Small guest bathroom with wall-mounted toilet and sink from the Duravit Starck 3 series

Narrow bathroom layout

Ideas and solutions

Narrow bathrooms often present a design challenge – as well as a design opportunity! Furnishing a narrow, elongated bathroom does take a bit of upfront planning, but with a touch of creativity, it can transform into one of your new favorite one-of-a-kind spaces. Here you'll find design solutions that will make a long, narrow bathroom feel inviting and transform it into a visually appealing space.

Duravit ME by Starck wall-mounted toilet Hero Edition

Basic Design Principles

One of the common challenges of designing a narrow bathroom — which is also the case in most small bathroom layouts — is the lack of space and room to move. Especially in narrow bathrooms in older buildings, natural light in the bathroom can also be limited. When you combine the narrow footprint with the need to include all the essential elements, it often creates a cramped, closed-in impression. To get around this issue, the following design principles are recommended for almost any narrow bathroom.

Duravit DuraSquare sink and metal console in front of light-coloured wall

Bright, uniform colors

Light colors are especially helpful when the windows in your narrow bathroom are rather small. Even with plenty of natural light, bright colors will make things feel less cramped. A single accent wall is certainly possible, especially if it's the wall opposite the door, but in general, it's best to maintain a uniform color scheme to prevent the space from feeling cluttered.

Duravit Vero Air toilet in a narrow bathroom with tiles

Line flow

To keep the space from feeling overly narrow, pay special attention to the flow of lines in the bathroom. Horizontal lines and patterns are an ideal way to highlight and enhance the bathroom’s actual width. Avoid emphasizing the length of the space, which can make the room feel even narrower.

Duravit White Tulip freestanding sink and semi-tall cabinet in a small, bright bathroom

Materials

Using glass and mirrored elements is an ideal way to make the room feel wider while also increasing the amount of natural light through reflection. Glossy tiles, bathroom mirrors, and shiny rather than matte faucets are the preferred choices for a narrow bathroom.

Bathroom Fixtures in a Narrow Bathroom

Bathroom fixtures are essential in every bathroom. If you're designing a narrow bathroom with both a shower and a bathtub, especially careful planning is needed to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Duravit XViu wall-mounted toilet next to sink area

Layout

The layout of bathroom fixtures in a narrow bathroom is extremely important. In an optimal layout, all the fixtures are positioned in a single row on one side of the room in order to keep a clear walkway on the other side. If possible, it’s best to position the shower at the end of the row to create a more spacious, open impression.

Our tip: Creating a bathroom floor plan can be helpful during the initial planning stages.

Walk-in shower

A walk-in shower will help make the space feel more open and expansive. This works best when paired with a glass shower enclosure, allowing an unobstructed line of sight all the way to the back wall.

Duravit D-Neo toilet and bidet surrounded by bronze-coloured Starck T accessories

Wall-mounted solutions

Wall-mounted versions of sinks and toilets are ideal choices for narrow bathrooms. When the floor is left open, the space feels less cramped, and the bathroom appears more expansive.

More Design Ideas

Even if the space in your bathroom is limited, some clever narrow bathroom ideas can help you furnish the space without sacrificing a thing.

Sink area with Duravit D-Neo vanity cabinet and semi-tall cabinet

Mid-height cabinets and vanity units

When it comes to keeping your bathroom tidy, consider using wall-mounted items to help create a lighter, more spacious impression. Mid-height cabinets and vanity units are an ideal solution.

Bathroom plant in front of wooden room divider

Plants

Natural accents are an ideal way to break up the space and create a relaxed, airy feel. Even if you’re working with a compact, narrow bathroom layout, a bit of greenery shouldn’t be overlooked. For tight spaces, going with narrow, vertically growing plants for the bathroom is usually best.

Duravit Luv countertop sink on a console from a bird's eye view

Minimalism as a design element

While it’s important to make the most of the available space in a narrow bathroom, that doesn’t mean you should try and fit in as many elements as possible. Specific styles, including Scandinavian bathrooms and industrial-style bathrooms, consciously favor a pared-down approach. Use this to your advantage to create a modern, stylish impression in your narrow bathroom without drawing undue attention to the limited space.

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