, and some of the above comments have hinted atnit.
But I would remove all the unecessary items and make the entire space a wetroom., with the shower head on the ceiling. As long as you can store towels immediately outside ( sliding door) that's all you need.
Treat the space as a giant shower (with loo) rather than a small bathroom.
Remember, the average shower stall is 900x900.
If you're going to replace the tiles on the wall... put them horizontal. No busy patterns, plain white will give you the most spacious feel... keep colors to a minimum... just white and a little gray/black for contrast. Then add a bit of color (just one) with your towels, accessories, etc.
Hanging toilet also helps, and is easier to clean under.
Make door opening outward, instead of inward.
And get rid of all the bottles, etc. Just keep the bare minimum... preferably all in one color.
i would add a towel/product storage cabinet that fits over the toilet its a great way to add storage using wall space that doesnt usually get used
I have seen much smaller bathrooms here in Finland where you shower almost sitting on the toilet seat and they work very well and are very functional