How to Budget-Friendly Transform a Small Bathroom 3.8 m²

How to furnish a bathroom in European style on a budget? Answering this question helped Natalia — a photographer and amateur designer. Together with her husband, they transformed their apartment into a cozy family nest. Get inspired and do the same!

Originally, Natalia's apartment had separate bathroom and toilet. To create a cozy and convenient room of 3.8 m², they combined the two. The homeowner had long dreamed of using paint for wall coating — and proved that it's a convenient and durable material. Choose a water-repellent washable type and combine design elements for aesthetics.

To declutter the space, the owners opted for sanitary fixtures but didn't give up a full-size acrylic bathtub. An interesting solution was a bowl-shaped sink that is mounted on top of a support cabinet and doesn't take up space inside. There, you can place hygiene and household products. In addition to the sink, bathtub, and toilet, a washing machine was added to the bathroom.

The only oversight the owners considered was the cold floor. They didn't install a heating system under the ceramic tile, so they had to install an additional towel warmer for heating in the bathroom.

To make the bathroom a neat room where daily routines are pleasant, it's worth playing with colors, textures, and decor. Natalia created a harmonious design in a marine wave tone with additions of milky and beige elements. This makes the bathroom look clean, warm, and cozy.

Vibrant smooth walls are softened with a classic tile pattern. The same motif is repeated in the mirror frame and a shutter for utilities. Such a door can be made yourself using an IKEA door panel — it costs about 500–800 rubles.

Wooden countertops from furniture boards, woven decor, a fun curtain, and paintings in a unified color palette soften the look. Thanks to a cohesive design and attention to detail, the room looks fresh, modern, and welcoming, pleasing both adults and children.

This bathroom renovation can be done with your own hands using accessible materials: simple painting, affordable tiles for floor and walls, basic plumbing fixtures with easy installation, and several functional yet attractive additions. You can choose a trendy mirror, a shower unit, or a shelf for bathroom accessories as accent details in our store for Scandinavian-style bathroom decoration.

All photos: @takinada

In the end, the bathroom feels spacious, with room to store belongings and gather even as a large group. What did you like most about this fresh design?