How to Design a Beautiful Bathroom You’ll Want to Spend Time In
Want to love your bathroom the way you love your living room or bedroom? Here’s how...
Kate Burt
1 February 2020
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
At last year’s design fairs, there was a real move towards bathrooms that felt less like functional spaces and more like rooms to show off – from ones decorated in rich, deep colours to those furnished with beautiful pieces or vanity units as handsome as they were useful.
Other ways to build on this trend include adding soft, ‘un-bathroomy’ lighting, installing inviting underfloor heating and adding luxurious trims. Check out these examples, then run yourself a bath and contemplate the design possibilities for your own space.
Other ways to build on this trend include adding soft, ‘un-bathroomy’ lighting, installing inviting underfloor heating and adding luxurious trims. Check out these examples, then run yourself a bath and contemplate the design possibilities for your own space.
Treat it as a room first
Rather than starting your bathroom plans with functionality at the forefront of your mind, look at the bones of the room. If you’re lucky enough to have something with existing character, as here, talk to your designer about how best to work this into your plans.
In this design, a double basin nods to the chimney breast’s original purpose, with the microcement referencing both a mantelpiece and the ghost of a hearth.
The designers have also opted for furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a living room – a vintage sideboard is an excellent idea for bathroom storage if you have the space.
Rather than starting your bathroom plans with functionality at the forefront of your mind, look at the bones of the room. If you’re lucky enough to have something with existing character, as here, talk to your designer about how best to work this into your plans.
In this design, a double basin nods to the chimney breast’s original purpose, with the microcement referencing both a mantelpiece and the ghost of a hearth.
The designers have also opted for furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a living room – a vintage sideboard is an excellent idea for bathroom storage if you have the space.
Warm things up
Bathrooms, with all their hard surfaces and – often – neutral colours, don’t always feel like rooms in which you’d want to linger.
In this project, the green feature tiles add a lovely earthy look to the room, particularly combined with the warm timber vanity unit.
Take note, also, of the lighting: instead of no-frills spotlights, there are interesting pendants over the vanity area that would work just as nicely in a bedroom. You can always include spotlights in your scheme too for when brighter lighting is required.
Bathrooms, with all their hard surfaces and – often – neutral colours, don’t always feel like rooms in which you’d want to linger.
In this project, the green feature tiles add a lovely earthy look to the room, particularly combined with the warm timber vanity unit.
Take note, also, of the lighting: instead of no-frills spotlights, there are interesting pendants over the vanity area that would work just as nicely in a bedroom. You can always include spotlights in your scheme too for when brighter lighting is required.
Find a feature mirror
Frameless backlit mirrors or mirrored cabinets can look wonderful, but for an ‘un-bathroom’, a statement mirror isn’t a bad place to start.
Choosing a mirror with a frame makes it more of a focal point and less of a purely practical detail. And how about that beautifully made vanity unit – and we’ve already spoken about stylish bathroom lighting, but that pendant! This room ticks so many boxes.
Thinking of redoing your bathroom? Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz to find out what’s possible
Frameless backlit mirrors or mirrored cabinets can look wonderful, but for an ‘un-bathroom’, a statement mirror isn’t a bad place to start.
Choosing a mirror with a frame makes it more of a focal point and less of a purely practical detail. And how about that beautifully made vanity unit – and we’ve already spoken about stylish bathroom lighting, but that pendant! This room ticks so many boxes.
Thinking of redoing your bathroom? Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz to find out what’s possible
Don’t be afraid of the dark
Here, RISE Design Studio shows how even a small bathroom can be made to feel like a sanctuary.
The star of this space is the wall covering – clay plaster in a deep blue-grey. This makes the room feel less ‘bathroomy’, as do the interesting brass taps, the plant and the artwork, which have been positioned so they can be appreciated from the tub.
Here, RISE Design Studio shows how even a small bathroom can be made to feel like a sanctuary.
The star of this space is the wall covering – clay plaster in a deep blue-grey. This makes the room feel less ‘bathroomy’, as do the interesting brass taps, the plant and the artwork, which have been positioned so they can be appreciated from the tub.
Add texture
The move away from clinical and purely functional is well represented in this beautiful bathing space.
If you’re able to expose a brick wall, it can make a warming feature that’s full of character. Here, it’s just one layer of texture in a room that also features visually interesting and tactile ribbed glass and smooth and luxurious marble-effect floor tiles.
Do talk to your designer about your options here. Instead of exposed brick, it might work better in your bathroom to cover a plastered wall with reclaimed brick slips (slices of brick that work like tiles). Your design professional can also advise on sealing options so that your brickwork doesn’t crumble into your bubble bath.
The move away from clinical and purely functional is well represented in this beautiful bathing space.
If you’re able to expose a brick wall, it can make a warming feature that’s full of character. Here, it’s just one layer of texture in a room that also features visually interesting and tactile ribbed glass and smooth and luxurious marble-effect floor tiles.
Do talk to your designer about your options here. Instead of exposed brick, it might work better in your bathroom to cover a plastered wall with reclaimed brick slips (slices of brick that work like tiles). Your design professional can also advise on sealing options so that your brickwork doesn’t crumble into your bubble bath.
