Designing a bathroom for a tiny house is difficult. You need to think about the requirements of not only adults but kids as well. It needs to be small and functional while including all necessary features like a toilet, sink, shower, and enough storage space.
As part of our series on tiny houses, we’ve compiled a collection of pictures from the best tiny homes we feature on this site.
I find this especially amazing because some include full tubs. Some clever designs have a washing machine and dryer in the bathroom, so it’s also a laundry room (a very nice feature for any tiny home).
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How To Design A Tiny House Bathroom
For any tiny house, the plumbing, fixtures, lighting, and electrical in the bathroom are among the most important details to plan for. A great deal of time should be spent planning your new bathroom—the kitchen and bathroom are two of the most complex rooms in a home and require meticulous attention to detail.
Start with the must-have items from your list of things that need to be in and around your bathroom. Figure out where and how you want to store those items, then design a storage system based on these needs.
For instance, I would take what you think you need for storage space into account and double it just so there is room if needed down the road. Storage will make or break any tiny house!
Now that we know exactly what clothes will be kept in the storage space and determine how it will look, we also need to include details about how fixtures are laid out. These are all an important component of any bathroom (including bathrooms in small houses). Typically you would have a sink, shower, vanity with mirror, cabinets for towels, or toilet.
For some people, life without a bathtub seems unimaginable. Others can use the shower just fine. Other people have many hair and makeup products. Whatever your favorite item is, try to take a step back and see what you really need. Again, I would encourage you to do this in an area that most closely resembles the space of the bathroom.
Imagine a world where your shower is the only place you can wash up. That’s because there are no bathtubs-everything is wet room style. And what if you’re carrying so little makeup that it doesn’t even fill an entire vanity drawer? Imagine life with this experiment. What if you could only have a maximum of three bottles in your shower? If, after a few weeks, you still can’t manage your current bathroom situation despite all of the think you try, it proves that these things we often overlook are actually important. You’ll also learn that you didn’t really need some items you thought were “must-haves.”
How Big Is A Tiny House Bathroom?
A tiny house bathroom is usually 25-50 square feet. This should be about one-quarter of your floor space. Assume that your bed is in a loft. This is because while a bathroom is necessary for using the toilet and practicing basic hygiene, it’s only used for under two hours each day; that makes use large space for a little time.
Tiny House Bathroom Dimension
The width of your shower typically drives the width of a tiny house bathroom. At big box stores, the smallest shower is about 32”x32” that will able to find, but I would rather have a 36” wide shower in an ideal world. However, your design may not allow for it.
The length of a tiny bathroom is usually measured as the depth of the toilet + the depth of the shower plus space between 4-6 feet.
All of that would add up to the space needed for a minimum of 3 feet and 10 feet long in most cases. With stand-alone tubs, in particular, this will need to be increased by about 2-3 times those amounts.
How To Choose Tiny House Bathroom Fixtures
Choosing the right fixtures, from sinks to showers and tubs, can make or break your tiny house bathroom. Take your time finding these items, and don’t settle if they do not meet both your needs and expectations. Some specialty items can be hard to find because they’re not always stocked at your local hardware store, or if they are, the store may need to special order them.
Tiny House Bathroom Sinks
When you’re in the bathroom, what do you use and need to have in your sink? I’ve noticed that I usually only use my sink for these things:
- Washing hands
- Rinsing my razor after shaving, so it doesn’t get rusty
- Wetting my toothbrush and rinse
- Drinking water
I first considered the sink I needed and realized it really only needed to be a few inches wide. I struggled to find small sinks, with only a few options out at any given time and they were pricey despite being larger than desired.
Tiny House Shower Options
A shower is a basic method for washing yourself. I actually take my showers outside in my outdoor shower on a 32-acre property; there’s no need for me to worry about whether or not someone can see what I am doing, and being naked outside feels amazing. For the winter months, I stay inside my shower, which is 32” by 32”. While it’s a perfect size for me now, I wish my bathroom had a 36 x 36 shower because that would be so much better!
You’ll have to go with whatever you can find locally, so I recommend going to your local hardware store and asking for different options. Give them 4-6 weeks if they need time to order it. I’d suggest getting a one-piece fiberglass unit instead of panelized because it will prevent leaks from happening due to seams.
