A beautiful, functional, and stylish bathroom can enhance your everyday life, making rushed mornings or late evenings much smoother and relaxing. This space can be the most nurturing and joyful, allowing you to have the "me time" you truly deserve. There are several ways to uplift and even personalize this room, from paints, tiles, and wallpapers, to finishes, lighting, and more.
If you're planning a remodel, or even just a quick refresh, there are so many ideas to choose from. We asked top interior designers and industry experts for their top tips and favorite modern bathroom ideas, and this comprehensive list captures them all.
1. Go for graphic floor tiles
A great way to give your space personality, and durability is with smart and long-lasting bathroom tiles. Go for unique patterns, colors, and even layouts for these tiles, and bring in glamor, but in a more subtle way.
"We used a range of design elements, such as mosaic tiles and globally sourced light fittings to build on character," says Brooke Aitken, founder of Brooke Aitken Design. "The tiling was delicately handmade and the unique textures and geometrical patterning contained elements linking back to the origins of the historical architectural foundation."
2. Add LED recessed lights
Along with bathroom pendants, bulbs, and more — recessed bathroom lighting adds an important element to this room's look and feel. The illumination is unobtrusive (when done well), and marries nicely with clean, contemporary, or minimalist interiors. Consider LED strip lights from Amazon or any other retailer to create a lovely mood in your bathroom.
While the size and spacing of recessed lights depend on your individual space and the effect you want, generally, in bathrooms, it's best to add these around the mirror or inside the vanity.
3. Choose a sculptural bathtub
While a built-in bathtub might not be for everyone, a freestanding one that can be placed anywhere in the space could take your room's style up a notch or two.
Take a look at this unique space designed by Kristin Dittmar. The bathtub placed in the center of the room feels like a jewel piece. While the color scheme is mostly neutral, the shape and make of the bathtub adds an architectural quality to the room.
4. Design an outdoor bathroom
Nothing says pure luxury better than an outdoor shower. To create the perfect holiday destination feel, consider an outdoor space to place your bathtub or even a hot tub.
This room could be an extension of your bedroom, your existing bathroom, or an altogether separate space. Consider building a gazebo coverage for privacy and safety.
5. Consider textured walls for a calm bathroom
Sometimes your bathroom can feel like a plain, white box without any inspiration. To add an architectural interest to your bathroom ideas, and to create a spa bathroom vibe, consider adding intriguing textures on walls — and not faux finishing that just looks like a texture, but the real deal you can feel with your hands. Think limewash paint or Tadelakt.
"A restrained aesthetic is made clear by the subtlety of the wall texture to the furniture choices, all creating continuity between each of the spaces," says Anne-Marie, founder of AMB Design. "It connects the entire experience to a spa-like feel and whispers 'an escape'."
6. Create a hotel-style feel with a tub inside the room
If you have the space and want to create a hotel-style bathroom, consider a tub inside the bedroom. This type of ensuite bathroom idea will boost both your bedroom design and the home at large.
"The design strategy for this home was based on the idea of restoring and reusing the building into a holiday home, giving continuity to the history of the building through its functional adaptation and adjustment to the contemporary domestic needs and requirements," shares Georgina Doriz, of Doriza Design. "In the external envelope, the least possible construction interventions were made, mainly focusing on the restoration and reinforcement of the stone masonry and the reconstruction of the parts that had collapsed. Here, the open ensuite blurs the line between bedroom and bath, inviting a tranquil flow of space."
7. Install a pony wall for a fun bathroom partition
"A pony wall is used to divide the wet and dry areas while maintaining an open feel," says Mary Patton, founder of Mary Patton Design. "They provide increased privacy, allowing for a variety of design layouts, and plumbing fixtures. It’s also a great spot to hide a bench or shower drain."
This bathroom partition is useful to create clear segregation without breaking the room's open plan.
8. Modernize your checkerboard bathroom floor
We’ve seen it recently enter the kitchen, and now it’s heading to the bathroom too. Checkerboard flooring brings with it relaxed vibes, instantly whisking you to a small Italian deli or chic European café, dappled sunlight, and days spent reclining. Now its iconic black and white checks are getting a modern overhaul, as the high-contrast monochrome tones are swapped for shades more on the soothing side of things.
