4 Tips to Create a Functional and Beautiful Bathroom in a Small Footprint

This is the final installment of our five-part blog series focusing on small spaces, written by d2e design consultant, Jillian Moskovitz, who was recognized as Best of Philly 2025 Small-Space Problem Solver.

When I first moved into my house, the primary bathroom was quite big. At first glance that seemed great. It had a double sink vanity, large walk-in shower, and a corner-shaped bathtub with a wide tile deck surrounding it. Then reality set in — the bathtub took forever to fill and was awkward to get in and out of. The shower was very roomy but with only a single shower head, it was very cold standing in a big, open, tile-filled space. The wall sprays weren’t much help either, because you could could not use them and the shower head simultaneously. Definitely not luxurious or even very functional.

Photos courtesy of Jillian Moskovitz

When we embarked on a renovation of the bathroom, we decided to do something few people do…we made the space smaller, cutting it almost in half of its original size! Being thoughtful with the layout was my top priority. With a smaller space, every inch counted and I was particular about each detail. So, how to create a functional and beautiful bathroom in a small footprint? Here are 4 takeaways:

1. Higher ceilings give the illusion of more space. Since the area above the bathroom was an empty attic space, we were able to raise the ceiling. The extra height made the whole space feel loftier and also made room for a chandelier.

Before and after of vanity area

2. Maximize mirrors and natural light. Natural light pours into the room through side by side transom windows. Placing them higher on the wall freed up the space below for a wall to wall mirror.

Photo courtesy of Jillian Moskovitz

3. Conceal clutter. Storage for towels and toiletries is of course important, but an area often overlooked is storage in the shower. I didn’t want miscellaneous shampoo bottles and soaps being the first thing I saw each time I walked into the bathroom so I opted for a hidden shower niche. Tucked behind the half wall next to the vanity, the shower niche is extra tall and wide and includes a shelf inside of it.

4. Create contrast in scale. Gray penny tiles on the floor contrast with the large-scale Carrara-inspired porcelain tiles on the walls.

Curious about other bathrooms we’ve worked on or looking for inspiration? Here are some favorites:

Photos by Rebecca McAlpin

Be sure to check out the “Residential by Rooms” section on our website to see even more. If you have a bathroom design challenge, we’d love to hear from you too. Comment below, and if you’d like to connect with us more formally to discuss your interior design aspirations, simply fill out our Client Contact Form and we will get back to you!