Your new is just around the corner
Sign up for insight into the latest design trends from our newsletter
You're on the list
By signing up, you agree to receive email marketing.
DESIGN 101
Bathroom Decor Ideas
The bathroom is sometimes one of the only spaces have to yourself, from relaxing nighttime baths to morning skincare routines. Whether you want to add a few accessories or do a complete overhaul of the space, the right decor additions can refresh your bathroom, making it the perfect sanctuary for starting fresh in the morning and unwinding at the end of the day.
Primary Bathroom Decorating Ideas
Bathrooms tend to be the smallest rooms in the house, which means they're often overlooked when it comes to design choices. But primary bathrooms offer more size than you may think, making them the ideal space to exercise your creativity and highlight your personal aesthetic.
Let's break down the process of designing a primary bathroom, from start to finish.
What's in a Primary Bathroom?
A primary bathroom is connected to the largest bedroom in the house. Typically, it's a full or three-quarter bathroom with a spacious interior. Most primary bathrooms include features like:
•
Double bathroom vanity
•
Double sinks
•
Shower and/or bathtub
•
Plenty of storage space
•
High-quality fixtures
Choosing Hardware Finishes
For hardware like towel bars, cabinet knobs, and more, it's important to choose a finish that will complement the look of your primary bathroom.
Here are the hardware finishes you have to choose from:
•
Brass: a classic and subtle metallic finish
•
Antique brass: a touch of metallic color with a worn-in feel
•
Satin nickel: a modern and contemporary shiny gray finish
•
Matte black: a simple, neutral, and matte black finish
Matching Hardware With Walls and Flooring
Beyond the look of the hardware itself, your hardware finishes should also align with the overall aesthetic of your bathroom. Whether you choose something classic, modern, rustic, or industrial, choose a finish that aligns with this scheme.
For example, a streamlined and traditional style might best suit simple hardware with a satin nickel or black finish. A rustic and eclectic bathroom look may prefer more complex designs with a brass or antique brass finish.
•
Brass: a classic and subtle metallic finish
•
Antique brass: a touch of metallic color with a worn-in feel
•
Satin nickel: a modern and contemporary shiny gray finish
•
Matte black: a simple, neutral, and matte black finish
Choosing the Flooring and Backsplash
One of the most impactful changes you can make to your bathroom design is to the flooring and backsplash. Whether you opt for classic wood flooring and subway-style backsplash or something more creative like mosaic tile, the choices you make can affect the look and feel of the whole space.
Tile Flooring and Backsplash
While many bathrooms stick to the standard subway-white tile, there's so much more to the world of tile bathrooms.
With the right tiles, you can create any atmosphere you want. A checker or starry floor pattern, for example, can turn your bathroom into a classy, moody retreat. Deep green tiles can create a spa-like feel, while glossy marble tiles can make any bathroom look glamorous.
Wood Flooring
Wood flooring lends a sleek and natural look to your bathroom. Especially if you have wood flooring in other parts of the house, extending this flooring choice into your bathroom helps pull the home together for a cohesive experience.
However, the moisture-heavy environment often isn't a good fit for classic wood floors. Instead, look for performance flooring, like engineered wood, wood-look vinyl flooring, or wood floors sealed with polyurethane.
Choosing Shower Tiles
Just like with your flooring and backsplash, the shower tiles should complement the look of your whole bathroom. Think about the color and style of your flooring, walls, and backsplash before you decide. With that being said, don't be afraid to use the shower to create contrast. For example, darker or more colorful tiles can help bright whites in your bathroom stand out.
Choosing a Bathroom Vanity
For most primary bathrooms, you'll have the square footage to include a large bathroom vanity — between 48 and 80 inches — with double sinks.
Most bathroom vanities sit directly on the floor with a solid base or legs. However, for a contemporary look, you can always opt for a floating vanity. These are mounted onto the wall to open up the room.
From high-gloss white to a deep rustic brown, think about how the color of your vanity fits into the overall look of the space. White is a popular choice that works with just about every style. But for a more unique look, wood-like finishes, industrial gray, or colorful options can also make for beautiful choices.
How To Decorate a Guest Bathroom?
A guest bathroom is typically much smaller than other bathrooms in the home, which means you'll have to take a whole new approach to style.
Let's explore how to decorate a bathroom for guests, from style choices to stock essentials to make them feel at home.
What's a Half Bath?
A half bath, also known as a powder room, only contains half of the main bathroom components: a toilet and a sink. This is best used for guests who only come to visit for a few hours and don't need to use the bath or shower.
Matching Your Guest Bathroom to Your Home Decor
While you should still focus on making the space comfortable and cozy for your guests, don't forget to include the decorative touches that make the space feel like it belongs in your home.
Try matching some decorative accents directly, like the same tiles, hardware, or shower curtains. Or, keep things looking cohesive by matching the same overall vibe and color scheme. For example, a rustic-style bathroom with warm brown undertones, or a minimalistic bathroom with a white, black, and industrial gray color palette.
What to Keep in a Guest Bathroom
In a guest bathroom, guests should be able to find everything they need to have a comfortable night. Here are the bathroom essentials you should always keep on hand in a guest bathroom:
•
Privacy shades
•
Easy-to-reach storage
•
Everyday toiletries on a decorative tray
•
Comfortable towels
•
Hand soap
•
Air fresheners
General Bathroom Decorating Themes
With so many bathroom makeover options out there, picking the style that's right for you is often the hardest part of the renovation process. Start by taking inspiration from the rest of your home — which theme would match your home's established style?
Here are five bathroom decoration themes to consider.
Bathroom Decor Ideas To Elevate Your Home
Bathrooms may be functional spaces, but that doesn't mean they should be a style afterthought. Making the right bathroom design choices won't just improve the utility of your space — it can transform your bathroom into a space you'll truly enjoy spending time in.
Having a clear design vision and theme for your bathroom helps to create a coherent look. The most important thing is to ensure that your choices stay true to your personal style and blend well with the rest of your home.
Looking for more bathroom style inspiration? Explore our selection of bathroom furniture and decor to find the pieces to elevate your space.