"Checkerboard floor is a great way of adding pattern and color to a bathroom without it becoming too complicated or over the top," says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs.
"This trend is much more than the black and white tiles we associate with the classic look," adds Barrie. "Instead, homeowners are now attacking it with no rules attached, including using bold contrasting colors, and different materials. We’re seeing softer variations of the light and dark elements — neutral shades tone down the sharp lines that can come with a checkerboard pattern, while rich and warm shades add an opulence and moody feel to a room. It is the different darker shades which add a modern take on the design."
9. Try the black bathroom trend
The all-over black bathroom trend dominated recent design, and while we fell hard for its cocooning cave-like coziness, it’s undergone a calming update. There’s no need for a total redesign, just the quiet addition of color to soften the darkness so black’s warmth, intimacy, and sense of escapism remain, while some personality can shine through. Our shades of choice? Go for tones found in nature, to soothe the mind and turn that expansive dark bathroom shade into a midnight sky or lingering shadow.
"Adding an accent color to a black bathroom can radically alter the overall scheme, with gentle, neutral shades lending a contemporary, soothing contrast," says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene. "Tones such as ‘Vulcan' green create a calming and sophisticated feel when mixed with a charismatic, charcoal tone to retain warmth."
10. Experiment with semi color drenching
While color drenching may be the phrase on every design hashtagger’s lips, we can’t deny it’s a daunting prospect. The bathroom can be a great room to compromise in — semi-color drenching by using the tiles to offer a blast of brightness and a calming respite.
"Partially decorating your bathroom with a bold color creates a visual statement and wow factor, and using the same color on the walls and floor can make a bathroom feel much larger than it is, grounding the space," says Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles.
"If you’re not keen on your whole bathroom being decorated in a bold color, this half-and-half approach is a great compromise while being a bold design statement," adds Damla. "We love to bring floor tiles up onto the walls creating a sea of pattern and color — tricking the eye, semi-color drenching blurs the boundary between floor and wall, ensuring the senses aren’t overloaded so you can relax and unwind in the space."
11. Hang a decorative bathroom pendant light
Picture a bathroom ceiling light and it’s a sad fact that you’ll most probably imagine something perfunctory at best, with harsh hidden spotlights likely entering your mind. Happily, as the bathroom completes its transition into somewhere you actually want to spend time in, lighting is catching up — bathroom chandeliers and pendants are now a thing.
In the drier areas of the home, sculptural pendant lights are taking the place of decorative art, celebrated for their beauty as well as illuminating qualities, and the bathroom is getting in on the act and learning about light layering. Statement pendant lights create a decorative focal point in the bathroom, and are becoming part of the space’s soul-pleasing design — be they hung over a bathtub or either side of a mirror.
"Bathrooms are for relaxation and lighting is the best way to create a cocooning, atmospheric space — pendant lights provide the ambient glow that’s perfect for lying back and enjoying a soak," says Charlie Bowles, director at Davey Lighting. "Pendants also create visual impact, whether that's playing with scale for dramatic effect, or working with the style or the materials of the pendant to compliment your bathroom — just make sure they’re high enough over high traffic areas to avoid bumped heads."
12. Bring in nature one accessory at a time
We all know the inherent wellness benefits of bringing nature indoors and biophilia — the human connection to nature — has become ingrained in modern design language. But while installing living walls into some bathrooms works wonders, for other spaces it’s best to bring in plants for bathrooms.
"To bring the outside in, start with the small things such as a sprig of eucalyptus, a seagrass tea-light holder, or a refreshing herbal scent — I prop a hand-crafted wooden bath tidy across the bath to hold sponges, soaps, loofahs, and even candles," says Chrissie Rucker, OBE and founder of The White Company. "Natural materials are easy ways to incorporate a wonderfully rustic yet relaxed feel to a bathroom."
"In these hectic times of constant connectivity, creating a calm space where we can retreat to and feel connected to nature is more valuable than ever," adds Chrissie. "Bathrooms are a vital part of the winding-down process and scent is key to making them feel calming and inviting — I recommend clean and uplifting herbal fragrances for the bathroom; mint, lavender, and geranium leaf are great notes to capture a refreshing and rejuvenating aroma."
