Minimalist bathroom | Geberit Global (2024)

The architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe used a famous phrase to describe his way of constructing buildings – less is more. This motto sums up the principle of minimalism like no other.

Today, minimalism is a popular design method that works in both large and small bathrooms. We can show you the ins and outs of minimalist bathroom design.

What exactly is a minimalist bathroom?

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Minimalism is all about focusing on the essentials. As a result, minimalist bathrooms are simple and rely on functional elements, such as furniture with a lot of storage space. Clear lines and a limited colour scheme ensure uniformity and a calm atmosphere.

Minimalism in the bathroom does not mean dispensing with decorative aspects completely. As emphasised by the slow lifestyle magazine Kinfolk, simplicity at home is instead the result of clever design.

What do I really need in the bathroom?

As the bathroom is often the smallest room in the house, a minimalist design could be the perfect solution. Ask yourself what you could do without in the bathroom.

The basics are often sufficient – a washbasin with tap, a washbasin cabinet with towel rail or hook, a mirror cabinet for added storage space, a toilet and a shower or bathtub. If there is space available, additional bathroom furniture (such as a tall cabinet) can also be used for storage.

The lighting plays a significant role in creating a homely atmosphere. As a result, you should pay attention to correct lighting – both on the ceiling and at the washplace itself You can find more information in our guide.

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Washbasin cabinets can be put together individually to make the best use of the available space. A towel rail on the furniture is a useful additional feature.

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Pieces of furniture, such as the tall cabinet in the picture, are true miracles of space. There are also models with a practical internal mirror.

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Lighting also counts: It creates the mood of well-being in the minimalist bathroom.

What are the advantages of a minimalist bathroom?

Firstly, minimalist bathrooms are practical and easy to clean. Reducing things to the essentials means fewer dust traps and improved access for cleaning. A wall-hung WC, for example, makes it easier to clean the floor.

Anyone focusing on just essential and functional elements has more storage space at their disposal. This in turn leads to a tidy bathroom and simplifies daily routines.

Finally, a simple bathroom is also the perfect place of relaxation and retreat, offering peace and quiet for the body and soul. It’s no wonder that interior design styles such as Japandi, Wabi Sabi and Scandi are so popular, as they focus on harmony, natural surroundings and a minimalist look.

Three tips for designing a minimalist bathroom

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Tip 1: Choose a simple, functional bathroom design

A functional bathroom design is the first step on the way to a minimalist bathroom. Choose timeless, durable furniture with additional functions. Drawers without a trap cutout offer added space, for example. To make sure the bathroom furniture looks good for a long time despite moisture in the bathroom, pay attention to the material and surface finish during purchase. This article contains more tips on purchasing high-quality bathroom furniture.

Mirror cabinets are available with useful additional functions, such as integrated lighting, power sockets, adjustable shelves, magnifying mirrors and storage boxes for the inside of the door.

For small bathrooms without daylight, a simple idea among interior designers is to install a large mirror with integrated light above the washbasin to convey a sense of added space. This is an inexpensive way of enhancing your bathroom. Find out how a Danish architect is designing small, functional bathrooms.

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Tip 2: Use simple colours

While bright colours have an invigorating effect, soft, subtle tones give a sense of calm. Typically, minimalist bathrooms are dominated by neutral colours such as white, black and grey, plus earthy tones such as beige or brown. Uniform colour schemes using shades of the same colour are also an interesting option.

Natural tones and organic materials such as wood give the bathroom a warm, inviting appearance, even if designed in a minimalist way. Birch or oak are suitable for the typical Scandi style, for example. Read more tips on making a statement in the bathroom with wood. Textiles made of linen, jute or wool and a few selected accessories such as clay pots or bamboo baskets give the bathroom a homely feel. Baskets are also a practical way of storing towels, toilet paper or soap.

If you don’t like the colour of your tiles but a renovation is too complex, then tile stickers are an inexpensive option. The self-adhesive film also works in wet rooms and can be removed or replaced with ease. Discover more tips on finding the right colour.

