How to design a small bathroom that looks and feels luxurious

I’ve always loved the idea of having a bathroom that feels like a luxurious place to relax and unwind, but with small bathrooms, that can feel like a tall order. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different ways to make these compact spaces feel more indulgent and I’ve picked up some valuable expert tips and tricks along the way.

From layered lighting to the getting material finishes just right, I’ve found that small bathroom ideas don’t have to be complicated or costly to create a sense of refinement. It’s as simple as making thoughtful choices that elevate both the style and functionality of your space, no matter how limited the size.

With a few strategic changes and a focus on the details, I’ve learned how to transform even the tiniest bathrooms into places that feel far more luxurious.

What makes a small bathroom feel luxurious?

Luxury doesn’t have to mean spending all your budget on high-end materials or extravagant designs. According to James Roberts, director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, "When we talk about luxury, this often comes with the connotation of being extravagant, expensive, or premium looking. However, for many people an element of luxury translates as just being different to the daily run-of-the-mill experience – something different from what they usually get in their home. This is why styles such as hotel and spa style have prevailed over such a long period, as people associate this as being out of the norm."

Elevating the everyday can make a small bathroom remodel feel truly luxurious. From upgrading fixtures with a touch of bathroom DIY to enhancing your lighting, I’ve rounded up some of the best tricks I’ve learned to turn a small bathroom into a space that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star hotel.

James Roberts

James is one of three directors of Sanctuary Bathrooms, working alongside his father and brother. As leading providers of premium bathroom fixtures and designs, James understands how elevate small bathrooms into luxurious retreats.

Start with the walls and floors

The first place I start when elevating a small bathroom is the walls and floors, as these generally set the stage for a more luxurious space.

Wall Tiles

My hard and fast rule is to never skimp on your choice of tiles for small bathrooms. Selecting luxurious materials is a simple way to add sophistication to your overall design. Plus, when tiling a bathroom with a tiny footprint, you can afford to spend more on materials without breaking the bank.

In my small ensuite bathroom, I opted for handcrafted zellige tiles for the backsplash. Their subtle shimmer and uneven texture catch the light beautifully, creating a bespoke, artisanal feel. For a standout feature wall, metallic mosaic tiles – like copper or brass – can elevate the space. As Joanna Wakelin, PR and marketing manager at William Holland Ltd puts it, "Without question the natural beauty of metallics, copper and brass lend a touch of luxury to tiny bathrooms. Their light reflective properties, inherent glamour and centre-stage presence turn even the daintiest of spaces into a decadent sanctuary."

Floor Tiles

Bathroom trends will come and go, but timeless materials like marble, reclaimed terracotta, and natural stone will always exude luxury. I’ve found stunning reclaimed tiles on online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook, but porcelain alternatives are a fantastic budget-friendly option to consider as well. They mimic natural finishes while being more durable and easier to clean.

In small spaces, large-format floor tiles with minimal grout lines work wonders for creating a seamless look that visually expands the room. For an added touch of indulgence, consider pairing your bathroom floor tiles with underfloor heating. Nothing says luxury like stepping out of the shower and onto a warm and inviting surface, and porcelain tiles, in particular, retain and radiate warmth beautifully.

Luxury tiles for small bathrooms

*All prices are correct at the time of publication.

Wall Panelling

To elevate my tiny downstairs toilet, I opted for vertical tongue-and-groove bathroom panelling painted in light, neutral tones to elongate the walls and brighten the space. The installation process was surprisingly straightforward, as I ordered pre-cut moisture-resistant wall panels from Amazon. Many online retailers – such as CutMyPlastic – also offer customisable options that allow you to choose panel sizes and finishes to suit your precise space requirements.

Alternatively, half-height panelling paired with contrasting paint or wallpaper above is another sophisticated option. This is a great way to introduce colour or pattern without overwhelming a smaller space. For a more contemporary twist, consider fluted or ribbed panelling, which adds texture and a tactile quality to the walls. Shaker-style panelling, with its clean lines, is another excellent option for creating a highend look in a traditional bathroom.

Plan your bathroom lighting carefully

When I started planning the lighting for my small bathroom, I underestimated how transformative this element of design could be. The right lighting truly sets the tone of your bathroom, and layering different types is essential for creating a luxurious space.

As James Roberts from Sanctuary Bathrooms explains, “How you light your bathroom will come down to personal preference, but many people want a room to look bright, airy, and open. Positioning mirrors close to windows to reflect light around a room is generally the go-to option.” I couldn’t agree more – upgrading to a backlit bathroom mirror added a soft, ambient glow to my space, which feels especially indulgent in the evening.

Another impactful tip is adding lighting to unexpected areas. “Some people are now adding in LED beading strips to vanity units, and even around shower areas to make it look more personalised and special,” says James. Inspired by this, I plan to incorporate LED strips along the top of my bathroom wall panels to create a subtle halo effect. This soft, diffused light will enhance the relaxed ambiance and elevate the overall design.

Joanna from William Holland Ltd also suggests layering uplighters and downlighters for maximum impact. “Carefully curated uplighters and downlighters can create a versatile range of ambience within bathroom suites, from bright and airy to serene, all the way through to sultry and enigmatic,” she explains. I’ve found this particularly true in my own home – dimmable wall lights, in particular, allow me to transition from practical brightness to a calming, spa-like atmosphere, perfect for evening soaks.