13. Ride the wave decorating trend
The wave interior design trend is flooding through homes and it’s time to get the bathroom involved. Typically a space that’s dominated by sharp edges and linear shapes, waves add a contrasting roundness, drawing the eye with their wiggling movement, as well as playfully hinting at the room’s watery function.
"Curves and curls are a modern, pleasing detail in interiors — from the indefatigable lines of a scallop to the froth of frill details in upholstery," says the interior designer Samantha Todhunter, founder of Samantha Todhunter Design. "Bathrooms are often utilitarian spaces made up of hard materials, so adding softness through a pattern such as the wave creates a happy result. Plus, a gentle ribbon effect or wave is a little romantic."
14. Think inside the box with shaped basin bowls
We’ve seen expressive, sculpturally shaped bathroom basins, organic, handmade to structural, asymmetrical, rugged and solid stone bathroom basins; and now it’s the turn of the inner bowl to become the creative focus.
Yes, the modern bathroom sink needs to hold and release water, but beyond that there are no rules — why not keep the exterior toned down and have some fun with the bowl? It’s what’s inside that counts after all.
"Recently, people’s eyes have opened to boundary-pushing options for every element of a bathroom scheme, and there’s a new demand for interesting shapes and concepts," says Rob Whitaker, creative director of Claybrook. "Social media has allowed people to see what custom design looks like, and there’s an increased desire for something a little different."
"The basin is one of the bathroom’s key elements, they will always have a primary function to hold and release water, but there are fewer design constraints than ever now," he adds. "We are moving into a time when bathroom design will only be limited by the imagination."
15. Keep things compact with a multitasking basin
Organization is a key issue affecting small bathrooms, in particular — how to display those vital toiletries, toothbrushes, and towels neatly? The contemporary answer may be with an all-in-one basin, a design that compactly holds every accessory a functioning bathroom needs in one chic mega design.
Here, on-mirror shelving makes the most of the upper space while the basin itself features a tiny towel rack and some storage surface while additional storage is wall mounted close by. A slim frame around each element boxes it into one, drawing a physical boundary around it for guaranteed orderliness.
"The ‘Elle Oval’ basic by Cielo is ideal for a smaller bathroom, or a cloakroom," advises Yousef Mansuri, director of design at C.P. Hart. "Wall-mounted basins keep the area below free to create a sense of space, while open storage can make everything feel larger. I personally would add floating closed storage below so you can hide away some things (we all have items we don’t want on show) to add more balance and practicality. Remember, as it is in full view, it needs to be kept very tidy!"
16. Bring forest bathing indoors with timber
While we’re used to seeing wood-lined saunas and steam rooms, we’re now bringing the physicality of spa style into the materials we use in the bathroom. While timber plus wetness may be a daunting prospect when wondering how to remodel a bathroom, if you do it correctly the material is full of benefits for both the eye and the mind.
"Bathrooms are calming, restorative spaces and one of the best ways to allow someone to relax and unwind is creating a connection to nature," says Karen Howes, founder of Taylor Howes. "Natural and organic materials physically bring the outside in, creating a room that feels warm and cocooning, especially compared to traditional materials such as tiles, stones, and chromes that can be clinical and cold. Wood is not necessarily the first material people will think of when designing a bathroom, but it’s a simple and minimalist material that creates the feeling of zen which is why it’s often referenced in luxury spas. You just need to consider a few key points when incorporating it — solid timbers with a tight grain are best for bathroom spaces and are less likely to be affected by moisture."
17. Go for clean, white bathroom ideas
In the bathroom design world — the clearest, most sparkly white spaces acknowledge the shade’s association with hygiene.
"The pandemic accelerated the world's approach to daily hygiene routines like hand washing and personal care, with many of us now seeking to invest in solutions that prioritize hygiene," says Patrick Speck of Grohe.
"Following the health and well-being trend, an at-home space that is clean is becoming more critical than ever," adds Patrick. "Cleanliness is directly connected to white, as it "exposes" dirt and marks which will require special attention to maintain. The shade is widely acknowledged as a synonym of calm, purity, and peace and it is ever increasingly found as the backdrop to the modern bathroom of all sizes and styles."
So, how do you create a white, minimalist bathroom in a modern way? Mix in texture, natural materials, warm tones, or plenty of mood-changing lighting options.
