Again, it’s the finer details that can really add to your space and so choosing the right brassware is imperative. There’s a wide variety of tap styles you can choose from, from traditional right through to contemporary, and everything in between. Don’t be fearful when it comes to incorporating different finishes into your bathroom design. Try out rose gold and black taps instead of sticking to chrome. For inspiration and a bit of an idea of how these finishes look check out the Heritage Hemsby Limited Edition Rose Gold Mixer and the Moods Aqado Basin Mixer. Both taps boast excellent quality and will bring a touch of uniqueness even more noticeable in a small bathroom.
If you are planning to update or completely renovate a small bathroom that in itself can be quite challenging. Add trying to stick to a budget and this process just got a whole lot harder. However, what if we told you that you don’t need to inject copious amounts of money into making your bathroom look great and function exceptionally well? In this article, we want to prove that you can create a stunning small bathroom design on a budget.
Before you start looking at bathroom fixtures, determine how much you can afford to spend on your bathroom. If your budget is low it is better to make cosmetic changes that will enhance your design visually. If you have more to spend, you can focus on larger changes, such as adding tile, a shower, or a something else.
So, what can you do to save money on your bathroom?
Choosing your bathroom fixtures wisely
Baths
You may have given up on your dreams of having a luxurious bath due to the size of your bathroom. But, don’t give up just yet. Nowadays there are plenty of baths that are scaled down or configured differently to accommodate smaller bathroom suites.
You’ll be pleased to know that straight baths come in a range of lengths to best fit your bathroom. Our straight baths start at 1500MM in length and can be purchased from €112! Of course, if you or someone in your family is on the tall side, they will want a longer bath. In a small bathroom, this isn’t always possible but we do have a solution. In these cases, we recommend looking into double-ended straight baths so that you can really stretch out and enjoy your bath.
If you’re considering installing a shower as well as a bath, combining these in a shower bath is an easy way to save on space. By doing this, you can save a ton of space without having to make sacrifices. Invest in a bath screen that will stop any water splashes from getting all over your bathroom floor.
Corner baths are one of the best picks for a small bathroom. They maximise the space in the centre of the room allowing you to have more room to install other bathroom fixtures. Surprisingly, corner baths actually take up more floor space than most straight baths. However, their shape doesn’t protrude into space and they can be installed even in awkwardly shaped bathroom suites. The Moods Orlando Corner Bath is available to buy from just €199 and offers a spacious bathing area. This bath is great value for money and is made from high-grade acrylic. This bath is available to buy with a super cast upgrade which is a reinforcement of the bath’s surface protecting it for years to come.
Toilets
Toilets aren’t usually the culprit for taking up space in your bathroom but given they now come in some many different designs you could save space in this area too.
Wall mounted toilets
As the name suggests, a wall hung toilet is a toilet that is mounted onto the wall and not the floor. In order to install a wall mounted toilet, you will need to ensure that you have enough space in your wall for a concealed cistern. If you do, then a wall hung toilet could be one of the best options to save space. The space that will not be used underneath the toilet will help to create the illusion of space as well as require very little effort to clean around. Take a look at the VitrA S20 Wall Hung WC Pan with Soft Close Seat for an affordable option that boasts very high quality. This is our cheapest wall mounted toilet costing just €169.
Back to wall toilets
A back to wall toilet is positioned against the wall so any pipework and the cistern are hidden out of sight. By discreetly concealing a toilet cistern, you can create more space in your small bathroom. We suggest the Moods Tuscany Back to Wall Pan with Soft Close Seat which is supplied with a push button flush. This toilet has been created using ceramic and makes for the perfect addition in a contemporary bathroom.
Basin
Basins come in a range of shapes and sizes to suit different bathrooms. With that said, there are certain types of basins that are more suited to smaller spaces.
Wall hung basins
Wall hung basins tend to be on the smaller side but still provide you with enough room to wash your hands and face. With no pedestal supporting it there is more floor space available which helps to create that perfect minimalist appearance. Wall-mounted basins also allow you to use the space below them for storage.
Corner basins
Corner basins are also small and make use out of an area that may otherwise go unused. They are really handy for saving money if you can’t completely change around an awkward bathroom layout.