Finally, it’s worth considering how lighting interacts with other materials in your bathroom. As Joanna notes, “When combined with a luxurious copper bath, carefully positioned lights will create beautiful shimmering reflections that will glimmer and dance around the room, transporting you to the vibe of a decadent spa."

Layered Bathroom Lighting

Upgrade your fixtures

Upgrading your fixtures and furniture can completely transform the look and feel of a small bathroom. You don’t need to overhaul the entire space either. Focusing on key details like your shower, taps, and hardware can all elevate the design

James Roberts from Sanctuary Bathrooms explains, "To make a small bathroom feel more luxurious without spending loads, we would always look at the general aesthetic of the room and furnishings to make a room more homely and that plays on all the human senses. This could be decorative touches such as plants and candles, upgrading brassware to a different colour or more premium finish, or changing a shower head to a more luxurious feel with different shower functions when in use."

Showers

When it came to choosing a shower, upgrading to a rainfall showerhead was a simple change that transformed my small bathroom into a more luxurious space. The gentle cascade of water feels incredibly indulgent, and it’s a simple swap that can have a big impact. For an extra layer of luxury, consider multifunction showerheads with various spray settings that can be tailored to your mood.

Personally, I also prefer the timeless look of a brass shower over a modern chrome setup. The warm, opulent tones of brass pair beautifully with natural materials like marble or stone, and brass develops a unique patina over time.

Another way to enhance the look and feel of your shower is to opt for thicker glass panels for your enclosure. “Choose higher thickness glass panels (8mm or 10mm) over 6mm for shower enclosures or screens,” says James Roberts, as these premium upgrades add to the sense of luxury.

Taps and Hardware

Taps and other bathroom hardware are often overlooked but can have a real impact on the overall aesthetic of your bathroom. Coordinating your tap finish with other hardware, such as shower fittings and cabinet handles, creates a cohesive, polished look that will tie the entire bathroom together.

“In terms of colours, brasses, golds, and bronzes, which are all warming colours, are all associated with opulence when it comes to hardware,” says James Roberts. Swapping standard chrome taps for these warmer tones completely changed the mood of my own room, creating a more characterful and luxurious feeling space.

Bathroom Furniture

The right furniture can take a small bathroom from purely functional to truly fabulous. Opt for well-made pieces that don't overcrowd the space and look for moisture resistant materials that exclude a sense of luxury, like solid wood with protective finishes, marble-effect porcelain, or high-quality laminates.

To elevate your bathroom further, consider incorporating reflective materials like brass or copper. "A beautiful Copper basin, for example, not only adds decadence but also light, interest and joy to any space," says Joanna Wakelin. "There are also baths made perfectly for dainty spaces such as the William Holland 1500mm Copper Bateau Bath, so don’t shy away from bathtubs because you feel the room is too small."

Carefully chosen accent features can also make a world of difference. For example, a slim, freestanding towel ladder not only saves space but also doubles as a design statement, especially when paired with plush, colour-coordinated towels. These small touches don’t overwhelm the room but instead add character and charm.

Elevate your bathroom hardware

Get creative with space and storage

Over the years, I’ve learned that carving out spaces for storage can make even the smallest bathroom feel more spacious and, by extension, luxurious. One of my favourite methods of bathroom storage is recessed niches, perfect for keeping toiletries within easy reach while maintaining a streamlined look. These built-in shelves can be tiled to match the walls for a seamless appearance or finished with contrasting materials, like marble or metallic tiles, to create a standout feature. They also work beautifully in showers or above sinks, where a traditional bathroom shelf might feel too cumbersome.

Wall-mounted shelving is another fantastic option. Floating shelves in materials like natural wood or brushed brass, positioned above the toilet or beside a vanity, keep essentials accessible while adding a touch of elegance. For really compact spaces, slimline cabinets or mirrored units with hidden compartments offer discreet storage while their reflective surfaces enhance the room’s sense of light and space – an essential quality of luxurious bathrooms.

FAQs

Can small bathrooms have freestanding baths?

Yes, small bathrooms can absolutely accommodate a freestanding bath with the right planning and design. Many manufacturers now offer compact freestanding options specifically designed for petite spaces. These smaller tubs retain all the elegance and indulgence of their larger counterparts while fitting comfortably into a limited footprint.

When choosing a freestanding bath for a small bathroom, focus on positioning to make the most of your available space. Opt for lighter finishes like white or brushed metallics to help the bath blend seamlessly into the room, and pair your tub with minimalist fixtures for a timeless and luxurious look.

What is the best colour palette for a luxurious small bathroom?

When painting a bathroom, choosing the right colour palette can make all the difference in creating a luxurious look and feel. For small spaces, lighter tones like soft whites, muted greys, or warm beiges help to open up the room, making it feel larger and more inviting. However, don’t shy away from using bold colours in your bathroom if you want to make a statement. Jewel tones like deep emerald or navy blue can add drama and depth to small spaces, especially when paired with luxurious metallic accents. But before you start colour-drenching your downstairs loo, remember that the best bathroom paint for achieving a luxe look should be moisture-resistant and have a satin or eggshell finish, which reflects light subtly without showing imperfections.

When tackling a small bathroom, steering clear of common bathroom renovation mistakes can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Careful planning and a keen eye for detail are essential if you want to maximise the potential of a compact space, ensuring it looks and feels effortlessly luxurious for years to come.