It’s easy to lose an evening scrolling through bathroom inspiration, but considerably harder to get excited about shower drains. But the bit you stand on deserves as much thought as the tiles you’ll be admiring while you shampoo. A shower floor can carry a glorious pattern across the entire room, introduce an unexpected color or give you somewhere to go all-out with marble without remortgaging.

Having tackled a DIY wet room, I’m now firmly camp shower tray. There’s only so much waterproofing anxiety I need in my life, and today’s supermodel-slim designs make that decision considerably easier. Still, I understand the pull of a beautifully tiled shower floor, particularly when it flows straight into the rest of the bathroom. Both routes can look fabulous, but choosing yours involves getting acquainted with a few less photogenic details before you get to the fun stuff.

To help, we’ve gathered shower floor inspiration from designers who’ve thought about everything from the drain position to the grout color. Alongside shower ideas worth stealing, you’ll find advice on trays versus tiled floors, materials that suit wet feet, and whether to match your surroundings or switch things up underfoot.

Ideas for Shower Floor Design

If you want a genuinely seamless shower floor, a level-entry wet-room setup is worth the extra groundwork. Tanking the floor and forming the correct fall to the drain takes more planning than dropping in a standard shower tray, but it removes the lip or change of level at the entrance, letting one tiled surface run straight across the room and into the shower. That makes access easier, simplifies the visual line and, as this bathroom by Mia Karlsson Interior Design proves, gives pattern much more room to work.

The trade-off is installation: waterproofing has to be meticulous, the drain position and gradients need deciding before tiling begins, and tile cuts become much less forgiving when a strong pattern is involved. Here, matching the stripe widths, spacing, and grout lines across the shower threshold keeps the yellow-and-white floor reading as one continuous plane rather than two separate zones.

Once you’ve found a floor tile you love, there’s a lot to be said for letting it run right into the shower. Here, the uninterrupted pattern makes the bathroom feel more generous, even with a substantial, black-framed enclosure keeping shower spray under control.

“We chose a geometric pattern of square and triangular tiles in three different types of marble, as these shapes recur throughout the interior design,” recalls Michelle Jager–van ’t Hof, head of design at Even Eleven Interiors. “Their straight lines also create an interesting contrast with the many circular forms used in the space.”

Getting that pattern to flow takes some careful setting-out, and Even Eleven did their tiler a solid with their choice of tile shapes. “This geometric pattern made it possible to create a clean, straight line directly beneath the shower doors, which became the starting point for the tiler to lay out the pattern,” explains Michelle. “From this line, the floor falls towards the drain within the shower area, allowing the drainage slope to be integrated while maintaining visual continuity across the floor.”

Switching up the tile pattern of your shower floor is a clever way to add definition and conquer blandness. In this bathroom, Nina Farmer picks up the mustard shade from the patchwork shower walls and repeats it underfoot, switching from squares to narrow rectangles. The floor gets its own identity while staying firmly on message “Because the bathroom doesn’t have a view, I wanted the shower itself to become the focal point, almost like an artwork,” recalls Nina.

You can take the same approach with a basket-weave, checkerboard or contrasting border, choosing the floor pattern alongside the wall design. Grout also needs careful consideration. The pale joints here pick out every turn of the herringbone, while a closer color match would soften the geometric pattern.

If possible, ask your tiler to dry-lay a section before committing, checking the view from the shower entrance and how the pattern meets the edges. A few tiles on the showroom counter won’t tell you nearly as much.

If you love decorative tile but don’t fancy being surrounded by it, the shower floor is a good place to indulge. In this bathroom by Regan Baker Design, white subway walls give the floral mosaic shower floor plenty of room to show off, while pink trim along the curb and ledge carries its color up from underfoot.

The owners of this home love 1920s-era tile and pretty, ditsy-print wallpaper. “So that became the inspiration for a custom floor mosaic with little hexagon flowers scattered across the shower,” recalls Regan Baker. “The architect designed it as a very tall, long space, and we wanted to layer in pattern and texture, so it felt more intimate and cottage-like.”

For anyone tempted to commission their own design, Regan’s advice goes beyond choosing a pretty pattern. “We mapped out the flowers before anything went down so they’d feel naturally scattered and land in the right spots around the drain and along the curb,” she explains. “Keeping the drain small and tucking it into the field tile lets the pattern run almost uninterrupted. We kept the grout light so it melts into the white tile and lets the little flowers do the talking.”

Changing the scale of your tiles at the shower door gives each area its own identity, while a repeated shape keeps them connected. Here, Gray Walker Interiors pairs large outlined hexagons on the bathroom floor with tiny honeycomb mosaics that continue up the shower walls and around its opening.