18. Update your mosaic
Penny tiles, or Penny Rounds, embrace the vogue for soft shapes, tactility, and organic forms as a flexible and affordable tilling option. These tiles are supplied on mesh-backed sheets so they’re easy to install and can be cut to fit into the trickiest of corners or to create specific designs. Plus, pink, green, or beige are some bathroom tile colors that never go out of style, so there are loads to choose from.
"Penny tiles are ideal for creating a lovely sense of texture and subtle decorative detail," says Colin Roby-Welford, Fired Earth's Creative Director. "They offer a fresh and eye-catching alternative to classic square or brick-shaped mosaics and yet the pared-back geometric simplicity of the format ensures that they’re just as timeless and versatile."
"Since the key pieces in bathrooms can be a little hard and cold-looking — ceramic bowls, acrylic or cast-iron baths, metallic taps, etc — penny round mosaics are also a fantastic way of introducing a softer element, and with their gently textured surface the tiles feel pleasing underfoot too — plus the copious amount of grout they need creates additional slip-resistance."
19. Cocoon yourself in organic eco walls
Taking over our living rooms, bedrooms, and Insta grids recently has been natural lime-based plaster Tadelakt, and now it’s heading for the wettest room in the house.
With a raw finish and organic feel, it brings a sense of nature inside as if transforming the bathroom into the chicest of caves, while remaining perfectly waterproof and crack-free (when applied appropriately — we recommend calling in a specialist if in doubt). For a contemporary aesthetic, plaster the ceiling, and all four walls to create a comforting sanctuary and an architectural hug.
"Tadelakt decor trend has a raw, earthy aesthetic that adds texture to a space — it feels soft to the touch and boasts a warming glow, thanks to its subtle sheen," says Irene Gunter, founder of interior design studio Gunter & Co. "The beauty of Tadelakt is that it can be used on any wall, from bathrooms and wet rooms to kitchens, and it can be tinted to almost any color, so you can create a look that best reflects your personal style."
"Tadelakt creates a hardwearing and waterproof surface that is seamless — with no grout lines — and resistant to mold," adds Irene. "Tadelakt is also free of nasty chemicals and should be cleaned only with water and treated with olive oil-based Savon De Marseille — so it’s good both for your health and that of the planet."
20. Pack a punch with bold bathroom paneling
Paneling is sweeping through our homes, and the bathroom is clamoring to get a slice of the action. While bathroom paneling may rely on layers of sealant and paint, it’s using that to its advantage and paving the way for bright, statement shades which update the classic paneling aesthetic to something vibrant and unforgettable.
"Statement paneling is definitely on the rise as we’re becoming braver with our bathroom design choices," confirms Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. "Post-pandemic, people want their bathrooms to feel less clinical and cold, and paneling brings in a tactile and warming finish. Paneling helps bring a sense of grandeur and allows you to upscale the space with a luxurious yet timeless finish, be it a beautiful wood to bring in the great outdoors or a bold and bright color to inject personality into the room."
As with how to paint bathroom cabinets, there are some tricks to employ. "Make sure that the paneling is super watertight and properly sealed, and consider painting the planks with a hardwearing oil-based eggshell before they are installed in case they move," Emma says. "Wood can shrink and expand depending on external factors such as moisture, so painting first will ensure perfection. For bathroom paneling, opt for a dado-height, keep it simple and symmetrical, and use a bold color to let your personality shine through. Gone are the days of completely neutral bathrooms, so don't shy away from color!"
21. Make an impact with showstopping doors
The bathroom is a space where normal design rules don’t apply which means it’s a hotbed of creativity to experiment in. We’ve seen the transformation of functional baths, basins, and brassware into art-like sculptural objects, and now it’s the time for bathroom doors to get involved.
Either used to split the bathroom from the bath, shower, or WC, or as an entryway to the room itself, as with the rest of the decor, doors must only obey the golden design rule of the bathroom: being able to withstand water. Other than that, there’s some space for fun.
"To create modern, statement doors in the bathroom, glass, and steel are the way to go," says Irene. "There’s a lot to choose from in the world of glass — from clear glass to reeded glass, tinted and colored glass, to glass with fabric sandwiched between it. When it comes to steel, the black Crittall aesthetic remains very popular, but don’t shy away from painting the metal in a color that picks up on an element within your bathroom scheme, or opt for a metal finish like chrome, or bronze."
