How to Make a Big Splash With a Small En Suite
Save space without compromising on style with this expert advice for maximising a mini en suite
Just because your en suite is small doesn’t mean it can’t be perfectly formed. Clever thinking and careful planning will create a space that strikes a balance between style and function.
Expert advice from:
Leigh Bowen of 50 Degrees North Architects
Evros Agathou of Avocado Sweets Interior Design Studio
Matthew Hill of Sigma London
Chris Payne of Ripples
Caroline and Felix Milns of Zulufish
Expert advice from:
Leigh Bowen of 50 Degrees North Architects
Evros Agathou of Avocado Sweets Interior Design Studio
Matthew Hill of Sigma London
Chris Payne of Ripples
Caroline and Felix Milns of Zulufish
Hang it all
Team your wall-hung vanity unit with a coordinating wall-hung toilet, like the one in this bathroom, so you can see the full extent of the floor space. Alternatively, invest in the space-saving benefits of a back-to-wall loo, which also creates a modern, minimalist look.
In both cases, the cistern is concealed in the wall or a piece of furniture for a neat finish. ‘You might need to lose a bit of space to fit the frame and cistern, but you can always compensate by adding storage above,’ says Evros Agathou of Avocado Sweets Interior Design Studio.
Whether your preference is for a wall-hung or back-to-wall toilet, shop for a short-projection model – some are 20cm shorter than the standard size to ensure space isn’t wasted.
Team your wall-hung vanity unit with a coordinating wall-hung toilet, like the one in this bathroom, so you can see the full extent of the floor space. Alternatively, invest in the space-saving benefits of a back-to-wall loo, which also creates a modern, minimalist look.
In both cases, the cistern is concealed in the wall or a piece of furniture for a neat finish. ‘You might need to lose a bit of space to fit the frame and cistern, but you can always compensate by adding storage above,’ says Evros Agathou of Avocado Sweets Interior Design Studio.
Whether your preference is for a wall-hung or back-to-wall toilet, shop for a short-projection model – some are 20cm shorter than the standard size to ensure space isn’t wasted.
Don’t be afraid to move your loo
Generally, you’ll want to keep the toilet in its current position, because it can be problematic, not to mention costly, to move the soil pipe. However, if its position prevents you from having the en suite of your dreams, Agathou advises moving it, but first checking with a building contractor or plumber.
‘I’m a big believer in looking for solutions to design problems rather than taking a ‘just lump it’ attitude,’ he says. ‘If it can be fixed, it should be, budget providing.’
Generally, you’ll want to keep the toilet in its current position, because it can be problematic, not to mention costly, to move the soil pipe. However, if its position prevents you from having the en suite of your dreams, Agathou advises moving it, but first checking with a building contractor or plumber.
‘I’m a big believer in looking for solutions to design problems rather than taking a ‘just lump it’ attitude,’ he says. ‘If it can be fixed, it should be, budget providing.’
Slot in a shower enclosure
If you are squeezing a shower into a small space, consider a quadrant enclosure, which saves valuable floor space due to its shape: a quarter circle comprising two sides of the same length and a rounded outer edge. An offset quadrant looks much the same, except that one side is longer than the other.
For more choice, check out a pentagon shower enclosure (pictured), which resembles a square or rectangle with one corner cut off. It’s less intrusive than a traditional square shower enclosure.
Explore expert advice on choosing a shower enclosure
If you are squeezing a shower into a small space, consider a quadrant enclosure, which saves valuable floor space due to its shape: a quarter circle comprising two sides of the same length and a rounded outer edge. An offset quadrant looks much the same, except that one side is longer than the other.
For more choice, check out a pentagon shower enclosure (pictured), which resembles a square or rectangle with one corner cut off. It’s less intrusive than a traditional square shower enclosure.
Explore expert advice on choosing a shower enclosure
Choose space-saving doors
When you’re on a mission to save space, every inch counts. Shower doors that don’t encroach on available space include sliding doors (available in both rectangular and quadrant form) and bifold doors, where a glass panel folds in on its hinges (pictured).
