Photography: Pablo Veiga
Inner-Sydney terrace houses are popular choices for homes due to their historical charm and ideal location. But they can come with their fair share of difficulties, such as outdated floorplans, that need a renovation to remedy. Such was the case in this home, where a couple live with their young child. Pre-renovation, this bathroom was spread across two rooms positioned side-by-side – a separate toilet and bath. This resulted in two small spaces lacking function. Small bathroom design ideas were desperately needed and that’s where Kate Bath, interior designer at Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms, stepped in.
6 small bathroom design ideas to steal
1. One room can be more functional than two
Small bathroom design ideas rely on good spatial planning. Kate increased the footprint of this space by demolishing the wall, turning two bathrooms into one.
2. Try a sliding pocket door
Once the two rooms were combined into one space, Kate moved the doorway and added a sliding pocket door. This was a serious space saver.
3. Be reserved when it comes to tiles
A nib wall hides the toilet, while another delineates the shower. “I used wall tiles sparingly, to make the room feel larger, and emphasised the height by taking them to the ceiling in the shower,” explains Kate. This was achieved with Di Lorenzo ‘Zelij Chalk Gloss’ tiles in White.
4. Utilise recessed storage
The mirror – a custom creation by the joiners – conceals storage in the form of a recessed cabinet, which was made possible when Kate increased the wall depth. Kate ensured the brass trim of the mirror complemented the Rumbled Brass of the Brodware ‘Manhattan’ wall taps and ‘Winslow’ shower rose. A Zest Lighting ‘Ribbed Gold Clear Acrylic’ sconce salutes the scheme.
5. Conceal joinery
The linen cupboard is a sleek addition, thanks to its Dulux Lexicon Quarter polyurethane finish – the same shade as the walls. This has a dual benefit that perfectly embodies small bathroom design ideas: it creates additional storage without making that storage stick out. Beading detail on the cabinetry profiles and Noble Elements ‘Riverstone’ knobs in Bronze beautify this feature.
6. Try classic and minimalist design
We love bold bathroom trends but they’re not for everyone. In smaller spaces, it’s best to keep things simple. “The aesthetic was classic and minimalistic,” shares Kate. This helped to ensure the space didn’t feel cluttered, creating an illusion of spaciousness. The bespoke vanity has a benchtop of Calacatta Viola marble from Styled In Stone, which cascades over the edge to meet the Elton Group ‘Evenex Sincro’ timber-look joinery in Tuscan Oak. Floor tiles are ‘Unique Travertine’ in Silver Minimal Naturale from Di Lorenzo Tiles. X-Bond Microcement from Alternative Surfaces forms the splashback.
Now, the homeowners couldn’t be happier. A spacious shower, a bath to soak in and a clever layout to pull it all together proves that sometimes one bathroom is better than two.
Interior design: Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms, bluetea.com.au
Source book
The Edit: Get the classic bathroom look
01
Soap dish in Calacatta viola marble
$112 (converted from Swedish Kronor to AUD), Meylon
Calacatta viola marble is the stone Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms used for the top of the vanity in this bathroom. Don’t have the budget to make this stone your benchtop? This soap dish is a much more budget-friendly way to incorporate it in your space. It might seem a bit luxurious to get a soap dish direct from Sweden but this product qualifies for free worldwide shipping so it’s worth it!
02
Observatory Lighting ‘Melanie Replica’ wall sconce in Black
$199.99, Temple & Webster
Wall sconces provide the perfecting lighting for bathrooms as they are very flattering when positioned beside a mirror. They also don’t take up much space, fitting in perfectly with small bathroom design ideas. This metal sconce has a slim, cone silhouette and a black and brass finish which adds a luxe touch. It also can be swiveled to face other directions, leading to increased flexibility. The dimensions are 31.7 cm (H) x 12 cm (W) x 12 cm (D).
03
Tuscan Travertine look tile in Grey
$50/sqm or $72/box), The Blue Space
From The Blue Space’s ‘Tuscan Travertine Glazed Porcelain’ collection, this range of tiles has truly timeless appeal. Durability and style come together perfectly as glazed porcelain is more low maintainence than natural travertine but this tile still has the classic look that travertine provides. It’s available in two other shades: White and Beige. Dimensions are 60 cm x 60 cm.
04
Principle Arc ‘Radius Corner’ stainless steel wall mirror in Satin Brass
$319.99 (was $349), Temple & Webster
All the vintage elegance of brass with modern practicalities and design. The rectangular shape is classic but the curved corners soften the silhouette. The powder coated stainless steel frame is perfect for ensuring your mirror will be a beautiful focal point in any room, but especially above a vanity in your bathroom. The dimensions are 100cm (H) x 56 cm (W) x 2.5cm (D). It weighs 9.7kg.
05
‘Ella’ zellige Spanish ceramic tile in Snow White
$130/sqm or $70/box, The Blue Space
White glossy tiles helped Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms to create the illusion of spaciousness in this bathroom and these zellige tiles are a gorgeous alternative. The square tiles have a gloss finish that creates movement and organic appeal. Zellige tiles, also known as Morroccan tiles, are very popular right now and it’s easy to see why with all that lovely texture they create. These tiles have a thickness of 1 cm, with 10cm (H) x 20cm (W).
06
Kaldewei ‘Oyo Duo’ freestanding bath in Matte White
$10,399, Winnings
This curved, freestanding bath is made from steel enamel, benefitting from the highest German engineering skills. The egg shape is graceful, creating a design that feels harmonious in any bathroom. The soft and gentle curves certainly suit smaller bathrooms as they feel less obtrusive than hard lines. With a central waste, two identical backrests and Japanese porcelain design, this bath truly is a classic.
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