Small bathrooms are often underestimated. Tucked into tight corners of city apartments or older homes, these spaces are typically the least prioritized—and yet the most used. But just because your bathroom is small doesn’t mean it can’t be smart, stylish, and user-friendly.
In this article, we dive into real-world small bathroom design case studies from around the globe. These projects prove that with a little intention and a few creative tweaks, your bathroom can be both beautiful and incredibly functional—no matter the size.
🚶♂️ Case Study 1: Making Small Bathrooms Accessible in Real Homes (Incheon, South Korea)
The challenge: Many elderly and disabled residents in Incheon live in small apartments with poorly designed bathrooms. High thresholds, slippery floors, and cramped layouts made them difficult—and even dangerous—to use.
The solution: A government-supported remodeling project tackled 17 of these homes. Designers made several key changes:
-
Removed floor level differences to create flat, wheelchair-accessible surfaces
-
Installed non-slip flooring throughout
-
Added grab bars next to toilets and bathtubs
-
Lowered the height of sinks, mirrors, and showerheads to be within easy reach
-
Introduced adjustable shower holders and floating vanities to increase legroom
This project showed how a few smart, inexpensive updates can transform a small bathroom into a safe and empowering space for anyone, regardless of age or ability.
Read the full case here
🧱 Case Study 2: The Modular Bathroom That Changes With You
The challenge: How do you design a bathroom that works for everyone—young, old, able-bodied, or disabled?
The solution: Korean researcher Lee Dae-Hyun created a modular bathroom system that allows you to customize the space over time. Using a virtual reality environment, users could test different layouts, fixture heights, and color contrasts.
Key features:
-
Flexible modules for toilets, sinks, and cabinets
-
User-friendly sizing based on ergonomic testing
-
High-contrast color choices to help those with vision impairments
-
Virtual feedback from elderly, disabled, and average users
The result? Over 90% of users gave the bathroom top usability scores, making it a truly adaptable design.
Modular design isn’t just for big kitchens or closets—it works brilliantly in small bathrooms too.
See the study here
🚪 Case Study 3: When Small Bathroom Layouts Get It Wrong
The case: A new apartment complex in Korea was meant to be modern and efficient. But when researchers evaluated the 18-pyeong (about 60 m²) units, they discovered major design flaws in the bathrooms:
-
Door widths were too narrow for wheelchairs
-
Bathroom floors had raised edges that caused trip hazards
-
Sink and toilet heights didn’t suit elderly residents
-
There was almost no space to move freely
Despite being new, the design ignored basic universal design standards.
This case reminds us that not all modern bathrooms are well-designed—especially small ones. Always check door widths, thresholds, and space clearance.
Read more here
🔄 Case Study 4: A Bathroom With Moving Walls and Fixtures
The vision: Architect Arvind Mullick developed two futuristic bathroom designs that can literally change shape.
-
Movable Fixtures Bathroom – where the sink, toilet, and even walls can shift to create more space.
-
Movable Panels Bathroom – with sliding walls that can expand or shrink different zones as needed.
This design was created with caregivers and multi-generational families in mind. It works just as well for independent users as it does for those who need assistance.
Imagine a bathroom that grows with your needs—it’s not science fiction anymore.
Explore the idea here
✅ 5 Smart Design Tips for Small Bathrooms
Whether you’re doing a full remodel or a quick refresh, here are the top takeaways from real-world small bathroom projects:
-
Remove floor thresholds – Create seamless, trip-free transitions.
-
Use floating fixtures – Wall-mounted sinks and toilets open up floor space.
-
Add grab bars—beautifully – They don’t have to look “clinical” anymore.
-
Keep it modular – Choose vanities or cabinets that can adapt over time.
-
Widen your doorways – Even a few extra inches can make a big difference.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Small bathroom designs can be just as elegant and effective as their larger counterparts—if not more so. Whether you’re planning for aging in place, improving accessibility, or simply want a better flow in a tight space, the key is designing with empathy and intention.
These case studies show it’s possible, and now you know how.