Modern Space Saving Features For Your Next Bathroom Remodel

There’s all kinds of advice out there about how to save space in a small bathroom, like what fixtures to choose and unique features to include. But it might not have occurred to you that even the style of the bathroom matters. Many of the most iconic features of a modern bathroom also happen to be great space-savers, so simply by opting for a more modern style can open up a whole lot of stylish space saving options you wouldn’t be able to use otherwise.

Moderna Trio 31" Single Bathroom Vanity With Mirror VG09033118K From Vigo Industries
Moderna Trio 31″ Single Bathroom Vanity With Mirror VG09033118K From Vigo Industries

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Wall mounted bathroom vanities are one of the best examples. These vanities are all sleek lines and simple geometric shapes, a perfect pair for a very modern style bathroom. But they also tend to be very efficiently designed, with well-sorted, easily accessible storage and a compact footprint that makes them an outstanding option for a small bathroom. Unlike some of the options on this list, wall mounted bathroom vanities can work with a slightly more contemporary style bathroom, depending on the finish you choose, but by and large this style is limited to bathrooms that skew modern.

Tsunami 8039 Wall Mounted Bathroom Sink From Scarabeo
Tsunami 8039 Wall Mounted Bathroom Sink From Scarabeo

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The same goes for wall mounted bathroom sinks. Sleek, sculptural porcelain sinks are a daring alternative to a conventional vanity and are often used as statement pieces for a very modern bathroom. But even relatively large wall mounted sinks are still smaller in all dimensions than a typical bathroom vanity, meaning they both save space and make the bathroom they’re in feel larger and more open. Because these sinks lack any built in storage, they can be a better option for a guest bath than a master bathroom, but combined with other modern storage options, these sinks can work well even in a high-traffic small bathroom.

T4 Wall Mounted Toilet 4464-003-0075 From VitrA
T4 Wall Mounted Toilet 4464-003-0075 From VitrA

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By now it’s probably becoming clear that “mount it on the wall” is something of a key element in modern bathroom design, but this applies to some more unexpected fixtures, too, like the toilet. You really can’t get away with installing a wall mounted toilet in anything but a modern or maybe very chic contemporary style bathroom, but not only can they visually open up your bathroom, they also take up quite a lot less space than conventional models. Since they require less horizontal clearance than traditional toilets, they can give you more wiggle room in terms of design layout, too.

Simple 30.4" Bathroom Vanity NS8 From Iotti
Simple 30.4″ Bathroom Vanity NS8 From Iotti

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Wall mounted storage cabinets are another great, very modern alternative that’s ideal for a small bathroom. While most traditional storage cabinets are large and freestanding, like cabinets or wardrobes, modern versions are much smaller and sit almost flush with the wall, so they take up far less functional space. That means they can be used even in the smallest bathrooms, and use parts of the wall that would otherwise be left blank. Unlike more conventional storage carts or trolleys, they won’t take up any floor space at all, and are hung at a very accessible height.

Sculptural modern bathtubs can be elegant and luxurious while maintaining a smaller footprint than most luxury freestanding bathtubs (by Chantel Elshout Design Consultancy, photo by Rowland Roques-O'Neil)
Sculptural modern bathtubs can be elegant and luxurious while maintaining a smaller footprint than most luxury freestanding bathtubs (by Chantel Elshout Design Consultancy, photo by Rowland Roques-O’Neil)

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Modern bathroom design also gives you a little more wiggle room in terms of choosing an interesting or unusual bathtub. Most traditional tubs are simple and rectangular; they might vary a little in terms of size, features, or detailing, but even clawfoot tubs come in only a few standard sizes. But modern freestanding bathtubs can be spectacularly sculptural, with unusual shapes and designs that you simply wouldn’t find in a more traditional space. That freedom of design means that occasionally you can find a big, deep soaking tub that has a striking modern appearance, but that takes up less space than a more traditional tub with a similar capacity. Of course, this isn’t always the case (some modern tubs can be quite large), but the increased freedom of design means that there are more space-conscious tubs out there that still look great.

Barrier-free or wet bathrooms can make very small bathrooms feel bigger and more open, and allow you to have a full or 3/4 bathroom in a space that might otherwise only be a half bath (by The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn, photo by Dawn Jackman)
Barrier-free or wet bathrooms can make very small bathrooms feel bigger and more open, and allow you to have a full or 3/4 bathroom in a space that might otherwise only be a half bath (by The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn, photo by Dawn Jackman)

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Modern design is all about open, barrier-free spaces and uninterrupted lines. Usually, that means big, sprawling modern bathrooms or even removing the wall between the bedroom and bath in a large master suite. But a barrier free design can be a boon for small bathrooms, too. Instead of compartmentalizing the bathtub and shower, which can make a small bathroom feel crowded, a more modern option is to do away with the shower enclosure entirely and build an open shower or wet bathroom instead. That way, the whole bathroom becomes one big shower stall, making the space feel wide and open, even if the bathroom itself is relatively small.

So if you’re planning to remodel a small bathroom, it might be worth opting for a more modern style, just to give yourself a few more options to make your bathroom the best it can be. What do you think of these modern space saving features? Let me know in the comments!