“The larger hexagons make a bold statement, while the smaller ones add just enough texture without competing. The classic black and white palette ties everything together seamlessly,” says founder and principal interior designer, Gray Walker. “The contrasting grout highlights the smaller hexagons without making the space feel too busy.”

Giving the shower floor the deepest shade in a tonal palette adds definition to the space. In this bathroom by Sawyers Design, earthy terracotta color square tiles sit beneath dusky pink walls, bringing depth to the scheme and zoning the shower area. The richer color continues across the raised curb, framing the entrance.

Color does most of the work underfoot, where a simple grid offsets the more elaborate tile pattern on the walls. Pale grout connects the two tile designs, preventing the change in shade from feeling abrupt. In short, choose shades with a shared undertone, then vary their intensity to give each surface its own presence.

To create a tiled base like this, one of the quickest solutions is to use a prefabricated shower former, like this one from Amazon. The slopes toward the drain are already built in, simplifying preparation for your tiler and providing a watertight foundation beneath your chosen tiles.

Enclosures

While level walk-in showers are a huge bathroom trend, there’s plenty to be said for a tiled curb. It gives the shower entrance definition, offers another surface to show off a great tile and, most obviously, helps keep water where it belongs.

“We chose a tiled threshold in this project because it is a boy’s bath and we figured we needed all of the help we could get in keeping water within the shower,” says Abbie Naber , founder of A. Naber Design. “I typically prefer a threshold, regardless of who the shower user is. I feel that it keeps water inside the shower (even though that could be psychological).”

If you’re with Abbie on this, agree the finished height with your installer and try the proposed step from both sides. This is a detail you’ll negotiate daily, possibly before coffee, and stubbed toes are a whole world of pain you don’t need.

Here, the six-by-six-inch floor tiles guided the proportions. “We finished the height at 6 inches so that we would not have to cut the tile down much,” explains Abbie. A small trim allowed for the half-inch-thick cap, while continuing the same flooring inside the shower kept the pattern flowing. There’s a step, but visually the floor stays connected.

On the flip side, “For real drama, nothing beats a seamless, tanked shower floor in polished plaster or cement, running straight through with no tray, no lip and no grout lines to break it up,” says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.

The benefits are bountiful. There’s no grout to scrub, a broad choice of colors and textures, and the option to carry the microcement up the walls and even across the ceiling for the full cocooning effect. As it’s applied by hand in layers, subtle variations give the surface depth, so even a shower finished entirely in one color has plenty of interest. Here, a microcement shower floor is combined with waterproof wallpaper, bringing decorative detail into the shower while the floor stays seamless.

Microcement can test a perfectionist’s patience, as movement beneath the finish can cause hairline cracks. These rarely mean a leak, as the waterproof layers underneath remain intact, but not everyone sees a few extra lines as added character.

Shower Trays

A shower tray is the easier route to a watertight shower floor, avoiding the extra tanking, falls and tiling involved in a wet-room setup. Better still, a custom-colored walk-in shower tray offers way more decorating freedom than bog-standard, off-the-peg white. “I've always thought it slightly odd that we'll spend weeks choosing the perfect tiles, then happily put a white shower tray in the middle of them without giving it a second thought,” says Richard Eaton, design manager at Tissino.

In a bathroom like this, white would be blindingly bright, and not in a good way. “What works so beautifully is how the warmer tone of the tray sits alongside the olive green and terrazzo tiles. That slightly aged, layered look is what gives the bathroom its character, and having the freedom to choose a bespoke color means the shower floor can be part of that design rather than interrupting it,” agrees Richard.

Sure, a custom-colored tray costs more than standard options, but it’ll still be less expensive than going for a fully-tanked and tiled shower floor. “My biggest piece of advice would be to choose your colour with the tray lying horizontally, alongside your actual floor and wall samples,” adds Richard. “Colors look very differently underfoot than they do on a vertical sample, particularly in a bathroom where natural light, artificial light and reflections are constantly changing.”

A slim shower tray gives you a ready-made base without the chunkiness of standard trays. Here, Isabel Gómez Studio chose Bette’s low-level enamelled-steel BetteUltra, which is impressively slender at just 1⅜ inches deep.

“The decision was technical before it was aesthetic: the building’s constraints called for a sealed, reliable base rather than a tanked and tiled floor,” explains the founder and creative director of Isabel Gómez Studio.

