We’ve rounded up a bunch of inspirational examples from Pinterest for you to ponder.

1. All white and tight

This is a tiny space but painting it all white makes it look bigger. The choice of built-in cabinetry for the above-mount basin takes up as little room as possible, doesn’t encroach on the limited circulation space and maximises storage underneath. Herringbone marble mosaics echo a larger version in the main bathroom and the circular mirror avoids the space looking too boxed in. Black detailing in the mirror frame, tapware and door handles punctuate throughout.

2. Dark and moody

The most ingenious powder room ideas are born of necessity like the wall-hung vanity in this powder room that cleverly uses the space with an inset moulded basin. A tall arched mirror reflects light into the space and goes right to the tiled skirting, giving the illusion of space. The real masterstroke, however, is that it provides a backdrop for the wall-mounted tapware and waste trap underneath, so it doubles their design impact without taking up extra space. Mottled grey terrazzo floor tiles add just enough interest to offset the moody tones of the chic, navy-painted walls.

3. Sophisticated monochrome

Black tells the story here in Shaynna Blaze’s rescued country house in the tiles, mirror and tapware, but it’s the elegant black pedestal that takes centre stage. The round mirror takes advantage of smaller wall space and centres the focus above the round basin. At the same time, a tiny shelf holds the necessities, whilst a statement-making pendant light swirls overhead.

4. Wallpaper wonder

In a tight space, nothing makes a bigger impact than floor-to-ceiling wallpaper and your powder room is just the place to let loose your design dreams. The powder room ideas brought to life in this Sydney beachside new build give guests a moment of design appreciation in the moment of contemplation and counting the keys in the pattern make for a fun conversation starter over dinner.

5. Hamptons haven

The careful layout makes this powder room work beautifully. Usually, situating a wall sconce so close to a mirror would seem cramped, but a powder room is just the space to embrace intimacy. VJ panelling beneath heavily patterned wallpaper add interest with minimal interruption but there’s some careful design at play here – the moulding of the tapware mount echoes the mirror frame and both speak to the dado rail, while all of the metals are brushed chrome for a cohesive look.

6. Gallery goals

A visual feast, this powder room is just one of the many rooms in this Federation restoration that are awash with colour and pattern. Flipping conventional powder room ideas on their head, patterned tiles are used as wallpaper would usually be seen, leaving the walls free to act as a gallery space for collected artworks. A neatly framed, tiny basin shows there’s no need to compromise functionality for show-stopping decorating ideas. A round rattan mirror forms part of the gallery arrangement.

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Planning a bathroom is a delicate balance at the best of times – with everything ultimately fixed into position so there’s no going back. Maximising the use of available space for all the necessary fittings and getting the layout right first time takes careful planning and often the help of a professional.

Designing a small bathroom or an ensuite is no different – that battle of the lust-have vs the must-have items can be overwhelming.

Here are seven ensuites and small bathroom styles that work beautifully.

01

High end luxury

Complete with curves

The owners of this Palm Springs-inspired home in Brisbane were determined to create a high-end luxury hotel feel in their main ensuite bathroom. “I’d seen the curved wall in a project recently and absolutely loved it, so wanted to do something similar,” says owner Rebecca. 

02

Wallpaper wow

Bursting with personality

When it came to renovating the ensuite of her Sunshine Coast cottage, owner Sue couldn’t resist applying Catherine Martin ‘La Palma’ wallpaper. “I loved the brave, dynamic, tropical design,” she says. To complete the look is a vanity from Early Settler and tapware from ABI Interiors. 

03

Timber tones

Instant warmth in a white bathroom

Wondering how to make a white bathroom feel warm and inviting? Add timber. At this sustainable home in Melbourne, the owners opted for a crisp white colour palette punctuated by oak veneer joinery by Skyline Kitchens. Texture has also been added to the room via Nagoya Mosaic-Tile Co ‘Kayoborder’ splashback tiles from Academy Tiles. 

04

Spa-like sanctuary

With weathered touches

The main ensuite bathroom of this renovated workers cottage is blessed with a bounty of natural light, but to create a sense of softness, the owners stuck to a restrained colour palette and lightly textured walls. All-new finishes are complemented by weathered mirrors and a collection of handmade ceramics by Brisbane artist Jess Sellinger.

05

Classic Hamptons ensuite

Decorated in seaside hues

Seaside hues decorate every corner of this home on Sydney’s northern beaches. “Living by the beach we are fortunate to be surrounded by the blues of the sea and greens from the coastal shrubs and grasses,” says Janette. The ensuite bathroom is no exception. A shaker-style vanity in Porter’s Paints Newport Blue Half pops against the honed Carrara marble floor tiles.

