Small bathroom ideas for Northcote homes: layouts, tiles and storage

Many Northcote bathrooms are small. Workers cottages often have a narrow bathroom added at the back, and units and townhouses tend to have compact ensuites. A small room can still feel calm and work well every day if you plan it carefully. These ideas come from the questions we hear most often at our Reservoir showroom, about 15 to 20 minutes from Northcote. See our Northcote showroom page for directions and local advice.

Start with the layout

In a small room the layout matters more than any finish. Before choosing products, measure the room and mark where the door swings, where the window sits and where the existing plumbing is. Keeping the toilet and shower waste in their current positions usually saves cost and time.

• Swap the bath for a walk in shower if nobody in the house needs a bath. A shower with a fixed glass panel feels far more open than a hobbed shower with a door.
• Consider a sliding or outward opening door so it does not clash with the vanity or toilet.
• Keep a clear path of at least the width of a person between fixtures.

Tiles that make the room feel bigger

Tiles do a lot of the work in a small bathroom.

• Fewer grout lines: larger tiles such as 600x600mm on the floor make the room look less busy.
• Same tile, floor and walls: running one tile throughout blurs the edges of the room.
• Light colours: soft whites, warm greys and pale stone looks reflect light.
• Vertical laying: 300x600mm tiles laid vertically draw the eye up, which suits the tall ceilings in many Northcote cottages.
• One feature only: keep a mosaic to the niche or one wall so it reads as a highlight rather than clutter.

Vanities for tight spaces

Space saver vanities are shallower than standard vanities, so they free up floor space without losing storage. Wall hung vanities show more floor, which makes the room feel larger and makes cleaning easier. Drawers are more useful than doors in a small vanity because you can see everything at once. Our vanity size guide explains widths and depths.

Storage without clutter

• A shaving cabinet above the basin doubles as a mirror and keeps everyday items out of sight.
• A recessed shower niche replaces corner caddies.
• Hooks behind the door hold towels and robes where a towel rail will not fit.

Tapware and fixtures

A wall mounted wall mixer and spout frees up space on a small vanity top. A rail shower gives an adjustable shower head without taking up extra wall space. Choose one finish for tapware and accessories to keep the room looking simple.

Light and ventilation

Small rooms trap steam. A good exhaust fan protects grout and paint, and an LED mirror adds even light at the face without extra wall fittings.

Common small bathroom mistakes

• Too many tile types. Three or more tiles in a small room looks busy. Two is usually plenty.
• An oversized vanity. A vanity that crowds the door or toilet makes the room hard to use every day.
• Forgetting the door swing. Check the door clears the vanity, toilet and towel rail.
• Dark grout with light tiles. Strong contrast draws attention to every line and makes the room feel smaller.
• No storage plan. Without a cabinet or niche, bottles end up on every surface.

Small bathrooms in rentals and units

If you own a unit or rental in Northcote, choose durable, neutral products that suit a wide range of tenants or buyers. A white or timber look space saver vanity, chrome or brushed nickel tapware and a plain porcelain tile are easy to maintain and simple to replace if needed.

Close to Thornbury, Preston and Northcote

Our Reservoir showroom is minutes from the inner north. See our local pages for bathroom tiles and tapware near Thornbury, bathroom renovations near Preston and the tile shop near Northcote, or browse all areas we serve.

Plan it with us

Bring a sketch and photos to our Reservoir showroom, or book a free measure in Northcote. We can help you choose products that fit, and quote installation by our qualified trades if you would like the work done for you. Installation is a paid service and is always quoted.

Common questions

What is the best tile size for a small bathroom?

Larger tiles such as 600x600mm on the floor reduce grout lines and make a small room look bigger. Smaller tiles or mosaics still suit the shower floor for falls.

Is a space saver vanity worth it?

Yes, in a narrow bathroom. It is shallower than a standard vanity, so it frees up floor space while keeping useful storage.

Do you measure small bathrooms in Northcote?

Yes. We offer a free measure in Northcote, so products are chosen to fit the room.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days.