When focusing on your home’s interior design, bathrooms are often overlooked and neglected spaces. Reclaiming your lavatory as a stylish space that fits well with the rest of the house not only increases the value and enjoyment of your home, but it can also turn a functional space into your personal sanctuary.
Read on to learn how to spice up your bathroom space for functional, visual, and sensual enjoyment!
To help you navigate this list, it’s broken into the following categories:
Style
Features
Elements
Colors
Lighting
Tiles
Style:
1. Asian-Inspired
Asian designs are minimalist and serene. Open layouts and flowing design incorporate natural elements such as wood and bamboo, stone, natural light, accented with oriental indoor décor.
Japanese bath house inspired bathroom via Right Arm Construction
The above project makes a normal-sized bathroom seem very spacious and lush. It incorporates a skylight to create a sense of natural light shining onto the waterfall that is your bathroom. With the skylight already in place, it’s all about wrapping bathroom walls and the tub with natural wood. It’s a simple design, but it’s not trivial and requires masterful work to complete. Estimated cost of this minimalist bathroom design and remodel is $20,000 to $30,000.
With Asian-inspired bathrooms, minimalist design doesn’t mean small. The project below is a great example of a spacious, oriental style bathroom where walls become curved, showers transform into waterfalls, and stone motifs make you feel as though you’re in a garden.
via Steuart Gray
Steuart Gray: This projected consisted of redesigning a small bedroom next to a master bedroom into a master bedroom bath and connecting to the master bedroom, creating a large master bedroom suite.
This is a major remodeling project with an estimated cost of $75,000 to $125,000.
2. Spa-Inspired
Spa-inspired bathrooms bring the feel of being on vacation to your home. The design is modern, yet tranquil and luxurious. It turns the bathroom into a place of escape and rejuvenation.
The above project features His-and-her vanities resting opposite of each each other in this luxurious master bath with a spacious walk-in shower and freestanding soaking tub that overlook the ocean. An adjoining makeup vanity and cushioned seating area add to the elegant design.
The cost of this entire project is not for the faint of heart, and is estimated at between $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the initial setup and the amount of work required. But the concept can be replicated for significantly less money. The central element of this design is the freestanding soaking tub overlooking the ocean, something that can be realized for a lot less.
3. French Country Style Luxury
French designs are luxurious with modern elements. This style often incorporates modern comforts and richness coupled with marble, wood vanities, and crystal chandeliers. Think glamorous dressing areas and beautiful, stylish, and curvy free standing bath tub, often placed within an open layout.
via Peter_visual / Getty Images
Features:
4. Open Space
Credits: Willman Interiors
Regardless of the style, open space is the key feature of modern bathrooms.
5. Large Showers
Large, open-framed showers with waterfall or multi-showerheads are another key element of modern design.
6. Large Free-standing Tubs
Built-in tubs with jets are being replaced with large, free standing tubs such as a hammock-shaped, bowl-shaped, vessel-shaped, or Japanese soaking tubs. Image Credit: Splinter Works
7. Luxury
Modern bathrooms are all about luxury items, such as a heated shaving cream dispenser, drapes and plush seating.
8. Storage
For a more modern and functional bathroom, use open-shelves, in-shower or hidden storage.
9. Large Windows
New designs feature large windows to allow more natural light. Install next to the tub or shower to create the feeling of outdoor bathing.
10. Eco-friendly
To make your bathroom more Eco-friendly, consider installing a flush converter, faucet aerator, and items made from recycled or refurbished materials.
11. Temperature Controls
Your bathroom can benefit greatly from having an ability to control the atmosphere with a modern state-of-the-art temperature control features.
12. Drapes
Add an extra touch of coziness and richness to your bathroom by adding lush drapes.
13. Water Closets
For more privacy in an open-space bathroom, install a water closet.
14. Clean Durable Materials
Materials such as marble, steel and concrete are very popular for modern bathroom designs and are definitely somewhat of a trend.
15. Curves and Fluidity
Modern design focuses on softer and calmer spaces. To achieve this, use curves and fluidity throughout your bathroom décor.
16. Spa-inspired Features
Turn your bathroom into a spa-getaway with muted colors, a steam shower, and a fireplace.
17. Natural Elements
Incorporate natural elements such as bamboo, stones and natural lighting.
18. Fireplaces
Relax and soak to the sound of a crackling fire.
Elements:
19. Steam Rooms
A steam shower or sauna turns an already relaxing experience into a mini-vacation – and it’s good for you!
20. Frameless Shower Enclosures
Frameless shower doors create a clean, modern and open feel. For a completely open feel, consider installing a European-style open bathroom shower system that has no doors at all!
Image Credit: KeraBath
21. Large Mirrors
Extremely large mirrors are being used to make bathrooms appear larger. You can install an over-sized framed mirror, a mirrored wall or two-way mirrors that allow you to see through them when not in use.
22. Floating Sink
Beautifully artful floating sinks are used to create more space, while keeping clutter out of your bathroom.