06

A bathtub with a view

The perfect spot for ‘me time’

Think about the way you want to use your ensuite bathroom. If long, luxuriating baths are your idea of self-care heaven, design the room so you want to spend plenty of time there. It’s what the owner of this stone homestead in central Victoria did, and the ensuite bathroom is one of her favourite rooms in the house. “Our ensuite with the freestanding bath that looks out to the view. It’s absolute heaven having a bath with a glass of wine and a little stand so that I can watch Netflix!”

07

Pared back perfection

Refresh with accessories

Choosing timeless foundational elements will allow your ensuite bathroom to change with the seasons, your mood or current trends. The owners of this heritage home in Melbourne opted for a neutral colour palette in their main ensuite bathroom for just this reason. The vanity is painted in Dulux Silkwort and topped with Volkas from Apex Stone. A freestanding bath (not pictured) is positioned by a window, so you can lie back while bathing and enjoy views out over the valley.

The post 7 of the best ensuites to inspire your next renovation appeared first on Home Beautiful.

When planning an update, start by creating a floor plan to determine the dimensions you have to work with and what will fit in. Here are seven key design ideas to stretch your space and inject plenty of style.

1. Take stock

Consider who will be using the room, how often and what you need. “If it is a second family bathroom, storage and more durable finishes will be a top priority,” says Darren James of Interiors By Darren James. “If it’s a guest bathroom or powder room, it’s likely to be used less and therefore the focus can shift to creating a more luxurious feel.”

Where space is limited, you’ll need to consider all the angles. “Ensure you allow adequate clearance for bathroom and shower doors and don’t forget vanity unit doors, too,” advises Belinda Geels of Reece. Sliding doors aren’t intrusive and can be pushed back when not in use.

2. Add little luxuries

Smaller proportions can offer big benefits. With less space your budget will stretch further, opening up possibilities for bespoke finishes, designer tiles and bathroom tapware. Luxuries aren’t lost either. Heated towel rails, beautiful accessories and fragrant candles work wonderfully together to create a mini pamper zone. 

If it’s a bathroom just for two, the sense of intimacy can be further accentuated with double shower heads and basins, furniture for bath-side conversations and vanities with personalised features such as smart speakers and LED lighting.

3. Measure up

For a bathroom to be user-friendly and comfortable, factor in sufficient spacing between fittings and fixtures. Use these guidelines as a rule of thumb:

• The standard size of a powder room with a toilet and small vanity is 2m x 1m
• The average size of a small bathroom is 3m x 2m, a standard bathroom 3.5m x 2.5m and a large one 4m x 5m
• At a squeeze, you can fit a shower recess into a 900mm x 900mm space, but 900mm x 1200mm is far more comfortable
• The dimensions of an average bath are 1500mm x 720mm x 400mm deep
• For comfort and ease of cleaning, allow 450mm either side of the toilet
• Ideally, leave one metre between the front of the basin and the nearest wall or other objects
• The minimum distance between the back wall of the toilet and the opposite wall is generally 1500mm however, spacing requirements are influenced by the location of the doorway and position of the toilet.

4. Stylish storage

Investing in good storage will reduce visual clutter, instantly making your room feel bigger, recommends Suzie Dyson of Omvivo. “There is a move towards mini vanities, which hold the essentials without taking over the bathroom,” she says. With everything in its place the space will feel less cluttered and more conducive to relaxing. Mirrors are another great way to create the illusion of more space and brighten smaller bathrooms. 

“In tight spots you always want to ensure accessories offer maximum functionality, and mirror-fronted cabinetry is ideal,” says Belinda Geels of Reece. Full-length mirrors offer real wow-factor, while mirrored tiles are a subtle way to boost reflections, bouncing natural light around the room.

5. Show off the floor

“The more floor you can see, the larger the room will feel, so opt for floating cabinetry and vanities and wall-mounted basins and accessories,” suggests Lee Hardcastle of Enigma Interiors. “If you only have room for a shower, ensure it’s as spacious as possible by creating a wet area with a frameless screen.”

If you have room for a bath, freestanding styles with feet create a feeling of space. When it comes to toilets, in-wall cisterns are the least obtrusive on a floorplan.

6. Choose lighter colours

Choosing tiles in a light neutral palette is a simple design trick to allow walls to recede into the background and enhance the sense of space. “In small areas, keep the majority of the walls and floor neutral so the tiles are not too overwhelming,” advises Berrick Wagstaff of Ceramica Senio. “Stone is always popular, and one of the latest looks is ceramic tiles which look like timber, perfect for floors.”

“If you want a splash of colour, introduce it with feature tiles set behind the splashback or within an alcove in the shower.” Larger format rectangular tiles – either 300mm x 600mm or 400mm x 800mm – are a good choice to enhance the sense of scale. Laid in a brick pattern, they will elongate the room, while they’ll give the illusion of more height if placed vertically.

