Small bathrooms: how to make the most of them

1. Keep the floor clear. A wall-hung WC, a wall-hung basin and a floating vanity free the floor: the room looks bigger and is easier to clean.
2. Keep the centre open. A wall-hung or corner basin keeps the middle of the room free.
3. The door takes space too. A sliding or pocket door instead of one that swings inwards frees essential space.
4. Put the shower in the corner. A corner shower enclosure or a shorter bath designed for small spaces saves room.
5. Use the height. Shelves above the basin, a slim tall cabinet and the space above the WC: everything that does not take floor area.

One of the smartest choices for a small bathroom is a compact WC that projects less from the wall. A standard WC is generally 52–63 cm deep, a compact one about 48 cm. In our range these include Sento Rim-ex 49.5 cm and Integra Rim-ex 50 cm, both with VitrA Rim-ex technology, and the 52 cm S 20 wall-hung WC.

With a wall-hung WC, the depth of the concealed cistern matters too: slim 8 and 9 cm cisterns add less to the wall and give centimetres back to the room.

A short-projection basin sits snugly against the wall and saves space in a narrow bathroom. An undercounter or countertop basin leaves surface around it for everyday things and, together with a unit, makes a tidy corner.

In our catalogue, these suit a small bathroom especially well:

• ArchiPlan: 40×40 cm countertop basins and a compact 60×38 cm basin, in matt grey, stone grey and terra rossa;
• S20: undercounter basins of 38, 43 and 48 cm, and countertop basins from 45 to 55 cm;
• Zentrum: a 55 cm wall-hung basin with a tap hole.

In a small bathroom, furniture has to do two jobs. A compact unit holds everything you need in a small footprint and keeps the room tidy. A mirror cabinet plays a double role: the mirror visually enlarges the space, and the shelves hide toiletries out of sight. A slim tall unit uses height, not floor. And do not forget the space above the WC: a shelf or a cabinet fits there nicely.

• Light colours: whites, beiges and soft greys reflect light and make the room feel airier. One consistent palette avoids abrupt changes and makes the space read as a whole.
• Reflective surfaces: a mirror cabinet and chrome taps make the bathroom brighter.
• Layered lighting: add mirror lighting or an LED strip to the ceiling light; warm white light flatters both the room and your reflection.
• Large-format tiles: fewer grout lines make the surface seamless. Running the tiles from the floor partway up the wall shows the eye one continuous surface, so the room looks bigger.

• ArchiPlan A collection by Design Studio VitrA for homes, hotels, restaurants and cafés, especially those with smaller bathrooms. On our site: 40 cm countertop and monobloc basins, a compact 60×38 cm basin and accessories. See in the catalogue
• Zentrum A practical collection for the everyday bathroom: close-coupled WCs, some with VitrA Rim-ex, a wall-hung WC and a 55 cm wall-hung basin. See in the catalogue
• S20 A collection of compact sizes: undercounter basins from 38 cm, countertop basins from 45 to 55 cm and a 52 cm wall-hung WC. See in the catalogue