10 Smart 79 x 114 Bathroom Design Ideas: My personal tips for turning a small 79 x 114 bathroom into a stunning, functional space

A few years ago, I had a client who insisted on fitting a freestanding tub, a double vanity, and a bidet into their 79 x 114 inch bathroom. I thought they were joking, but nope – they were dead serious. That project made me realise that small bathrooms can be the ultimate design test, and sometimes, the tiniest footprint sparks the biggest creativity. Today, I’m sharing 10 of my favourite ideas for making your own compact bathroom feel stylish, roomy, and genuinely usable.

1. Go Vertical with Storage

When floor space is precious, the walls become your best friend. Tall, slim cabinets or floating shelves near the ceiling keep clutter off counters. I once paired vertical shelving with recessed mirror cabinets for a client – it doubled storage without feeling closed-in. Tools like the room planner can help you play with placements before drilling any holes.

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2. Pocket Doors are a Game Changer

That swinging door? It eats up valuable inside space. A pocket or sliding barn door frees up wall area for towel racks or hooks. The challenge: they require some wall modification, so it’s wise to decide early in your remodel.

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3. Choose a Floating Vanity

A wall-mounted vanity lifts the cabinet base off the floor, creating an illusion of space. I love pairing it with under-glow LED lighting – makes cleaning easier too.

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4. Use Light, Reflective Surfaces

Glazed tiles, glass shower panels, and large mirrors stretch the visual boundaries of a small bathroom. The catch: smudges and water spots will show more, so a good squeegee routine is a must.

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5. Curbless Showers for Seamless Flow

No shower step means less visual interruption. It’s also surprisingly wheelchair-friendly. Plan proper drainage or you’ll be mopping more than relaxing.

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6. Wall-Mounted Tapware

Pairing wall taps with a slim basin saves countertop real estate. Midway through a recent project, I switched to this setup and it freed enough room for a laundry hamper. A quick test in a free floor plan creator can help you see the impact instantly.

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7. Built-In Niches

Instead of bulky caddies or shelves jutting out, carve niches into your shower wall. They look sleek and keep bottles exactly where you need them. The only con: you’ve got to waterproof them well.

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8. Play with Bold Accents

Small doesn’t have to mean boring. A patterned floor tile or a vibrant vanity colour draws the eye and makes the room feel designed, not just fitted. Just don’t overdo it – too many patterns in a tight space can feel chaotic.

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9. Large-Format Tiles

Counterintuitive but true: bigger tiles mean fewer grout lines, which makes walls look less cluttered. I paired 24x24 porcelain tiles with discreet grout in one 79 x 114 bath, and the client swore it “doubled” the size visually. If you want to trial layouts, an bathroom design tool can help you visualise before ordering tiles.

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10. Multi-Functional Fixtures

A mirror with integral lighting, a vanity with built-in towel rack – these hybrid pieces keep the space both functional and decluttered. In a footprint this compact, every inch should do double duty.

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FAQ

1. What’s the best layout for a 79 x 114 bathroom?

A layout with fixtures along one wall often maximises space. Place the shower at one end for a clean flow.

2. Can I fit a bathtub in this size bathroom?

Yes, but opt for a compact tub or Japanese soaking tub to save room. Expect trade-offs with storage.

3. How do I make the bathroom feel bigger?

Light colours, mirrors, and minimal visual breaks (like curbless showers) can make it feel more spacious.

4. What storage works best?

Vertical cabinets, over-the-toilet shelves, and recessed niches provide storage without crowding the footprint.

5. Is a pocket door worth the cost?

If you need every inch, yes. They eliminate the swing radius and open up wall use.

6. How can I add character without shrinking the space?

Use one bold accent – patterned floor, coloured vanity – and keep the rest light and airy.

7. Do large tiles really work in small bathrooms?

Yes. Fewer grout lines mean smoother visual flow, making walls feel more expansive.

8. Are wall-mounted fixtures harder to install?

They require planning for plumbing inside the wall, so it’s best during a renovation. The clearance they create is worth it for many clients.