Above all else, a bathroom needs to be clean and tidy. But it doesn’t need to be functional, especially if you appreciate a nice atmosphere for bubble baths or mirror selfies. Add a cozy chair, or some proper window treatments. You’ll be amazed at how much it warms up the space. To spark some creativity in your own home, we’ve collected a slew of bathroom ideas to help you create an oasis for spa-level relaxation and style at home. Whether you’re thinking of sprucing up the powder room and master bath, or you’re embarking on a full-on ensuite renovation, we’ve got inspo to make your bathroom serious #goals. Take design advice from the likes of Leanne Ford, Commune, and Toledo Geller to create a space that’s inspiring and calming—you just might never leave the tub!
Every room in designer Fitz Pullins’s Florida home is bursting with fun, including this bathroom with cheeky monkey-print wallpaper. “What’s more invigorating than a jungle?” Pullins says. “Waking up, brushing your teeth—I want it to be entertaining for me.”
Analisse Taft-Gersten calls her morning bath at her Connecticut weekend home the best part of her day—and it’s easy to see why. The serene space was inspired by spas at her favorite hotels.
This light-filled bathroom by Romanek Design Studio reflects the beauty of the external setting, Malibu. From the wood panel sloped ceiling to the rainbow of green zellige tiles, it fits right into the Southern Califorina coast. Aside from being calming and stylish, the wall-to-wall green tile floor means that basically everything in the room will hold up well when wet.
Make it feel extra luxe with sophisticated seating and a grand floating tub in the center of the room. We love how Breegan Jane sets the mood for relaxation with a repeating circle motif, from the rounded edges of the window, sconces, seating, the actual shape of the space, and beyond.
Designer Jessica Geller of Toledo Geller has a passion for prints—and bathrooms are no exception. She covered the walls in the powder room of her own New Jersey home with a playful pattern by Hygge & West. Proper ventilation ensures it won’t peel off.
If you’re building from scratch, consider adding an extra perk for bonus cozy vibes. Translation: a gas fireplace next to the bathtub. In this space designed by Peti Lau, the bathroom and bedroom share a wall, so the connecting fireplace insert provides warmth, style, and romance to both sides.
This bathroom by designer Corey Damen Jenkins is a lesson in how to have fun with tile and color. The pink subway tiles on the wall and the diamond, almost leaf-like motif on the floors of this bathroom bring in a surge of energy while the lavender paint sets an instant calm . The brass industrial-style fixtures and lighting add just enough contrast and intrigue to the otherwise sweet and romantic space.
Speaking of pattern-happy: This bathroom by Charlotte Barnes is a blue-and-white dream, and continuing the same Quadrille pattern into the adjacent room makes for a satisfying visual.
When you have a home that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, you want to make the most of it—even in the bathroom. Eric Olsen added this glass door (which leads to an outdoor shower!) off the master bath of his California home.
Once you see this copper tub situation designed by Leanne Ford, you can’t unsee it. Your farmhouse bathroom dreams just got a little bit fancier.
If you have a favorite color, why veer away from it? Plus, sticking to a one-tone color scheme will make things a lot easier during the design process. We also love how 2LG Studio magnifies this space and makes the awkward corner into something awesome with a custom vanity and mirror.
A great way to add more privacy to a shared bathroom? Separate the toilet area from the tub and sink zones with a partition. Romanek Design Studio even manages to make it look sexy with smokey mirrored tiles that also make it feel larger and exude an airy of mystery and intrigue. They silver zellige tiles enhance this mood even more.
In this castle-inspired home by Lisa Tharp, the designer continued the rustic French country theme into the bathroom with two wooden chests in lieu of traditional sink vanities and a painted tile wall for added texture.
Want your bathroom to bright and unique without the hassle and commitment of paint? Take note of this powder room by Breegan Jane, where circadian-rhythm color lights turn the cream walls temporarily pink.
Commune Design enhanced the Spanish style of this Los Angeles home by focusing attention on the archways leading to the curved balcony door in the bedroom and laying eye-catching Mediterranean tiles. The thoughtful layout is unique and special, but it still feels livable and comfortable.
Small twist, revolutionary impact: Instead of hanging a mirror above the sink, consider displaying artwork instead as Hecker Guthrie did in this bathroom. Then put your hand soap and lotion on a small elevated shelf above the sink and hang a single slim pendant light instead of going the typical symmetrical route and flanking a sink area with sconces.
Though the striking freestanding marble tub with Victorian, old-school fixtures is the clear focal point of this bathroom by Anna Spiro Design, the tile floors set the foundation for the entire space (plus, their worn finish and playful design make it feel more approachable and historic).
Sure, it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think bathroom decor, but what else are you going to do with that otherwise-unused space above your shower? Designer Alexander Reid shows how it adds some much-needed texture to an all-white bathroom (P.S. This is a great design choice for rentals!).
When your home is blessed with gorgeous natural bones, them exposed. Materials like brick and stone add so much dimension. Add color with accessories and sense of polish with fancy soaps, as done in this space by design firm Arent & Pyke.
Outdoor showers can dramatically increase the value of your home—according to a 2018 report from Realtor.com, homes with outdoor showers tend to list for nearly double the asking price of other homes! That, along with this rustic but show-stopping outdoor shower designed by Akin Atelier, is all the convincing we need.
Bathroom lacking architectural details? Fake it with a trompe l’oeil wallpaper, like this one by Flat Vernacular.
Add a tree in the corner for a low-lift update that has a ton of transformative power. As seen in this bathroom designed by 2LG Studio, the palm leaf tree truly brings it to life.
In the bathroom of their Tennessee Home, the couple behind The Happy Tudor opted for a scenic Gracie Wallpaper—which made designing the rest of the bathroom simple. They went for classic whites with brass accents so as not to distract from the wall.
This hidden vanity in bathroom designed by Gail Davis is fun pop of surprising color. The orange mirror highlights the warmth of the curtains and vibrant wallpaper while the striped penny tile floor complements the navy paint and keeps things cool when the cabinets are closed.
From the floor tiles to the so the sconce, marble vanity, and even the romantic bathrobe, this bathroom designed by Studio DB has strong Art Deco roots. Though it’s retro-inspired, each detail boasts a fresh, modern interpretation. And who needs a giant mirror when you can have a seriously cool sconce to look at instead?
In her bathroom at the Kips Bay show house, designer Young Huh created an artful statement using her AKDO tiles in green and white plus a black-and-white mirror and sculptural black sink. Oh, and a bouquet of flowers never hurts!
Even if your bathroom only has space for a small shower, you can still make it feel and look luxe. Take, for example, this one designed by Romanek Design Studio. The baby blue zellige tiles and sleek matte black and glass enclosure makes a modern statement. A floating bench adds both formal and functional value, too. Also, if you’re renovating or adding bathroom in an attic or somewhere with a sloped ceiling, make sure you place it strategically so it’s at the highest point.
Who said a bathtub had to be porcelain? At her Sag Harbor home, Alison Babcock chose a concrete tub to anchor the master bath.
Designed by Studio DB, this bathtub moment is a serious stunner. Make those bubble baths even more relaxing by keeping decor minimalist and focusing on the beauty of the surrounding space (a phenomenal view doesn’t hurt either).
A little bit modern, a little bit industrial—we’re all about this warm, light-filled bathroom designed by Black Lacquer Design. For added texture and color, bring in plush area rug, like this one.
