Bathtubs for Small Bathrooms: 5 Space-Saving Secrets

May 05, 2025

A cozy, indulgent soak might seem unattainable if your bathroom is barely bigger than a closet. Yet, with strategic design tweaks, bathtubs for small bathrooms can feel unexpectedly spacious. In this post, we’ll reveal five tried-and-true secrets—covering layout, storage, color choices, and more—that let you incorporate a functional tub without overwhelming the room.

1. Embrace Vertical Storage

Floating Shelves

Use narrow, open shelves above or beside the tub to keep toiletries, towels, or decorative accents. This draws the eye upward, preventing clutter around the tub’s edge.

Built-In Niches

Recessed niches in the wall are a DIY-friendly trick recommended by HomeTalk for optimizing tight spaces. They hide bottles and soaps without protruding into your limited floor area.

2. Go Light & Bright

Color Palette

Soft whites, pastels, and light grays expand the visual sense of space. Bold or dark walls can look striking, but they might shrink the perceived room dimension.

Reflective Surfaces

Large mirrors or glossy tiles reflect light—natural or artificial—making a small bathroom appear bigger. Position a mirror opposite the tub to double the effect, giving the illusion of depth.

3. Select a Space-Saving Tub

Narrow Footprint

Some tubs measure under 28 inches wide while offering deeper basins . This trade-off lets you immerse vertically rather than horizontally.

Corner Tub

Tucking the tub into a corner frees up the center of the bathroom. A triangular or rounded corner tub can provide diagonal legroom, balancing compact exterior dimensions with interior comfort.

Short Soaker

A 50- to 55-inch tub can drastically reduce the horizontal span. If you prefer upright soaking, this might be more comfortable than a standard, shallow 60-inch tub.

4. Consider Transparent or No Barriers

Glass Panels or Curtains

If you’re pairing the tub with a shower, opt for a clear glass panel or a minimalistic curtain. Opaque partitions can cut the room visually, while clear ones maintain open sightlines.

Open Shelving

Instead of a bulky vanity or closed cabinet, open shelving or a wall-mounted sink can reduce visual bulk. Light flows freely, and your tub remains the central focus.

5. Maximize Every Inch of Layout

Reposition Fixtures

Sometimes rotating the tub or shifting the toilet or sink by a few inches can free up better passage. If possible, place the tub where the ceiling is highest or near a window to enhance natural lighting.

Pocket Doors

A swinging door can steal space that’s prime real estate for your tub. Switching to a pocket door or sliding panel can recapture that clearance, making it easier to install a bigger bath than you originally thought possible.

Chart: Common Tub Shapes for Small Bathrooms
Shape	Main Benefit	Typical Dimensions
Narrow Rectangle	Saves width, deeper well	~28" wide x 60" length
Short Soaker	Minimizes length, upright immersion	48–55" length, 16–24" depth
Corner/ Triangular	Utilizes corner angles, diagonal soak	Sides often 48–60" each
Japanese-Style Ofuro	Compact footprint, vertical submersion	40–50" length, 24" depth+

External Inspiration

For additional small-bath makeovers, Apartment Therapy and Houzz often feature creative solutions where homeowners fit baths in spaces that seem impossibly tight. Observing real projects can spark fresh ideas—like installing a skylight above a corner tub or using half walls to delineate wet and dry zones.

Before You Commit

Measure Rigorously: Note any angles, windowsills, or radiators that might impede tub placement.
Check Plumbing: A new drain or faucet location might require redoing subfloor pipes.
Budget: Smaller tubs can sometimes cost more if they include special depth or seating . Factor in installation adjustments and potential tile or finishing work.

Final Thoughts

Fitting a bathtub into a small bathroom doesn’t have to be an impossible puzzle. By storing items vertically, choosing a compact or corner model, and using light-enhancing tricks, you can carve out a functional soak space that feels bigger than it is. If you’re curious about tub models tailor-made for constrained layouts, explore Aquatica’s Small Bathtubs . With strategic planning, you’ll transform even the tightest quarters into a cozy retreat where you can soak the day away.

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