I need your help deciding on a tile for the main bathroom at the studio.
I think I’ve narrowed it down to two choices.
Long story short, my new studio space used to be a house. The previous owners turned the house into an office space. When they remodeled, they roughed out a bathroom upstairs with plumbing and a tub {there is a working powder room downstairs}.
They never got around to finishing the upstairs bathroom and well, since we’ll need a functioning shower for the occasional house guest, we need to finish the bathroom.
It may not look like it in the photo but the bathroom is SUPER small. We will not be moving any walls. We simply just want to finish the space without spending a ton of money or doing anything major to it.
You know, the basics. Add a toilet, a sink, throw down some tile, install lighting and make a quick trip to Home Goods for a mirror and towels.
UPDATE: I have added a photo of the other side of the bathroom. Unfortunately a pocket door, barn door, french doors, having the door open to the outside of the hall or even a bi-fold door are just not an option.
This bathroom sits at the top of the stairs. If the door were to go outward not only would it be incredibly awkward, but someone could fall down the stairs just trying to get into the bathroom.
This is the space we have to work with. 🙂
I have no idea where I’m going to find a tiny sink!!!
At first I thought maybe an 18” vanity would fit.
But then I measured for a vanity and there just isn’t enough room. Not if you want to open the door all the way. 🙂
I’m not even going to worry about the sink right now. I just want to focus on the bathroom tile for the floor and for the wonky sloped shower.
I found two tile combinations that I like.
#1 – 8×8 Khaki tile with cream flowers {for the back of the shower wall} long skinny subway tile {for the sides and that awkward sloped ceiling on the left} and plain matching 8×8 squares for the floor}.
It has a coastal, calm, English cottage vibe to it in my mind.
But I’m concerned it may be too dark though for the teeny tiny bathroom. Even if I did paint the walls a creamy white.
#2 – 4.5 x 9 Blue tile for the entire shower and 12×24 creamy stone look for the floor {with white painted walls}.
Again, I think it has a coastal beachy vibe to it and for me, it’s a little funky and out of my comfort zone.
Actually both of the choices are out of my comfort zone. But I don’t want white subway tiles again and I liked both the khaki flower tiles and the blue pencil tiles the second I saw them. Go with your gut I always say.
Bathrooms are HARD. Smaller bathrooms are even harder!
The space literally has room for a toilet, a small pedestal sink, 2 light fixtures, a mirror and a {tiny} natural wood floating shelf or two.
What do you think about the tiles?
Too ordinary? Too out there? Do you have a preference? Or should I scratch both ideas and try again?
~Mavis
P.S. I can’t stop thinking about the cover of the book: By The Sea, Life Along The Coast. Especially all those blues! I think it might be my inspiration for the new studio space. Beach and seaside vibes with pops of color. I love it!
Linda M says
I vote for #2..
Sink..perhaps an RV supply store.
Beth says
I vote for #2. I think the blue will pop and brighten the tiny space.
Jeanine says
Can you change the door to swing outward? Or possibly a pocket door? Go with your second choice. Love the book cover….great idea for a new rug pattern.
Mavis Butterfield says
We cannot change the door to a pocket door or change it to open a different direction.
Betsy Hildebrand says
What about a bifold door, or a barn slider?
Nancy says
I also vote for #2; especially with white walls. But I’m partial to blue!
Jen F says
Another vote for choice #2!
Wendy C says
I like them both, but if forced, I would go with #2, especially since you like the book cover colors so much.
Nancy says
Both are beautiful options but #1 would be my choice. Larger tiles can visually expand the space and the khaki has the look of a clear, open beach. Pull one of the soft blues from the book cover as a bath mat and towels. I’m with Linda, check an RV supply store for the sink. Can’t wait to see the finished room!
Tracey says
agree – less busy/stimulating in a small space with assymetrical walls
Tiffany /f says
Agree! #1 Tan/Khaki with blues in your towels/decor…
Paula says
#2
Tracy says
I think I would like Number 1 with towels and accessories leaning towards the royal blue whale in the picture. The blues in the tile of number 2 are pretty but the stripes would end up too busy for me.
Michelle says
Are you able to put in a pocket door or maybe even change the door to one that swings out instead of inward? That would allow for a larger vanity/sink. I like the #2 selection.
Mavis Butterfield says
We cannot change the door to a pocket door or change it to open a different direction.
Elaine says
IKEA has tiny bathroom sinks that are adorable!
Rebecca Anne says
I came here to say IKEA too!! Please check with them for sinks!! They have many cute petite sinks that even float….
Lynn says
I like #1 simply because you can then accessorize with color – particularly the blues you like.
FeeFee says
You should get one of those toilets that has the sink on top. These are extremely common in Japan. Obviously the clean water is used for the sink and then drains to be used for flushing the toilet.
