Chicago is a city of condos, vintage apartments, and compact living spaces. If you're working with a small bathroom - say, 40 to 60 square feet - you know the challenge: how do you make it feel bigger, function better, and look great without knocking down walls?
We've remodeled hundreds of small bathrooms across Chicagoland, from vintage Gold Coast condos to modern River North high-rises. Here are the strategies that actually work.
Maximize Vertical Space
In a small bathroom, the walls are your best friend.
- Floor-to-ceiling tile draws the eye upward and makes the room feel taller. Large-format tiles (12x24 or larger) with minimal grout lines are especially effective.
- Recessed niches in the shower eliminate the need for a clunky shower caddy and keep the space clean.
- Tall, narrow cabinets or open shelving use wall space that would otherwise go to waste.
- Wall-mounted vanities free up floor space and make cleaning easier. The visible floor underneath tricks the eye into perceiving more space.
Choose the Right Shower Configuration
For small bathrooms, a walk-in shower with a frameless glass panel is almost always better than a tub-shower combo. Here's why:
- Glass is transparent, so the room feels continuous rather than divided
- No shower curtain means no visual clutter
- A curbless (zero-entry) design makes the bathroom feel seamless
- You gain usable floor space compared to a standard tub footprint
If you need a tub (for resale value or personal preference), a compact freestanding soaking tub can work in spaces where a standard 5-foot tub won't fit.
Light Colors, Strategic Contrast
A small bathroom benefits from a light, cohesive palette - but that doesn't mean all white.
- Light neutrals (warm whites, soft grays, pale greige) on walls and large surfaces
- One accent material (a marble-look tile, a textured wall, dark hardware) adds personality without shrinking the space
- Matching wall and floor tile creates visual continuity that makes the room feel larger
- Avoid busy patterns on large surfaces - save pattern for a small accent area
Lighting Makes or Breaks It
Small bathrooms in older Chicago buildings often have a single overhead light. Upgrading the lighting plan is one of the highest-impact changes you can make:
- Vanity sconces on either side of the mirror provide even, flattering light
- Recessed ceiling lights on a dimmer give you control over the mood
- Backlit mirrors add ambient light without taking up wall space
- A small window, if you have one, should never be blocked - use frosted glass for privacy
Smart Storage Solutions
- Medicine cabinets (recessed into the wall) provide hidden storage without protruding into the room
- Vanity with drawers beats a pedestal sink for functionality
- Hooks instead of towel bars take up less wall space
- Over-the-toilet shelving uses otherwise dead space
Let's Talk About Your Space
Every small bathroom has its own quirks - especially in Chicago's older buildings. We'd love to see your space and suggest ideas that work for your specific layout and budget. Schedule a consultation to get started.
