16+ Small Bathroom Ideas with Tub | Space-Saving Design Tips

Designing a small bathroom that includes a bathtub might seem impossible, but with over 20 years of experience crafting compact bathrooms, I can tell you it’s entirely achievable. The key is not to make the room bigger—it’s to make it work smarter. A bathtub can be a luxurious focal point even in the smallest space if you use thoughtful design, strategic layout, and multi-purpose features. These 16+ ideas will help you fit a tub into your bathroom without making it feel crowded or cluttered.

1. Choose a Compact Soaking Tub

Standard tubs often waste space because they’re longer than necessary. In a small bathroom, a compact soaking tub is a smarter choice. These tubs are shorter but deeper, allowing you to sit upright while still enjoying a full soak. Because they take up less floor area, they leave more room for storage or a larger vanity. The depth makes them feel spa-like despite their smaller footprint.

2. Install a Tub-Shower Combo

Combining a tub and shower in the same space saves valuable square footage. Instead of dedicating separate areas to each, a tub-shower combo delivers the best of both worlds in one spot. Use a clear glass panel or sliding door to keep the space feeling open. This design not only maximizes functionality but also reduces the visual bulk that can make small bathrooms feel tight.

3. Place the Tub Along the Shortest Wall

Many small bathrooms have an awkward wall that’s too short for most fixtures. Placing the tub there makes use of space that might otherwise stay empty. A short wall installation keeps the floor plan open while creating a cozy bathing nook. Pairing this with light colors on surrounding walls prevents the area from feeling boxed in.

4. Tuck the Tub Under a Window

A window wall is a perfect home for a bathtub in a small bathroom. The natural light opens up the room visually, making it feel much larger. Positioning the tub beneath the window also keeps the main floor area clear for movement. Just add privacy film or sheer curtains to enjoy daylight while bathing without compromising privacy.

5. Build a Tub Into a Corner Alcove

Corners often get overlooked in small bathrooms, but they can be the ideal spot for a tub. An alcove-style installation surrounds the tub on three sides, creating a snug and space-saving layout. This frees up the center of the room while giving you wall space above for shelving or storage niches.

6. Use a Freestanding Tub to Create Flow

People often assume freestanding tubs are only for large bathrooms, but compact models can actually make a tiny space feel more open. By exposing more visible floor around the tub, they create the illusion of more space. Place it slightly away from the wall to let air circulate around it and avoid a boxed-in feeling.

7. Opt for a Clawfoot Tub on Raised Legs

Clawfoot tubs work surprisingly well in small bathrooms because they sit on legs rather than a solid base. Seeing the floor continue beneath the tub makes the room feel bigger. This classic style adds charm and character while keeping the layout airy. Use a lightweight shower curtain around it if you also want a shower function.

8. Install Recessed Shelving Around the Tub

Storage can make or break a small bathroom. Building recessed niches into the walls around the tub keeps shampoos, soaps, and towels close by without stealing floor space. It also prevents clutter from collecting along the tub edge, which can make the room look cramped.

9. Use Large-Format Tile to Expand the Look

The type of surface finishes you choose can visually change the room size. Large-format tiles on the walls or floor around the tub minimize grout lines, which helps the bathroom feel more spacious. They also reflect more light, adding brightness and creating a clean, continuous look that makes the tub area blend seamlessly into the room.

10. Float the Vanity to Expose More Floor

When a tub already occupies valuable space, freeing the floor elsewhere becomes critical. Installing a floating vanity creates the illusion of extra space by exposing more visible flooring. This makes the bathroom feel wider and balances out the bulk of the tub. The gap underneath can also hold small baskets or bins.

11. Frame the Tub with Glass Panels

Solid shower curtains or walls can chop up the room visually. Using clear glass panels around the tub preserves sightlines across the entire space. This makes a small bathroom appear much larger while allowing natural light to pass through. Frameless glass also creates a sleek, modern look that keeps the design feeling light.

12. Add a Ledge Along One Side of the Tub

A narrow ledge built along one side of the tub creates hidden storage and eliminates clutter. It can hold candles, bath products, or even folded towels while doubling as a place to sit. This simple architectural feature enhances functionality without taking up additional space, which is essential in small layouts.

13. Incorporate Light Colors and Reflective Finishes

Color choices play a big role in how spacious a bathroom feels. Light tones on walls, tile, and even the bathtub itself reflect light and visually expand the room. Glossy or satin finishes bounce light around, preventing shadows from making corners feel tight. Keeping the overall palette soft allows the tub to feel like part of the room rather than a bulky obstacle.

14. Align the Tub Parallel to the Entry Door

The line of sight when you first walk in matters in a small space. Placing the tub along the same axis as the door keeps the layout open and prevents it from visually blocking the room. This subtle trick creates a sense of depth and makes the bathroom feel longer, even if the dimensions are limited.

15. Use Sliding or Pocket Doors Instead of Swing Doors

Swinging doors eat into floor space when opened, which can clash with a tub’s footprint. Replacing them with sliding or pocket doors frees up usable space. This allows more flexible tub placement and avoids awkward clearance issues that often plague small bathrooms

16. Elevate the Tub on a Slight Platform

Raising the tub a few inches on a platform separates it visually from the rest of the room. This makes the layout feel more intentional and creates the illusion of depth, which is especially useful in short or square bathrooms. The space beneath the platform can even hide plumbing or provide hidden storage access.

17. Extend the Backsplash Behind the Tub

Carrying the vanity backsplash tile behind the tub creates a seamless visual flow. This connects different zones of the bathroom, making the space feel unified and less chopped up. A continuous horizontal line tricks the eye into seeing the room as wider, which balances the presence of a bathtub.