15 m² City Studio Bathroom Refurbishment: Big Comfort in a Mini Bathroom

In the middle of a compact city studio sat a wet room that felt more like a temporary fix than a proper bathroom. An architectural team took on the challenge: to fit a complete, practical bathroom into just 15 square metres of living space-one that not only works well, but also feels genuinely inviting.

From makeshift solution to comfort zone

Before the refurbishment, the situation was stark: the wet room looked outdated. It had a tiny basin, bare walls, very little storage and hardly any considered layout. The shower and toilet were positioned virtually on top of one another.

To shower, the toilet seat had to be lowered before turning on the shower head directly above the WC. Comfort? Non-existent. Aesthetics? Equally absent. The space itself was available, but it had been used entirely wrongly.

“An uncomfortable compromise has become a bathroom with a hotel-standard feel-within a minimal footprint.”

This was exactly where the Atelier Ceben team stepped in. Rather than creating additional square metres, they focused on getting the most from the existing area. Their brief was to design a functional, welcoming mini bathroom that would integrate seamlessly into the small city studio.

Clever spatial planning in the smallest of spaces

The key decision concerned the placement of the sanitary fittings. Instead of simply squeezing everything in side by side, every component was given a clearly defined position.

The basin is tucked into the corner

The vanity unit was deliberately moved into a corner. It may sound straightforward, but in a mini bathroom those extra centimetres make a decisive difference. Shifting it away from the centre created sufficient circulation space for a wall-hung WC.

A wall-hung toilet offers several benefits:

• Much of the floor remains visible, making the room appear larger.
• Cleaning is easier because there are no bulky floor-mounted supports in the way.
• Its installation depth can often be reduced, making it ideal for narrow bathrooms.

Carefully sized fittings for compact rooms

The chosen fittings were specifically suited to small floor plans. They included:

• a narrower shower enclosure with a precisely fitting door,
• a compact towel radiator installed vertically,
• a streamlined vanity unit with less depth than standard models.

This selection created a fully equipped bathroom with clearly separated functions: a proper shower, a standard toilet and a fully usable basin-all without sacrificing freedom of movement.

“The refurbishment demonstrates that bathroom comfort depends less on square metres than on planning and proportions.”

Design concept: soft, rounded-and still defined

The technical solution was only half the story. The design is what turns the mini bathroom into a space where people enjoy spending time. The architects chose a clean, contemporary concept with deliberate contrasts.

Rounded forms meet black metal

The accessories and sanitary fittings feel soft and welcoming, with rounded edges and oval or gently curved shapes. These details reduce visual pressure and prevent the room from feeling overly harsh.

Black metal accents provide the counterpoint:

• the mirror frame,
• the basin and shower taps,
• the shower enclosure profiles.

The black lines organise the space without overloading it. They create visual clarity and lend the bathroom a touch of industrial character, matching the style of the rest of the flat.

“The black metal finish acts as a unifying thread, visually connecting the bathroom and living area.”

A small bathroom as part of a larger whole

The studio already features industrial-inspired details: metal, clean lines and pared-back forms. Rather than becoming an alien element, the new bathroom continues this visual language. The result is a flat that feels cohesive throughout.

This unifying thread is especially important in small apartments. When every room follows its own theme, the overall effect can quickly become restless. Repeating materials and colours thoughtfully makes the mini bathroom feel as though it expands into the rest of the home.

What this project can teach you about your own bathroom

The transformation of this tiny bathroom offers several practical ideas that can be applied to many period properties and city flats-particularly where space is tight.

Every centimetre matters-when planned properly

Experience from projects like this highlights several typical opportunities:

• Use corners: Positioning basins or shelving in room corners frees up circulation space in the centre.
• Choose wall-hung elements: Wall-mounted WCs and furniture leave the floor clear, creating a more spacious impression.
• Select slimline products: Many manufacturers offer reduced depths and special dimensions designed specifically for small bathrooms.
• Think vertically: Tall cabinets and high towel radiators make use of room height rather than width.
• Use transparency: Glass walls instead of solid partitions open up the space visually.

Design has a major effect on the sense of space

Beyond the technical aspects, appearance plays a surprisingly important part in how a room is experienced. Light wall surfaces, a small number of striking colour accents and recurring materials create calm. Too many different tiles, patterns and metals can make small bathrooms feel busy very quickly.

Anyone using black metal should limit the number of accent points: a few distinctive lines-a mirror frame, tapware and shower profile-work better than lots of small, competing focal points everywhere.

Practical advice for your next bathroom refurbishment

Anyone planning a similar project should keep several pitfalls in mind. In many existing flats, water connections, waste pipes and ventilation are limiting factors. It is worth consulting a specialist planner or dedicated bathroom company at an early stage.

It also makes sense to draw up a short list of priorities in advance:

• Is a fully enclosed shower essential, or would a generous shower area without a door be enough?
• How much storage is genuinely needed, and where can it be incorporated?
• Is the priority appearance, or maximum functionality?

Answering these questions consistently makes it easier to choose from the vast range of products available and find options that suit everyday life. A stylish basin unit is of little use if a lack of surface space causes daily frustration.

The most compelling aspect of the refurbishment described here is this: it shows just how greatly quality of life can improve within only a few square metres when the floor plan, technical requirements and design are treated as one. A dark, unloved corner of the flat has become a small, modern space that need not hide away-and it impressively proves that even a mini bathroom can make a big impact.