Cloakroom basins
A cloakroom basin is a very compact form of bathroom sink that mounts directly to your wall. A single mixer tap is attached which is more compact than a standard tap. As with the other options listed above, the piping is tucked away neatly and out of sight.
If you still think you could be struggling for space, we recommend looking into units that combine two fixtures into one. Such as the Moderna WC Basin Pack with D-Shape Pan.
Walls and floors
Tiles and panels
Tiles can be quite expensive, especially when you factor in their installation. Luckily, in a small bathroom, your tiling costs shouldn’t be too high. In a small bathroom, it is imperative to keep wall and flooring light and somewhat simple as this makes the entire space feel a whole lot bigger. To do this, we recommend taking a look at large format tiles as they require fewer grout lines and provides an effortless look. Even if you don’t opt for large format tiles, you can make your walls look less busy by investing in a grout that tones with your selected tiles.
To limit the spending, opt for PVC panels in areas such as shower areas and uses tiles to create a feature wall (which often look incredible in small bathrooms). If you simply can’t pass up a tile that is expensive (for instance, mosaic tile) then use it along with more affordable tiles. If you do this then you will allow the more expensive tile to shine without draining all of your budget.
At Bathshack, we have an extensive collection of beautiful tiles as well as alternatives we think you’ll love. Take a look at our Pergo collection which is made of vinyl and boast a range of faux finishes. This type of flooring is made from vinyl which means that is waterproof and very easy to clean. Pergo flooring is ideal for family bathrooms!
Paint
If you have a very limited budget, one of the easiest ways to refresh your bathroom is to give it a lick of paint. There are a few things you will need to consider before painting your bathroom though. The first being that most bathrooms require the use of good quality paint. The reason for this is because in a bathroom the humidity and temperature constantly change. If a low-quality paint is used it is likely that it will start coming away after a while.
In addition to using good quality paint, you will need to take your time when painting. If you are just refreshing your bathroom, you will need to paint around certain fixtures very carefully. It may be worthwhile investing in some painter’s tape.
Look out for ex-display items
We don’t recommend that you buy second-hand bathroom fixtures unless you are completely sure that they are in working order before you buy. However, we do recommend keeping a look out for ex display pieces. Ex-display items will save you money on bathroom fixtures if you purchase them directly from a bathroom showroom. You can stay up to date with all of our ex-display items that offer massive reductions on RRP on our Instagram page.
Think of the small changes
Don’t forget the little details! You will be able to update things such as bathroom lighting and taps without chipping into your budget too much. These fixtures are very important and installing the correct ones will make a massive difference in the overall look of your bathroom.
We all know to invest in a ceiling light but creating layers of lighting will actually help to enlarge and brighten the appearance of a small bathroom. Recessed can lighting can be installed into the ceiling and focused on any counter space. Wall sconces will add warmth and provide your bathroom with a cosy feeling.
Again, it’s the finer details that can really add to your space and so choosing the right brassware is imperative. There’s a wide variety of tap styles you can choose from, from traditional right through to contemporary, and everything in between. Don’t be fearful when it comes to incorporating different finishes into your bathroom design. Try out rose gold and black taps instead of sticking to chrome. For inspiration and a bit of an idea of how these finishes look check out the Heritage Hemsby Limited Edition Rose Gold Mixer and the Moods Aqado Basin Mixer. Both taps boast excellent quality and will bring a touch of uniqueness even more noticeable in a small bathroom.
Long term savings
When updating your bathroom, don’t forget to keep the environment and water usage in mind. Water-saving shower heads and faucets often cost the same, if not less, than traditional ones. Besides, in the long term, you will be saving money by saving water. A good example of a water saving fixture would be the Tech Three Function Eco Water Saving Shower Handset. This handset is specially designed to reduce water usage by up to 50%! Plus, it can be used as part of a shower bath area which are known for saving space.
We hope that today’s article helps you to create your own little bathroom haven without blowing your budget. To help you visualise your own ideas, we’ve created this handy bathroom planner. For more bathroom inspiration be sure to take a look at our Pinterest profile.