Small Bathroom Renovation: Ideas to Maximize Space

Making the Most of a Small Bathroom

Small bathrooms are a reality for millions of Spanish homeowners. The average bathroom in a Spanish apartment built between 1960 and 1990 measures just 3.5 to 5 square metres, and many older flats have bathrooms as small as 2.5 square metres. But a small footprint does not mean you have to compromise on comfort, style, or functionality. With the right design approach and clever product choices, even the tiniest bathroom can feel spacious and work beautifully.

The key to a successful small bathroom renovation lies in three principles: choosing appropriately scaled fixtures, maximising vertical storage, and using visual tricks to create an illusion of more space. In this guide, I share proven strategies that I have applied to hundreds of compact bathroom renovations across Spain, along with realistic costs for each solution.

A complete small bathroom renovation in Spain costs between 3,000 and 8,000 euros depending on the level of finishes and whether the layout changes. Even with a modest budget, strategic choices can transform a cramped, dated bathroom into a practical, modern space that adds value to your home.

Space-Saving Fixtures and Their Costs

Wall-hung toilets are the number one space-saving upgrade for small Spanish bathrooms. By concealing the cistern inside the wall (using an empotrable system from Geberit or similar), you free up 15 to 20 centimetres of floor depth and make the bathroom feel significantly more open. The visual effect of a clean floor line extending under the toilet creates an impression of greater space. A wall-hung toilet system (including the cistern frame, toilet bowl, and installation) costs between 500 and 1,200 euros.

Compact walk-in showers replace bathtubs in virtually all small bathroom renovations. A frameless glass panel (mampara fija) instead of a traditional shower enclosure eliminates visual barriers and lets the eye travel across the full room. A single fixed glass panel of 80 to 100 centimetres costs 300 to 700 euros installed. Pair this with a flush shower tray (plato de ducha extraplano) at 200 to 400 euros for a seamless, accessible design.

Compact vanity units with integrated basins maximise storage in a minimal footprint. Wall-mounted vanity units of 60 to 80 centimetres wide, with drawers rather than doors, offer excellent organisation while keeping the floor clear. Spanish brands like Salgar, Royo, and Roca offer quality compact vanities from 300 to 800 euros. For very tight spaces, corner basins and narrow vanities of 40 to 50 centimetres provide a functional solution.

Sliding pocket doors replace standard swing doors that waste up to 0.7 square metres of usable space in a small bathroom. A standard interior pocket door system costs between 300 and 600 euros installed and eliminates the dead zone behind the door swing. If a pocket door is not structurally feasible, a barn-style sliding door on an external rail is an alternative at 200 to 400 euros.

Clever Storage Solutions

Recessed shelving (hornacinas) built into shower walls or above the toilet provides storage without encroaching on floor space. A standard recessed niche of 30x60 centimetres costs 100 to 250 euros to construct during a renovation and can hold shampoo bottles, towels, or decorative items. Waterproof LED strip lighting inside the niche adds a premium touch for an extra 50 to 100 euros.

Vertical ladder towel radiators replace both the traditional towel rack and the radiator, saving wall space while keeping towels warm and dry. A chrome heated towel rail of 50x120 centimetres costs between 150 and 400 euros and fits elegantly in the narrow space behind the door or beside the shower. These are especially practical in Spanish homes where older cast-iron radiators take up valuable floor space.

Over-door organisers, magnetic strips for small metal items, and suction-cup accessories provide additional storage without drilling holes or taking up permanent space. For families, a wall-mounted cabinet above the toilet (typically 60 centimetres wide and 70 centimetres tall) provides essential storage for toiletries, medicines, and cleaning products while remaining above the sight line.

Small Bathroom Renovation FAQ