Irene has one caveat. "Bathrooms are home to many hard materials, so I often offset them with rounded shapes to soften the overall look — arched doors, for example, add interest, flow, and movement to the space."
22. Transform storage into a style statement
Now there’s an opportunity to showcase your bathroom tile style that isn’t restrained to one final decision. Until recently, built-in bathroom storage nooks tended to blend into the bathroom background, tiled in coordinating designs to the wall for a subtle, almost secret spot for shampoo bottles and soap bars. Not anymore.
The simple cut-out space has evolved into an architectural canvas, an accent area to show off and experiment with your style via snippets of color, pattern, and material (and as it’s so small, why not choose that luxury tile you liked?).
"A storage area doesn't necessarily have to look like a storage area, it can be used as a decorative accent and it’s a great introduction to color and pattern for those who want to inject fun and personality without tiling the whole bathroom," says Laura Popek, a designer at Ripples. "For a playful look, opt for something bright or patterned, or for a more dramatic style choose dark tones like a deep grey or black marble."
23. Use marble in surprising ways
Stone tiles are an age-old presence, here found making up marble bathroom flooring, backsplashes, walls, and cladding baths and basins. Now the timeless material is on the move, popping up in surprising bathroom zones we once wouldn’t have looked twice at.
In the living room, often overlooked areas such as skirting boards and door trims are being reinvigorated and painted in bold colors, while in the bathroom they’re getting a marble-y makeover, elevated from bathroom blind spots to style statements with regal slabs of rock.
"Cladding unexpected areas creates real impact, and a contemporary bathroom is all about unexpected moments of beauty," says Shalini Misra, interior designer and founder of Shalini Misra Ltd.
Decorative stone can be a stunning material, and as no two stones are the same, it feels individual and offers a sense of grandeur to any sized bathroom. It is actually very versatile — I love to use stone on skirting, in architraves, and on backsplashes. It’s a great finishing material, and using it somewhere that would otherwise be a plain space always sparks interest.’
24. Reassess your surface storage
If you thought the main function of bathroom cabinets was to hold washing accouterments... not anymore. While basins — one, sometimes two — have traditionally dominated the bathroom countertop, in line with the room’s evolution into a general lifestyle space they are stepping aside in favor of make-up, plants, bowls of snacks, and whatever else takes your fancy — as the room’s first function becomes one of recreation rather than lathering up.
"As the bathroom transitions from a practical space to more of a room for relaxation and enjoyment, bathroom surfaces have adjusted suitably — now they not only feature a basin but also accessories such as flowers, a vase, or scented candle to give the room its own character and atmosphere," says Monica Born, CEO and co-founder of Superfront. "The bathroom cabinet has evolved from being a practical piece of furniture to a carefully considered design at the very center of our wellbeing."
25. Go moderately maximal with monochrome
Thanks to the recent trend for black bathrooms, there’s a big bathroom hardware trend in black brassware — from basins to beyond.
A playful melding of the best bits of the trends for jet black bathrooms (edgy, bold), and traditional bright white (clean, hygienic), monochrome bathrooms are unique, creative, and bold, with the high contrast between the shades making a vibrant statement which remains easy on the eye due to its colorlessness.
Opt for tiles in matching or contrasting shapes and sizes (as long as they tightly fit together) and choose a classic pattern such as herringbone, stripes, or checks, or go for something freer and shuffle them before laying them on the bathroom backsplash. Add either white or black sanitaryware, brassware, and accessories to finish.
"A monochrome tile scheme is a striking bathroom choice which never seems to date, and from patterned tiles to matt black fixtures and fittings against white tiles to a more subtle Carrara marble scheme with black interludes, the choices are endless," says Louisa Morgan, creative director at Mandarin Stone.
"Black absorbs the light, while white reflects it, so by pairing these two contrasts, real drama is created," Louisa. "Play with scale and pattern and layer up with different textures to add to the atmosphere and remember to consider the overall layout of the bathroom and how the light reflects in the space."
26. Tile with texture
We all know the drill — adding texture to a room is one of interior design’s most basic rules, but it’s been elusive in the bathroom, as it’s a space that classically favors the wipe clean over the woven. While tactility has been slowly dripping into the bathroom of late through various tactile finishes, real three-dimensionality is entering the area as tiles venture out of their traditionally flat realm.