A pivot door is another option. Although it does open outwards, because the far edge of the door swings backwards into the shower, it needs less clearance than a hinged door.
When you’re on a mission to save space, every inch counts. Shower doors that don’t encroach on available space include sliding doors (available in both rectangular and quadrant form) and bifold doors, where a glass panel folds in on its hinges (pictured).
A pivot door is another option. Although it does open outwards, because the far edge of the door swings backwards into the shower, it needs less clearance than a hinged door.
Work a walk-in
Installing a bulky shower enclosure in a small en suite can sometimes prove cumbersome. Why not opt for an open feel with a walk-in shower? This comprises a simple glass panel teamed with a low-profile or recessed shower tray, which creates a seamless transition between the floor and shower area. Alternatively, as seen here, you could do away with the glass entirely.
‘If you have the space, always try to go for a larger shower cubical, so you can fully enjoy your bathing rituals,’ advises Agathou.
Another solution is to dispense with a shower tray in favour of a waterproof membrane that’s laid on the floor to create a waterproof barrier. The floor finish is then laid on top. This is generally referred to as tanking.
Installing a bulky shower enclosure in a small en suite can sometimes prove cumbersome. Why not opt for an open feel with a walk-in shower? This comprises a simple glass panel teamed with a low-profile or recessed shower tray, which creates a seamless transition between the floor and shower area. Alternatively, as seen here, you could do away with the glass entirely.
‘If you have the space, always try to go for a larger shower cubical, so you can fully enjoy your bathing rituals,’ advises Agathou.
Another solution is to dispense with a shower tray in favour of a waterproof membrane that’s laid on the floor to create a waterproof barrier. The floor finish is then laid on top. This is generally referred to as tanking.
Squeeze in a bath
All your design decisions should be based on how you want to live, so if you prefer a long soak to a shower, there’s a great range of shapes and sizes of bath available. ‘If you can’t choose between the two, why not go for a tub with a shower above – the best of both worlds,’ suggests Agathou.
While an average bath is around 170cm in length, you can save precious space with a compact model, which measures just 150cm. Alternatively, a corner bath can make use of an otherwise awkward space.
All your design decisions should be based on how you want to live, so if you prefer a long soak to a shower, there’s a great range of shapes and sizes of bath available. ‘If you can’t choose between the two, why not go for a tub with a shower above – the best of both worlds,’ suggests Agathou.
While an average bath is around 170cm in length, you can save precious space with a compact model, which measures just 150cm. Alternatively, a corner bath can make use of an otherwise awkward space.
Bounce light around
‘Mirrors are always a good way to increase the feeling of space. You can buy mirrored bathroom cabinets that double up as storage, too,’ says Agathou. ‘If you have the luxury, a skylight or window will also boost the feeling of space and light, opening up the room.’
‘Mirrors are always a good way to increase the feeling of space. You can buy mirrored bathroom cabinets that double up as storage, too,’ says Agathou. ‘If you have the luxury, a skylight or window will also boost the feeling of space and light, opening up the room.’
Build in smart hideaways
One of the best ways to maximise the sense of space is to keep surfaces clear of clutter. ‘Mirrored cabinets will allow you to store products, as well as charge toothbrushes and electric razors,’ advises Chris Payne of Ripples.
Tall, wall-hung cabinets will free up precious floor space, while basin vanity units come in all shapes and sizes, so choose a design that best suits your storage needs. And why not follow the example of these homeowners and turn the void under your bath into a small storage drawer?
‘Personalisation is a huge factor when it comes to the en suite,’ continues Payne. ‘Be clever with the storage and truly factor in your use and lifestyle.’
One of the best ways to maximise the sense of space is to keep surfaces clear of clutter. ‘Mirrored cabinets will allow you to store products, as well as charge toothbrushes and electric razors,’ advises Chris Payne of Ripples.
