Where bathroom ideas may one day be a straightforward project rooted in practicality, we are now approaching the task with more care and attention, aiming to create a space centered around the bathtub.
Bathrooms are usually considered purely utilitarian functional spaces and have since evolved into our personal wellness havens. Bathroom ideas should be beautiful but never at the cost of their functionality.
Bathroom ideas – 10 looks for every bathroom plan
Whether you are planning to update your bathroom and master bath ideas, upgrade your shower room ideas or transform an unused space into a luxurious en-suite bathroom, there is now a wide range of bathroom ideas available to suit your style, from colors and materials to finishes and shapes.
1. Introducing Quiet Symmetry
(Photo credit: György Kőrössy)
When planning and designing a bathroom, the first thing we think of is the bathtub—and for good reason. It is often the focal point of the room.
Placing a double-sided tub centered on the wall harnesses the power of symmetry to make a more impactful statement. In this master bath of an imposing 18th-century country house, the balanced proportions of the paneled bathroom are enhanced by delicately placed artwork and wall lamps above. “The bathroom works with wall lights to complete a harmonious ensemble with a spa-like sense of calm,” says designer Lisa Percy.
2. Choose Smart Layers
(Photo credit: Marielle Lind Hansen)
Traditional collapsible bathroom ideas are a prime target for painting, making color coordination easy. Best of all, the color can be switched up when it’s time for a change.
“In this project, we used a coral color in the owner’s existing bathroom to give it an airy look and complement the curtains and tiles,” explains Tiffany Duggan, founder of Studio Duggan and Trove.
3. Be bold with copper
(Photo credit: Luca Pivaretti)
Copper is famous for its lustrous presence. “When getting a copper bath, whether restored or new, always make sure that once it’s polished it is sealed with a varnish to prevent oxidation,” says Georgina Cave, director of Cave Interiors.
4. Evoke luxury with rock music
(Photo credit: West One Pools)
“There is no real substitute for the timeless elegance, luxury, and wow factor of a natural stone bathroom,” says Louise Ashdown, Head of Design for West One Bathroom. Despite the beauty of stone bathrooms, they are quite heavy, so floor reinforcements may be required. Marble is also porous and therefore prone to staining; The right cleaning products and regular sealing will help protect their natural beauty.
5. Make a mist with an egg shaped bath
(Image credit: Graham & Brown)
Accentuate the silhouette of a modern, egg-shaped bathroom by setting it against a contrasting background, such as botanical-print wallpaper. Treat the surface with a protective sealant.
6. Put your pelvis in a perfect position
(Image credit: Mark Nicholson)
A freestanding bathroom deserves to take center stage in your master bathroom, but plan carefully to keep it from looking cut-out.
You can feel the barefoot shower in the middle of an empty space. The solution here was to bring the shower to the center of one of the walls, with a signature marble slab backdrop to anchor the freestanding bathroom, explains Victoria Wormsley, director of French-Brooks Interiors.
“An antique rug, a comfy chair, and a colorful print enhance the feeling of relaxation.”
7. Take an old-meets-new approach
(Image credit: CB Hart)
Classic marble bathroom ideas may be centuries old, but this versatile material can feel just as important in a contemporary setting. Carved from a solid piece of Carrara marble, the clean, modern lines of the Piet Boon Freestanding Bath for Cocoon are a case in point. Shown here on polished concrete floors against a neutral backdrop, the designer’s signature clean lines truly celebrate Carrara’s subtle ethnicity.
8. Soften your space with a circular design
(Image credit: CB Hart)
To accentuate the curve of a wash basin, wall-mounted sink, or wash-basin unit, consider an eye-catching color, pattern, or texture for your bathroom ideas. “This is an organic style that lends itself to a more fluid feel,” says Emma Scott, director of client design, CB Heart. “Try mixing finishes to create a space that’s more warm and relaxing than one where everything has to match neatly.”
Round baths are usually 1400-1800 mm in diameter, so they are suitable for larger rooms. A circular back-to-wall design, an oval option, or a rectangular bathroom with smooth curved edges might be best for small bathroom ideas. Use a seamless waterproof material, such as polished or mini stucco or Senso resin surface, to accentuate the seamless shape of your wall, ceiling or arch.
9. Play with style
(Photo credit: Gunter & Co)
Across the board, bathroom fixture pieces are taking bold steps away from the old, unwritten rule that only white should be. From ’70s favorites of avocado or dusty pink to sunny yellow and chic navy blue, there was an explosion of color in the bathroom. But why stop at plain bathroom color ideas when you have a style? That’s the approach interior designer Erin Gunther took here when she was wrapped in woven fabric.
“It was all about creating warmth,” she says. “There was no natural focal point, so I hung the mirror behind the bathroom to discourage the space and painted the walls a mustard yellow to connect with the copper tones of the faucet pots.”
10. Pretty with a colorful bathtub
(Photo credit: C.P. Hart/Anna Stataki)
From the bed, large antique French double doors open to an en suite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub as the focal point. Painted in soft pink for a classic feminine look, the double-ended design allows you to lie in any direction you choose, and is able to look out from the windows at either end of the room.
CB Heart’s director of design, Yousef Al-Mansoori, accepted the challenge of creating the new room. “We wanted the shower to be the real star of the show, and what better way to do that than by painting the bathtub your favorite color,” he says.
What is the best bathroom for the environment?
If a bath is a must for you, consider opting for a slightly smaller bath that contains less water, says Rachel Mackins, director of marketing for Ripples. ‘Alternatively, you could opt for a bathroom where the excess has not yet been dug up. By setting less excess at a level that works for you, you can limit the amount of water your bathroom can hold.