When it comes to interior design, you’ve neglected your bathroom since moving in. Why? Because it’s too small to spruce up, let alone use comfortably. In fact, it’s your least favorite room in the house. Is there any way to change that?

A smart bathroom remodel starts with evaluating the size of the space and how to maximize it. Here at ZINTEX Remodeling, we’ve helped to transform some seriously tiny bathrooms with upgrades like tub to shower conversions. Now, we’re here to help you, too.

Discover the best bathroom remodel ideas for small spaces and our top tips for implementing them.

Maximizing Storage in a Small Bathroom

Clutter only serves to make a small bathroom feel smaller. The right storage solutions can ensure that there’s a place for everything, but you’ll need to get creative when you’re working with limited space. If your current layout doesn’t include a linen closet, consider incorporating these pieces into your bathroom remodel.

The storage solution	How to use it
Mirrored medicine cabinets	Hang over the vanity Store small toiletries, jewelry, and accessories
Open hanging shelves	Hang on an open wall that isn’t in the path of the door Store extra rolls of toilet paper, washcloths, and larger toiletries
Linen hooks	Hang over the bathroom door Store full-sized towels, robes, and other linens you’re actively using
Over-the-toilet shelves	Secure to the wall behind the toilet for safety Store clean towels, extra toiletries, and cleaning supplies

💡Tip: Keep bathroom measurements on hand before making any storage-related purchases to ensure that all pieces will fit properly in the space. This is especially important when retrofitting furnishings like over-the-toilet shelves.

Making the Space-Saving Tub to Shower Conversion

In a small bathroom, your soaking tub may feel less like the perfect place to unwind and more like a space-hogging eyesore. Not only do tubs require more space than walk in showers (the standard tub is 60” x 32”), but features like the exterior wall panel and shower curtain can make the space feel even smaller.

Walk in showers are a popular choice for small bathrooms because of the design versatility they offer. For example, you can replace your tub with a walk in shower that has a smaller footprint. Alternatively, you can use the same square footage but install a glass sliding door that creates more visual space.


Before a ZINTEX tub to shower conversion	After a ZINTEX tub to shower conversion

You should consider a tub to shower conversion if:

✅No one in your household uses the tub

✅Space maximization in your small bathroom is a top priority

✅A walk in shower would support the mobility needs of a member of your household

You should keep your tub (with or without upgrades) if:

❌It’s your only tub and you want the option to take baths

❌You can maximize space by changing other features in your bathroom

❌You use the tub for reasons other than bathing (such as stripping linens)

Selecting Small Bathroom Furnishings for Scale

Your tub isn’t the only thing that might be taking up too much space in your small bathroom. It’s time to take a closer look at your bathroom sink and determine if a smaller vanity would be more appropriate for the scale of your bathroom. This is especially important if you have a double vanity or a vanity that doesn’t contribute much in the way of storage. Consider alternatives such as a:

Single vanity: a sink with built-in storage, usually a single cabinet
Console sink: a sink built on top of metal or wooden legs
Floating vanity: A sink that is installed directly into the wall

💡Tip: If you choose either a console sink or a floating vanity, consider using baskets to create under-sink storage space.

Creating the Illusion of Space With Color

If you’re looking to make a big impact on a tight budget, a new coat of paint is going to do the trick. Adding a strategic second color helps to create the illusion of more space. For example, you can make your bathroom look:

Taller by painting the walls a darker color than the floor
Longer by painting the ceiling and the far wall a darker color than the left and right walls
Wider by painting only the top half of the left, right, and far walls a darker color than the bottom half of those walls and the ceiling (effectively sandwiching the dark color between the light color)

Best Bathroom Remodel Ideas for Small Spaces

Alternatively, you can use a light, neutral color palette to make your bathroom appear bright and spacious. This is a great option if your bathroom gets plenty of natural light, but may not have the desired effect in a windowless bathroom.

💡Tip: If you’re planning on DIYing any of your bathroom remodel steps to save money, DIY painting is a good place to start. Painter’s tape and patience can go a long way to making your new coat of paint look professional.

Choosing Bathroom Materials for Easy Maintenance

Tight spaces and cramped corners aren’t always the easiest to clean. As we mentioned earlier, however, a messy bathroom will only feel smaller–and less appealing to spend time in. By opting for bathroom materials that are easy to clean and maintain, you can make your small bathroom a more relaxed and inviting environment.

How can you determine which materials will be easiest to maintain? Let’s take a closer look at the maintenance pros and cons of some of the most commonly used shower and tub wall materials.

Materials

Maintenance Pros

Maintenance Cons

Acrylic

✅Easy to clean with most common cleaning supplies

✅100% waterproof

✅No resealing or regrouting necessary

✅Hard to crack or damage

❌Certain chemicals or abrasive cleaners could cause surface damage or discoloration

❌Will require replacement of full panels if the acrylic cracks or breaks

✅Easy to clean individual tiles

✅Easy to replace damaged tiles as needed

❌Grout requires frequent resealing and a lot of elbow grease to clean

❌Grout is porous and can cause water damage and mold growth over time

Solid surface

✅Easy to wipe down

✅Waterproof with proper care

✅Difficult to damage

❌Cleaning supplies not designed for natural stone can cause permanent damage

❌Natural stone is porous and requires resealing to ensure a waterproof shower

💡Tip: Want the ease of maintenance offered by acrylic but the aesthetic of tile or solid surface? Opt for higher-end acrylic to access more versatile design options, including etched acrylic that resembles tile or patterned acrylic that resembles natural stone.

Incorporating Practical Decor Into Your Small Bathroom

When you’re remodeling a cramped space, it’s easy to conclude that there’s simply no room for decor. The problem is that without decor, your bathroom will feel pretty impersonal. The compromise? Incorporate decor that serves a practical purpose, such as:

Attractive light fixtures such as sconces or vanity lighting
Storage baskets that reflect your design style (e.g., wicker or rattan in a coastal or bohemian bathroom)
Stylish covers for everyday items like hand soap, tissue boxes, and toilet brushes

Take the same approach when choosing the accessories for your shower remodel. Built-in corner caddies and soap niches are great examples of shower accessories that look great while increasing storage.

Learn More About Shower Conversions With ZINTEX Remodeling

Gone are the days of neglecting your bathroom and assuming you could only make improvements with more square footage. These bathroom remodel ideas are perfect for small bathrooms just like yours.

At ZINTEX Remodeling, we’ve done thousands of walk in shower remodels and tub to shower conversions. How would a walk in shower fit into your remodel budget? Discover the cost of walk in shower remodels in our complete guide.