A low-level tray can work on wood-framed or concrete floors but achieving that barely-there look depends on what’s underneath. A wood floor may offer room between joists for the drain, while concrete may need a recess. The drainpipe also needs a continuous downhill slope, so a longer route to the main drain can demand more depth. Have your plumber check the floor construction, the drain’s minimum installation depth and the pipe route before ordering. Otherwise, that sleek little tray could end up needing an annoyingly chunky platform.

“Glazed steel is naturally smooth, so grip is a decision to make at specification stage, when an anti-slip finish can be added,” advises Isabel. Bette, and most shower tray manufacturers, offer a factory-applied non-slip treatment, so be sure to put that on your order.

Drains

Yes, you read that right, a drain can be stylish. Or rather, some drains are a LOT better looking than others, and the best examples barely look like drains at all. “Here, we wanted the drainage to feel almost invisible, so that nothing interrupted the beautiful graphic pattern of the floor,” recalls interior designer Lucy Goldbart.

Using a tile-in linear drain allowed the stone to continue flowing across it, while positioning the drain at the edge of the shower meant the falls could be resolved much more cleanly. “This allowed us to prioritise one single plane rather than creating multiple cuts and slopes around a traditional central drain,” she explains. “From a user-friendly perspective, we also tend to position drains along the wall for walk-in-showers, as it helps draw water away from the opening and reduces the risk of water pooling or escaping into the wider bathroom.”

Don’t choose a linear drain purely for its appearance, warns Lucy. “The drainage capacity needs to comfortably accommodate the combined water flow from the shower fittings, and the installer needs to check the available floor build-up, waste and waterproofing requirements at an early stage,” she says. “I’d also always make sure the tile insert remain easily removable for cleaning. The detail should look seamless, but it still needs to be easy to maintain.”

Decide between a linear or point drain before choosing your shower-floor tile, because the drain dictates how the floor needs to slope. A traditional point drain requires the floor to fall toward it from several directions, creating multiple planes. That tends to work more easily with mosaics and smaller tiles, which can follow those changes in angle without awkward cuts.

A linear drain can sit against a wall or within the shower and allows the floor to fall in a single plane. That makes it much friendlier to large-format tiles and to schemes where you want the same flooring to continue into the shower with minimal visual interruption.

Whichever you choose, check that the drain can cope with the flow rate of your shower — especially if you’re planning a big rainfall head — and remember that a ‘level-entry’ shower still isn’t literally level, as the shower floor needs a fall to move water toward the drain. Check that your floor build-up has enough depth to accommodate the waste pipe and its required gradient. The shorter the run from the shower drain to the main waste outlet, the easier it is to achieve that fall without raising the floor.

The Practical Stuff

How Important Is Slip Rating?

While it’s easy to appreciate the Wolfgang Studio's excellent tile choice from Otto Tiles in this photo, checking how the tiles perform under wet, soapy feet requires a little more homework.

“These encaustic cement tiles have a honed finish and an R11 slip resistance rating, making them a suitable choice for wet areas, including shower floors,” says Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design. “The surface provides grip underfoot without a heavily textured finish, so it is also comfortable to walk on and relatively straightforward to clean, provided the tiles are correctly sealed and maintained.”

When choosing tiles for any shower floor, Damla advises asking for the slip resistance test results and checking that the product is specifically recommended for wet, barefoot use. “Cement tiles are porous, so they need to be sealed before and after grouting, with the sealant reapplied periodically to protect against staining,” she adds. For everyday cleaning, Damla recommends a pH-neutral product.

Is a Shower Tray Easier Than a Tiled Shower Floor?

Generally, yes. A conventional tray arrives already formed to send water toward the waste, so there’s less site work and less opportunity for the gradients to go wrong. A tiled shower floor gives you far more freedom aesthetically — particularly if you want the bathroom floor to run straight into a level-entry shower — but the structure beneath it involves a lot more labor and materials. The shower needs a waterproofing system, a correctly formed fall to the drain and careful detailing where floors, walls and drains meet; the tile itself is not the waterproof layer, not least because grout is generally porous. Pre-sloped, ready-to-tile shower formers can take some of the pain out of this by building the required gradient into the substrate.

From a design perspective, the most stylish bathrooms avoid shiny white acrylic shower trays like the plague. Low-profile stone-resin and custom-colored options can get surprisingly close to the seamless effect, with considerably less construction involved.

What Is the Best Material for a Shower Floor?

There’s no requirement for it to match, and deliberately changing color, scale or material can make the shower feel like its own zone. Continuing one material straight through, however, gives you the cleanest, most expansive look, particularly in smaller bathrooms.

Tile-wise, porcelain is the practical all-rounder because it’s hard-wearing and low maintenance; mosaics are especially useful around point drains because their small format handles complex falls more easily. Natural stone can be beautiful but may require sealing and more considered maintenance, while specialist finishes such as microcement need to be specified as part of a compatible waterproof shower system rather than treated as a decorative topcoat.