Tip 3: Keep the bathroom tidy

Storage space is the key to a tidy, minimalist look. Below are some ideas for maintaining order in the bathroom:

  • Washbasin cabinet: Organising boxes in drawers are a good way of achieving an uncluttered washbasin cabinet. As a result, things used every day are well organised and are easy to reach. Some washbasins work with space-saving traps or, as an even better solution, the trap is installed in the prewall. This allows drawers to be designed without a trap cutout, thus creating added storage space.
  • Mirror cabinet: Using a mirror cabinet instead of a mirror gives additional storage space for everyday items. Mirror cabinets installed in the prewall take up less space.
  • Shower: Niche storage boxes are available for the shower and are installed in the prewall. This creates additional, concealed shelf space. Thanks to the mirrored sliding door, shampoo, razors and other items are not visible.

Last but not least, fewer belongings also lead to added tidiness. Why not follow the lead of Japanese expert Marie Kondo and try to declutter your bathroom? If you find it difficult to part with certain things, her famous KonMari method may be of use. Here, you get rid of things which don’t (or no longer) spark joy. Marie Kondo also has a lot of tips on the best way of storing items.

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Minimalist bathroom | Geberit Global (10)

Geberit solutions for the minimalist bathroom

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The minimalist washplace

The Geberit ONE mirror cabinet can be installed in the wall, thus making any bathroom appear larger. The integrated ComfortLight lighting concept offers different lighting moods depending on the time of day and ensures atmospheric room lighting.

Round mirrors create a typical minimalist look. The new Geberit Option Round illuminated mirrors are available in four sizes and come with direct and indirect lighting.

Minimalist washbasins are suitable for bathrooms with small or unusual floor plans. Geberit offers slim washbasins with reduced installation depths, particularly small models with a shelf on the side, or corner constructions.

Minimalist bathroom furniture relies on storage space. In particular, drawers without a trap cutout are a way of significantly expanding the space available. A practical organisation system for the washbasin cabinet as seen in the Geberit ONE and iCon bathroom series creates order, as does a magnetic board with flexible storage boxes.

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The simple shower

Floor-even showers are elegant and allow for a uniform room design. Together with large tiles, the result is calm, aesthetic unity. Geberit shower channels combine design with functionality and hygiene. The new CleanLine50 in slim design prevents hidden deposits thanks to its open outlet surface, and can also be combined with very large tiles.

The Geberit wall drain is also a perfect minimalist solution. By moving the drain from the floor to the wall, you also no longer have to worry about standing on the drain.

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Toilets for a small, minimalist bathroom

Geberit offers a wide range of wall-hung WCs that allow for the entire floor to be cleaned easily. Choosing a rimless model further reduces the amount of cleaning required. The uniform surface of the ceramic appliance means that hard-to-reach places where deposits can build up are now a thing of the past. WC ceramic appliances with small projections are suitable for small bathrooms or guest WCs.

Geberit AquaClean shower toilets impress with a range of additional functions. Cleaning with water has been proven as being more hygienic and beneficial than using toilet paper.

Geberit actuator plates also blend in perfectly in minimalist bathrooms. The new Sigma70 actuator plate with floating effect is available in various colours and materials to match the look of your bathroom.

Plan your bathroom for free

Bathroom products with a functional design

Geberit AquaCleanFor a fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling.Discover Geberit AquaClean

Bathroom series Geberit OptionThe bathroom series with a wide range of attractive illuminated mirrors and mirror cabinets.Discover Geberit Option

Bathroom series Geberit VariFormModular washbasin area solutions for absolute design freedom.Discover Geberit VariForm

Bathroom series Geberit ONEFunctional design for a better quality of life.Discover Geberit ONE

Bathroom series Geberit Xeno²Contrasting design, harmonious connections.Discover Geberit Xeno²

Bathroom series Geberit CitterioSimple Italian design, exclusive elegance.Discover Geberit Citterio

Bathroom series Geberit AcantoClean lines, customised details.Discover Geberit Acanto

Bathroom series Geberit iConSleek appearance, versatile bathroom design.Discover Geberit iCon

Actuator platesSophisticated designs and clever functions. In line with your individual tastes.Discover actuator plates

Floor-even showersSubtle design, step-free access.Discover floor-even showers

Geberit MonolithSet design accents with an exceptional sanitary module.Discover Geberit Monolith

Geberit AquaCleanFor a fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling.Discover Geberit AquaClean

Bathroom series Geberit OptionThe bathroom series with a wide range of attractive illuminated mirrors and mirror cabinets.Discover Geberit Option

Bathroom series Geberit VariFormModular washbasin area solutions for absolute design freedom.Discover Geberit VariForm

