Black and white bathroom ideas for a modern, monochrome look

We've found 19 striking black and white bathroom ideas for a modern, monochrome bathroom scheme.

black and white bathroom ideas
(Image credit: Paul Massey)

We've found 19 striking black and white bathroom ideas for a modern, monochrome bathroom scheme.

Black taps and brassware, and black framed shower panels are both a popular choice when paired with white tiles – but there are other, more unusual looks to get inspiration from too.

There's a reason black & white is one of the most popular bathroom colour ideas.

Black absorbs light and white reflects it – uniting the two is one of the most effective ways to create a bathroom that punches above its weight. In pattern terms, the options are virtually endless and can be as simple as black and white tiles laid in a chequered formation.

Tiles of the same colour stand out when teamed with contrasting grout, such as black tiles with white grout or vice versa.

Laying rectangular tiles in different patterns creates a multitude of looks, from brick or linear layouts to herringbone and basketweave – again this will create far more impact with contrasting grout.

If understated luxe is your thing, beautiful Carrara marble is hard to beat. At the other end of the scale, a fabulous black wallpaper will lend a dash of decadence.

Monochrome needn’t be moody and dark, if that's not the style you're going for. Balancing the black-to-white ratios in favour of the latter will create a far lighter, brighter space.

If you're just updating a plain, white bathroom, rather than renovating the room, the simplest way to monochrome magic is to replace the taps and shower fittings with some smart matt black brassware.

Alternatively, for an instant style upgrade, fit a cool Crittal-style shower screen and your bathroom will be fully on-trend.

If colours could be soul mates, then black and white would make the perfect pair. Team them in a bathroom and they'll create a striking scheme with lasting impact.

1. All-over black tiles

This smart, small bathroom space is covered head to toe in tiny black chevron wall tiles, giving it a cool hotel bathroom look.

black and white bathroom ideas

(Image credit: Matthew Millman)

2. White tiles with dark grout

The wall tiles in this shower room are actually enamel medallions found in a warehouse in Providence. Dark grout makes the circular patterns stand out. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look Topps Tiles’ Shapes circle matt white mosaic tiles have this look.

(Image credit: Matthew Williams)

3. A black-framed shower panel

Interior designer Amelie von Celsing used marble-effect porcelain as it looks so indulgent, but it’s practical and hard wearing too. The black framed shower panel adds a crisp contrast and accentuates the height of this small bathroom space.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The marble-effect porcelain is from Mandarin Stone. The showerhead and fittings are by Vola.

(Image credit: Rei Moon)

4. White scheme, black taps

The Carrara marble mixed with the black taps and brassware gives a slice of drama to this classic and beautiful design. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The matt black brassware fittings are from Dornbracht.

(Image credit: Future)

5. Crittall-style bathroom doors

Dramatic, full height Crittall doors beautifully frame and complement this white black and white bathroom.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look Porcelanosa sells similar marble tiles. Aston Matthews sells wall-mounted brass towel rails.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

6. Black painted alcoves

Black painted alcoves for bathroom storage tie in with the large black framed mirror, cutting through this all-white bathroom scheme.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look Find a similar Venice slipper bath is from Savisto Bathrooms. The floor and wall tiles are from Tons of Tiles.

(Image credit: Future)

7. White tiles, black bath

A wet room finish makes the most of this space. The black freestanding bath makes a style statement, and subtly ties in with the dark grouting between the metro tiles.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look Bath, ebay. Tiles, Walls & Floors.

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

The same effect was achieved in the family bathroom below, but with white grouting, and a black window frame to tie in with the bathtub.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The bath is from CP Hart. The wall and floor tiles are from World’s End Tiles.

(Image credit: Ben Anders)

8. Chequerboard floor

This home was once an Indian restaurant. Once the men’s loo, the basins were the only things that were salvaged. The room was painted in black gloss for a dramatic look, and the chequerboard floor was preserved.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The metro tiles are from Walls and Floors. The brassware is by B&Q. The Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in 1971 photograph is by Terry O’Neill from The Little Black Gallery

(Image credit: Future)

9. Tiled feature wall

Tactile tadelakt and lava stone tiles wrap around this small bathroom that’s both efficient and indulgent. The black floor tiles continue up the walls as a feature wall. Black radiators complement the colour scheme.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look These are Made a Mano lavastone tiles. The handshower and brassware are Gessi at CP Hart.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

10. Black taps and shower screen to break up a white scheme

Two Crittal-style shower screens create a smart walk-in shower enclosure. Black taps and fittings complete the look.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look Find anodised aluminium framed shower walls at Merlyn.