Whatever you choose, don’t select purely on looks. Wet-floor safety depends on the surface texture, drainage, contaminants such as soap and water and how the floor is used. A single slip-rating number doesn’t tell the whole story.

Your shower floor and bathroom flooring need planning together, even if you’re giving each its own look. Colors, levels and the point where they meet all need to add up, so check out these bathroom floor mistakes before anything gets stuck down.

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Not so very long ago, properly desirable bathroom tile was firmly in the ‘nice if you’ve got a trust fund’ category. Now, even the bargain retailers have designs worth drooling over. New launches land on my desk every day, and I generally fall hard for a new tile collection at least once a week.

Finding a tile you love is the easy part; working out how to do it justice is where I seriously struggle. Even the most gorgeous bathroom tiles can look a bit naff if the installation is sub-par, or your tile plan has the imagination of a landlord tarting up a rental. Where you start and stop, which direction you lay it, and what you put alongside it all need thinking through, preferably before your tiler arrives. A simple stripe can transform a modern bathroom’s proportions, while getting the scale right can make two attention-seeking patterns sing rather than sink. These are the decisions that I find far more interesting than whether a tile comes in another three shades of green.

Our roundup of bathroom tile ideas shows how much mileage there is in thinking beyond that initial purchasing high. From mosaics and diagonal marble stripes to cleverly tiled bath panels, we’ve gathered inspired spaces and advice from the designers behind them to help you do something more interesting with whatever tile you've set your sights on.

1. Send Stripes Sideways

Give a striped tile floor a more adventurous angle by laying it diagonally. It’s a simple twist with a big decorating payoff. The pattern cuts across the room, breaking away from the straight lines of walls and cabinetry. And in pink and green marble, it’s hardly going to go unnoticed.

Having already embraced a graphic marble floor in their kitchen, the now-owners of this pink bathroom were ready to carry that confidence upstairs. Diagonal bands of Jordan Pink and Jade Green marble tile from Balineum bring movement to a space that's full of beautifully considered details, from the curved glass enclosure to the slender patterned tile borders.

Those borders, also from Balineum, were actually the starting point. “The client fell for the decorative tile, and the palette developed from there, including the darkest green metal glazing bars around the bath and shower,” recalls Jo leGleud, who designed the space with Steph Worrall at Maddux Creative before the pair founded Worrall leGleud Interiors. With walls painted in Shell 1 by Paint & Paper Library and ceiling in Edward Bulmer’s Jonquil, plenty is going on. “But the repeated colors keep it connected. The floor tile gets to be exuberant because everything around it speaks the same language.”

2. Soak Up the Color

Bathroom color drenching is one decorating obsession we’re in no hurry to get over, it’s just so cocooning and cozy. For its Orange House project in Sokcho, South Korea, architecture studio one-aftr takes the idea onto tile, wrapping a pale pink bath in glossy orange custom tiles by Palet. It’s a bathing nook we’d happily retreat to, preferably with the door locked.

“Inspired by the changing colors of the surrounding foliage, we wanted to create an immersive bathing experience through variations of orange,” recalls Joon Ma, co-founder of one-aftr. “In contrast to the restrained concrete and timber surfaces of the living spaces, the bathroom becomes a more saturated, sensorial environment. The subtle variations in the tiles from Palet create a textured field of color that transforms the bathing recess into a space of its own.”

Note how the lighting is as carefully considered as the tile. “We integrated concealed linear lighting along the upper perimeter of the bathing recess to wash the tiled surfaces with a soft, indirect glow,” explains Joon. “The light accentuates the glossy texture and subtle variations in the tiles, bringing depth and warmth to the orange surfaces while reinforcing the immersive quality of the space.”

3. Take Stripes to the Top

A small bathroom with a tall ceiling is a fine excuse to get a little carried away with vertical stripes. In Pearl Lowe’s Notting Hill bathroom, pink-and-white skinny metro tiles by Bert & Mays provide a candy-striped backdrop to BC Designs’ curvaceous Senator bath. The brass shower ring and billowing shower curtains add to the sense of theater.

“I think we can get a little too hung up on the idea that small bathrooms need to be kept simple. Sometimes a bit of pattern is exactly what a room needs, and this is a brilliant example of how you can be quite brave with your tile choices and actually make a space feel bigger,” says Keeley Sutcliffe, design manager at BC Designs.

“The vertical stripes naturally draw your eye upwards, but what I particularly love is how they wrap around the entire room. Rather than drawing attention to individual walls and where they meet, you get this lovely continuous effect that almost distracts you from the room’s actual proportions.

