Space-saving bathroom ideas for landlords

The bathroom is one of the most important, and most-used, areas of any home. So, it’s no surprise that when it comes to ways to upgrade a rental property, the bathroom is one of the first areas landlords should look at. Depending on your buy-to-let, you may not have a lot of space to work with. Luckily, there are numerous space-saving designs and small but impactful changes you can implement to make the most of your rental bathroom and still provide a practical space for your renters.

Choose the right shower door

The right shower door can make a huge difference in how spacious your bathroom appears. Sliding doors, for example, don’t require any extra space so they’re perfect for slim rooms where space is at a premium. Likewise, bi-fold and accordion doors fold in on themselves so you can maximise the floorspace. Materials matter too – a frameless glass door will make the bathroom appear larger and reflect more light around the room.

Trick the eye

The amount of space you have to work with in a smaller bathroom and what the eye perceives aren’t the same. In other words, you can play with colour and texture to create the perception of a larger room. An effective way to do this is to tile the side of the bath and the wall with the same pattern or colour, which blurs the lines and boundaries, making it hard to see where each one begins. It also creates a focal point which draws the eye.

Use valuable space

When it comes to fixtures like cupboards and sinks, we tend to plan everything based on the floor space available. But a wall-mounted vanity unit frees up prime space in your bathroom, providing valuable storage for a modern look. If you’re decluttering for a new year’s rental, slimline designs are the best option, while wicker boxes look great and save space without compromising on aesthetics.

Another option is to use windowsills to their full capacity for extra storage. A well-placed ledge next to the bath or shower can be used to place reed diffusers, plants or they can serve as a spot for renters to place toiletries, so don’t let this space go to waste and if possible, extend it by fitting a slightly deeper sill.

Install a wet room

Keeping your rental bathroom in its current layout could be holding you back from making the most of the space. Transforming a smaller bathroom into a wet room can add significant value to the property and makes the most of the square footage. Wet rooms tend to not need bulky shower trays and doors, so you can blend the shower area into the rest of the room, creating the illusion of a larger room and integrating a stylish addition to the home.

Mirrors aren’t just functional

Naturally, most bathrooms include a mirror, but if you can be more strategic with the size and placement, you can actually use it to your advantage to make the bathroom appear bigger. Mirrors are perfect for bouncing natural light around the room, opening up the space while also being practical for your residents. No matter how small the bathroom is, don’t be afraid to go big and bold with your mirror choice.

Stick to a cohesive colour palette

The temptation with a small space is to keep to white and cream tones, but you don’t need to avoid colour entirely. What is important, however, is that the colours are cohesive. A limited palette will stop the room feeling overwhelming and give it a fresher feel. If you do want to use a bold, deeper shade, you may want to choose a feature wall to use it on and opt for lighter shades on the other walls so avoid closing in the room unnecessarily.

Don’t overlook the finer details

If you want to spruce up your rental without blowing the budget, you can make small changes that will make all the difference to how the space looks. The handles on storage cabinets, for example, not only elevate the look and feel of the space but they can also create a more slimline aesthetic if you choose a smaller, sleeker design. A large light fixture can also make the room feel more claustrophobic and cramped, so switching to a more minimalist design will keep the functionality without overpowering the room.

Often, the adage of ‘less is more’ holds true when it comes to smaller bathrooms. You don’t need a vast amount of space to create a bathroom that feels stylish, luxurious and, above all, practical. Whether it’s an awkward layout, a slim en-suite or a tiny studio flat bathroom, you can still experiment with bold colours, tiling and more to make the most of the square footage you have to play with. Whether you're a first-time buy-to-let investor or a seasoned landlord, get in touch and we can help you find the property you’re looking for.

This guest post was written by Annie Button.