The downside to this is that you’ll need to put the shower inside your walls when you tip them up and build the house around it. Because you may not be able to fit it through the front door. You may be able to insert it through the larger hole in the window before you lower it through the window.
When it comes to shower brands, I will stick with the name-brand options you can find at most retailers. If a company is big enough, they all do pretty good work with their build quality - so go for the option that works best for your design and needs, and you’ll be fine. I would avoid custom systems because they are often more expensive and have seams that water could seep through.
Tiny House Bathroom Vanity
Think carefully about how to arrange your tiny house bathroom, including where to place a sink and what cabinets are available. Spend a lot of time thinking about what you want to keep in your bathroom so that it matches your needs. This process might require laying out custom storage solutions and designing around them with features such as pull-out drawer organizers and other storage options.
This is a great example of an open shelving vanity, which will make it easy to store everyday items without making the bathroom feel small. While you may want to dress these spaces up because they’re visible, make sure they are also functional. One downside of this setup is that the space below the wood slab will be left open and unused.
I love the way this vanity sharply divides functionality with design. It is neither too small nor too big and has enough room for a sink while still providing ample storage in large cabinet space. There is a power outlet right there for things like a hairdryer that you can wire to the house’s ground fault circuit interrupter. The counter space at the sink should be enough to hold soap and small containers of toiletries, such as toothbrushes, etc. One smart design choice is the full-length mirror on the back of a pocket door.
Pocket doors are perfect for small bathrooms and tiny houses in general. You’ll need to have ample space inside the wall cavity, which is bigger than the door itself, so there’s enough room for it when it’s pushed into the wall. Adding a mirror on the back of this pocket door makes this entranceway feel very functional as you get ready.
Tiny House Bathroom Storage And Organization
Storage is a big deal. You want to have a few items with you as possible, but some items must be brought along. Please make sure they’re organized and accessible in your luggage for easy packing. Not having a lot of space in my house means that any mess can quickly become stressful. One such item, clothes on the floor, can create problems for someone living in a tiny home.
Above The Door Storage
In-wall Storage Nooks
Pull Out Bathroom Organizers
Organize Around Your Sink Drain
Give Attention to Ventilation of Tiny House Bathroom
One major challenge in any bath, let alone a tiny house bathroom, is ventilation. Without proper materials and ventilation, you’ll end up with mold issues and poor air quality. Air conditioning will be stressed when HVAC is running to maintain an enjoyable environment.
I recommend that you have a fan set on a timer so it can vent while showering but continue to run for 30 minutes after you leave. Add dehumidifier will keep your tiny house air-conditioned and safe to live in.
Tiny House Bathroom Design Ideas Inspiration
Tiny House Bathroom and Laundry Room Combo
This bathroom features a spacious tub/shower with subway tile in the wall space directly above it, and the sink is built into one of two nooks, both flanked by shelves. This bathroom also doubles as a laundry room with a washing machine and dryer. I love the rustic ceiling beams, extensive woodwork (with white paint) in this bath which makes it bright and calming at the same time.
Storage And Tub for Tiny House Bathroom
A stainless steel tub graces the floor of this tiny Summit Tiny Home bath. To maximize space, there are storage options everywhere you look. From toiletries to towels and beyond, you’ll find clever solutions around every corner.
The photo is of a bathroom in a tiny house. The sink is trough-style, and there are storage items as well as the toilet.
Shower attachment combined with a small freestanding bathtub can help conserve space in a tiny home bathroom.
Walk-in Shower
Here’s a walk-in shower that has gray tiles designed and built by Backcountry Tiny Homes. The sink is modern, and the wall it sits on, which is made of natural wood.
Tiny House Bathroom And Laundry Room Combo
This tiny house bathroom is efficient with a tub, washing machine, and dryer. The dark hardwood floor contrasts nicely with the white-washed walls and subway tile around the bathing tub.
Contemporary Bathroom Design In Tiny House
A black and white color scheme for Walk-in shower in tiny home bathroom.