“The width of the stripes is really important here, too. Go too wide, and you risk making the room feel more enclosed, whereas these slimmer bands have an almost wallpaper-like quality,” adds Keeley. “They’re bold, but there’s a softness to them, particularly alongside the curves of the bath and the warm brass.”

4. Dip into DIY Pattern

Designing your own tile pattern gives you a bespoke look using tiles straight off the shelf. Choose a simple shape in a handful of colors, then build your own repeat, experimenting with bands, checks and intersecting stripes. You control the scale and color combinations, which is how Regan Baker Design arrived at this custom plaid using Fireclay’s square ceramic tiles for this colorful bathroom.

“This client loved color and pattern and was never afraid to go for it – they even pushed us to do more in some spaces, which we loved,” says founder Regan Baker . “Building a plaid out of simple square tiles in orange, blue and cream felt both classic and a little unexpected at the same time.”

The recessed storage niche is especially clever. “We planned its size and placement before anything else so the stripes run right through it and the shelf lands on one of the orange bands, which keeps the pattern flowing across the wall,” she adds. “My advice is to map the full layout before tiling, checking where the bands meet the showerhead and tub edge, and work from the center so full tiles land in the most visible spots.”

5. Create a Backsplash Tidemark

Dado-height tiling may sound a little dated, but think of it as a backsplash that keeps going, and the idea feels much more current. Extending the tile beyond the vanity gives the room a continuous band of color and texture, with the basin area setting the height.

“Rather than continuing the bathroom countertop material as a backsplash, we used the wall tile instead, treating it the way a traditional splashback would be handled and aligning the transition point with the bottom of the mirror frame,” explains Sherrell Neal, founder and principal designer of Sherrell Design Studio. “The result is a detail that feels deliberate rather than arbitrary, and gives the room a tailored quality.”

Above it, Backdrop’s Wabi-Sabi wallpaper in Moss picks up the geometry of the slim glazed brick tiles in a larger grid. It’s a clever pairing that blurs the boundary between the two finishes, and offers a lot more energy than a plain painted wall.

Terrazzo brings another current material into the mix, while the wood vanity and linen curtain add warmer, softer textures. “For anyone worried that generously tiled walls might feel too clinical, playing with tile scale and layering in natural materials is the answer. Contrast creates interest, and interest is what keeps a room from feeling cold,” she adds.

6. Double Up on Pattern

Patterned floor tiles can hold their own against patterned walls, provided the two have different roles (and play nicely together). Here, Vanrenen Hanbury pairs a densely patterned green Moroccan floor tile with broad striped wallpaper by Adam Bray, giving each surface a distinct look.

The solid green bath panel links to the floor while offering a welcome stretch of uninterrupted colour. Whether your second pattern comes from wallpaper or tile, this is an excellent example of why you should look beyond plain walls to accompany decorative tile underfoot.

"When exploring multiple patterns, compare samples in the space. Look at them from the doorway as well as close up. If both patterns demand equal attention, try changing the scale or style of one before abandoning the combination," recommends co-founder Sarah Vanrenen .

7. Tile Wrap the Bath

A bath panel is prime decorating space, and far too good to waste on plain white plastic. Give it the full tile treatment and even an inexpensive built-in tub can get a boutique upgrade. “I like to look at the walls and floors as a blank canvas and create a ‘frieze’ or ‘carpet’ to fill the space — bath panel included,” says interior designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay.

“How you lay a tile can completely change the way it reads and creates its own texture,” Henri adds. Bands of pale blue and navy Balineum tiles wrap from the walls onto the bath front, their pointed borders giving the stripes a little bite. Precise alignment keeps the whole thing looking sharp. Plan the panel alongside the walls so the pattern turns each corner without breaking stride.

8. Carry Into Your En-suite

Matching your ensuite bathroom tiles to the bedroom wallpaper takes decorating coordination to a satisfying extreme. Why stop at picking out a color when you can carry the whole print through? In this project by Leveson Design, a sliver of space borrowed from the guest bedroom became a bathroom that feels very much part of the same decorating plan.

The wallpaper and tiles are both Cindy Leveson’s Cornflower Stripe in Pink & Green, with the floral repeat scaled down for the ceramic version. “They are made to order in England and, because the colours match — although the tile is a smaller scale — they work beautifully together and keeping the paint colour the same in both rooms made perfect sense,” explains Cindy.

Farrow & Ball’s Whirlybird green connects the spaces, while the patterned tiles make the shower feel like a miniature extension of the bedroom. “It is a nice surprise to turn right into the bathroom and find a fully tiled shower which matches the bedroom wallpaper.”