Tracey says
WOW WOW WOW!
Sue says
A toilet-integrated sink is fine for washing hands–although the water probably gets all over the back wall. But I can’t imagine trying to perform basic ablutions at one.
A guest will need a fully functional sink (with a mirror above) to wash face, shave, brush teeth, etc. I can’t imagine hanging my face over the back of a toilet, trying to brush my teeth.
Feefee says
You still have a shelf and mirror too. If it works for millions of people across the world i think it could work here.
Lisa says
#1 offers a classic neutral base that will allow you to seamlessly make changes to towels, paint colors, art, etc.
Check out Signature Hardware’s site; they have both wall hung and pedestal sinks that will fit your space!
Lori says
I vote for the blue – love the subtle color variations. Can you change the door to a bi-fold to gain a little more space? Have you checked FergusonHome.com for sinks?
christina says
Our one very small bathroom in our very small house was remodeled last year for us as we get older. ( took out the clawfoot tub and did a walk-in shower. The best place to get a small sink( like we did) is Ikea. They have several types, and I’m sure you would find one to fit. They do deliver if one is not close to you.
Dawn says
My vote is for #1. You can swap out accessories for pops of color. Plus, I love those flower tiles.
Kelly Jo says
I’d go with #2.
Mel says
It’s hard to tell how much room there is, but I think they make wall-mounted sinks. Could the sink also go under the light switch instead of behind the door? Is there more room that way since the door would generally be closed if someone were at the sink?
suzanne says
Both tile choices are fabulous. I’m partial to the sandy beach khaki vibe. What are you going to door for an enclosure? It doesn’t look like a curtain will work with the ceiling slope.
My aunt replaced/cut her bathroom door down the middle to make French type doors for my uncle when he was wheelchair bound. It was the only way to get the chair in and the door closed and it really opened the small room up. Pinterest is full of ideas.
Sue says
Brilliant, suzanne–a French door for the bathroom! I have seen this done and it looks beautiful!
Mel says
Oooh I just googled these, and they look great!
Nicole says
As much as I love and lean toward blues, I think the blue tile pattern will make the small and wonky shower look even smaller. I like the pattern in #1 and think it will make the space appear larger and a fun accent for the back of the shower. . Agreed to add your blues in this space with towels and such. Maybe you can use that blue tile in a different space at the studio, like a backsplash.
Julie says
I’d go with #2.
Meg C says
Too bad you couldn’t use the khaki flower tiles combined with the beautiful blue tiles from option 2! I love the flowers design, but the khaki feels a bit … blah, especially in light of your vibrant, adventurous spirit (including your husband, I’m sure)!
I live in a neighborhood with older homes and many of my neighbors have tiny 1st floor bathrooms – several of them have “train” sinks installed on top of their toilets. It seems like a weird concept, but it totally works in tight spaces. lol Your space may be bigger than theirs, though, and if it’s a bathroom guests are using, they will need a place to set a toothbrush or contacts case, so the toilet tank sink probably isn’t a great idea, after all. hahaha
Emily says
I vote blue shower with sand colored floor tiles. One of my favorite restaurants has a tiny, tiny bathroom with a corner sink. That might be what you need for the space. I’ve also seen something called a handwashing sink that fits on top of the toilet tank but that’s probably more extreme than you need.
lafn34 says
wadda bout a folding door with frosted glass?
storage for the tiny sink? Got storage
Dawn M says
I like both of your choices, but I would go with the first option. I think the variegated blue tiles would appear too busy in a small space.
lafn34 says
Mavis, I have a tiny bathroom and a shower curtain works better in my space…(easier to clean).
Kimberly says
Another vote for blue tile.
Sue says
# 1 for sure. The khaki/white is your beach/clouds. Add blue accessories and you’ve got your sea/sky. A wood shelf or two is your driftwood. EXACTLY the vibe you were going for.
#2 is just too busy. The grey floor tile doesn’t relate well to it. Oh sure, they’re not fighting. but they are not BFFs, either.
Love suzanne’s idea of a French door! What a special entrance that would make!
Christine says
I vote for #1 – you can add pops of color. Maybe a corner sink? (but the plumbing might need a move….)
Susan Williams says
I would go with tile set #1. Then you can accessorize with the blues (or change them easily from time to time based on season or holiday)
Brenda Robertson says
For the sink search, type in mini sink and/ or mini pedestal sink. My friend has tiny powder room and will be doing upgrades. I stumbled on to really small sinks. Some are really cute! Best of luck!
Mark says
I agree that #2 might get to busy in the shower. So I’d probably go with #1 and add the color in the decor. I also agree with the people saying a bi fold door would be a good solution. I use to have one for my master bath and it really made the floor plan work a lot better.
