5 Tile Design Tips to Maximise a Small Bathroom

Expanding your space

We know most people have had those moments where they look at their small bathroom and the limited space it provides and just thought how can I make this look stylish? We understand your struggle and let’s be honest, most of us have been there!

But luckily for us, the beauty of bathroom tiles is that they are versatile, come in various styles, sizes, and colors, and can make a significant impact on the overall look and feel of a room. Most people don’t even realise how important the selection of tiles, placement and finish is when designing a small room. So here are 5 tile design tips to help maximise your small bathroom space.

Bathroom Sink Crewe

1. Choose Light and Airy Colors

In a small bathroom, light colors are key to creating the illusion of space by reflecting more light. Shades like white, light grey, beige, or pastels like light green or baby blue can make your bathroom feel larger and airier. Avoid dark colored tiles, as they tend to make the space feel more enclosed by making the walls look closer together. A recent trend that people have picked up on to help enhance the look of their bathrooms is painting the ceiling the same colour as their main walls or feature walls to make them appear taller and give them an endless appearance.

2. Use Larger Tiles

Try to select larger tiles, 600 x 600mm is recommended or even bigger. Larger tiles have fewer grout lines, which means the bathroom will appear less cluttered and it also makes the space look more expansive. Avoid using too many small tiles, as they can make the room look busy and more enclosed. Larger tiles also help make the walls or floor look continuous, which adds to the feeling of openness to the bathroom.

3. Incorporate Vertical Tiles

For a tall, elongated look, consider laying tiles vertically on the walls. This trick gives the illusion of height and can make the ceiling seem higher than it is, which is a great option for a small bathroom. Vertical subway tiles, for instance, are a popular design choice that works wonders in compact spaces.

4. Opt for Plain Tiles

Over the years people have become more adventurous with their use of patterns and textures, but if you want to make the most out of your small space, ensure you choose both plain wall and floor tiles. This is a simple and easy way to open your small bathroom space and draw attention away from any busy patterns or textures.

5. Keep all main features similar colours

It is important to keep all your bathroom features within the same or similar colour palette to not only make your room more cohesive but also help blend areas of the room together more seamlessly. With many bathrooms, where people like to play around with different colour pallets, your eyes tend to dart around picking up on them and draw attention away from viewing the room as one effortless piece.

Stone Flooring Cheshire

Additional Helpful Tips to Enhance your Bathroom

Use of lighting

Enhance the use of lighting by carefully choosing where to dedicate your light fixtures. This not only makes a room more inviting but also more open, you can utilise light by putting it in key areas such as using a saber bar above vanity units as the horizontal bar visibly expands the area and is a sleek light source. Alternatively, to aim for even illumination and to minimise shadows, use revive lighting in the ceiling to unify equal lighting and reduce dark spots. You are can also choose warm lighting or colder lighting to brighten up your room depending on your preference and whether you want that homely, comfortable feel or a more uplifting, spacious room.

You can use mirror placement to your advantage in any room to make a space appear larger, this is because a mirror will reflect the room and make it appear twice the size. A couple of the best places to fit a mirror in a small space are above your vanity/sink so it creates depth and reflects light, and a full body mirror either on the opposite wall as you enter the bathroom or alternatively on the back of the door, which is more space saving and frees up wall space.

Clever storage solutions are the key to designing a small bathroom, you need to thoroughly analyse the space and ask yourself, how can I utilise this? The most common ideas people have had for enhancing smaller spaces, in particular bathrooms, are placing shelves around the toilet, but keeping it simple and remaining within the colour and theme of the overall room. Cabinets with mirrors above the sink so you can combine both storage and visibility, are popularly used in bathrooms for hidden essentials like toiletries and perfume.

How we can help transform your bathroom

Maximising a small bathroom doesn’t mean compromising on style or functionality. With the right tile choices, clever lighting, and smart design techniques, you can completely transform your space into something that feels open, elegant, and uniquely yours. From light colour palettes to thoughtful storage solutions, each design decision plays a role in creating a bathroom that feels much larger than it really is.

At Ceramic Tiles & Bathrooms Crewe, we’re here to help you every step of the way—from choosing the perfect tiles to planning out your dream bathroom. Whether you’re starting a full renovation or just looking to refresh your space, our expert team is ready to turn your vision into a reality.

Ready to make your small bathroom feel big on style?

Visit us in-store in Crewe or give us a call today on 01270 251124 to speak to our design specialists!

Let’s create a bathroom you’ll love, no matter the size!

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