Rethinking the layout of a small bathroom

Garrison, New York

Rethinking the Layout of a Small Bathroom

In every project, there is usually a room that proves to be tricky - be it due to the size, awkward architectural features or difficult proportions. In this lesson I share how I tackled a small and awkward bathroom in this project.

Tips for Approaching a Small Room

• A good window is the starting point to a good room, and this is especially important if you are struggling with the rest of the room. Think about how a layout might make best use of it - in this bathroom, I knew I wanted to find a bath that would fit beneath the window to make it feel cosy and inviting.

• A small scale patterned wallpaper provides definition and texture, as well as helping to draw in a small room to make it feel even cosier.

• It is sometimes the case that you will achieve a better room if you just let it do one thing really well. We decided to forgo a shower in this bathroom, allowing it to be the most beautiful space it could be to have a bath.

• If you are presented with a long and narrow room, try to avoid running things lengthways down it as this will just accentuate its narrowness. Instead, see if you can place pieces horizontally to create squarer footprints within the space.

• Remember, it's often the really tiny spaces that become the most special. Have fun designing them and take pleasure in thinking of clever ways to use the space.

Sourcebook

Basin from Waterworks

Lee wallpaper, by Hinson