From gorgeous new tile trends to inspire a whole new look, to quick and easy switches, our modern bathroom ideas are such to get you enthused about giving your space an update. Whether you like a super sleek monochrome scheme or looking to be bolder with your bathroom design, we have you covered no matter what style or size of your bathroom.
Now the term 'modern' can mean so many different things and covers so many different things. Sure, we'll cover uber-sleek, what would traditionally be called contemporary bathrooms, but you'll all find bathrooms that have a vintage twist or a quirky maximalist edge to them. Essentially, play fast and loose with the label modern and be inspired by these gorgeous bathrooms to design a space that feels stylish and statement...
1. Introduce graphic lines
One of this year's biggest modern bathroom trends is introducing graphic lines.
Designed by New York-based Crosby Studios, the pink bathroom below has strong geometric shapes that ooze a post-modern vibe. Versatile black-and-white bathroom products can be mixed with almost any other colors, while painting the back wall a lighter shade creates a sense of depth and perspective.
2. Introduce raw, industrial style with concrete finishes
We love the raw, textural look that concrete bathrooms showcase. Even just a single concrete covered wall is enough to set the tone and create an industrial-inspired theme – or you could use it to create a contrast to more polished bathroom furniture and fittings.
The bateau bath and brass taps below look striking against the plain concrete backdrop.
For a slightly softer look, use a painted plaster effect like the bathroom below. Blush curtains soften this grey bathroom space even more.
For the opposite effect, concrete panels will create a more dramatic and gritty backdrop. We love the contrast of the sculpturally shaped white basins, with low-hanging pendant lighting.
3. Green marble is making its way into modern bathrooms
Marble bathrooms are timeless, classic and elegant – they are by no means a new concept. But this year we're seeing green marble become a hot new bathroom trend, popping up in luxury bathrooms around the world.
Perfect for achieving spa-like serenity. We're also seeing some very convincing fakes. The best applications we’ve seen include a powder room by Flack Studio and Alternative Bathroom’s so-convincing-you-might-think-it’s-real Aqualunae bathroom wallpaper...
4. Go for a graphic tile pattern
New tile collections are featuring more graphic lines, which assemble together to form modern graphic or geometric patterns.
Nailing just about every current bathroom trend from the pink hexagonal Lily Pad tiles to the black taps and Crittall-style shower screen, the below is a truly modern shower room.
5. Consider a mosaic tiled mural
For the ultimate bathroom wall tile idea statement, consider a mosaic-tiled mural or feature wall. The wall is your canvas – use mosaic tiles to achieve a world map, an underwater scene, or a classical portrait like this striking shower room design.
6. Incorporate fluted furniture
Fluted and textured furniture has been cropping up in new furniture collections and in our homes. Now it's stepping into bathrooms too. Add a lovely subtle texture and interest, it's the perfect contrast to sleek marble wall tiles.
7. Brave a darker scheme
A smokey blue bathroom color scheme can feel very grown-up, especially when combined with a very sophisticated vanity and Crittall-style accents. White ceilings, skirting and window frames keep it fresh.
8. Introduce floor pattern
Use your bathroom floor tiles to introduce modern, geometric pattern to your bathroom scheme.
9. Connect to the outdoors
A seriously cool way to bring the outdoors in is by linking up a light well to a basement bathroom via floor-to-ceiling glass doors. We're in love with this super chic bathroom, from the whirlpool bath to the indoor-outdoor vibe that the light-well garden creates.
Similarly, the above modern bathroom is half inside, half outside, with a glass wall nestled neatly into the marble.
The same bathroom features a glass wall that opens into an outdoor shower space. Magical. Bathroom tiles reach all the way up to the top of this outdoor wall.
10. Invest in a modern chandelier
Statement bathroom lighting offers the finishing touch to the sultry, luxe scheme in this gorgeous dark grey bathroom. Paired with the very minimal modern freestanding bath it creates the perfect contrast between contemporary and traditional.
11. Or go for contemporary pendant lights
Skip the traditional bathroom wall lights, and instead opt for low-hanging modern pendant lights on either side of your bathroom mirror. The single black pendant light below punctuates the soft, warm bathroom space and adds instant modernity.
Lantern pendants complement the rectangular theme in this modern bathroom, adding satisfying symmetry.
12. Create a walk-in shower room
This walk-in shower enclosure is framed in white marble. A subtle step-down in the marble floor keeps the rest of the bathroom dry, while alcoves in the marble wall create a space for toiletries.
