Twenty contemporary bathroom concepts for crafting a serene, spa-like atmosphere.
Redesigning your bathroom, whether it's a minor renovation or a complete overhaul, can be an overwhelming task due to the abundance of design options available. The bathroom is a personal and intimate space that needs to strike a balance between cleanliness, comfort, functionality, and aesthetics.
To help navigate this process, we've gathered advice from interior designers on the tips, tricks, and trends they use to create timeless yet modern bathrooms.
01of 20## Extend with Full-Length Mirrors
Jordana Maisie, founder of multidisciplinary design studio JMDS, stresses the importance of mirrors for creating the illusion of boundless space. Covering walls in seamless mirrors enhances natural light and brings the outdoors in, creating an open, tranquil, and environmentally connected bathroom.
02of 20## Showcase Your Shower
This stylish shower design from McQuaide Co. showcases how custom steel shower doors paired with a pony wall create a timeless, light-filled solution. (Studio founder Kaitlin McQuaide loves this style because it offers a clean and simple separation without feeling heavy or imposing.)
03of 20## Organize Clutter with Custom Storage
According to Bill Bickford, founding partner of architecture firm Northworks, thoughtful storage is essential for creating a serene, spa-like retreat. Hidden cabinets, integrated outlets in drawers, and built-in shower niches keep everyday items like mismatched shampoo bottles and bulky toothpaste tubes out of sight and out of mind.
04of 20## Introduce Warmth with Unlacquered Brass
Ashley Macuga, principal designer of Collected Interiors, admires the way unlacquered brass adds soulful patina to modern aesthetics. Unlike sleeker finishes, unlacquered brass shows signs of wear, evolving naturally over time. This adds character, reminding us that too-perfect finishes aren't meant for real life.
05of 20## Rinse Off with a Rain Shower
This enchanting primary bathroom (designed by Bethany Adams Interiors) houses a dramatic rain shower in the center of the home's two-story turret. The peaceful space employs natural light, plants, and a ceiling-mounted shower head to recreate the soothing feeling of being out in the rain.
06of 20## Utilize Material Drenching
Diana Viera, managing partner of ITALKRAFT, endorses using the same material throughout all bathroom surfaces for a sleek and polished appearance. This method, known as material drenching, allows designers to fully commit to a specific aesthetic, like in this moody powder room.
07of 20## Combine Different Textures
Maisie suggests incorporating textured materials like stone, unfinished wood grain, and brushed metal to create more engaging bathrooms. Adding tactile elements elevates these spaces beyond cold, functional areas to an experience that can be seen and felt.
08of 20## Create a Space for Him
When designing her own home, Macuga offered her husband a distinct bathroom. (This room, strongly contrasting with her more serene bathroom, exudes a more masculine atmosphere.) She explains, "Not having to share our most personal spaces became a significant improvement in our mornings...and our marriage too!"
09of 20## Utilize Vertical Space
In this comforting primary bath from Daley Home, founder and principal designer Shelby Van Daley used vertical textures like reeded cabinet doors and linear fluted sconces to add depth. Similar to high ceilings, these vertical elements contribute to the perception of a more spacious room.
10of 20## Max Out Your Material
This generous primary bath from KOBEL + CO demonstrates how maximizing on materials can unify a bathroom's design beyond typical practices. In addition to utilizing grey-veined marble on the vanity countertops and backslashes, the designers also created consistency with marble mirror surrounds, a shower frame, and a bathmat-like insert outside the shower.
11of 20## Warm It Up
Deana Duffek, principal designer at Pure Design House, asserts that modernity doesn't have to be cold and austere. By incorporating warm woods and natural limestone into this beachside bathroom, Duffek managed to create a space that is still modern but feels warm and welcoming.
12of 20## Layer Soothing Earth Tones
This impressive bathroom from Mackenzie Collier Interiors uses a variety of earth tones to create an enchanting experience. The spa-like design comes together thanks to natural materials like a woven basket pendant light and wooden slats, as well as floor-to-ceiling tile applications in various soothing green hues.
13of 20## Prioritize Texture Over Color
Ethan Greenfeld, founder and principal of Ethan Charles Design, emphasizes the importance of layering textures in neutral palettes for modern bathrooms. This unique application adds depth and interest, without overwhelming the space.
14of 20## Incorporate Artful Carved Stone
"Modern bathroom design often celebrates the use of natural stone," mentions Viera. By utilizing this material in a unique, sculptural manner, such as with this exquisitely carved sink, you infuse an artistic charm into your contemporary bathroom.
15 of 20## Saving Space With a Wet Room
"Wet rooms are making a splash in bathroom design," remarks Renata Buenrostro, director of architectural interiors at Morgante Wilson Architects. Merging the shower and bath into a single space can be a clever way to optimize the limited square footage, thereby making even the tiniest of bathrooms appear more spacious.
16 of 20## Embrace Minimalism
Pamela Hope Designs designed this refined primary bathroom for clients who were previously residing in Amsterdam, incorporating European minimalist aesthetics through sleek wall-mounted fixtures, uniform glazed tiles, and floating cabinetry.
17 of 20## Experiment with Color and Pattern
"The powder room is the perfect stage to make a bold statement," says McQuaide. These compact bathroom spaces offer the ideal opportunity to delve into bolder shades, textures, and patterns that may seem indulgent in larger rooms.
18 of 20## Opt for Large Formats
Jessica Bandstra, owner and head of design at Dogwood Proper, uses large-format tiles to create streamlined and harmonious bathrooms. By seamlessly extending these tiles across walls and floors, she enhances the sense of space and simplifies maintenance, as grout lines mean fewer spots for dirt and grime to accumulate.
19 of 20## Frame the View
Transform your bathroom into a tranquil haven by integrating vistas of the great outdoors. Whether it's breathtaking ocean vistas, like the ones shown in this minimalist bathroom from Coates Design Architects + Interiors, or lush private gardens, these windows, skylights, and glass doors help blur the lines between indoors and outdoors.
20 of 20## Add a Japanese Soaking Tub
"As homes continue to prioritize wellness in everyday life, Japanese soaking tubs are on the rise as a popular bathroom feature," asserts interior designer Rebecca Ward. These tubs provide a more deeply immersive soak, while occupying less space than most other freestanding options.
To incorporate Martha Stewart's style into your bathroom design, consider using rich, warm colors and natural materials. Like Martha Stewart, you can create a timeless and elegant space by balancing these elements with minimalist, clean lines. For example, pair a wooden vanity with white subway tiles for a classic look.
For those seeking bathroom design ideas that promote organization and functionality, look no further than the advice from Bill Bickford, founding partner of architecture firm Northworks. Implementing hidden cabinets and built-in shower niches can help keep everyday items neat and out of sight, creating a serene and spa-like retreat.
[Bathroom Design Ideas, Home, Home Design Decor, MarthaStewart]
