Small Bathroom Design Ideas: Stylish, Space-Saving Looks for Every Home

Small bathroom ideas can make even the most modest space feel calm, stylish, and inviting. With the right layout and finishes, a compact room can deliver the same impact as a luxury retreat — just on a smaller scale. This guide is packed with small bathroom design ideas that balance practicality with personality, helping you create a space that feels light, open, and beautifully considered.

Limited storage, awkward layouts, and a lack of natural light are common challenges in small bathrooms, but they’re easily solved with smart choices. Think reflective surfaces, floating vanities, and soft, consistent colour palettes that make the room feel larger than it is.

Ross’s Discount Home Centre has helped Perth homeowners bring compact bathroom ideas to life for decades, offering stylish vanities, mirrors, tiles, and tapware that make design both easy and affordable. Whether you love modern minimalism or timeless elegance, you’ll find endless inspiration in the sections ahead.

Small Bathroom Redesign Basics

A small bathroom redesign starts long before choosing fixtures — it begins with defining how you want the space to feel. The right mood and layout can completely transform even the smallest rooms, turning a cramped space into a calm, functional retreat.

Start by looking at your natural light and existing layout. In most cases, simple cosmetic changes such as new tiles, mirrors, and updated finishes can create an entirely fresh look without a major renovation. Lighter tones reflect more light, helping walls appear wider and ceilings taller.

Vertical design also plays a key role. Wall-mounted vanities, mirrored cabinets, and tall tiles draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of height. Reflective materials and soft lighting help maintain visual depth, while consistent colour tones make the space flow naturally.

For Perth homes, design with the local climate in mind. Our coastal light and humidity favour easy-clean surfaces and pale neutrals that keep the bathroom bright, fresh, and low-maintenance.

If you’d prefer a step-by-step renovation approach, see Small Bathroom Renovations Perth: How to Transform Compact Spaces for detailed planning and execution advice.

TL;DR: A successful small bathroom redesign focuses on mood, light, and vertical flow — not just fittings.

Inspiring Small Bathroom Styles

Designing a small bathroom is as much about creativity as it is about practicality. The right look can completely reshape how a compact space feels, making it more open, relaxing, and personal.

These small bathroom styles show how thoughtful design choices can transform limited areas into beautiful, functional sanctuaries. Each one works perfectly across Perth homes, from sleek city apartments to coastal renovations.

Modern & Minimalist   

A favourite among small bathroom designs, this style focuses on simplicity and clean lines. Floating vanities, white gloss tiles, and matte black tapware create a sense of space and order. The absence of clutter makes light bounce naturally, while frameless shower screens keep the look seamless. For extra depth, explore bathroom ideas for small bathroom layouts that use reflective surfaces or clever lighting to expand the room visually. See The Best Mirrors for Small Bathrooms for inspiration.

Coastal & Relaxed

Perfect for Perth’s sunlit homes, this look celebrates timber accents, sandy hues, and brushed nickel tapware. Soft textures, natural materials, and sea-inspired tones make a compact bathroom feel warm and inviting — like a private beach retreat.

Scandi Calm

Pale wood, gentle greys, and geometric tiles define this timeless look. It blends practicality with calm, open styling that makes tiny bathrooms feel bright and balanced. Minimalist fixtures and mirrors help draw in natural light while maintaining flow.

Industrial Chic

Characterised by concrete-look tiles, bold contrasts, and black metal details, this design suits homeowners wanting a statement space. Balance its strong lines with timber shelving or warm lighting to keep it approachable.

Classic White

Timeless and adaptable, the classic white bathroom embodies freshness and simplicity. Gloss tiles, chrome tapware, and layered lighting create a bright, polished finish that never feels dated.

Learn about the 10 Australian Bathroom Design Style Ideas to learn more about these and other bathroom styles.

TL;DR: Discover small bathroom styles that suit your personality and home — these bathroom ideas for small bathroom spaces show how even the tiniest rooms can express big design energy.

Small Bathroom Ideas with Showers

Some of the most effective small bathroom ideas with shower layouts focus on openness, balance, and visual flow. In compact rooms, a well-designed shower can make the entire bathroom feel larger, brighter, and more luxurious. The goal is to remove visual barriers and let light move freely through the space.

Frameless or semi-frameless shower screens are ideal for small bathroom designs because they create a clear, uninterrupted view across the room. The use of clear glass, combined with large-format tiles and linear drains, allows the eye to travel uninterrupted, creating the illusion of more floor space. For more inspiration on sleek, space-efficient enclosures, see the Best Shower Screens for Small Bathrooms.

Practical details play an equally important role. Alcove shelving built into the wall keeps bottles and toiletries tidy without taking up extra space, while corner fittings and sliding doors enhance movement and comfort — perfect for Perth apartments and homes where every centimetre matters.