7. Let there be light

Make the most of natural light with cleverly positioned glazing and skylights, and showcase focal points with a mix of ambient and task lighting. Back-light shelves and vanities with recessed LEDs to add a sense of depth, illuminate the surrounds of mirrors to draw the eye around the room and, in powder rooms, create a striking statement with a feature light.

“Pendant lights can look great but work best with a ceiling height between 2700mm and 3000mm,” advises Darren James of Interiors By Darren James.

The post 7 ways to make the most of a small bathroom appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Fear not – with a little forward planning, here’s how you can create a dual-purpose space that seamlessly blends function and form.

1. Conceal appliances

The key to forging a happy marriage between bathroom and laundry is mastering the art of concealment. Guests will never guess the true nature of the bathroom with bulky laundry appliances hidden behind curtains or built-in cabinetry.

Most interior designers suggest running floor-to-ceiling cabinetry along one wall to house laundry items, with the bathroom elements on the opposite side. In a compact room, stick to bench-height cabinetry to avoid making the place feel overcrowded, and if you need extra storage, consider open shelves above to maintain the airy feel.

Store the washing machine and dryer side by side or stacked on top of each other in a tall cupboard – if stacking appliances, choose a front-loading washing machine and install necessary plumbing connections in the cabinetry. If space is very limited, a combined washer/dryer will free up room for more storage.

2. Sort out your storage

The right laundry storage solutions can make even the tiniest laundry stay tidy and help you tackle mountains of washing more efficiently.

Clothes

The last thing you want is for guests to spy piles of dirty clothes or yet-to-be-ironed laundry. Stack neatly folded items in labelled baskets to make it easy to clear the benchtops when you expect visitors, and use the space to display guest towels. Try installing a pull-out basket inside cabinetry to hide dirty clothes, and allocating benchtop space for folding and sorting clean items. Hettich make cabinet fittings for all laundry scenarios, including pull-out baskets and ironing boards. If you have the room, a beautiful freestanding shelf unit or ladder is another way to display guest towels that can also add a splash of colour.

Cleaning products

Pour laundry powders and cleaning products into canisters, and store bits and bobs in wicker baskets to keep clutter under control. “In a guest bathroom, less space is needed for toiletries, so dedicate this space to laundry storage instead,” says Serena. If you have open shelving, keep the look fresh and uncluttered by coordinating accessories. “Invest in a collection of matching caddies or colourful trugs to give the space a visual sense of order,” advises Cathy Player from Howards Storage World. 

3. Decorate and distract

Distract from the utilitarian aspects of the room by making the bathing area beautiful. You can do this by decorating the room with bathroom-loving indoor plants, an elegant flower arrangement or even a vignette of beautiful bathroom products including soaps, lotions, scented candles and perfumes. The idea is to draw the eye away from the laundry. Plush towels and candles will help to create a soothing environment, while an illuminated mirror is a thoughtful touch for guests.

To up the luxe factor, consider a show-stopping shower for your pamper zone. “We always recommend to have one feature piece – a luxurious shower is a welcoming experience for any guest!” says Karine. Ceiling-hung rain showers have the added advantage of keeping the wall clear. Opt for an enclosed shower so water doesn’t splash on drying clothes that might be nearby.

4. Create zones

Customise your laundry space by including a cabinet where you can hang an ironing board and iron from a rack on the inside of the door, or incorporate a shelf for iron storage. Fold-out ironing stations work well in a combined laundry/bathroom, as do table ironing boards you can use on the vanity top. “If opting for a pull-out ironing board in a cupboard, remember to install a powerpoint inside the unit,” advises interior designer Victoria Waters of Victoria Waters Design.

“Often bathrooms don’t have enough hanging space but there are simple tricks to fix this – try over-door towel racks or even extra rails to hook over the shower screen,” recommends Cathy Player of Howards Storage World. A heated towel rail with multiple rungs can double as a drying rack for small items of clothing. You could also try integrating a drying cupboard into your cabinetry so clothes can dry out of view. “Drying racks in full-height cabinetry above a ducted heating vent create a drying cupboard in winter, and beach towel storage in summer,” says designer Serena Elise of White Chalk Interiors.

5. Bring in light and ventilation

Natural light is a boon for laundries but problematic for a combined laundry/bathroom where privacy is a concern. Skylights are ideal as they bathe the area in light and also assist with clothes drying.

If a skylight isn’t an option, position windows close to the ceiling to filter light into the room without compromising privacy, or consider louvred windows, which allow you to control light and air flow.

Make sure you have a high-powered fan to absorb moisture and check your dryer’s ventilation requirements – and avoid dryers that require external vents.

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