Bathrooms: Small but perfectly formed
Having little space to work with can be challenging, but necessity is the mother of invention. We speak to two kbbreview award-nominated retailers to see how they’ve tackled tiny rooms, and bring you some of the latest solutions from suppliers.
Featured image: In recent years Victoria + Albert has increased its range of smaller baths, with a number of these just 1500mm long.
Words: Francesca Seden
In the UK, averaging at about two-metres squared, bijou bathrooms are the norm for many of us.
But, while bathrooms are generally on the small side, the average number of bathrooms per household is increasing, with en-suites a must-have for many and downstairs cloakrooms a requirement for new builds according to building regulations.
David Boddy, product manager at Abode notes how the company is seeing a greater demand for products that can translate in more than one bathroom space, like the cloakroom, en suite and family- sized bathroom.
“We already know that the British bathroom is typically compact in size, so being able to save on space and add utility around the wash zone has become an important consideration. There is a natural evolution in fixtures and fittings coming together for a complete solution.”
In terms of design, trends continue to be around injecting personality and individuality, with the majority not shying away from bold schemes – from dark colours, to wacky prints, and cloakrooms that give guests something to talk about – everything goes.
So, how does one really maximise the limited square-footage or awkward spaces? We ask two designers for a case study to see how they’ve achieved it.
Case study // Alfa Tiles, Lukas Kedden
What was the brief from the client?
To transform a small bedroom-adjacent office into a moody and luxurious shower en-suite. The clients, a young couple in their 30s, were really impressed with one of the showroom bays at our design studio, and said they wanted us to partially replicate it in their home.
What were the main design challenges that you faced in terms of this space?
Since the original space was not a bathroom to begin with, I would say the main challenge was to run all new plumbing to and from the en-suite.
Apart from the aforementioned, the space was not large but also not too tight to work around in, and the room’s simple shape allowed us to include all of the main necessities.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Thankfully, the floor joists were running parallel to the toilet and shower wall, which allowed us to easily install a walk-in wetroom shower with the waste pipe at the degree of slope to ensure proper drainage. Fortunately, that meant any structural changes weren’t necessary.
The main issue of the toilet waste pipe was resolved by us constructing a half-height studded wall, which houses not only the toilet cistern, but also the concealed thermostatic valve for the shower (since it was not possible to chisel the valve into the brickwork). The waste pipe was then connected to the main stack outside the house.
This “box” also acts as a shelf and provides useful storage in the shower area. To complement it, we also created two additional floating shelves which use LED lighting to create a sense of ambience in the evening.
What products did you use, and what products would you tend to recommend?
To fit the spec of “moody, luxurious”, the design team chose to include quality fittings that not only look the part, but are also made from high-quality materials and components. Brands featured include Graff, Novellini, Origins Living, GSI, and the Hex radiator is by Terma.
What are your thoughts on the final design?
We really like it! It is completely different from the family room (which is contemporary black and white) and the rest of the house, and yet matches the clients’ fun yet bold personalities.
We especially like the combination of geometric shapes, which we extensively talked about with the clients during the presentation – they were all in for a mix of squares, rounded shapes and hexagons.
We also love the large 120x120cm rusted metal tiles, as they both enlarge the room with minimal grouting, as well as cozy it up with the dark colours.
What key things do you believe designers should bear in mind when tackling a tiny space?
When designing a tiny space, it’s essential for designers to maximize functionality without compromising on aesthetics.
Work with the architecture – embrace sloped ceilings, awkward corners, or limited height by placing fixtures strategically. For example, showers need full height, while most baths can fit just as well under areas with lower ceilings.
Create a focal point – a strong design feature, like a striking shower or freestanding basin, draws attention and helps to make everything in the space feel intentional rather than restricted.
Prioritise flow and accessibility – ensure movement within the space feels natural. Double-entry showers, wall-mounted fixtures, or walk-around layouts can also do wonders to enhance a space’s functionality.
Keep It visually open – frameless glass, light color palettes (although in some cases it’s great to embrace bold colours such as in cloakrooms), and clever lighting can make a small space feel larger and more inviting.
Use smart products – opt for space-saving solutions like semi-freestanding baths designed for corners or wet room systems that simplify installation and avoid unnecessary bulk.
Conceal where possible – hidden plumbing and integrated storage help maintain a clean, uncluttered look, preventing the space from feeling cramped. By thoughtfully balancing form and function, even the smallest spaces can feel spacious, stylish, and well-designed.
Case study // Stone and Chrome, Shane Fraser
What was the brief from the client?
To create a guest bathroom in a loft space with awkward sloped ceilings, making the most of the unique layout while ensuring the design felt timeless and interesting. It needed to include both a bath and a shower, but storage wasn’t a priority since the bathroom will only be used occasionally.
The focus was on creating a functional yet beautiful design that works with the architecture rather than against it, making the most of natural light, materials, and thoughtful details to create a stylish space.
What were the main challenges that you faced in terms of the space?
The main challenge was undoubtedly the sloped ceiling, which required careful planning to ensure the space felt open and functional rather than cramped.
I was fortunate to have eaves space on either side, which made routing the pipework much easier. This allowed for smart solutions like a wall-mounted WC without major complications. The key was working with the ceiling angles rather than against them, ensuring that every element felt intentional and well-placed.
How did you overcome these challenges?
To overcome the issue with the sloped ceiling, I had to make the most of the full-height area of the room for the shower. This led to creating a double-entry shower, which not only solved the spatial constraints but also became a striking design feature. The open-ended entry creates a sense of flow and spaciousness, making the shower the focal point of the room.
With the shower as a bold statement, I positioned the freestanding basin in front of the glass, reinforcing the clean, contemporary look. All the plumbing is cleverly concealed within the basin, running neatly down to the floor, ensuring a seamless aesthetic. To access the shower, you walk through the lower, sloped part of the room before stepping into the full-height shower space, making clever use of the space’s own architecture.
The semi-freestanding bath was another key element in making the most of the loft’s unique layout. Designed specifically for corner solutions, it was the perfect fit for the lower-height area, as bathing doesn’t require the same headroom as a shower.
This allowed us to utilise every part of the space effectively while maintaining a luxurious and cohesive design. The placement of the bath also enhances the room’s balance, ensuring that even in a challenging space, functionality and aesthetics work seamlessly together.
What products did you use, and what ones do you recommend?
Impey wet floor systems, Hansgrohe brassware, and Laufen for the sanitaryware.
What are your thoughts on the final design?
I’d have loved to incorporate bespoke glass that followed the slope of the ceiling, but it wasn’t feasible within the client’s budget. I also envisioned integrating a mirror, such as having the entire glass panel mirrored, but again, it wasn’t possible due to budget. That said, the client was absolutely thrilled with the end result.
What key things do you believe designers should bear in mind when tackling a tiny space?
The most important aspect of any room is its functionality. There has to be sufficient space to use each component of the bathroom. It’s great if the room matches the client’s vibes, but if they struggle to use the loo due to a sloped roof, then that will always be a problem and maybe you should think about re-positioning it.
Additionally, it’s always great to consider how existing lighting affects the room and what could be improved about it. Also it’s worth noting to try to design the room to match the homeowners’ personalities – we all want to feel “at home”, so if the layout and technical difficulties are sorted out first, the thematical design that follows is pure fun.