To tie everything together, cohesive finishes are key. Matching tapware, accessories, and shower fittings create a unified, high-end feel that enhances bathroom flow. Whether you choose brushed nickel, matte black, or chrome, maintaining consistency across your fittings ensures the design feels deliberate and balanced.

Compact bathroom ideas that emphasise space efficiency and modern fittings can make even the smallest bathrooms feel elegant and functional.

TL;DR: In small bathrooms, open shower designs, frameless glass, and cohesive materials create visual flow and a sense of luxury, making compact spaces feel calm, bright, and far more spacious.

Budget-Friendly Small Bathroom Ideas

Luxury doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Some of the most creative small bathroom ideas on a budget prove that design flair and practicality can go hand in hand. With a few clever updates, you can completely refresh a space without the cost of a full remodel.

Start with simple cosmetic upgrades that make an immediate impact. A fresh coat of paint in a soft, light tone can brighten the room and visually expand tight spaces. Wet wall panels add texture and pattern without requiring professional installation. Swapping out old fittings for modern tapware or sleek bathroom accessories is another cost-effective way to modernise your small bathroom.

If your vanity has seen better days, consider a wall-hung design for a more open, contemporary feel. Pair it with an LED mirror to add both style and functionality—a small change that instantly makes the room more inviting. These upgrades work beautifully for Perth homeowners looking to achieve a modern small bathroom remodel without extensive renovation costs.

Mixing affordable pieces with one or two statement items, such as a designer basin or feature tile from Ross’s Discount Home Centre, creates balance and gives your bathroom a bespoke finish. Even small DIY-friendly updates like regrouting, changing handles, or replacing a basin can make a noticeable difference in how polished the space feels.

Whether it’s a weekend refresh or a small bathroom redo, affordable bathroom design is all about creativity and thoughtful choices.

TL;DR: Style your small bathroom smartly — with budget-friendly ideas, simple upgrades, and affordable products, you can achieve a completely refreshed look without overspending.

Tiny Bathroom Ideas for Apartments & Ensuites

Designing for small apartment bathrooms or compact ensuites requires a careful balance of practicality and style. The best tiny bathroom ideas focus on maximising every centimetre while keeping the space bright, functional, and easy to maintain.

Start with multifunctional furniture that performs more than one role — a mirrored cabinet that doubles as storage, or a vanity with integrated shelving. These solutions reduce clutter and make vertical storage a central design feature. Clear, frameless shower screens maintain openness and help light travel throughout the room, preventing tight spaces from feeling boxed in.

Neutral tones are key to keeping small bathrooms light and airy. Shades of white, beige, and soft grey reflect more light, enhancing the sense of space. Gloss tiles and well-placed mirrors can also help with light reflection, making even the smallest layouts feel larger and more inviting.

When floor space is limited, wall-mounted fittings are invaluable. Compact vanities, floating shelves, and slimline accessories free up visual space and make cleaning easier. Explore the Best Small Bathroom Vanities for Small Bathrooms for designs that fit perfectly into tight Perth ensuites and apartments.

Ross’s Discount Home Centre offers a range of compact bathroom ideas tailored to Perth apartments, with products that combine practicality and design-led appeal. From space-saving fixtures to modern finishes, every item is chosen to help homeowners achieve seamless space optimisation without compromise.

TL;DR: With smart layout choices, vertical storage, and compact fixtures, even tiny bathrooms can feel spacious, comfortable, and luxurious — proving that good design has no size limit.

Bringing It All Together: Create Your Compact Bathroom Vision

A small bathroom isn’t a limitation — it’s an opportunity to express your personal style in a thoughtful, refined way. The best small bathroom design ideas focus on cohesion: consistent tones, functional layouts, and lighting that enhances both mood and space. When every element works in harmony, even the smallest bathrooms can feel calm, elegant, and complete.

Design harmony comes from choosing a clear direction and sticking with it. Whether your style leans modern, coastal, or classic, repeat materials and finishes across your space to create balance. A unified colour palette, complemented by mirrors and layered lighting, ensures that compact bathrooms still feel open and inviting. For practical next steps after visual planning, explore Smart Tips for Small Bathroom Renovations.

TL;DR: Combine creativity, cohesion, and practicality to design a small bathroom that looks beautiful, feels spacious, and works effortlessly.

Conclusion

Designing a small bathroom is about more than saving space — it’s about creating something that feels uniquely yours. The best small bathroom ideas Perth homeowners can draw from focus on style, comfort, and smart use of every centimetre. With a cohesive design, balanced lighting, and quality finishes, even the most compact bathrooms can feel open, functional, and luxurious.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’ve helped countless Perth homeowners bring their small bathroom designs to life with affordable products that don’t compromise on quality or style. From modern vanities and elegant tapware to statement tiles and mirrors, you’ll find everything you need to turn your vision into a reality.

Visit our bathroom shop or explore our full bathroom range online to start planning your transformation today — and see how Ross’s can help you make every inch of your bathroom count.