Bathroom series Geberit ONEFunctional design for a better quality of life.Discover Geberit ONE

Bathroom series Geberit Xeno²Contrasting design, harmonious connections.Discover Geberit Xeno²

Bathroom series Geberit CitterioSimple Italian design, exclusive elegance.Discover Geberit Citterio

Bathroom series Geberit AcantoClean lines, customised details.Discover Geberit Acanto

Bathroom series Geberit iConSleek appearance, versatile bathroom design.Discover Geberit iCon

Actuator platesSophisticated designs and clever functions. In line with your individual tastes.Discover actuator plates

Floor-even showersSubtle design, step-free access.Discover floor-even showers

Geberit MonolithSet design accents with an exceptional sanitary module.Discover Geberit Monolith

Geberit AquaCleanFor a fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling.Discover Geberit AquaClean

Bathroom series Geberit OptionThe bathroom series with a wide range of attractive illuminated mirrors and mirror cabinets.Discover Geberit Option

Bathroom series Geberit VariFormModular washbasin area solutions for absolute design freedom.Discover Geberit VariForm

Minimalist bathroom | Geberit Global (2024)

FAQs

What is a minimalist bathroom? ›

Minimalist bathrooms achieve a simple, serene aesthetic with clean lines and little clutter. Hidden storage helps keep surfaces tidy, and functional items like towels and soaps often serve as the only decor.

What is the smallest size full bathroom? ›

What's the smallest size for a full bathroom? The smallest possible size for a full bath is 40 square feet. 40 square feet is the bare minimum that fits a bathtub, shower, toilet, and sink comfortably.

What is a bathroom with only a shower called? ›

These types of bathrooms do exist, and they are referred to as quarter-bathrooms. These quarter-bathrooms are quite rare simply due to the fact that they contain only one of the 4 main elements of a bathroom. The most commonly seen are those that contain a shower and are typically found at beaches or pools.

What do you call a small bathroom with no shower? ›

3. Half bathrooms. The half bath contains a toilet and sink, without a shower or bath. You might have heard of this being referred to as the power room, which is a traditional term for the practical space. Usually, half bathrooms are found downstairs and are ideal as guest toilets.

What size tile looks best in a small bathroom? ›

Best Tiles for Small Bathroom Wall

Bathroom walls usually look best with tiles that are 4 x 4 inches up to 12 x 12 inches or even larger. To make bathroom walls appear taller, consider vertically installing rectangular tiles like standard 3 x 6-inch subway tiles to give visual height to the room.

Is a 5 by 7 bathroom too small? ›

A 5×7 bathroom provides you with 35 square feet, which is considered small because you can't fit all amenities of a full bathroom.

What is the smallest legal bathroom? ›

However, there is a limit as to how small a bathroom can be. As a general rule, the minimum bathroom size is 15 square feet for a powder room that only has a toilet and a sink. If you also want to include a shower, a tub or a combination of the two, you will need to look at allowing 30 to 36 square feet.

How many towels should a minimalist have? ›

Be reasonable about it. We generally recommend two to three sets of sheets per bed (the third includes a flannel/warmer set for winter) and two towels per person.

Where should toiletries be placed in a small bathroom? ›

Hang Shelves in the Window

Create space for everyday essentials — think hair products and toiletries — by mounting shelves in the window. Just keep in mind, certain skincare (like vitamin C serum) shouldn't be stored in bright light.

What are the three types of bathrooms? ›

The Different Types of Bathrooms In a Home. Full Bathrooms, three-quarter, half-bath, or primary baths. There are many ways of naming bathroom types in a home and knowing what's the difference is a great asset if you're in the market to buy, sell, or remodel a home.

What does minimalist room mean? ›

Minimalist interior design is very similar to modern interior design and involves using the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. It's characterised by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with colour used as an accent.

What is a zero entry bathroom? ›

A curbless shower, or “zero-entry” shower, has no shower pan. There is no elevated curb, lip, or step that separates the shower entrance from the floor. Often, these showers have no door, but a shower curtain can be used to create some privacy.

What is a peekaboo bathroom? ›

Being able to look through someone's bathroom wall and see them in the shower, that means something else. A growing number of hotels have been featuring “peek-a-boo bathrooms” — bathrooms that are separated from the rest of the room by a transparent partition or, in some cases, nothing at all. Sexy?

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