10 Creative 5x11 Bathroom Ideas: Smart Design Tips for Transforming a Narrow 5x11 Bathroom

One time, I almost demolished a perfectly good wall just because I couldn’t imagine fitting both a shower and a vanity in a narrow bathroom. That 5x11 layout almost got the better of me—until I realized small spaces can actually force us into our most creative solutions. Over the years, I’ve found that once you embrace the constraints, you start seeing opportunities instead of obstacles. Today, I want to share 10 ideas from my own projects to help you turn a tight 5x11 bathroom into a little style statement you’ll love living with.

1. Floating Vanity to Free Up Floor Space

In a narrow bathroom, visual openness is precious. A wall-mounted floating vanity allows light to pass beneath, making the space feel bigger while still offering storage. Bonus: easier floor cleaning. I often pair this with sleek under-cabinet lighting to carve out an almost spa-like vibe.

save pin

2. Walk-In Shower with Glass Partition

Instead of a bulky enclosure, I love using a single pane of glass to define the shower. It keeps the sightlines open, and in a 5x11 room, that’s everything. For one client, creating the layout in a bathroom design tool helped them visualize just how airy it could feel.

save pin

3. Vertical Storage to the Ceiling

Don’t underestimate unused wall height. Tall cabinets or shelves above the toilet can store towels, toiletries, and décor items. Just make sure daily essentials are at eye or arm level to avoid step-stool gymnastics every morning.

save pin

4. Oversized Mirror to Double the Visual Space

Mirrors bounce light and make a room feel at least twice as wide. In one renovation, a wall-to-wall mirror over the vanity not only helped with morning routines but visually erased the narrow proportions entirely.

save pin

5. Pocket Door Instead of Swing Door

A regular swing door eats up precious inches inside or outside the bathroom. A pocket door slides neatly away, keeping pathways clear. This single change often unlocks more layout possibilities than clients expect.

save pin

6. Continuous Floor Tile for Flow

Running the same tile from shower through the whole bathroom creates flow and fewer visual breaks. Bonus: larger format tiles mean fewer grout lines, so cleaning is easier. I once modeled this in a free floor plan creator to compare patterns, and my client instantly saw why it works.

save pin

7. Light Color Palette with Warm Accents

Whites, soft grays, or pale neutral hues help reflect light, making the narrow footprint feel airy. To avoid a sterile look, I like adding brass fixtures or rich wood accessories for warmth.

save pin

8. Recessed Shelves in the Shower

Built-in niches keep bottles off the floor and remove the need for extra racks that could crowd the space. Just remember to slope the shelf slightly for drainage.

save pin

9. Underfloor Heating for Comfort

In a compact space, even small luxuries feel huge. Radiant floor heating means stepping out of the shower onto warm tiles—a surprisingly affordable upgrade that transforms chilly mornings.

save pin

10. Statement Lighting Overhead

In tall 5x11 bathrooms, a sculptural pendant or layered lighting draws the eye upward, distracting from the narrow width. I once tested fixture placements in a 3d floor planner before ordering, which saved us from an awkward visual imbalance.

save pin

FAQ

1. How do you make a 5x11 bathroom look bigger?

Use light colors, large mirrors, and glass partitions to visually expand the space while minimizing visual barriers.

2. Can I fit a bathtub in a 5x11 bathroom?

Yes, a small soaking tub or a shower-tub combo can fit, but you’ll need smart storage to keep it functional.

3. What’s the best storage option for a narrow bathroom?

Tall vertical cabinets, floating shelves, and recessed niches are ideal for tight footprints.

4. Is a double vanity possible in 5x11?

It’s tight, but two small sinks in a shared floating vanity can work if planned precisely.

5. Should I use dark colors in a narrow bathroom?

You can, but balance them with ample lighting and reflective surfaces. National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests at least 50 foot-candles of light for bathrooms.

6. Pocket door or sliding barn door for small bathrooms?

Pocket doors save more space inside the bathroom, whereas barn doors need wall space outside to slide.

7. How wide should the shower be in a 5x11 bathroom?

A comfortable minimum is about 36 inches, but 32 can work if you choose space-saving fixtures.

8. What’s the ideal lighting plan?

Combine overhead ambient lighting with task lights at the vanity to avoid shadows and brighten the space evenly.