With so many shiny surfaces, so may functional pieces of furniture and so much that is traditionally nothing but white, it's often hard to feel inspired to give your bathroom much flair. But the right colour tones, the right shapes and the right styles of storage not only make it a room that works hard but also one you can enjoy relaxing in too.
So these are the 25 rules which our favourite designers are following to the letter, which allow them to make bathrooms that flatter you, relax you and make you feel good in the morning - and at night. From the right way to to show (or not) your lightbulbs to the tricks for working with the inevitable white these ideas will help you make a big design splash.
Start your design based on the natural light
‘Pay particular attention to where the windows are and where the light comes from,’ says the designer Brigette Romanek. ‘I created a bathroom in Malibu that, because of its skylights, I was able to do in bottle green, which enhanced the sense of nature beyond. Had it not been flooded with light I wouldn’t have done such a deep shade. Consider a room’s surroundings first.’
Focus on flattering colours
For a space where you’re looking in the mirror a lot, you want to make the surrounding as flattering as possible. ‘I find pink to be a very flattering colour for most people,’ says Zoe Feldman. ‘It’s very warm when used the way we do, in a muddier way than, say, a bubblegum princess might. I use pinks that are a little brown, during the day it can feel nice and bright and at night it feels like it’s lit by candlelight.’
Keep at least one thing white
Even when working with a bold palette, designers ensure there is at least one white element. ‘I do think every bathroom needs a bit of white in it, although I’m against white tiles as a rule,’ says designer Natasha Lyon. ‘What white does is ground the bolder shades and stop them from being overwhelming - it’s really key that a bathroom is inviting rather than too impactful. I like to use Olay in Dead Flat by Farrow and Ball on the ceilings - there is a creaminess to it which softens the space.’
But make sure the white is toned down
As designers embrace softer colours for dreamier decor, bright white is now well out of favour. ‘Six years ago I might have used a brilliant white,’ says designer Molly Kidd, whose bathrooms are always very soothing. ‘Now I want something creamier.’ Look for whites with subtle yellow or red pigments in them.
Brass finishes are the most warming
While chrome is having a big design comeback in the kitchen, brass is still the go-to for bathrooms. It adds the warmth and character that makes this space seem more luxe and restful. ‘Aged brass is a little deeper, the warmest metal, and the one we veer towards the most for bathrooms,’ says Monica Santayana, co-founder of Moniomi.
White grouting shouldn’t be your automatic go-to
Grout comes in so many different colours - from fluro to soft grey and everything in between. Brilliant white has long been the go-to, but it can look jarring if you’ve focussed on softness elsewhere. ‘Don’t forget about the details,’ says Natasha Lyon. ‘I’ll often use an antique white grouting which is not as harsh as pure white would have been.’
And chrome can feel more calming
‘You might have expected a brass or gold shower and towel rail {in this bathroom, I above], but the chrome was more modern, and a bigger contrast to the warm tones of the tiles,’ says Natasha Lyon. ‘It’s important you never overwhelm this space, and so not every single thing needs to be a warm colour. A little coolness makes all the difference.’
Include PIR sensors
A passive infrared sensor can tell when there is movement around it, and can turn the lights on accordingly. ‘I always include them in bathrooms,’ says Lucy Barlow. ‘I have them set so that a low-level light will come on if you go to the loo in the middle of the night - no stumbling around, and no having to turn on the harsh overhead bulbs.’
Lights must have multiple settings
‘For a bathroom for be successful, you need to be able to flit between two light settings,’ says Lucy Barlow, co-founder of Barlow and Barlow .’You really need two switches, one that is functional for make up, and a different switch which can also be on at the same time but is a low level illumination and more decorative. Turn the make up setting off when you want to be more relaxed.’
Hide the lightbulb itself
‘It’s important for the lightbulb to be camouflaged behind a glass tube or case that is either opal or fluted,’ says Lucy Barlow. ‘In a bathroom, I don’t want to see the filament as it’s always softer and prettier and more flattering to mask the bulb.’
Mix your finishes
To stop this functional room looking too functional, contrast the surfaces - some that gleam and some that are purposefully more matte. ‘A mix of finishes is key,’ says Natasha Lyon. ‘I definitely didn’t want gloss tiles on the floor as they can be slippery and kids use this room, so using them to bounce light off the walls was a better choice. Had I gone matte all over it would have felt a little dull.’
Choose low-maintenance surfaces
Tiles are not the only way to cover a bathroom wall. ‘Tadelakt in a wet room or shower area is such a refreshing choice,’ says Noa Santos. ‘Imagine all that time saved from not having to scrub grouting clean!’
Reduce detailing where you can
For true spa-like serenity, you need to cut out as many extra elements as you can, and have the design look as seamless as possible. ‘On a recent project I had the tiler cut all the wall tiles at a 45 degree angle around the edges of the wall so that I didn’t need to add any metal beading or framing’ says Natasha Lyon. ‘This approach reduced the visual noise. Always ask yourself where it can be quieter, and what extra elements you can leave out.’
Light bulbs needs to be warm
‘Artificial light always has to be warm,’ says Arianna Arianna Lelli Mami, co-founder of Studiopepe. ‘Sometimes with LED lights people are going for blue tones which are just awful! I always change the bulbs for something warm when I start working on a space.’
If in doubt, go with deep veining
Striking veining on a vanity or in a shower serves as a dramatic focal point, beautifully contrasting with earthier, more tranquil colours around it,’ says Samatha Birtles of Studio Se Dea. ‘As a bold centerpiece it adds texture and movement, enhancing the overall design and creating a captivating visual balance.’
Artwork is an important addition
‘I always hang art in the bathroom,’ says Minnie Kemp. ‘At home I have a photograph taken by Melissa Collette and a framed collage called “An Ode to the Matador” by Mimi Du Biarritz. I spend so much time preening and plucking and generally hanging out in the bathroom it’s very important to make the space fabulous.’
Decorative screens can be functional as well as beautiful
‘I like to think of screens as being both decorative and having a use to,’ says Linda Boronkay. ‘If there is space next to the bathtub they’re a wonderful addition to add a sense of privacy and of being in boudoir. They’re very pretty, and make you feel very luxe.’
Storage hidden is better than open shelves
‘Using hidden storage (such as doors that blend into the bathroom wall) helps to create an illusion of more ample proportions and allows the space to be a calm and restful setting,’ says Na Li, co-founder of Holloway Li
Not everything needs the budget blown on it
‘A bathroom needs to feel like a sanctuary, and that doesn’t have to be expensive,' says Enass Mahmoud of Studio Enass. Focus on either beautiful tiles or a marble or stone sink and everything else can be more budget-friendly.'
Use ridged tiles instead of flat
Tiles with some relief to them - an uneven surface or a ridge, perhaps - help create a very subtle but very impactful sense of movement, especially as the light moves across them throughout the day. ‘It’s all about balance,’ says Emma Perkin of Emil Eve. ‘Textured tiles are naturally tactile in a space that could feel quite hard, creating a feeling of softness.’
