Small Bathroom? 12 Space-Saving Remodel Ideas Portland Homeowners Love
- Breana Woods
- Dec 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 3
Small bathrooms are one of the biggest challenges for Portland homeowners. Many older homes in the area were built with narrow layouts, small primary baths, and tight half baths that were never designed for today’s lifestyle. The good news is that a small bathroom can become one of the most beautiful and efficient rooms in your home when it is remodeled with purpose.
This guide walks you through 12 proven, space-saving ideas that work exceptionally well in Portland’s compact bathroom footprints. You will learn how to make the room feel larger, improve functionality, create better flow, and add value to your home. Whether you have a 1960s ranch in Beaverton, a classic Portland bungalow, or a modern townhouse, these ideas will help you create a bathroom that feels brand new.
1. Choose a Walk-In Shower to Open Up the Room
A standard bathtub takes up a significant amount of floor space. Replacing it with a walk-in shower immediately creates a more open and accessible layout. Portland homeowners especially love walk-in showers because they allow more natural light to travel through the space.
For small bathrooms, frameless glass is one of the best investments you can make. The transparency creates an uninterrupted visual line that makes the room appear larger than it is. Choose light tile, vertical patterns, or large format tiles to lengthen and brighten the walls.
If you want to keep a tub for resale value, consider a deeper soaking tub that has a smaller footprint.
2. Add a Niche or Recessed Storage to Eliminate Clutter
Clutter is the enemy of small spaces. One of the most impactful upgrades in a small bathroom is recessed storage. This includes shower niches, recessed medicine cabinets, and wall recesses built between studs.
These storage features work beautifully in Portland’s older homes because they preserve floor space and reduce the need for bulky cabinetry. A properly placed niche keeps shampoo, razors, and bath accessories neatly organized and off the ledge of the tub or shower.
Recessed storage also helps create a cleaner, more elevated look that fits both modern and classic bathroom styles.
3. Choose a Floating Vanity to Maximize Floor Space
Floating vanities make a small bathroom look twice the size by exposing more floor area. This visual breathing room also improves movement through the space, especially in narrow bathrooms where traditional cabinetry feels crowded.
A floating vanity works with every style from Scandinavian to rustic modern to transitional. Add under-vanity LED lighting for a soft, modern glow that helps the room feel open and luxurious.
If you need extra storage, choose a vanity with deep drawers, built-in organizers, or vertical towers mounted on the wall.
4. Install a Pocket Door for Better Traffic Flow
Standard swinging doors can consume two to three feet of valuable space. This often creates awkward, cramped layouts in small bathrooms where the door hits the toilet or the vanity.
Replacing a swing door with a pocket door immediately improves usability and opens up layout options. Homeowners in Portland love pocket doors for older homes, where every inch matters.
For a more affordable solution, consider a barn style sliding door. It stays outside the room, frees up bathroom space, and can add character depending on the style you choose.
5. Use Vertical Space for Storage Instead of Floor Space
When you cannot add more square footage, the next best option is to build upward instead of outward. Vertical storage can dramatically increase functionality, especially in tight Portland bathrooms.
Great vertical solutions include:
Tall linen cabinets
Vertical open shelving
Wall-mounted towers beside the vanity
Over-the-toilet cabinetry
Narrow shelving in previously unused corners
The goal is to keep items off countertops and floors so the room feels spacious and calm.
6. Increase Natural Light with Larger Windows or a Skylight
Bright spaces feel larger. If your bathroom is dim, even the best remodel will still feel tight. Many Portland homeowners choose to increase natural light because it improves mood, makes the room look cleaner, and enhances the overall design.
A skylight or solar tube is an excellent option when a window cannot be expanded. Both bring in natural light without sacrificing privacy.
Frosted glass windows are another smart choice. They maintain brightness while keeping the bathroom private.
7. Choose a Light Color Palette with Contrast for Depth
Color plays a major role in how large a room feels. Light colors make walls recede visually, while dark accents add depth and sophistication.
For the best results, combine:
Soft whites
Warm neutrals
Light grays
Earth tones
Textured tile
Matte black or brass hardware for contrast
This balance keeps the bathroom bright but not sterile. Portland homeowners often prefer earthy, modern palettes that reflect the natural tones of the PNW.
8. Use Large Format Tile to Reduce Visual Clutter
Smaller spaces often look busier when tile lines and grout joints are more frequent. Large format tile simplifies the visual field and can make the room feel more modern and expansive.
Popular choices include 12x24 porcelain tiles, large slab style shower walls, and continuous floor tile that runs from wall to wall without harsh breaks.
Fewer grout lines also means easier cleaning, which is a huge bonus for busy homeowners.
9. Add Mirrors Strategically to Double Visual Space
Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light, which helps small bathrooms feel brighter and larger. However, placement matters.
For maximum impact:
Use a wide mirror over the vanity
Add a secondary mirror opposite a window
Choose LED backlit mirrors for a modern feel
Consider medicine cabinets with mirror faces for added storage
Mirrors with thin frames or soft edges blend easily into the room and enhance the illusion of space.
10. Upgrade to Wall-Mounted Fixtures
A wall-mounted faucet, floating toilet, or wall-mounted vanity helps visually lift the room. This creates air space beneath the fixtures that makes a small bathroom feel less crowded.
Wall-mounted toilets, in particular, save valuable inches of floor space and create a sleek, minimalist look that Portland homeowners love in contemporary homes.
11. Opt for a Curbless or Low-Profile Shower Entry
Removing the shower curb eliminates a major visual and physical barrier. This helps the eye flow from one end of the bathroom to the other, and it also improves accessibility.
Curbless showers pair beautifully with large format tile and linear drains. The result is a seamless, elegant design that feels custom and high-end.
This upgrade works especially well in homes where homeowners plan to age in place or want long-term accessibility built in.
12. Keep the Layout Simple and Functional
One of the most important rules in small bathroom remodeling is avoiding layout complexity. Simpler layouts cost less, function better, and feel more spacious.
Consider the following when planning your remodel:
Position the vanity where it does not restrict movement
Keep the toilet in a visually discreet but accessible location
Place the shower so the sight line remains open when entering the room
Avoid unnecessary partitions or walls
A simple, well-planned layout often looks far more luxurious than a complicated design with unnecessary features.
Putting It All Together: Creating a Small Bathroom That Feels Big and Beautiful
A small bathroom remodel is not about square footage. It is about using every inch with intention. When you combine good lighting, smart storage, quality materials, and a functional layout, the room transforms from cramped to comfortable.
Portland homes have an incredible opportunity to improve value through well executed bathroom upgrades. Whether you are planning a full remodel or simple updates, the ideas in this guide will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
If you would like help planning your bathroom remodel or want to explore design options that will work for your specific space, our team at Tortoise Construction is here to make the process smooth, thoughtful, and aligned with your goals.
Resources
All external references used to support homeowner guidance:
Houzz. "Small Bathroom Storage Ideas." https://www.houzz.com
NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association). "Bathroom Planning Guidelines." https://nkba.org
This Old House. "Small Bathroom Remodel Tips." https://www.thisoldhouse.com
Architectural Digest. "Space Saving Bathroom Design." https://www.architecturaldigest.com
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