Designing a small bathroom can feel like a puzzle, especially when you want it to feel spacious, stylish and practical. With the right layout, furniture and lighting techniques, even the smallest room can look and function beautifully. Whether you’re working with a cloakroom, ensuite or petite family bathroom, these small bathroom space-saving ideas will help you make the most of every inch.
At Modern Living Direct, we make it easier to achieve this transformation. Our range includes everything from space-saving baths to slimline shower enclosures, low-profile shower trays, concealed shower valves and a wide choice of compact bathroom furniture. These are all designed to help you build a bathroom that works beautifully within limited space.
What are The Best Bathroom Layouts for Maximum Impact?
Before investing in furniture or fixtures, start with your layout. In a compact room, every decision has a bigger effect, so choosing the right layout can instantly transform how the space feels and functions.
Corner Fixtures
If your bathroom feels cramped, corner fittings can free up central floor space and improve the natural flow of movement. Corner toilets, basins and shower enclosures help you make the most of an otherwise unused area.
- A corner shower enclosure creates a neat, streamlined footprint that opens up the rest of the room.
- Pairing it with a slim offset quadrant shower tray maximises standing space without overwhelming the layout.
For easy sliding doors, hidden fixings and conveniently corner-framed, why not consider the Coda Aspire Framed Quadrant? Sliding doors are particularly useful in smaller bathrooms because they glide sideways rather than swinging into valuable floor space. It gives you flexibility in the rest of the room, making it easier to position other furniture around it.
Not the shape you’re looking for? Browse our full collection of shower enclosures for more inspiration.
Wall-Hung Fixtures
Wall-hung basins, toilets and vanity units are ideal compact bathroom ideas because they lift furniture off the floor, instantly creating the illusion of more space. This small visual change makes the room feel lighter, cleaner and far less boxed-in.
Basin options include:
Cudos Elloria Wall Hung Vanity Unit With Basin
Designed with integrated storage drawers, this option is ideal if you want to keep toiletries, towels, and everyday essentials tucked away but within easy reach. The vanity unit hides plumbing neatly and creates a streamlined, clutter-free look.
Sevilla Wall Hung Basin Unit with Basin
While also wall-hung and stylish, the Sevilla option usually offers a simpler storage solution, perfect if you prefer minimalist design or don’t need as much built-in space.
Take a look at our complete range of wash basins, from countertop to wall-mounted and semi-recessed, to find the perfect fit for your space.
Short Projection Furniture
Short-projection or narrow-depth furniture is another powerful layout tool. These slimmer cabinets and vanity units allow full functionality without intruding into the walkway or feeling oversized. They’re especially useful in long, narrow bathrooms or cloakrooms where every centimetre counts.
Pairing short-projection units with wall-hung designs doubles the impact, helping your compact layout feel both spacious and thoughtfully designed.
Think About the Room’s Visual Flow
For maximum impact in a small bathroom, the best layouts keep the longest sightlines as clear as possible. That means:
- Placing bulkier items (like tall storage units) on shorter walls
- Using corners for fixtures that naturally sit out of the way
- Choosing furniture with clean lines, hidden fixings and minimal visual clutter
This creates a layout that feels balanced, open and easy to move through, even if the footprint is modest.
Choosing Baths and Showers Designed for Small Bathrooms
Now you have considered layout options. Choosing the right shower or bath can transform how spacious your bathroom feels.
Space-Saving Baths
A bath may seem impossible in a small bathroom, but cleverly designed models can fit where you’d least expect.
Modern Living Direct offers a range of compact baths including:
- Shorter-length baths ideal for ensuites or narrow rooms
- Shower baths that combine two functions in one footprint
These are ideal if you want the luxury of a bath without sacrificing flow and comfort.
For more information or if you want to explore other options, you can view the full range of our baths including specific panels, screens and accessories.
Slimline Shower Enclosures
A well-chosen shower enclosure can completely reshape a tiny room’s layout. When selecting from Modern Living Direct’s range of shower enclosures, consider:
- Quadrant or offset quadrant enclosures that curve away from walkways
- Bi-fold doors that fold inward instead of projecting out
- Sliding doors that save space in tight layouts
Pair your enclosure with a perfectly sized shower tray – Modern Living Direct’s slim, low-profile trays create a sleek, modern finish that helps a room feel more open.
Efficient Shower Valves
Compact, concealed shower valves offer a clean, uncluttered look. By hiding pipework behind the wall, they save space visually and contribute to a more contemporary aesthetic. This is one of the easiest ways to streamline your bathroom design without changing your layout.
What are Visual Tricks to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger?
Beyond storage and layout, clever design choices can significantly change how the room feels.
Large Format Tiles
Small tiles with heavy grout lines can feel busy. Large tiles help reduce visual clutter and make walls appear more seamless and open. For tile inspiration from laminate to modern vinyl, browse our full flooring collection.
Light Colours
Soft whites, greys and pastel tones reflect light better than dark ones. If you prefer bolder colours, use them on accessories rather than main surfaces.
Glass Shower Screens
Clear glass screens keep sightlines open and prevent the room feeling boxed-in. Avoid frosted or patterned glass in very small spaces unless necessary for privacy.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves add style without adding heaviness. Use them sparingly to avoid clutter.
Saving Space with Modern Living Direct
Small bathrooms don’t need to feel restrictive. With the right mix of intelligent layout decisions, space-saving furniture and clever lighting, you can transform even the smallest room into a beautiful, practical sanctuary.
From space-efficient shower enclosures to slim shower trays, Modern Living Direct offers everything you need to build a stylish, functional bathroom – no matter the size.
Have you spotted a bath, shower enclosure or piece of compact bathroom furniture on our website and want a closer look before deciding? Why not visit our Bradford showroom. We display a variety of our most popular space-saving bathroom products so you can see sizes, finishes and quality in person. Our team is on hand throughout the week, ready to offer advice and share their product knowledge to help you choose the best options for your small bathroom makeover.
If you can’t make it in, feel free to give us a call! Our friendly sales team is always happy to help.