Simple Tiny House Bathroom
The example below demonstrates a simple bathroom design in a tiny home that includes, among other things, a bench-style toilet and small shaving mirror, also floor-to-ceiling shelving, a window, a shower with a shower curtain.
Subway Tile Shower
Here’s a mid-sized tiny house bathroom with enough room for a full shower, sink, and toilet. It doesn’t take up too much space to make it inconvenient in other spaces.
Comfortable Tiny House Bathroom
This tiny house bathroom is beautiful also comfortable. It featured a full tub, a small sink, wood wall paneling, wood flooring, and a small toilet. The recessed lighting makes this room look nicely lit.
Spacious Tiny House Bathroom
The perfect tiny house bathroom. With a glass shower, vessel sink with modern faucet, and stylish built-in shelving for all of your toiletries, this is the space where you can freshen up in style!
I love the dark wood paneling that contrasts with the white tile in this shower because it looks great. The window provides plenty of natural light to illuminate the room, which enabled this glass door to be used instead of one made from clear material.
Pink And White Tiny Bathroom
This small bathroom is cozy, with white-washed walls and a clean-cut design. The spacious vanity has both a sink and a tub/shower combo, while the nautical style mirror provides an air of elegance. It also features recessed lighting in the ceiling.
Glass Corner Shower
A glass corner shower is a clever way to make the most of small bathrooms. Glass walls offer an unobstructed view giving you more space for maneuverability than standard frame walls. The glass can help make your bathroom space feel bigger. If you’re on a budget, the prefabricated shower base will provide both time and cost savings. Costing $150-$100, it is one of the cheapest choices available, and it doesn’t take any knowledge or work from you. Plus, you will not have to worry about sloppy floors.
This layout is great because it offers plenty of storage space. But also integrates a combo washer-dryer into space while adding ample counter space. Plus, this bathroom has a full tub and sink as well as a composting toilet. This space also has a lighter color scheme, the windows give good natural lighting. Vinyl flooring means wet patches are no big deal and subway tiles make this look great.
I feel that this layout is the perfect mix of function and space efficiency. A stand-up shower stall provides enough room for a quick clean-up but does not take up any more space than a shower tub. A little nook provides plenty of storage for linens and bathroom items, and a small sink allows you to complete most essential tasks.
The wet bath design has a pivoting curtain that separates the occupants from an expansive outdoor view. Small white tiles make up space, but contrasting dark wood sets it off with a textured appearance. It’s also great to see flush toilet instead of composting one in a tiny house bathroom.
This layout for small space was appealing because it had room for both a standard and a deep soak tub. This is an advantage since it gives you both a shower size and the capability for a tub when you need one. This bathroom also has a composting toilet that costs relatively little to build and install.
Big Style – Small Space
Europe may be known for its tiny apartments and homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice. Interior designer Simon Ramms has created a stylish tiny bathroom that measures 3 meters by 1.2 meters. If you are the type of person who can’t give up their tub when they go tiny, this is an excellent design.
Step up in Style
But this design certainly was not for a tiny home, so you may have to adjust it before adapting it. For instance, the steps inside could be used as towel storage, and the space under the shower might be fit for some storage area.
Galvanized Tub
Just about anyone can enjoy an evening relaxing in this rustic-chic tub. The material is lightweight and durable, and affordable if you compare it to other freestanding tubs.
Go Mirrorless
Is a mirror necessary in your tiny bathroom? Consider placing the mirror elsewhere and see if that opens up more space for shelving or storage. Or, install a mirror on the back of a door, inside a medicine cabinet, etc.
Sliding Door Tiny House Bathroom
One of the most challenging aspects of a tiny house’s bathroom is its size. An inward swinging door makes the space even smaller. Instead, opt for a sliding door to save valuable square feet and maximize room space!
Corner Tub
This space-saving tub is perfect for small spaces and allows owners to customize their bathroom with a more stylish appeal. It makes a small bathroom appear bigger, while the biggest obstacle being space.
Conclusion
When you’re dreaming up your tiny house bathroom, start by making a list of what needs to happen and what things need to stay in the bathroom. Planning will save you from headaches later on when there are so few options in such a small space.