Inspiration for a small contemporary bathroom in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, blue tile, ceramic tile, blue walls, ceramic floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, grey benchtops, a single vanity and a floating vanity.

This lovely Malvern home saw a total transformation of all wet areas, including the main bathroom, ensuite, kitchen, and laundry. A professional couple with two young children, our clients tasked us with turning their newly bought Malvern property into their dream home. The property was in great condition, but the interiors were outdated and lacked the functionality to support a young family’s busy lifestyle. Because this was their forever home, we designed the spaces collaboratively with our clients focusing on nailing their aesthetic brief while providing them with a high level of functionality to suit their present and future needs. Our brief: The design needed to be child-friendly but with a sophisticated aesthetic All materials needed to be durable and have longevity A fresh, modern look with textures was a must The clients love cooking, so a kitchen that was functional as well as beautiful was paramount. The kitchen really is the central hub of this busy home, so we wanted to create a modern, bright, and welcoming space where all the family could gather and share quality time. The first thing to go was the outdated, curved floor-to-ceiling window, which didn’t align with our client’s vision for their dream home. We replaced it with large modern bi-fold stacking doors that let natural light seep in. We also removed an impractical external double door and replaced it with a tightly waterproofed servery bi-fold window, which our clients loved. The existing U-shaped kitchen was impractical with only one access, which created accessibility issues. Our solution was to completely redesign the kitchen to create an L-shaped layout with a large central island and two accesses for even flow. The table-like island was a priority in our client’s wish list because they wanted a spot where they could sit together and share meals and where the children could do homework after school. They loved the idea of sitting facing each other instead of in a line like you do in standard islands. That’s why we installed a custom-made powder-coated steel leg on the island, which looks beautiful and allows the family to sit on either side of it. To update the room’s aesthetics, we selected high-quality and durable materials for a fresh and modern look. The sleek white cabinetry features a super matt melamine finish with anti-fingerprint technology, which is low-maintenance, easy to clean and great for when there are kids in the house. To maximise every inch for functionality, we included smart storage solutions throughout the cabinetry, as well as a spacious pantry that can be tucked away when not in use. To create visual intrigue and add a textured layer to the space, we juxtaposed the smooth surfaces of the cabinetry and porcelain benchtop with a textured, hand-made look tiled splashback. The splashback is easy to maintain thanks to its epoxy grout, which is waterproof and repels dirt and grime. We also included lovely natural timber handles to add an organic touch to the design. We wanted the room to feel bright and happy, so LED downlights were evenly distributed throughout, complete with dimmers for when mood lighting was needed. We also used LED strip lighting under all overhead cabinetry and an automatic light in the pantry. The finishing touch was the lovely hub pendant above the island, which certainly takes the room’s aesthetics to the next level. To continue with the same modern tactile look in the laundry, we used a handmade square tile paired with led lighting to showcase the texture in the tile. Because the space also needed to be easy to maintain (and child friendly), we used super matt melamine with anti-fingerprint technology for the cabinetry with porcelain benchtops for ultimate durability. We used large-format tiles, which are easy to maintain and create the illusion of space, perfect for this small room. Lack of storage was solved with large floor to ceiling cupboards, which allowed us to use every inch of the room. To add a warm touch to this bright and airy space, we used circular timber handles. For the family bathroom and the ensuite, we continued the child-friendly theme by utilising large-format tiles pair with anti-fingerprint finishes for the cabinetry. In line with the modern aesthetic of the kitchen and laundry, we wanted to create a sophisticated space that felt unique to the home. Because we also wanted the bathrooms to feel calm and serene, we introduced curves in the design for a softer look and feel. The circular shape theme proposed by the custom mirrors continues in the basin, large free-standing bath and natural timber handles. The client loved the idea of using gunmetal finishes instead of the traditional chrome finish, so we selected gunmetal tapware which looks amazing paired with the custom arch mirrors. The led lighting around the mirrors provides function and form, being a decorative feature that creates mood lighting and additional task lighting. LED downlights were also evenly distributed throughout the spaces- all with dimmers for versatility. Drawers were the preferred method of storage, and they include concealed power points for practicality which was a critical point of our brief.

Design ideas for a small contemporary master bathroom in Sydney with open cabinets, light wood cabinets, a freestanding tub, an open shower, blue tile, ceramic tile, blue walls, terrazzo floors, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, an open shower, white benchtops, a single vanity and a floating vanity.

Snowberry Lane Photography
Design ideas for a large contemporary master wet room bathroom in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a freestanding tub, gray tile, blue tile, porcelain tile, grey walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, an open shower and white benchtops.