Julie V says
I recently saw a half sink for the bathroom somewhere but I look at so much sometimes… not sure where I saw it. So, I used search terms “half sink for small bathroom “ and it came up with options. Check it out if you are still looking and hopefully that has the measurements you need. I like both tiles but I think I like the blue a bit more. Everything you do turns out nice… I have confidence in whither choices you make.
Laura says
Hi Mavis, I vote for #1. I think it would look awesome. The last house I lived in, my husband put in a corner sink. I loved it! Not much room for a vanity there. Then we put some shelves with baskets and a mirror. I loved it!!!!
Paula says
Could making the door a sliding barn door on the outside of the bathroom give you more room for your vanity?
Fran says
#2…maybe a bar sink?
Stacie says
#2 is my vote. Can you change the door to a sliding barn door? Not sure if there’s room in the adjoining space for it to slide over, but that would give you more sink room.
Mary says
I vote for #1. I like more neutral for smaller spaces and bring in color with accessories.
Rebecca Anne says
First off, thanks for asking us, Mavis! I think this is special that you want to connect to your readers and would value our opinions!
I would check for sinks at IKEA! I think you could find something small that would work well for you.
Next, I would suggest looking up photos of coastal baths using the book photo as an inspiration and let Ai help…
I think the #1 tile has a strong cottage lean but the print doesn’t say beach. And the tan is very meh.
I have a picture to share with you, but I may email it since it doesn’t seem possible to upload it in the comments.
#2 tile seems like it would be waaaay too busy for the space. It would look like stripes and lock you in with that specific color.
If it were me, I’d keep looking into images of baths that grabbed you. What about that small cottage by the sea in England that you love? Was there any loos in England that inspired you? I remember you taking photos of their bathrooms, so I wonder if there was one in particular that just spoke to you?
You’d definitely gain a huge benefit of space if there was any way you could do a lovely split down the middle door or even a bifold door.
Wishing you the VERY best with your special new studio space and in particular the loo! Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
The bath you guys just did in your house looks amazing! You’ve got this Girl!!
Sue S. says
How about a combination of the 2. Beige for the floor (beach sand) and blue for the shower(sea and sky). Also, can you put a sliding aka barn door on the outside?
Richelle says
Same thoughts.
Nanci Fitschen says
Number 2 gets my vote. I like the pattern on #1 but the color is a little drab. Where is the toilet going to go? As someone else said whatever you do looks great.
Karyn says
I love the blue!
linda says
I would go with #2 beachy blue vibes. Is there any way to change the door to a pocket door? Our last couple of builds we did pocket doors for the main bedroom/bathroom. Nice and clean and space saving.
Susan Webster says
IKEA is famous for tiny sinks if there is one near you or if they will deliver! We’ve seen them all over Europe in apartments and Airbnb units we’ve stayed in!
AKRubygal says
Hi Mavis! I too have a teeny tiny bathroom upstairs with the same door problem. I changed my door to a pocket door and it made a huge difference. I was able to put a small sink and shower in without worrying about space for the door.
andrea d says
I never knew they made such tiny sinks until my brother made a powder room in a small closet. The only space for a sink was the tiny bit between the door trim and the wall on the side. The sink is rectangle and can’t be much more than 6″ by 10″ with the faucet on the right hand side instead of coming from the back like traditional sinks. Not sure where he got it but they’re out there! Happy designing!
Judi Y. says
I love #1 BUT you don’t give yourself enough credit. You have amazing taste and I think you should go with what speaks to you.
Cecile Hoare says
option #2 and bring in the seagrass for contrast. Star fish, a seagrass bath mat, wall decor in that natural beige wheat colour. Love the idea of this being a guest house too!
Molly S. says
I absolutely love #1 and I don’t think it would make the space too dark at all. My kids had a similar problem in their tiny bathroom and a wall mounted sink was the only answer.
Alecia Loveless says
We used to have an enormous local salvage yard for historical house supplies and they frequently had small wall sinks, pedestals and corner sinks to be repurposed from old buildings. They were extremely reasonably priced as well. Frequently they would be in really cool colors that you can’t find with modern sinks.
I’m not entirely sure where you’re located in Maine but I’d bet there’s some similar salvage places within an hour or two of you likely headed south. And since I know you like a good shopping/exploring adventure just thought I’d mention this possibility.
Laura says
I really like #1 with blue accents. I think it’ll be really nice in that small bathroom.
Carrie V says
The soft blue and light walls and floors. So happy for you that you were able to buy this building!!
Patty says
My vote is for #1. It’s calming and pretty.
Gigi says
Can the door swing the other way? Unless it would hit the vanity.
Claudia says
I like #1!
Patty says
My vote is for the khaki tile. Have you considered a small wall mount corner sink? I’ve seen them work nicely in a small bath.
Melissa says
Definitely #1. LVE!!!