Big ideas for small bathrooms

Use compact fittings and clever design solutions to make the most of the space in your bathroom or en suite.

1. Compact shower cubicle
Duravit’s new OpenSpace shower cubicle sits within a chrome frame fixed to the wall. Its two glass doors fold against the back walls of the shower, creating more floor space when it’s not in use. Mirrored door screens are available to conceal shower fittings and toiletries from view.
OpenSpace cubicle, in five sizes from (H)205x(W)80x (D)80cm to (H)205x(W)100x(D)100cm, from £2,950, Duravit.

2. Light-reflecting furniture
Reflective surfaces create a sense of space and light, which makes mirrored furniture perfect for a small bathroom. The Mirrored range from Marks & Spencer is available as individual pieces or as a complete set that includes a basin unit, basin and tap.
Basin unit, (H)80x(W)59x (D)42cm, £249; basin, (H)9x (W)59x(D)42cm and tap set, (H)15x(W)4x(D)20cm, £299; complete basin set, £438.40; tallboy, (H)165x (W)40x (D)36cm, £349; small cabinet, (H)88x(W)40x (D)36cm, £249; double stool, (H)46x(W)52x(D)32cm, £75, all Marks & Spencer.

3. Versatile laminate flooring
Dark surfaces can swallow light and make a space seem darker, so choose pale-coloured flooring for a small bathroom. Quick-Step’s Lagune laminate, available in five wood shades, has been designed specifically for bathrooms to help prevent excessive moisture warping or discolouring the finish.
(Left-right) UR1205 Lagune Grey teak laminate and UR946 Lagune Natural varnished oak laminate, £36.99 per m², Quick-Step.

4. Slimline radiator
Free up space by installing a slimline wall-hung radiator. This Water Lily model from The Radiator Company is made from steel and is available in a choice of 12 colourways and seven sizes from (H)201x(W)15x (D)8cm to (H)201x(W)38x (D)8cm. It takes up very little space, protruding less than 10cm from the wall.
Water Lily radiator, 1,113 British Thermal Units (BTU), from £259.20 for (H)201x(W)15x (D)8cm, The Radiator Company.

5. Space saving storage
A wall-hung unit doesn’t only provide a place to store your bathroom toiletries, it also keeps the floor beneath clear, which makes for easy cleaning and gives the illusion of more floor space. Roca’s new Victoria Unik range of furniture is made from water-resistant particle board and is available in gloss white, wenge and walnut finishes. The collection also features a basin and furniture unit, a mirror and a light so you can co-ordinate your scheme with matching pieces.
Victoria Unik bathroom storage unit in walnut finish, (H)150x(W)30x(D)23cm, £216, Roca.

6. Metallic tiles
The Quantum Fitted Furniture collections feature designs that make bathrooms look both bright and spacious. Mirrored mosaic tiles, like the ones from Bisazza, reflect and maximise the light in a small room.
Jones QSS12 basin, (H)16x(W)60x (D)30cm, around £326, Quantum Fitted Furniture. Narciso tiles, £475 for 83cm², Bisazza.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing
Featured in the July 2011 issue of Real Homes