9. Go With the Ombre Flow

Ombre walls bring the loose, inky appeal of a swishy watercolor to bathroom walls, but with a much higher tolerance for splashes and toothpaste splatters. Here, Jacobs + Interiors has used Artistic Tile’s Ombre Extender Black Marble Mosaic to take the vanity wall from charcoal overhead to near-white below, letting the color drift between the two.

“This is a home on a beautiful lakefront in Iowa, and the tile’s soft organic flow had a water reference that we loved, creating a feeling of relaxation and suggestion of the water lapping at the shore,” says Yvonne Jacobs, founder and principal designer of Jacobs + Interiors.

That apparently effortless fade has had a fair bit of help behind the scenes. The tile supplier worked from the designers’ drawings to coordinate the pattern with the mirrors, lighting and vanity. Plotting the full wall before ordering is essential here, says Yvonne; you want the most interesting bit of your mosaic on show, rather than hidden behind a mirror. “The tile came in sheets, and we chose a grout color on the lighter side as we wanted it to feel light even in the dark areas,” she adds.

10. Add a Baseboard Border

A tiled baseboard is a small detail with plenty of scope to be as creative or restrained as you choose. Here, plain wall tiles get a little zhuzh from a row of black triangles — enough to interrupt the grid without taking over.

“Wrapping the geometric tile border around the base of the walls as a tiled ‘skirting’ is a brilliant way to visually anchor the room,” says Angela Simpson, co-founder of Simpson & Voyle. “It helps draw the eye to the more dynamic floor tile, without committing to pattern from floor to ceiling.”

A plain tile border in a color borrowed from the floor or elsewhere in the room can be enough to pull the scheme together. For something more playful, try a scalloped edge, alternating colors or a checkerboard strip. As Angela proves, a little pattern goes a long way at ankle height.

11. Supersize Your Mosaics

Mixing veined stone slabs with an equally showboaty mosaic tile floor needn’t end in chaos. Vanessa Deleon embraces the combo in her bathroom for the 2026 Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York, matching Viola Reale marble with Artistic Tile’s Custom Varo by Ali Budd Waterjet Mosaic.

Conceived as a wellness retreat designed for total immersion, it comes complete with a shower, cold plunge, and vanity arranged as a ritual sequence. “The slabs came first for me, and then I needed something to ground it,” recalls Vanessa. “I selected the custom Varo because it felt like a rock formation, and it pulled all the colors together.”

The oversized mosaic pieces help, too, with their broad curves holding their own alongside the marble’s sprawling veins, without adding a blizzard of tiny detail. “For an immersion room, I really wanted it to feel tranquil - a little bit of zen, but with a twist,” she adds.

12. Know When to Go Plain

Knowing when to stop is a useful decorating skill and one of the toughest to pull off, especially when your tile shortlist keeps getting longer. In this bathroom by Appreciation Project, Otto Tiles' Marrakesh Stripes and multicolored mosaics both made the cut, but generous stretches of plain ecru give each pattern space to register. Cover every surface in competing designs, and you’d lose those lovely individual details.

“I always like to strike a balance of playfulness and modernity,” says Natasha Lyon, co-founder and creative director of Appreciation Project. “I was originally inspired by Victorian pathways and their beautiful borders. I wanted to recreate this in a modern way.”

The patterned shower seat adds another reason to look beyond the basin area, while pale wall tiles keep the view from becoming too busy. Their glossy, uneven surfaces also prove that plain needn’t mean flat or characterless.

13. Bring Back All the Trimmings

One of our favorite traditional bathroom trend revivals sees tile’s supporting cast step back into the spotlight. We’re talking decorative borders, dado rails and corner pieces, all getting fresh attention from designers. “Clients are increasingly using these smart detail pieces – and that’s really exciting: that’s a return to traditional tile installations,” says Sarah Watson, founder of Balineum.

This vibrant bathroom by Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay is an excellent case for getting a piece of the action. Glossy green herringbone sits above a deep patterned lower section, with graphic borders keeping the different designs in line. It’s old-school detailing with absolutely no interest in looking old-hat.

“Most people when tiling just use plain field tile, but consider adding a tiled skirting, dado rail, ceiling cornice and mix colours and sizes,” says Sarah. “I’d use two or three colours across some different shapes to create panels – just like you would with plasterwork and paint in another room in the house.” The key is to choose those finishing pieces alongside your main tile, with border heights planned around sinks and windows.

