Bathroom Design Ideas for a 5' by 8' Room

Reduce Clutter

• In a small space, even a little bit of clutter can look more chaotic than it actually is. To create an instant difference in your bathroom, remove excess clutter, both physically and visually. Store towels and extra bath supplies in a linen closet or under the sink. If you tend to have toiletries covering the edges of the sink or the windowsills, build a small hanging storage unit with sliding doors to conceal items without moving them out of the room. Clutter can be visual, too; streamline the design by replacing multiple colors with elements in shades of a single color.

Efficient Storage

• Storage options are a challenge in a small bathroom, particularly when your shelves or cabinets stick out too far into the room and block efficient use of space. Make use of tall, vertical storage options that have a shallow depth. You can also run a line of shelving near the ceiling to display decor items and store bath supplies such as towels. Make sure, however, the shelves are just high enough for people to reach.

Line of Sight

• In a small bathroom, the line of sight is limited, making the user feel crowded and boxed in. To open up the space, make design choices that extend the distance you can see. Choose sheer curtains to provide privacy and allow limited transparency. Use a clear door or shower curtain instead of a patterned option and hang large mirrors on the walls to reflect the light and space, making it seem more bigger and more open. By removing objects that block your line of sight, you can create the illusion of more space and make use of the available light.

Tile

• To create a smooth, unbroken base surface for your bathroom, use tile. Use the same tile for your shower, back splash and floors. The constant use of color and texture will give your bathroom a seamless, put together look that can unify the design of a small space. If you want more visual interest, consider using tiles in the same color but different shapes or sizes for different areas of the room.