Michael J. Lee Photography
This is an example of a contemporary master bathroom in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a freestanding tub, an alcove shower, blue tile, grey floor, white walls and an undermount sink.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional 3/4 bathroom in Chicago with white tile, blue tile, gray tile, subway tile, white cabinets, a drop-in tub, a shower/bathtub combo, white walls, an integrated sink, glass benchtops and grey floor.

Inspiration for a beach style 3/4 bathroom in Orange County with light wood cabinets, blue tile, grey walls, an undermount sink, grey floor, grey benchtops and shaker cabinets.

This Australian-inspired new construction was a successful collaboration between homeowner, architect, designer and builder. The home features a Henrybuilt kitchen, butler's pantry, private home office, guest suite, master suite, entry foyer with concealed entrances to the powder bathroom and coat closet, hidden play loft, and full front and back landscaping with swimming pool and pool house/ADU.

Inspiration for a small transitional 3/4 bathroom in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, blue tile, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, white benchtops, a single vanity and a built-in vanity.

Mid-sized transitional master bathroom in Detroit with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, a corner shower, a one-piece toilet, blue tile, glass tile, white walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, grey floor, a hinged shower door, white benchtops, a niche, a double vanity and a floating vanity.

Penny Round Tile
Photo of a small beach style 3/4 bathroom in Hawaii with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, blue tile, ceramic tile, blue walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a single vanity and a freestanding vanity.

This master spa bath has a soaking tub, steam shower, and custom cabinetry. The cement tiles add pattern to the shower walls. The porcelain wood look plank flooring is laid in a herringbone pattern.

The shower includes dual shower areas, four body spray tiles (two on each side) and a large glass surround keeping the uncluttered theme for the room while still offering privacy with an etched “belly band” around the perimeter. The etching is only on the outside of the glass with the inside being kept smooth for cleaning purposes. The end result is a bathroom that is luxurious and light, with nothing extraneous to distract the eye. The peaceful and quiet ambiance that the room exudes hit exactly the mark that the clients were looking for.

Kris Palen
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional master bathroom in Dallas with distressed cabinets, a freestanding tub, an alcove shower, a two-piece toilet, glass tile, blue walls, a vessel sink, wood benchtops, blue tile, porcelain floors, grey floor, a hinged shower door, brown benchtops and open cabinets.

Photo by Pete Molick
Modern bathroom in Houston with glass tile, wood benchtops, a curbless shower, blue tile, porcelain floors, white walls, grey floor and black benchtops.

New Generation MCM Location: Lake Oswego, OR Type: Remodel Credits Design: Matthew O. Daby - M.O.Daby Design Interior design: Angela Mechaley - M.O.Daby Design Construction: Oregon Homeworks Photography: KLIK Concepts

Hillcrest Construction designed and executed a complete facelift for these West Chester clients’ master bathroom. The sink/toilet/shower layout stayed relatively unchanged due to the limitations of the small space, but major changes were slated for the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. The bathroom was gutted completely, the wiring was updated, and minor plumbing alterations were completed for code compliance. Bathroom waterproofing was installed utilizing the state-of-the-industry Schluter substrate products, and the feature wall of the shower is tiled with a striking blue 12x12 tile set in a stacked pattern, which is a departure of color and layout from the staggered gray-tome wall tile and floor tile. The original bathroom lacked storage, and what little storage it had lacked practicality. The original 1’ wide by 4’ deep “reach-in closet” was abandoned and replaced with a custom cabinetry unit that featured six 30” drawers to hold a world of personal bathroom items which could pulled out for easy access. The upper cubbie was shallower at 13” and was sized right to hold a few spare towels without the towels being lost to an unreachable area. The custom furniture-style vanity, also built and finished at the Hillcrest custom shop facilitated a clutter-free countertop with its two deep drawers, one with a u-shaped cut out for the sink plumbing. Considering the relatively small size of the bathroom, and the vanity’s proximity to the toilet, the drawer design allows for greater access to the storage area as compared to a vanity door design that would only be accessed from the front. The custom niche in the shower serves and a consolidated home for soap, shampoo bottles, and all other shower accessories. Moen fixtures at the sink and in the shower and a Toto toilet complete the contemporary feel. The controls at the shower allow the user to easily switch between the fixed rain head, the hand shower, or both. And for a finishing touch, the client chose between a number for shower grate color and design options to complete their tailor-made sanctuary.

Sweet kids bathroom, with light grey wainscoting and fan tiles that mimic a fish scale pattern.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kids bathroom in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, blue tile, porcelain tile, white walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a single vanity and a built-in vanity.

Mid-sized midcentury master bathroom in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, a freestanding tub, a curbless shower, a two-piece toilet, blue tile, ceramic tile, white walls, marble floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, an open shower, white benchtops, a double vanity and a built-in vanity.