15. Work Those Curves

Bathrooms often come with a shed load of straight lines and hard surfaces, so a curvy bathroom floor tile can be a brilliant antidote. Here, Zoë Feldman lets Fornace Brioni and Cristina Celestino’s Bibiena Cotta Bianca tiles for Clé Tile snake across the floor in oversized interlocking shapes, loosening up the strict grid of the wall tiles, shower screen and window.

"The interlocking tiles introduce warmth and visual structure, which helps anchor the space," says Zoë. "We kept the surrounding elements simple, using a vintage stool and a custom vanity to support the floor without competing with it. The bathroom is small, so we also love how this floor adds character without relying on lots of additional finishes.”

The scale of the tile choice here is worth an extra mention. Those broad, generous curves read as one strong gesture rather than lots of fussy little pattern, which keeps the space feeling graphic not fussy.

Before you commit, check out the mistakes making your bathroom tiles look cheap. Falling in love with the samples is easy; spending all that money and still feeling underwhelmed is a lot harder to handle.

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If you design it well, your daily shower will become one of life's little luxuries. A moment of calm, quiet, and solitude — to prepare for the day or wash it away. Whether it's a walk-in shower, an enclosure, a shower over a bath, sunken, curved, or fitted with a luxurious seat, the latest shower trends prove that this space doesn't have to be purely functional; it can be pretty, too.

And while, yes, it's important to consider surfaces that will be easy to clean, that doesn't have to mean one-note. Mixing materials, from marble to timber, tiles, cement, and even textured glass, adds interest and will make the space feel more spa-like.

Below are 40 design-forward shower ideas to get you started.

1. Open and Shut

"Rather than enclosing the shower completely, I opted for a half-glazed screen to maintain a feeling of openness," explains designer Tiffany Howell of Los Angeles studio Night Palm. "It allows the room to read as one cohesive, light-filled space, more akin to a chic hotel suite than a traditional bathroom."

2. Curve Appeal

The satisfying curve of the wall separating the shower from the bathroom in this project by New South Wales-based Anna Carin Design wasn't just for surface-level good looks.

"The house had two baths, but one was sufficient, so this room gave up its bath and became a better shower room," says principal designer Anna-Carin McNamara. "The curved tiled wall wasn't for decoration; it answered the existing door position and did away with the glass screen, which no one ever wants to clean. Practicality, done properly, reads as beauty."

3. Screen Queen

Beautiful, shapely brass double doors leading into the shower give this scheme by Pasadena-based House of Honey elegance — as does the rest of the material palette.

"Our goal was to elevate the everyday," says founder Tamara Kaye-Honey. "Richly veined stone, warm brass, and reeded glass turn a daily routine into something more sculptural, sensual, and glamorous."

4. Glow Getter

Glass bricks are going nowhere, and work well as a way to screen off a shower without losing light in the space. Created by London architect Simon Astridge, this amber-colored screen — made of Venetian glass bricks — stands out against the cream microcement walls and casts a warm glow over the scheme.

5. Check Mate

A striped curtain and zellige tiles give this niche a theatrical edge. "We wanted something enveloping and bold, enclosing the shower in a jewel-like chequered box," says Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan. "The space lacks natural light, so we embraced the subterranean feel. It's good to have fun with smaller spaces, as it adds personality and a little playful jolt to the house."

6. Marble Might

De Rosee Sa design studio and Ca' Pietra stone and tile artisans collaborated on this beautifully veined shower niche. "There is something very unapologetic about giving a shower its own front door," says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca' Pietra. "Taking the marble around the opening, rather than keeping it behind the glass, changes the whole feel of the space. The shower becomes somewhere you step into, not an enclosure pushed into the corner."

7. Grid Lock

A heritage-style shower door extended over the vanity unit is a feature in its own right. "The materiality and design of a shower enclosure should be as intentional as every other selection in a bathroom," says Kirsten Blazek of LA studio A1000XBetter. "In this relatively small bathroom, we designed a custom brass shower enclosure that maximized the space and elevated the room's aesthetic, transforming a functional element into a defining feature."

8. Color Pop

"I wanted the shower to be its own special moment, slightly hidden around a corner to allow a layered su24 Walk-In Shower Ideasrprise as you enter the room," says Pierce Jordan of California/Texas design studio Shane & Pierce. "The Calacatta Rosa marble was found in Italy before the home construction began. I wanted to portray this space — with its typically feminine colorways — in a gender-neutral way, with hints of masculinity."

9. Curtain Call

Who said shower curtain ideas can't be stylish? Interior designer Ginger Curtis created a sensory, tucked-away retreat nestled behind some simple drapery.

"The key is thoughtful design — using luxe finishes, smart layout, and features like this stunning shower curtain instead of glass to soften the space and add style without shrinking it," she explains.

