Bathroom Accessories for a Small Bathroom: 10 Ideas That Save Space
In a small bathroom every object is on show. The right accessories make it feel lighter, stay tidier and work harder. Here are the ones worth having, and the ones to skip.
The best bathroom accessories for a small bathroom are the ones that do two jobs or free up space: a light-coloured or clear shower curtain hung high, matching ceramic soap dispensers instead of bottles, a quick-dry bath mat, a compact shower stool that doubles as a shelf, and a few calm, scent-filled details. Fewer, better pieces make the room look bigger.
Many Australian apartments and rentals have bathrooms under five square metres, often with a shower over the bath and not much bench space. You cannot move walls, but you can change what fills the room. These ten ideas focus on accessories you can add today, without drilling or renovating.
1. Hang a light shower curtain as high as you can
A shower curtain is the biggest surface in a small bathroom. A curtain that starts near the ceiling draws the eye up and makes the room feel taller. Choose an extra long shower curtain (200 cm drop) on a high rod, in white or a soft neutral.
If light is the problem, a clear PEVA curtain lets daylight reach the whole room. Not sure of the size? Our shower curtain size guide explains how to measure.
White Extra Long Shower Curtain
A white waffle curtain with a 200 cm drop: the classic way to add height.
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Clear Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
Clear PEVA with magnets in the hem. Keeps the room bright.
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Beige Yellow Extra Long Shower Curtain
A warm neutral that softens white tiles without closing the room in.
Shop now →2. Swap bottles for matching soap dispensers
Five different plastic bottles make a vanity look cluttered. Two matching dispensers, one for hand wash and one for lotion, instantly calm the space. Ceramic is heavier than plastic, so it will not tip over in a tight corner. Browse our soap dispensers and soap dishes.
Wabi-Sabi Ceramic Soap Dispenser
A textured cream dispenser, sold single, as a pair or as a 3-piece set.
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Stoneware-Look Soap Dispenser
A speckled stoneware look in a round or tall shape.
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Wabi-Sabi Leaf Soap Dish
A leaf-shaped soap dish that drains water away from the bar.
Shop now →3. Choose a quick-dry bath mat
In a small room, a damp mat never dries and quickly smells. A diatomite mat absorbs water and dries in minutes, and it is thin enough to sit under a door. Try the swirl diatomite mat, or a stone pebble mat for a spa feel.
4. Stop rugs and mats from sliding
Tight spaces mean more bumping and turning. Reusable rug grippers keep a bath mat or runner flat and in place, without glue.
5. A compact stool that doubles as a shelf
A small shower stool is useful to sit on while shaving your legs or washing kids, and outside the shower it holds a towel or a candle. The Portable Bamboo Shower Stool folds flat, and the Compact Shower Stool tucks under the vanity.
6. Use hooks instead of a towel rail
A row of adhesive or over-door hooks holds more towels than one rail and takes no floor space. Hang hooded towels and robes, which take up less room than a folded bath sheet. See our hooded towel guide.
7. Stick to two or three colours
Pick one base (white, sand or grey) and one accent (sage, black or terracotta), and choose accessories in those tones. The eye reads the room as one space instead of many objects.
8. Add scent without bottles of air freshener
A single ceramic burner on the shelf replaces sprays and plug-ins and looks like decor. Read how to use wax melts for the step-by-step, and keep any flame one metre from the shower curtain.
9. Add a soft light for evenings
A tealight in a ceramic holder gives a warm, low light for an evening bath that the overhead light cannot. Our candle holder safety guide covers where to place it.
10. What to skip in a small bathroom
- Bulky over-toilet shelving units that make the room feel narrow.
- Thick, dark curtains that block light.
- Several small mats: one well-sized mat looks cleaner.
- Decor that cannot handle steam, like paper prints or untreated wood.
The easiest upgrade: matching dispensers.
Ceramic soap dispensers and soap dishes that clear the clutter from a small vanity.
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FAQs
What are some good bathroom accessories for a small bathroom?
A light-coloured or clear shower curtain hung high, matching soap dispensers, a quick-dry bath mat, a compact shower stool and wall hooks instead of a towel rail.
How can I make a small bathroom look bigger?
Hang the shower curtain near the ceiling, keep to two or three colours, let in as much light as possible and remove visible bottles and clutter.
What are 10 essential bathroom items?
Shower curtain and rod, bath mat, towels, hand towel, soap dispenser, soap dish, toothbrush holder, bin, mirror and a small storage spot such as a stool or shelf.
Should a small bathroom have a clear shower curtain?
A clear curtain lets light through the whole room, so it feels bigger. If you prefer privacy, choose white or a soft neutral in a light fabric.