23. Technology
Although the concept of modern bathroom design is to create a space to get away from it all, technology can play an important role in creating your oasis. Television screens are embedded into mirrors, completely hidden when turned off. Remote controlled sound systems are installed in showers or walls to allow you to listen to relaxing music as you soak in the tub.
24. Argon Charged Windows and Showers
Argon charged glass allows you to keep an open feel to your bathroom while providing privacy when needed. You simply flip a switch or use a remote control to cause the glass to change from clear to dark or opaque.
25. Designer Toilets
A traditional pedestal toilet with a tank attached is a thing of the past. You can now choose wall-mounted, tank-less and front-facing “squat” position toilets.
26. Bidet
Inspiration source: Dkor Interiors
Bidets are no longer exclusively found in Europe or in the homes of super-wealthy people. Using a bidet is not only more hygienic, it’s also Eco-friendly. Just as with toilets you can find high-style bidets with several features, including a remote-controlled model.
27. Heated Floors
Radiant heat, or in-floor heating, is a wonderful union of practicality and comfort. It’s more cost-effective than most heating methods and it feels really good on chilly mornings. Explore energy efficient bathroom heaters here.
28. Heated Towel Rack
There is nothing more comforting, relaxing and serene than stepping out of the shower or bath and wrapping yourself in a warm towel. Using heated towel racks can add to the spa-like feeling of the modern bathroom.
29. Multi-Head Showerheads
Multi-head showers bring luxury and functionality by misting you from all angles. As showers get larger, single showerheads are no longer practical. New designs include a waterfall head and various heads placed throughout the shower, or you can install a single unit with multiple heads attached.
30. Vanities
Vanity chests give a dressing room edge to a bathroom for a more luxurious feel.
31. Anti-fogging Mirrors
Smaller anti-fogging mirrors can be used in the shower or placed on vanities. Or, you can have a large custom-made anti-fog mirror for your wall.
32. Smart Technology
Did you know that you can use your smart phone or tablet to control the technology in your bathroom? Beyond the television and sound system, you can also control lights, turn on water for a bath or shower, and control the setting of your privacy windows.
33. Waterfall Features
The latest trend for modern bathrooms is all about creating a sense of serenity by bringing outdoor elements inside. Waterfall showerheads have been around for a while, but they are now being used over soaking tubs, as sink faucets and as water features on walls or in art pieces.
Colors:
34. Black and White
Black and white was seen all over the runway during fashion week, and is making its way into the home. It adds a sophisticated, yet simplistic look to the space.
35. Steel Gray
Nothing says minimalist like steel gray. It’s luxurious while also creating a calming feel to a modern bathroom.
36. Earthy Browns
Earthy brown tones provide a comforting feel to your modern bathroom design. It’s an excellent palette to use to achieve an outdoor bathing or spa-like design.
37. Muted, Serene Palettes
Bold colors are out. Shades of color that are muted and serene create a calming effect. Use muted shades of aqua, blues and greens to make your bathroom have an underwater feel.
Lighting:
38. Designer Lighting
Bring glamorous, unexpected lighting into the bathroom with designer lighting. Even if you don’t have a huge space, a small chandelier will add the touch of elegance you need.
39. Sconces
A popular trend in bathroom design is to place sconces beside mirrors and vanity areas.
40. Candles
What spa-inspired bath would be complete without candles? Use candles to create an aroma therapy experience, beside a fireplace or use candle-like lighting fixtures.
41. Accent Lighting
Did you know that LED lighting is very big in modern bathroom design right now? Strip LED lights American Lighting Association
Tiles:
42. Glass Tiles
Glass tiles are replacing ceramic tiles. They have a more glossy finish, which will make your bathroom appear larger. Plus, they aren’t porous like ceramic tiles, making them more resistant to mold and mildew.
43. Create Zones
Use tiles to divide areas into zones, such as wet and dry areas, vanity, dressing area and the water closet.
44. Vertical Tiles
Install tiles vertically on walls to create the illusion of height.
45. Subway Tiles
Subway tiles, especially in white, are very much on trend for bathroom designs.
46. One Tile Throughout
Use one tile in the same color for the entire space. To create a high-end hotel look “wrap” your bathroom in black or dark tile.
47. Variations of the Same Color
To add depth and dimension to your tile work, use variations of the same color.
48. Tile Walls
Continue the tile from the floor all the way up the wall. To create the look of infinite space, install different sized tiles going from larger to smaller.
49. Mosaic Textures
For a subtle flash of color, or for visual interest, use mosaic tile and textures in the form of a stylish backsplash or as an art piece on a focal wall.
50. Natural Stone
Natural stone components bring a more natural look inside. Install natural stone around fireplaces, sinks and tubs.
Closing Thoughts:
A successful remodel takes a space that’s old and outdated and turns it into something new. Most popular design trends for bathrooms are essentially focused on taking a room that was once seen as a place purely used for functionality, and transforming it into a sanctuary designed for you to pamper and care for yourself.
All of the smart bathroom designs look nice, but I find the number 3 French Country Style Luxury design more affordable and overall best for us. Thank you for sharing this design collection.