Black Bathrooms That are Anything but Bland
Black can be dramatic, but too much black will make for a dull, and even depressing, bathroom. Here's how to get the balance right
Joanna Tovia
4 September 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Black bathrooms may be all the rage – their dramatic appeal is hard to resist – but before you reach for the paintbrush or order those black tiles, pause a moment. Black bathrooms are easy to get wrong. Without enough light or interest to bring them to life, black bathrooms can be just plain bland. Instead of giving you a lift every time you enter the room, drab black bathrooms tend to leave you feeling a little glum and uninspired. Take your cue from these beautiful bathrooms, though, and yours is sure to be a winner.
Pep it up with pattern
Don’t make the mistake of going all black without adding interest. Pattern is an instant fix for a boring black bathroom, especially if the design is elegant, industrial or just plain chic. This tiled feature wall adds a designer touch to this stylish bathroom, without having to deviate from the black and white scheme.
Don’t make the mistake of going all black without adding interest. Pattern is an instant fix for a boring black bathroom, especially if the design is elegant, industrial or just plain chic. This tiled feature wall adds a designer touch to this stylish bathroom, without having to deviate from the black and white scheme.
Deviating isn’t always a bad thing, of course. Florence Broadhurst’s Japanese Floral wallpaper adds elegance galore to this bathroom, and the matching tap and accessories bring the look together. Restricting the palette to black, white and one other colour or material (such as marble) will add just enough interest to keep boredom at bay, without taking away from the reason we all love black bathrooms in the first place – their drama and panache.
See how gold can be used in the bathroom
See how gold can be used in the bathroom
Add shimmer and shine
If the tiles were matt rather than glossy, this bathroom would take on a whole different look and feel, and not in a good way. Shiny tiles allow the light to bounce around rather than sucking it all from the room.
If the tiles were matt rather than glossy, this bathroom would take on a whole different look and feel, and not in a good way. Shiny tiles allow the light to bounce around rather than sucking it all from the room.
Shimmery mosaic tiles achieve the same outcome without going too glossy. Pendant lighting that would look at home in a dining room just add to the sophisticated vibe.
Bring about some balance
Black on its own is dramatic, but a lashing or two of white can make it even better. Painting the walls in Dulux’s ‘Domino’ transforms an otherwise white bathroom into chic style territory, while black and white floor tiles bring the whole look together.
Black and white bathrooms to inspire
Black on its own is dramatic, but a lashing or two of white can make it even better. Painting the walls in Dulux’s ‘Domino’ transforms an otherwise white bathroom into chic style territory, while black and white floor tiles bring the whole look together.
Black and white bathrooms to inspire
A contrasting floor can also prevent black from becoming too dominating in the room. The natural stone tiles in this bathroom soften the look without taking away its edge.
Tinker with texture
If shimmer and shine aren’t really your thing, consider adding a textural effect to your bathroom walls. If these matt walls were less touchable, they’d risk being boring. Texture-rich features reappear throughout this Melbourne home, interior designer Camilla Molders pushing the boundaries to create surprise and delight.
See more of this home
If shimmer and shine aren’t really your thing, consider adding a textural effect to your bathroom walls. If these matt walls were less touchable, they’d risk being boring. Texture-rich features reappear throughout this Melbourne home, interior designer Camilla Molders pushing the boundaries to create surprise and delight.
See more of this home
Warm it up with timber
Just as black is making its mark in bathrooms, kitchens and home exteriors, timber is also having a moment – or an extended stay, really. Timber works in just about any bathroom but in black bathrooms it adds a special kind of warmth and grace, and stops it feeling too sterile.
Just as black is making its mark in bathrooms, kitchens and home exteriors, timber is also having a moment – or an extended stay, really. Timber works in just about any bathroom but in black bathrooms it adds a special kind of warmth and grace, and stops it feeling too sterile.
Ensure there’s enough natural light
Even the most beautiful of black bathrooms will soon lose their lustre if too little light comes into the room. Artificial light will never achieve what natural light can – that is, a mood-lifting effect that amplifies the space.
YOUR SAY
Would you dare to go there? Or have you already? Share your thoughts on black bathrooms in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more of the latest bathroom styles
Even the most beautiful of black bathrooms will soon lose their lustre if too little light comes into the room. Artificial light will never achieve what natural light can – that is, a mood-lifting effect that amplifies the space.
YOUR SAY
Would you dare to go there? Or have you already? Share your thoughts on black bathrooms in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more of the latest bathroom styles
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