Best Small Bathroom Decor Ideas

People living in smaller homes might feel like they are at a disadvantage with space. But with a little creativity and imagination, even the smallest bathroom can be turned into a stylish and functional space.

Comfortable Over Cramped

The golden rule with small bathrooms is "comfortable over cramped." With so little floor space to work with, make every inch count. Make sure your bathroom is not cramped or crowded; there are many various options for doing this. The most essential thing you can do is ensure that everything you need has its own space and is within easy reach.

Here are our favorite small bathroom ideas that can help turn your small bathroom into a refreshing oasis:

Open Shelving

If you have some extra space on one of the walls in your powder room, consider installing a few floating shelves. This will give you additional storage space without taking up too much room. One place this may be especially helpful is above the back of the toilet.

Many people hang artwork above the toilet to fill wall space or just leave it as dead space. Use the wall area between the back of the toilet and the ceiling to install open shelving. You can store towels, soaps, toiletries, or other items there. You'd be surprised how much storage you can actually create, and it can make a small bathroom feel just as spacious as any other.

Light Colors

If your small bathroom feels cramped, painting the walls a light color can help give the illusion of more space. Some people go crazy with paint colors in their bathrooms because it's a socially acceptable place to have vibrant paint in a house, but try to stick with lighter colors. They can make a small bathroom feel lighter and airier.

Soft glowing white is the best color for creating the illusion of additional space, but you can also try light blue, light yellow, soft grey, or even a nice light green. When you use light colors, try not to get stark hues or neon colors. That can be overwhelming to the senses. Stark or neon colors can even make people feel anxious, which is not ideal in an already small space.

Towel Hooks

Towel hooks are a great way to add storage without taking up too much space. Look for decorative towel hooks that can be mounted on the wall or door.

One thing you want to avoid is piling things on the hooks, though. Putting too many things on the hooks will make your bathroom appear dirty and cramped. You want to limit yourself to one item per hook.

Recessed Cabinets

Recessed cabinets are another great way to add storage to a small bathroom. These can be installed above the toilet, mirror, shower, or other tight spaces.

Shower & Tub Combos

If you have a small bathroom, chances are you don't have a lot of space for a separate shower and tub. A great way to save space is to install a shower/tub combo. These come in a variety of styles and can be found at most home improvement stores.

Mirrors

Adding a mirror to your small bathroom will also help create the illusion of more space. Mirrors reflect light and make the room appear larger than it actually is.

Baskets

Baskets are a great way to add storage to a small bathroom. Look for baskets that fit nicely on shelves or in corners and use them to store items such as towels, toiletries, or cleaning supplies.

Pocket Door

As far as small bathroom ideas go, this one tends to get overlooked. If your small bathroom has a door that swings into the room, consider replacing it with a pocket door. Pocket doors slide into the wall and don't take up any space when they are open. This can be a great way to save space in a small bathroom.

Glass Shower Door

If you have a shower, consider replacing the shower curtain with a glass shower door. Glass shower doors make the shower appear larger and let in more light, which can make the whole room appear brighter and more spacious.

Also, keep in mind that if you're choosing decorative or bespoke wall tiles for inside the shower, you should have a glass door so you can actually see the beautiful wall tiles when you enter the bathroom.

If you're trying to save money by going the shower curtain route, get a white or frosted shower curtain to keep things light and bright. See-through might be a little much because shower curtains collect mildew easily.

Natural Light

If your tiny bathroom doesn't have a lot of light, consider adding a skylight or window. This will let in more light and make the room appear brighter and more open. If you're concerned about privacy, get a frosted glass window. Frosted glass makes it so that no one can see clearly into your bathroom, but you can still get natural light and fresh air.

Pedestal Sink

If you have a small bathroom, consider replacing your regular sink with a pedestal sink. The pedestal is a sleek, minimalist design that's easy to clean and maintain in a powder room. Pedestal sinks take up less space than regular sinks, making the room appear more open. If you're unfamiliar with pedestal sinks, they have a thin column and a tiny basin on top.

If you're not into the idea of a traditional pedestal or need the floor space under the sink for additional storage, you can also install a floating vanity in your tiny bathroom.

Explained: The Bathroom Remodeling Process

Okay, now that you have small bathroom ideas flowing through your mind, we want to give you some concrete steps to make your dreamy bathroom come to life. There are so many moving parts in a bathroom remodel, and knowing where to start can be somewhat confusing. More than that, staying the course once the remodel has started can feel overwhelming and chaotic.

We have five key tips for remodeling your tiny bathroom that should act as your high-level guiding lights to get through the remodeling process quickly, smoothly, and successfully. Let's get started!

1. What Do You Want To Change?

The first step in updating your bathroom is to select the modifications you wish to make. Do you desire a full makeover or just some minor improvements? You can begin planning your budget and timeline once you know what you want to change.

