Tenement flats
Small tenement bathroom ideas that actually work
The best small tenement bathrooms work with the room rather than against it: they keep the toilet near the soil stack, swap a bath for a walk-in shower where it makes sense, and use the high ceilings for storage and light. This guide collects practical ideas we use in narrow tenement bathrooms across Glasgow and Renfrewshire.
Start with the soil stack
In a tenement, the shared soil stack decides where the toilet goes, so plan the layout from there. Keeping the toilet close to the stack avoids long waste runs across old joists. Our tenement renovation guide explains the other things to check.
Ideas that save space
| Idea | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Walk-in shower instead of a bath | Takes less floor space and is easier to use |
| Frameless glass panel | Keeps the room open and bright |
| Wall-hung basin or vanity | Frees up floor space and is easier to clean |
| Wall-hung toilet | Hides the cistern and clears the floor |
| Recessed shelf in the shower | Storage without anything sticking out |
| Tall mirror cabinet | Uses the height of the room |
Use the height
Tenement ceilings are often high, which helps a narrow room. Tall cabinets, shelving above the door and a full-height shower panel draw the eye up. Large tiles with fewer grout lines, laid in a light colour, can make the walls feel wider.
Light and ventilation
Many tenement bathrooms have a small window or none at all. A good extractor fan is essential to stop condensation, and Scotland's building standards set extract rates for bathrooms: see our bathroom ventilation guide. Warm, layered lighting and a backlit mirror make a small room feel larger.
Bath or shower?
If the flat is your family home and this is the only bathroom, think carefully before losing the bath. If you rarely use it, a walk-in shower usually makes better use of a narrow room. See our walk-in shower installation service.
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How can I make a small tenement bathroom look bigger?
Keep the floor as clear as possible with wall-hung fittings, use a frameless glass panel instead of a shower curtain or framed enclosure, and choose light-coloured, larger tiles with fewer grout lines. Use the height of the room for storage, and add a large mirror and good lighting. Together these make a narrow room feel wider and brighter. A clear floor matters most.
Should I replace the bath with a shower in a small tenement?
If you rarely use the bath, a walk-in shower usually makes better use of a narrow tenement bathroom and is easier to step into. If this is a family home with only one bathroom, some buyers may still expect a bath, so weigh up how long you plan to stay. We talk through both options at the free survey. A bath can sometimes stay elsewhere.
Can I put a wall-hung toilet in a tenement?
Usually, yes, as long as there is room for the frame and a short route to the soil stack. The frame sits behind a false wall, which also hides the pipework and can create a handy shelf. We check the wall, the floor and the waste route at the survey before you choose a toilet. Any extra work is shown on your written quote.
What is the best flooring for a tenement bathroom?
Tiles are hard-wearing and easy to clean, but tenement floors are timber, so they need a rigid base underneath to stop the tiles cracking. Slip-resistant tiles are a good choice for a bathroom. We check the joists and the floor level at the survey, because older tenement floors are often uneven, and any preparation is shown on your quote. Underfloor heating can also go under tiles.