Tall, wall-hung cabinets will free up precious floor space, while basin vanity units come in all shapes and sizes, so choose a design that best suits your storage needs. And why not follow the example of these homeowners and turn the void under your bath into a small storage drawer?
‘Personalisation is a huge factor when it comes to the en suite,’ continues Payne. ‘Be clever with the storage and truly factor in your use and lifestyle.’
Streamline your space
Matthew Hill of Sigma London is a keen advocate of creating a streamlined look in a small space. ‘Simple, flowing lines will visually elongate a room, while breaks in the line of the wall will often visually shrink it,’ he explains.
Avoiding too many breaks in your bathroom may mean making use of the space between the studs in your walls. ‘Building to the depth of the wall allows you to maximise space, but minimise the visual impact on the room,’ adds Hill.
Matthew Hill of Sigma London is a keen advocate of creating a streamlined look in a small space. ‘Simple, flowing lines will visually elongate a room, while breaks in the line of the wall will often visually shrink it,’ he explains.
Avoiding too many breaks in your bathroom may mean making use of the space between the studs in your walls. ‘Building to the depth of the wall allows you to maximise space, but minimise the visual impact on the room,’ adds Hill.
Add detail with open shelving
Bring in some personality by making a feature of your favourite lotions and potions in open storage. ‘Niche storage will also allow you to store bottles discreetly in the shower,’ says Payne.
If you can’t build niches into the wall, consider glass shelves, which tend to be less intrusive than non-transparent alternatives. Bear in mind that open shelves will need styling, so they look neat and tidy as well as serving a purpose.
Discover more ways to style open storage in the bathroom
Bring in some personality by making a feature of your favourite lotions and potions in open storage. ‘Niche storage will also allow you to store bottles discreetly in the shower,’ says Payne.
If you can’t build niches into the wall, consider glass shelves, which tend to be less intrusive than non-transparent alternatives. Bear in mind that open shelves will need styling, so they look neat and tidy as well as serving a purpose.
Discover more ways to style open storage in the bathroom
Create cosiness with a dark shade
It’s commonly believed that light colours make a room feel bigger, but at times this can simply advertise its small size. ‘Sometimes, it’s just good to accept the space is small and build on the benefits. The feeing of enclosure can engender a cocoon-like mood. In this case, dark tiling with a mix of textures can work brilliantly,’ advises Leigh Bowen of 50 Degrees North Architects.
‘Ideally, choose large-format tiles to avoid lots of cuts and distracting grout lines,’ he adds.
It’s commonly believed that light colours make a room feel bigger, but at times this can simply advertise its small size. ‘Sometimes, it’s just good to accept the space is small and build on the benefits. The feeing of enclosure can engender a cocoon-like mood. In this case, dark tiling with a mix of textures can work brilliantly,’ advises Leigh Bowen of 50 Degrees North Architects.
‘Ideally, choose large-format tiles to avoid lots of cuts and distracting grout lines,’ he adds.
Turn up the heat
Underfloor heating will negate the need for a bulky radiator. Instead, you can choose a slimline towel warmer. ‘Choose one that can be plumbed into the hot-water system rather than the central heating, so you don’t need a cumbersome dual fuel system for hot towels all year round,’ advise Caroline and Felix Milns of Zulufish.
Find out what you need to know about underfloor heating
TELL US…
What was the secret to creating space in your en suite? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Underfloor heating will negate the need for a bulky radiator. Instead, you can choose a slimline towel warmer. ‘Choose one that can be plumbed into the hot-water system rather than the central heating, so you don’t need a cumbersome dual fuel system for hot towels all year round,’ advise Caroline and Felix Milns of Zulufish.
Find out what you need to know about underfloor heating
TELL US…
What was the secret to creating space in your en suite? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Maximise space with a vanity unit that comprises drawers or a cupboard built beneath the basin – perfect for stashing stuff you don’t want on display. Choose a wall-hung model, as here, so you can see as much of the floor as possible. This will create the illusion of more space.
Seek out shallow designs that don’t take up precious square inches or settle on an angled solution that will tuck neatly into a corner.