We have just finished a small ensuite shower room, and the results are worth sharing. The brief was simple but exciting: a space that felt both luxurious and practical within the compact footprint of an ensuite. Our client was drawn to deep green tones paired with gold accents, a combination that brings warmth and a real sense of sophistication. Here is how we designed a bathroom that makes a big impact in a small space, and what you can take from it for your own.
The Brief: A Small Ensuite That Feels Like a Retreat
The client wanted an ensuite that felt like a personal retreat, calm, inviting and sophisticated, blending modern elements with a touch of classic elegance. Working within a tight footprint, our design team built the room around a considered palette of colours, materials and fixtures rather than trying to fit too much in. In a small bathroom, restraint is what reads as luxury, the same principle behind quiet luxury.
Maximising Space in a Compact Ensuite
The main challenge was the compact dimensions. The priority was to make the most of the available space while keeping the layout practical. We positioned the shower centrally to create a focal point and used a frameless glass door to keep the room open and airy. That single choice makes the room feel larger and lets the green tiles read as one continuous surface rather than being broken up by a frame. Keeping sightlines clear and surfaces uninterrupted is one of the most reliable ways to make a small room feel bigger.
Choosing the Colour Scheme
Colour did most of the work here. The client wanted a palette that was soothing and sophisticated with a hint of luxury, so we chose a rich, deep green for the wall tiles. Green evokes calm and a connection to nature, which turns a plain shower room into a serene one. It is one of the shades we return to often, and there are more like it in our notes on greens and neutrals.
To lift the green, we introduced gold through the fixtures, the shower fittings, towel rail and vanity hardware. The gold adds warmth and a little opulence, balancing the cooler green tones. For the floor, classic black and white patterned tiles add a graphic, enduring element and create a striking contrast with the green and gold that holds the whole scheme together.
Storage That Keeps It Clutter-Free
image credit: House Designer
Storage is always a consideration in a bathroom, and even more so in a compact one. We added a sleek, tall cabinet beside the vanity to keep everything out of sight, and the vanity itself, in a chic black and gold finish, offers more storage while carrying the colour scheme through. Building storage in vertically, rather than adding freestanding pieces, keeps the floor clear and the room calm, one of the most useful storage solutions for a small space.
Getting the Lighting Right
Lighting sets the mood in a bathroom. Here we used recessed ceiling lights for even, unobtrusive illumination, then added soft, warm lighting around the vanity for a welcoming glow that works for both getting ready and unwinding. Layering the light, rather than relying on a single bright ceiling fitting, is what stops a small bathroom feeling clinical.
The Finishing Touches
The final details bring a room together. A circular mirror with a gold rim above the vanity ties in with the fixtures and bounces light around the space, while a few well-placed plants add a hint of nature and reinforce the calm, spa-like feel. In a small room, a handful of considered details does more than a lot of accessories.
How to Design a Small Ensuite That Works
The takeaways from this project apply to almost any compact bathroom. Keep the layout open with a frameless shower screen and clear sightlines. Let one strong colour lead, then use a warm metal like gold or brass to lift it. Choose a graphic floor for interest without clutter. Build storage in vertically so the floor stays clear. And layer the lighting so the room can be both practical and relaxing. Get those five things right and a small ensuite can feel far more luxurious than its size suggests, the principles carry through to a full luxury bathroom too.
If you are planning an ensuite or bathroom of your own, our bathroom design package covers layout, colour, materials, lighting and 3D visuals so you can see the finished room before anything is fitted. Designing more than one room? Our full online interior design service plans your whole home to the same standard. Prefer to talk it through first? Book a free consultation with the team.