13. Install modern Crittall doors
Get the look Porcelanosa sells similar marble tiles. Aston Matthews sells wall-mounted brass towel rails.
A gorgeous modern bathroom idea – separate your ensuite bathroom from your master bedroom via Crittall doors – you'll want to move the loo to a separate powder room/cloakroom for privacy.
In this gorgeous modern bathroom, ribbed-glass Crittall doors separate the shower and WC from the basin, located in the bedroom. Painted ceilings in the same shade as the walls gives rooms a cohesive, cocooning feel.
14. Or install a Crittall style shower screen
Trends in shower screens have moved on from the pared-back, can-barely-see-it’s-there look. Outlining is one way to breathe new life into bathroom minimalism, with their elegant clean profiles.
Take a Crittall-style frame with frosty Stippolye glass, add a few elegant Art Deco-esque shapes and the Victoria shower door by Drench is born. It even has a towel bar that adds modern-day convenience to its old-school aesthetic.
Or why not pinch this modern bathroom idea – two Crittal-style shower screens create a smart walk-in shower enclosure in this black and white bathroom. Black taps and fittings complete the look.
15. Arrange tiles in chevron formation
Rectangular bathroom tiles are arranged in a modern chevron formation, creating a striking focal point in this black and white bathroom. Black radiators complement the color scheme.
The cloakroom / WC here uses rectangular tiles in the same formation – but in miniature. The great thing about using tiny tiles like this is that it can actually make a small bathroom feel larger.
16. Go for peachy pink tones
Polished plaster, marble tiles and brass fittings are a winning combo, as design firm Blakes London proves in the pink bathroom scheme above.
For a high-end modern bathroom style mix polished plaster, marble ands brass.
17. Build a built-in shower seat
For a luxe look, create built-in bench seating in your shower room using the same material as the rest of the walls and floors. The green marble basin continues through the glass shower partition in this modern bathroom to become the seating in the shower.
For a cheaper and less permanent alternative, bespoke seating can look beautiful too. A green marble seat contrasts against the white marble tiles in this shower room.
18. Opt for a floating vanity for a contemporary look
The deep drawers in this wall-hung vanity unit provide ample room for towels and toiletries, while its 'floating' style frees up floor space. It's ideal bathroom storage for small bathrooms as the floating-style can create the illusion of a bigger bathroom.
Floating his and hers double basins feel both practical and indulgent, while the floating style allows the parquet bathroom floor to stretch wall-to-wall, uninterrupted.
19. Give small modern bathrooms slim furniture
This small modern bathroom idea is kept light and bright, with floor-to-ceiling metro tiles and a space-saving small sink area on legs, avoiding a bulky vanity and giving the illusion of more space. The toilet is wall-mounted, with the cistern built-in, thus creating a handy tiled shelf above the loo for loo roll and bathroom accessories. The towel rail is mounted in the alcove, so that it’s not encroaching on any personal space.
20. Use your basin to make a style statement
Bathroom basins don't have to be boring. Opt for something bright, colorful, patterned or sculptural to add some statement style and drama to your space. Statement basins are also perfect for small bathrooms, as they enable you to inject dramatic style in a simple and practical way.
21. Go modern with black taps
Sleek, smooth tiling and curved modern basins combined with the simplified, minimal lines of the matte black bathroom wall lights, bathroom mirror and black taps creates a simple and textural space.
22. Introduce brassware
Meanwhile, adding brass bathroom fittings can really help to warm up a modern grey bathroom color scheme.
Un-lacquered brass adds warmth, modernity and glamour to this serene bathroom space. We love that striking modern pendant too.
This glamorous master bathroom is a beautiful balance of old and new, with marble tiles and a traditional contrasting against the modern lighting and taps.
23. Choose a modern bath
This modern bathroom is a place to totally disconnect, relax and indulge. The dark walls and luxe bath give it a grown-up, sophisticated vibe, while the raised bath turns it into a showpiece. Plus, there is a working fireplace, generous steam room and shower.
A luxe freestanding bath invites everyday indulgence, like in this luxury bathroom.
With stunning details like the pearlescent wall tiles, slate floors and pretty window treatments, this modern freestanding bathtub isn't the first thing you notice. But it's the most-loved aspect of this modern bathroom as the rim is wide enough to rest a glass of wine on.