(Image credit: Future)

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 and with their elegant clean profiles, Alternative Bathrooms’ Metal Craft screens feel both modern and timeless.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The Metal Craft Screen is by Alternative Bathrooms.

(Image credit: Future)

Beautiful bathroom tiles and vanity units tend to turn our heads, but it’s not often a shower door has the same effect.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look: New to West One Bathrooms, the Gridscape enclosure series (from £865) allows you to mix ’n’ match clear and coloured glass panels to your heart’s content, opening up new realms of bathroom-style possibility. Team with white tiles for that crisp NY loft feel.

(Image credit: Mona Shield Payne)

11. Add further black details through bathroom lighting

The black and white bathroom scheme below is finished off with some black bathroom lighting, black brassware and black and white bathroom floor tiles.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look This is the Metal Craft Frame shower screen in Matte Black, from £2,000, at Majestic Showers. Pembroke marble floor tiles from the Silk Road Collection by Sara Baldwin for New Ravenna Mosaics start at £1,096 per sq m, at Paris Ceramics.

(Image credit: Future)

12. Break up a white scheme with black taps and wall lights

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. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The Milan basin mixers are by Tre Mercati at QS Supplies. The basins are from Lusso Stone. The mirror is from Next Home. The wall lights are from Holly’s House. The Italgraniti wall tiles are from Tower Ceramics.

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

13. Break up white metro tiles with a strip of black

Floor-to-ceiling metro tiles and a Victorian-style floor put a period spin on this modern wet room

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The metro tiles are by Walls and Floors. The floor tiles were bought from Tons of Tiles. This is a Burlington pedestal basin.

(Image credit: Future)

14. Brave a more industrial look

The concrete wall and floor panels are bespoke and designed to create a gritty backdrop to the sculpturally shaped white basins. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The Il Bagno Alessi One basins by Stefano Giovannoni for Laufen and the Dornbracht MEM wall-mounted mixers are from Ripples. The Hector Mini Globe pendants are from Hector Finch. The bespoke concrete wall and floor panels are from Ivanka.

(Image credit: Future)

15. Use dark grouting to make a tile pattern pop

The white metro tiles together with the dark grouting and black taps give this bathroom an industrial edge. To smarten it up a bit, extra-large tiles have been used in a herringbone pattern.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The tiles are from Tons of Tiles. The taps are from homary.com. The bath mat is from Urban Outfitters.

(Image credit: Future)

16. Experiment with panelling and wallpaper

Taking a more traditional approach, this monochrome bathroom features bathroom wallpaper and painted black panelling. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look This is Lotus wallpaper by Farrow & Ball. Try Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black estate eggshell for a matching paint shade. For modern versions of these antique tiles, visit TST Mosaic Tiles.

(Image credit: Future)

17. Contrast a white scheme with a black floor

Plain white walls and a black floor keeps this bathroom fresh and simple. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The bath and shower are by Sbordoni. For a similar floor paint try Pitch Black modern eggshell by Farrow & Ball.

(Image credit: Moon Ray Studio)

18. Choose unexpected tile pattern

Monochrome tile risers draw the eye into this small, pure white bathroom, adding a sense of space. 

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The floor tiles are Kerion’s Décor Branche Mer from its Neocim Collection. In the UK, try Abbey Decor porcelain tiles, £32.64 per sq m, at Porcelain Superstore.

(Image credit: Ester Sorri)

19. Go bold with an all-black scheme

Dive into the deep end with a bold dark shade. Here, black gloss tiles and black painted walls are set against verdigris brassware.

black and white bathroom ideas

Get the look The brassware was from Lassco. The bath is Waterworks. The paint is Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
Lotte Brouwer

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.