20 Small Bathrooms with Showers That Feel Surprisingly Spacious

Small bathrooms are found in all kinds of homes — and provide a challenge that only great design can easily solve. Between tight layouts, limited storage, and the constant push-and-pull between style and function, making the most of a compact space is no small feat. And we’re not just talking about powder rooms here! Small bathrooms with full-size showers can feel extra challenging to design, but where there’s a will, there’s a way — and these Apartment Therapy house tours prove it. 

But a small footprint doesn’t have to mean sacrificing personality or practicality. In fact, with the right approach, it can be an opportunity to get creative. Thoughtful layouts, clever storage solutions, and a few high-impact design details can completely transform a small bathroom into a space that feels intentional, elevated, and surprisingly spacious.

The best part? You don’t need a massive renovation (or a massive budget) to make it happen. Our editors have scanned the entire Apartment Therapy home tour archive to find real tiny bathrooms that embody smart design decisions to accommodate full-size showers. These homes turn basic, builder’s grade bathrooms into spaces that are just as stylish as they are functional. From space-saving vanities to eye-catching tile and genius storage hacks, here are 20 small bathroom ideas with full showers to inspire your next renovation.

There’s no denying that small bathrooms can leave you with limited storage space, so it’s important to get creative. Medicine cabinets, vanities with storage, baskets on the back of the toilet, and linen towers are just a few ways you can get crafty and maximize style and storage in your small space, as seen in this minimalist Manhattan studio apartment.

Small bathrooms can sometimes lack visual interest — a problem easily remedied by this Paris apartment owner with playful, patterned tile. Swap in some stylish light fixtures, drawer pulls, and plumbing fixtures, and you’ve got the stylish, maximalist small bathroom of your dreams. 

Storage is always a challenge in small bathrooms, which is why using rolling carts is such an ingenious solution, as demonstrated in this renovated 1920s Dutch home. Whether a full-blown renovation isn’t in the cards or you just need a quick storage fix, adding a cart or two to your bathroom (such as the RÅSKOG / NORRÅVA from IKEA) to hold small towels or toiletries is a great option. The best part is that they can be easily moved around the space as needed to accommodate any situation. 

Wallpaper instantly upgrades the look and feel of any space, but it’s not always a realistic option. However, you don’t need to settle for plain walls if wallpaper isn’t in the cards. This Cambridge, Massachusetts, rental home used wall stencils to DIY the look at a fraction of the cost and add instant character to this tiny bathroom.

Is sleek and minimalist your thing? If so, take notes from this chic Brooklyn rental. A few small and personality-packed decorative accents take this small bathroom from ultramodern to charming and chic. Plus, sticking to decorative upgrades is perfect for rentals! 

You don’t need a big space to go big with color. In fact, small rooms are often best suited for methods like color-drenching, as demonstrated in this small Spanish apartment. Moody vertical blue tiles invite a sense of serene drama, which is continued on the ceiling in a coordinating shade of muted blue paint. Dreamy! 

If your bathroom has half-tiled walls, adding wallpaper on the top half is a simple way to completely transform your space and add some personality to a small bathroom, as seen in this NYC apartment. Add some artwork, shelves, and a large mirror (it’ll help make your space feel bigger!), and your small bath will be almost unrecognizable.

The unexpected red theory took the design world by storm a couple of years ago, and there’s a good reason for that. Red is bold, emotional, and grounding all at once. Using hints of red throughout your interior can instantly elevate the space. In this colorful California home, red is used in the small bathroom to bring playfulness against a neutral background alongside other bold colors like pink, teal, and blue.

In small bathrooms, every inch counts. That’s why thinking outside the box is so important when it comes to storage. This renovated Edinburgh flat features two wall nooks on opposite sides of the toilet. Perfect for storing decor, toiletries, and some reading material for those (ahem) leisurely visits to the loo. 

Swapping out a standard shower curtain for traditional curtains is a simple way to completely transform the look of any small bathroom, as demonstrated in this stylish Denver apartment. For an elegant and designer-inspired look, it’s important to choose floor-length curtains and mount them a few inches below the ceiling. Your eye will be tricked into thinking your ceilings are higher than they actually are.   

Sometimes, all it takes to transform a small bathroom is a cleverly chosen paint color. Take this small Barcelona loft, for example. With only 300 square feet (in total!) to work with, they chose a muted orange shade for the bathroom to help create continuity with the rest of the space, which features plenty of terracotta tones. With orange being a nontraditional choice for the bathroom, the rest of the space is kept simple and chic. 

Whoever said don’t use black in small spaces had never seen this Toronto fixer-upper. The small bathroom features black windows and doors, a shower trim, and mosaic tile floors, which add drama and moody sophistication. Meanwhile, brushed gold hardware and natural materials like wood and rattan ground the space, softening the black.

Blue, white, and gold are classic for a reason! These colors invite calm and sophisticated energy, no matter how small the space is. This Brooklyn apartment blends old and new, with classic mosaic tiles paired with vintage-inspired wallpaper and gold accents and fixtures. 

The key to incorporating a shower into a small bathroom, without making the space feel even more cramped, is to choose a shower with glass doors to keep the space feeling open. This London apartment demonstrates it well. The small bathroom features a wall-to-wall shower on the back wall with glass doors, which not only makes the space feel open but also showcases the beautiful, bold tile work. 

Exposed copper fixtures give instant industrial-chic vibes, and they create a strong focal point — perfect for small bathrooms. This remodeled Brooklyn loft is well-suited to the look thanks to its industrial architecture. To balance the rustic look, the rest of the space is kept sleek and minimal, which also helps the fixtures pop!

This small bathroom feels like a warm hug the second you walk in. Every design choice was intentional, and the space features warm tones and materials to create a truly inviting and cozy bathroom that is just as functional as it is stylish (just check out that large shower!). 

Sometimes, maximizing small spaces is about tricking the eye a little. Take this small bathroom for example. Bold tile choices throughout add instant character and drama, but the real eye-catcher (pun intended)? It’s the vertical black tile stripes in the shower, which draw the eye to the back wall, giving the illusion of a larger space.

Teal, black, and white is a classic retro-inspired color palette for bathrooms that brings instant character and charm to the small bathroom in this London flat. Mosaic tile floors also lend a vintage feel, and the all-glass shower leaves the room feeling open while maximizing functionality. 

A wet bath is the perfect solution for a small bathroom where you want a shower but space is limited. Fully waterproofing the entire room and only partially blocking in the shower saves lots of space and creates an open concept look. Take a page out of this colorful DIY bathroom reno, which paired playful tile choices with retro silhouettes. 

Mixing patterns and textures is a great way to create visual interest, especially in small spaces. Take this colorful Harlem apartment for example. A textured mustard-colored shower curtain paired with wavy, retro-inspired wallpaper and pops of red pack lots of color into a tiny space.