24. Let in more light with a transom window
This small but stylish wet room was brightened up by adding transom windows that borrow light from the bedroom. Clever.
25. Choose poured concrete floors
Poured concrete bathroom flooring grounds the monochrome scheme in this modern bathroom. Aside from lending a grey color to the space, concrete flooring also feels warmer underfoot than bathroom floor tiles. Black taps and fittings add to the contemporary edge.
26. Modernise cabinetry with recessed handles
Modern bathroom storage makes a statement in this white scheme. Bespoke units with recessed handles subtly echo the geometric mood of the bathroom mirror and bathroom lighting.
27. Create a home spa oasis
Who wouldn’t want to be a guest at this house when you have a spa bathroom this gorgeous? The warm woods, graphic tiles and sleek fittings are beautifully combined.
This homeowner worked with the smaller dimensions of this spa and shower room below by covering it floor-to-ceiling in terrazzo slabs, which give the space a sense of luxury. Integrated seating is raised above the floor, making these heavier details appear lighter.
28. Illuminate with recessed lighting
We're smitten with the recessed LED lighting in this black and white bathroom below, brightening, illuminating and modern.
The Carrara marble mixed with the black taps and brassware gives a slice of drama to this classic and beautiful design.
29. Mix marble and metallics
Marble floors, a copper standalone tub with an artwork hanging above all work together to create a glamorous, grown-up space.
30. Adopt an on-trend pink scheme
Pink might not seem like an obvious color for your modern bathroom, but it's actually very on-trend at the moment, and it's easy to see why as it creates a warm yet fresh look.
Caesarstone collaborated with influencer Little Big Bell for this striking bathroom vanity, where the walls are tiled with pink hexagons halfway up, then painted a softer shade of pink above.
Lots of modern bathroom ideas to inspire in this modern Hobart home in Australia. A flash of bright color with coral pink tiles, contrasts with black taps and fittings for a more grown-up take on the pink bathroom trend.
31. Japandi style is all the rage
An amalgamation of Japanese minimalism and Scandi cool, Japandi has been around for a while but has soared in popularity this year, likely due to its calming zen vibes.
When it comes to choosing materials, Japandi looks to nature for inspiration. Bamboo and rattan furniture, linen soft furnishing, and accessories with a natural finish will achieve the perfect foundation, whilst Japanese features such as tatami mats and origami shades complete the look.
Try using a mix of wood tones and begin to incorporate pieces with both curved and straight lines to add a unique sense of texture to the bathroom.'
32. Go all over with metro tiles
Metro tiles aren't a new modern bathroom idea - in fact, metro tiles have been around for decades, but you could try a more modern approach by opting for grey or colored tiles, as this grey bathroom achieves.
33. Introduce a modern bathroom wallpaper
Bathroom wallpaper continues to weave its magic through our homes, but this year things are dialling up a notch, with bold patterned designs stealing into the wettest parts of our bathrooms.
For dramatic impact, Gucci's iconic heron print wallpaper is perfect for cloakrooms and powder rooms. 'The cloakroom is the one area of the home you should really go bold on, and have a little fun with,' explains the designer behind this fabulous Chiswick family home.
34. Install a bath in the bedroom for a boutique hotel look
A bathtub in a bedroom creates a luxe, hotel-inspired vibe. The freestanding bath below is framed by elegant paneling, with an en-suite shower room tucked beyond the new stud wall. The soft pink colorway is a good counterbalance to the simple, functional aspects of the room.
How can you make a bathroom look modern?
The term 'modern' can mean so many different things, but in a bathroom, an easy way to make your space look modern is to pick a single statement piece that will stand out. That could be a sleek freestanding bath, a fabulous light fitting or even a bold tile or wallpaper. Use this as the base for the rest of your modern bathroom design.
If you are after a sleek traditionally modern look, opt for a limited color palette, a monochrome scheme work wonderful in contemporary spaces. But that's not to say modern bathroom ideas can't also be bold and colorful and sometimes taking a risk with your decor is what will give the space an overall modern feel.
How much does a modern bathroom cost?
How much a modern bathroom costs can vary massively depending on how big your space is, how much it needs to be reconfigured, the quality of the finish, the price of the fixtures and fittings you choose. On average, however, a new bathroom costs between £3,000 and £6,000 or around $8,000 to $12,000. But you want to create a more luxurious modern bathroom costs can go over £15,000.
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
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