The key to creating a harmonious bathroom with textured tiles is balance — these designs are not for every wall. Use them in a small area and surround them with tiles in similar tones, which offer a contrast to create an art-like feature you can’t help but run your eyes — or hands — over.
"A bathroom can really be brought to life using textured tiles — they create a depth and perspective in contrast to flat walls, adding character and allowing light and movement to reflect from the 3D surface," says Louisa. "Textured tiles stimulate our senses and create a statement visual impact, and in the bathroom, they create an organic and calming feel and make the overall space feel less cold and sterile."
What do you need to consider when starting to design a bathroom?
Bathrooms are big projects that require careful planning and delicate execution. This isn’t the same as redecorating a living room or bedroom, we’re talking hardcore plumbing and waterproofing before you even start to think about tile samples, brassware finishes, and bathtub silhouettes. There are a lot of decisions to make and a lot you need to ask yourself.
"There are numerous questions to consider when beginning a bathroom project," says Laura Popek. "I think the most important factors are: who uses the bathroom and what their requirements are; whether there are any structural constraints e.g., what water system they have and how much natural light is available in the space; how much money you want to invest in the project and what style you’d like to achieve and what colors, patterns and textures you are open to."
"The first thing to consider is where the pipes are located; although of course, it is possible to move them," says Yousef Mansuri, director of design at C.P. Hart. "The type of flooring is very important too, as different floor styles manage water in different ways."
It is only once these main considerations are worked out that you are ready to start choosing products and creating the overall scheme.
"When it comes to creating a bathroom, the layout is one of the most important elements you need to consider to create a harmonious space," says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. "It's about ensuring that there's a good flow to the room — for example, you wouldn't want your WC right by where you lie in the bath. We like to create symmetrical layouts and designs as they’re easier on the eye and help make the bathroom feel calming."
"The initial layout is key — try to see beyond the existing layout and be creative with the space," says Louisa Morgan, creative director at Mandarin Stone. "Think about how you want it to look visually as you enter and ensure there is enough space around each fixture, and remember to leave enough room for opening doors and screens. If there are existing key features such as windows or special architectural delights, think about how you can work with them. Designing a bathroom is about creating the perfect balance between practicality and beauty."
"Avoiding clutter and managing space effectively is important for a relaxing environment in the bathroom, so make sure there is plenty of storage and try to ensure that storage is attractive itself — I prefer closed drawers rather than open shelving, as this enables the occupant to easily store things in a tidy way," says Shalini Misra, interior designer and founder of Shalini Misra Ltd. "When you’re ready for final touches, remember smells and scents in terms of their impact on mood and relaxation. The bathroom is a place to relax and rejuvenate, so ask yourself what scents help you do that."
What is the best way to design a bathroom?
"Seemingly small touches can completely change the look and feel of a space — they really matter," says Shalini. "Use taps and hardware to create points of interest to demonstrate your personality. Consider using the shower enclosure to create a point of interest in the room, perhaps tiling it in an interesting tone or texture, or tiling the whole unit, including the ceiling. I also like to include a heated mirror that won’t fog in the shower enclosure, always plastered into the wall rather than hung."
"My top tips are — make use of any scenic views when positioning a shower or bath to enhance the experience, incorporate shower niches into stud walls, link feature lighting to a PIR system so that when you walk through the bathroom door the feature lighting comes on by itself, and consider a shower toilet, as they are super hygienic and easy to use," says Laura. "Overall, invest as much as you can in your bathroom project — it’s a room you use frequently, and it should be a sanctuary for you to use which stands the test of time."
"One trick I always recommend is to opt for colored glass instead of tiles," divulges Emma. "Not only does it introduce color and look beautiful, but it will also save a fortune in grout and mastic while being super easy to clean and maintain!"
"While small samples give an initial idea of a material, it's always best — if possible — to visit a showroom to see tiles on a larger scale," advises Louisa. "Many have a lot of variation which can't be seen from a sample, and colors and textures can look completely different depending on the amount of natural/unnatural light in a bathroom and also against different fixtures and fittings — after you’ve seen them in person, take samples home to see how they work in your individual space."