Glam up the details
Tile trim might not be at the top of your list of design decisions, but your bathroom designer is sure to have it on theirs. They will know that making the right choice – white? aluminium? tile? rounded? square-edged? – can have a real impact on the look of your new wash space.
Here, Emma Merry of Emma Merry Styling chose a striking brass finish to tie in with the towel rail and taps, upping the style factor and tying all the details together.
Tile trim might not be at the top of your list of design decisions, but your bathroom designer is sure to have it on theirs. They will know that making the right choice – white? aluminium? tile? rounded? square-edged? – can have a real impact on the look of your new wash space.
Here, Emma Merry of Emma Merry Styling chose a striking brass finish to tie in with the towel rail and taps, upping the style factor and tying all the details together.
Design differently
The door to an ensuite is often open, exposing the bathroom to a bedroom or hallway. That’s all the more reason to ensure it complements your sleeping space or hallway and looks beautiful.
Interesting tiles, bold black tapware and a pretty pink basin shelf ensure this room is not a space to shut the door on.
The door to an ensuite is often open, exposing the bathroom to a bedroom or hallway. That’s all the more reason to ensure it complements your sleeping space or hallway and looks beautiful.
Interesting tiles, bold black tapware and a pretty pink basin shelf ensure this room is not a space to shut the door on.
Lower the lights
As already mentioned, bathrooms often have extremely good task lighting. While it’s very useful, not everyone wants to examine their pores or make-up too closely. To soften the mood in your bathroom, consider adding dimmers to lights so that you can adjust illumination levels. Or, add in a second, soft layer of lighting to your scheme that gives the space a warm, atmospheric glow.
As already mentioned, bathrooms often have extremely good task lighting. While it’s very useful, not everyone wants to examine their pores or make-up too closely. To soften the mood in your bathroom, consider adding dimmers to lights so that you can adjust illumination levels. Or, add in a second, soft layer of lighting to your scheme that gives the space a warm, atmospheric glow.
Expose your floorboards
A timber floor is often seen as impractical for a bathroom, but with the right professional considerations and proper protection, it can be as practical as it is beautiful. Alternatively, opt for low-maintenance, timber-look tiles for your bathroom floor.
This room feels very much like an extension of the adjacent bedroom, partly helped by the continuation of the flooring between the two spaces. A fireplace, artwork, elegant marble fittings and that wonderful yellow bath positioned centre stage complete the effect.
A timber floor is often seen as impractical for a bathroom, but with the right professional considerations and proper protection, it can be as practical as it is beautiful. Alternatively, opt for low-maintenance, timber-look tiles for your bathroom floor.
This room feels very much like an extension of the adjacent bedroom, partly helped by the continuation of the flooring between the two spaces. A fireplace, artwork, elegant marble fittings and that wonderful yellow bath positioned centre stage complete the effect.
Be bold with colour
Three large blocks of colour are the visual foundation for this Victorian-style bathroom.
The two strongest colours – deep blue and rust red – are rarely seen in bathrooms and give this one wow factor, even though it’s a relatively small and traditionally styled room.
Shelves for plants, books and artwork layer up the ‘living room’ feel in this bathroom.
Your turn
Which of these ideas would you like to try in your own bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on bathrooms? Don’t miss Room of the Week: A Family Bathroom Gets a Classic Makeover
Three large blocks of colour are the visual foundation for this Victorian-style bathroom.
The two strongest colours – deep blue and rust red – are rarely seen in bathrooms and give this one wow factor, even though it’s a relatively small and traditionally styled room.
Shelves for plants, books and artwork layer up the ‘living room’ feel in this bathroom.
Your turn
Which of these ideas would you like to try in your own bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on bathrooms? Don’t miss Room of the Week: A Family Bathroom Gets a Classic Makeover
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
A good bathroom designer will help bring your vision to life, within your budget – here's how to find the right one
Full Story
Most Popular
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Working with Professionals
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Tiler
Perfect tiles? Tick. Next up is finding an experienced tiler to lay them – here's everything you need to know
Full Story
Most Popular
9 Small-Bathroom Challenges and How to Solve Them
Follow these handy tips to overcome problems when designing a tiny wash space
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Most Popular
Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $5000
Refresh your bathroom on a budget with these simple yet stunning ideas for an easy bathroom makeover
Full Story
Picture Perfect
17 Small Bathrooms That Manage to Squeeze in a Bath
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
Bathroom Essentials: Right Heights for Vanities, Mirrors & More
By tidgboutique
Making some bathroom upgrades? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalised fit
Full Story
Bathroom Renovations
10 Expert Tips for Designing the Right Shower For Your Home
By tidgboutique
Keep these style and layout ideas in mind as you plan your dream shower and bathroom
Full Story
MJ, we recently put a short bath in our ensuite renovation. Not quite as short as 1300mm. It is 1400x800x580 high. Because it's wider than normal baths it doesn't look small - https://buildersdiscountwarehouse.com.au/product/positano-compact-freestanding-bath/
I’m going to defend the yellow bath! It’s an absolute wow factor in a beautiful room and I love a glamorous decadent bathroom!
@peggysue67 Always so interesting to see different perspectives – for me, a quick shower hits the spot, haven't had a bath since 1974!