If you don't know exactly what you want but know your bathroom needs to be redesigned or updated, seek advice from an expert. Some renovation businesses, such as RUPP Family Builders in Portland, employ professional in-house interior designers who work alongside their experienced remodeling contractors to give you the best small bathroom ideas. In-house interior designers at a building company are rare. They can be an invaluable resource for homeowners throughout the renovation process.

2. Find Your Budget

It's crucial to have a budget when beginning a bathroom remodel. Before you begin, figure out how much money you're willing to spend on the project. Allocate funds to different aspects of the small bathroom remodel based on priority.

If you're unsure what your budget or how much you can expect to spend, contact a remodeling company for a free estimate. This is an easy approach to figuring out how much you'll pay for a bathroom renovation and the level of quality and detail it will include.

3. Find Your Contractor

If you don't feel confident taking on the remodel yourself, you'll need to hire a contractor. Do some research to identify a reputable local contractor who can complete your project within your budget and timeline.

You're looking for a local, qualified, honest, and collaborative company that prioritizes client interactions. You want someone who can do high-quality work and is willing to work within your constraints to find the best remodeling solutions.

4. Layout a Timeline

After you've hired a contractor, it's time to establish a schedule for the work. Make sure to anticipate unexpected delays and build a little extra time into the schedule to accommodate. This is yet another place where your contractor's integrity and open communication will be crucial.

This is a very crucial consideration since at least one of your bathrooms will be inaccessible for an extended time. While bathrooms aren't the largest room in your house, there are numerous moving pieces, and you should want your craftsmen and building experts to take their time and do the task correctly rather than rushing through it.

5. Be Flexible

Being flexible when the unexpected happens is the key to a successful bathroom renovation. And, believe us, unforeseen events will arise along the road that neither you nor your contractor will be able to prevent. That's simply how projects go in construction and design. Make sure you and your contractor keep in touch frequently so that the project goes as planned. If there are any delays or setbacks, make sure to alter the schedule accordingly.

How Much Does It Cost to Completely Remodel a Bathroom?

If you're planning on doing a complete makeover of your bathroom, be sure to budget correctly and be prepared for any hiccups along the road. You may ensure that your bathroom remodel goes as smoothly as possible by preparing in advance and knowing what to anticipate.

Here are some of the bathroom remodeling expenses you may anticipate paying if you have a full bathroom renovation done in your Portland home:

Cost of Labor

Bathroom renovations are often time-consuming, so consider labor costs when calculating your bathroom remodeling expenses. If you're confident enough in your DIY skills to save money on labor, ensure you include the cost of materials for your new bathroom.

Cost of Materials

The cost of materials will differ based on the size and extent of your bathroom makeover. Tile, faucets, vanities, and countertops are examples of common bathroom renovation supplies. Get bids from multiple bathroom remodelers to get the lowest price on the materials you require.

Generally, contractors get deep discounts from suppliers on bulk materials, so if you are spending a lot of professional labor, you might still be able to save some money through your contractor's discounts.

Current Bathroom Remodel Costs

The cost of renovating a small bathroom in Portland, and throughout the Pacific Northwest in general, ranges between $25,000 and $45,000 according to the 2021 Cost vs. Value study.

Obviously, there is a significant gap between these values; your bathroom may cost much more or much less than that. Some common things that cause that price to skyrocket in large and small bathrooms alike are high-quality or extravagant materials, plumbing and electrical, and re-designs of showers.

Remodeling With Supply Chain Issues: Worth It?

If you're planning a complete bathroom renovation in the near future, you may have already noticed that some of your usual materials are either unavailable or come with a hefty price tag. The prolonged effects of COVID-19 on global supply chains have led to shortages in many construction materials, including lumber, tile, and appliances.

The demand for supplies, labor, and materials has not waned though, which means that homeowners are ready and willing to do remodeling projects in their homes. It just seems that the slowed economy can't keep up. Government, manufacturers, and suppliers fell short during the pandemic, and they're still struggling to streamline.

Despite these challenges, it is still possible to renovate your bathroom within your budget and timeline. You'll have to be extremely flexible with material options and very patient with installation timelines. In this day and age, it's best to expect the worst and hope for the best.

Get Started on Your Bathroom Remodel Today!

There you have it! Those are our best small bathroom ideas. We hope these tips will give you the guidance you need to get started on your tiny bathroom remodel so you can make the most of your small space. The most important thing is to be patient, do your research, and find a reputable contractor that you can trust. With proper planning and execution, you can transform your tiny space, and your bathroom renovation will be a success!Don't forget to get your free bathroom remodeling estimate from local Portland remodels, RUPP Family Builders. They'll help you plan and budget for your small bathroom makeover so that you can get the bathroom of your dreams!