So you have the perfect historic bungalow in Arlington — except for the fact that the bathroom is absolutely tiny. No budget or inclination for a major bathroom expansion? No problem. There are plenty of options for making small bathrooms look and work bigger without pushing out any walls. “In the D.C. metro area specifically, we deal with a lot of older houses that have old bones and much smaller bathrooms than the modern day homes,” says Colleen Shaut, senior designer at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. in Bethesda. As a result, area decorators are accustomed to working with undersized spaces, and there are more and more suppliers offering trendy and contemporary ideas to liven up a small washroom while offering storage and space solutions.
One option is to combine two or more fixtures into one. Shaut says companies such as Roca and Caroma offer “W+W’s,” an eco-friendly two-in-one sink and commode. The design, which features a refill system that filters the basin’s water for reuse in the cistern, has received numerous awards, including environmental design honors, because of its ability to save water and space.
Also popular are bathtubs that offer extra storage space. “I’ve found that the Kohler Highbridge tub offers a little bit of extra storage,” says Shaut, pointing out that built-in cubbies can be customized to fit the specific owner’s needs, whether that means finding storage for children’s bath toys or space for towels. And there are also smaller tubs made just for one. The Keops Evolution bathtub measures 67 x 35 inches and, in addition to storage compartments, can offer spa-like features, such as ergonomic handles, a headrest, water-jet or air-jet massage, and aromatherapy.
Meanwhile, space-saving sinks, such as the Tangens Washbasin, offer an unusual flat surface, giving a room a stylish and contemporary look while leaving more under-the-sink room for storing linens and bath supplies. Shaut also recommends wall-hung or pedestal sinks from Barclay. And for extremely tiny rooms (or if you’d rather opt for a larger tub) check out the line of small Elanti sinks measuring 13 or 15 inches in circular or square designs.
For stylish towel storage, Megan Padilla, designer at Aidan Design in Bethesda, suggests towel radiators from Runtal Radiators to provide options for hanging and heating towels at the same time. These fixtures come in a wide range of styles, colors, and sizes that can fit into any room design. “Replacing an existing radiator with a European-style radiator, which has a smaller footprint, can free up space and add a really unique and modern feature to the bath,” adds Padilla. And what’s better than snuggling up in a warmed towel or bathrobe?
But if a radiator isn’t part of your room, open shelves and glass-front cabinets can offer another storage option.
“Closed cabinets for the vanity area can start to look bulky and make the small space feel smaller,” explains Shaut. “Glass front cabinets can help the space feel less crowded and still provide storage. The glass can be frosted or opaque to conceal clutter.” Shaut also recommends using storage bins or decorative boxes on open shelves to keep things organized, clutter-free, and aesthetically pleasing. “Hotel shelves inside the shower are super popular right now,” adds Shaut, who says these non-bulky storage pieces can be found at Ginger Company, Restoration Hardware and Moen.
Above all, when selecting bathroom fixtures, Shaut says to keep size and clearance in mind to find the right fixture or storage solution for your small space.
