19 Small Bathroom Ideas With Tub
If you’ve ever stood in your bathroom wondering how on earth you’ll fit a bathtub without turning the whole place into a puzzle box, trust me — you’re not alone.
Small bathrooms can feel like the ultimate design challenge. You want practicality, comfort, and style… but you’re working with a space that sometimes feels like it was gifted to you by a stingy architect.
But here’s the fun twist: you absolutely can have a tub — and have your bathroom look gorgeous, functional, and surprisingly spacious. All it takes is a little creativity and a few smart design tricks that the pros swear by.
So grab your coffee (or your renovation notebook), and let’s dive into 19 small bathroom ideas with a tub that’ll totally transform your space.
1. Choose a Compact Soaking Tub
Let’s start with the MVP: the soaking tub. These beauties are deeper than standard tubs but shorter in length, which means you get luxury without needing a ballroom-size bathroom. A 48–55 inch soaking tub easily fits in tight spaces while still giving you that spa-worthy soak.
Pro tip: Go for rounded corners — they visually soften the space.
2. Install a Shower-Tub Combo
A classic for a reason. If you can’t dedicate separate real estate to a shower and a bathtub, a shower-tub combo gives you the best of both worlds. Adding a sleek glass panel rather than a shower curtain instantly modernizes things and makes the room feel less boxed in.
3. Try a Corner Tub to Save Space
Corner tubs are criminally underrated. They slide neatly into a corner and open up the center of your bathroom so the whole room feels bigger. They also bring in a soft, architectural shape that instantly adds charm.
4. Opt for a Freestanding Mini Tub
You can get the elegance of a freestanding tub… in a compact size! Look for “petite freestanding tubs.” These sit beautifully even in narrow bathrooms and become a sculptural moment in an otherwise tight layout.
5. Use Light, Airy Colors
Color can make all the difference in how spacious your bathroom feels. Whites, soft grays, pale blues, and butter creams bounce light around and visually expand the space. Your tub will blend into the palette rather than dominate it.
6. Build a Tub Niche for Storage
Nothing makes a small bathroom feel cluttered like 17 bottles of shampoo clustered around the edges of the tub. A built-in niche above the tub solves that instantly. Add LED lighting inside for hotel-level vibes.
7. Add Shelves Above the Tub
If you don’t have enough wall space elsewhere, the area above your bathtub is prime real estate. Floating shelves or a ladder shelf look charming and give you room for towels, candles, and those pretty bath salts you bought because the jar looked amazing.
8. Use Large Tiles for a Seamless Feel
Counterintuitive? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. Large tiles (think 12×24 or bigger) reduce the number of grout lines, making your bathroom feel more continuous and less busy. Bonus: Your tub surround will look more expensive.
9. Choose a Sliding Glass Door Instead of a Curtain
This is a small-space secret weapon. A clear sliding door keeps sightlines open and prevents the visual “wall” effect that a shower curtain creates. Frameless glass looks the cleanest and most modern.
10. Try a Japanese-Style Deep Tub
If you’re craving a soaking experience but your bathroom is more “compact NYC apartment” than “luxury spa,” a Japanese-style ofuro tub might be your hero. They’re deep, upright, and incredibly cozy — perfect for meditation-level relaxation.
11. Place the Tub Under a Window
If your bathroom layout allows, placing the tub under a window brings in natural light and an instant sense of breathing room. Add a roman shade or frosted film for privacy without blocking brightness.
12. Add Vertical Storage Next to the Tub
Small bathrooms benefit from going up. A tall cabinet or built-in shelving next to (or even above) your tub adds storage without sacrificing square footage. Just be sure whatever you store is splash-proof or protected in baskets.
13. Use Mirrors Generously
Mirrors are the ultimate space stretcher. A large mirror above the vanity bounces light around, but here’s the twist: you can place a mirror opposite your tub too. It doubles the visual space and makes the tub feel like a feature rather than a space hog.
14. Choose a Minimalistic Tub Surround
Keep the area around your tub simple and clean. Instead of heavy trim or bulky tile borders, use sleek edges and smooth finishes. A minimalist surround prevents your small bathroom from feeling over-designed.
15. Incorporate a Built-In Shower Bench
If you’re doing a tub-shower combo, adding a tiny built-in bench at one end isn’t just practical — it’s stylish. It creates dimension, offers seating, and gives a sleek look that feels more custom and upscale.
16. Add Greenery for Organic Warmth
A small bathroom with a tub can feel cozy, but sometimes too cozy. Adding plants instantly softens the space and brings life and freshness. Try pothos, ferns, or snake plants — they thrive in humidity.
If you’re not a plant parent? Faux greenery works too (no judgment here!).
17. Extend the Tile to the Ceiling
One of the best designer tricks: take your tile all the way up. Whether subway tile or marble-look porcelain, vertical tile gives the impression of higher ceilings and a more luxurious bathing experience. Your small bathroom will feel taller and more cohesive around the tub area.
18. Go for Wall-Mounted Faucets and Tub Fillers
Wall-mounted fixtures free up tub ledge space and look incredibly sleek. They’re also easier to clean around. Pair with a floating vanity and your bathroom practically doubles its visual space.
19. Add Mood Lighting Around the Tub
This is where luxury meets practicality. LED strips under the tub lip, sconces on dimmers near the bath, or a chic pendant overhead transforms your small bathroom into a relaxing haven. Even tight spaces deserve good lighting!
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Huge Bathroom to Have a Dream-Worthy Tub
If anyone ever told you that a small bathroom can’t handle a bathtub, consider this your permission to ignore them politely.
With clever layouts, smart styling, and the right tub choice, you can turn a compact bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary that looks amazing and functions beautifully.
Whether you’re working with a quirky old-home layout, a tiny apartment bathroom, or a guest space that needs a little love, these 19 small bathroom ideas with a tub prove you can absolutely have style, comfort, and practicality all in one.