10. Double Trouble

Designer Kami Schaffner says her clients wanted a shower idea that felt cohesively planned, "but the long, narrow footprint of the room — combined with awkwardly placed doors and windows — posed a design challenge."

"To make the most of it, we reimagined the layout and created a doorless walk-in shower, placing the tub inside the shower zone to form a modern wet room," she explains. "The open layout allowed us to go big — with dual showerheads, ample space, and designated zones for each person to store their self-care essentials."

11. Stone-Drenched

In the space above, designer Julie Hillman wanted the shower to feel like part of the room. "I hid the faucets and everything in a niche so you can’t see anything but a glass box," she says. "It was important to me to use a powerful stone, and for the floor to continue from outside of the shower, so it's all cohesive. Then I used a leftover block of stone to create a stool with an organic shape."

Slab showers actually tend to make the space look more expansive. "I often specify large format tiles set horizontally, making the space appear larger," shares interior designer Julia Mack. "The result is virtually seamless and contemporary without all of the grout joints of a smaller, more standard tile."

12. Embrace Curves

Walk-in shower ideas are a great way to embrace unusual architectural details like nooks or curves. "We made a bold statement in this kids’ ensuite with a floor-to-ceiling tiled arch framing the shower like a work of art," the team at Three Birds Renovations says of the shower above. "It's fun, functional, and a little bit fabulous, showing how even the smallest spaces can pack a serious style punch."

The curved shower wall, clad in blue zellige Kit Kat tiles, gives the shower the same coziness and privacy of a traditional enclosure, but with the ease of a walk-in shower.

13. Seeing Stripes

Striped tile configurations have been a big shower trend in recent years, especially when laid vertically. This simple layout has the illusory effect of heightening a room.

"We played on the low ceiling by using vertical striped tiles to visually stretch the height," explains designer Sarah Simmonds. "We also incorporated a flush ceiling-mounted shower head, shower niche, and concealed vanity mirror cabinet to help make the space work as efficiently as possible, allowing the colors, patterns, and textures to take center stage."

14. Framed Well

In this bathroom, the same high-contrast stone seen in the tub, vanity, and shower spills over onto the door frame, inviting you in. This beautiful outline not only makes the space look more cohesive, but it also allows the small, tucked-away walk-in shower to really stand out.

"We framed the shower in the same warm-toned Viola marble as the bath, echoing its sculptural presence and drawing a subtle visual thread between each element," explains Eliza Davey of architecture and interiors practice, De Rosee Sa.

15. Integrate a Tub

If space allows, turn your walk-in shower into a fully immersive wet room idea by including a bathtub in the same area. This layout can transform the experience (try a cold rinse after a warm soak) and allow for a more cohesive visual design.

Sarah Montgomery says a shower-bathtub setup is sometimes necessary with an awkward blueprint. Faced with an awkwardly angled wall in the bathroom above, "We reimagined the space by designing a combined shower room," she says. "At the far end of this room — where the angled wall narrowed the footprint — we positioned a compact soaking tub that fit perfectly into the niche. Nestled beneath a window, the tub feels naturally integrated, as if it were always meant to be there."

16. Or a Shower Bench...

For a true spa bathroom feel, add a shower bench. Inspired by European spas, Ginger Curtis at Urbanology Designs wanted to create a truly serene shower in the design above. "Stepping inside feels cozy, enveloping, and even triggers a dopamine release — it’s a space that nurtures both body and mind through Neuroaesthetics," she says.

17. Step It Up

By raising the floor, you not only bring the shower area into focus, but you also section it off from the rest of the room so it remains dry and usable at all times. (It's a practical choice for plumbing, too.)

Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer of Lindye Galloway Studio, was tasked with creating a serene shower retreat for her clients. "I've always wanted to incorporate a platform like this, and it was the perfect addition to divide the large bathroom with dimension," she says. "It created an elevated moment that highlighted this statement spa-like space."

18. Under the Stars

Designing a shower under a skylight makes for a truly immersive experience. In the morning, natural light will help regulate your circadian rhythm; in the evening, you can moonbathe under the stars.

For the project above, designers at Studio Go Ibiza were designing a shower with accessibility in mind, but didn't want it to feel "adapted." "This en-suite bathroom, complete with a walk-in, captures that intent," says founder Sam De Ridder. "The existing skylight became the central anchor, around which we organized the layout, resulting in a space where daylight, access, and clarity come together seamlessly."

Skylights can also help prevent mold growth, reduce electricity bills, and sometimes even negate the need for a bathroom fan (if ventilation is built-in), not to mention being a great option for windowless loft bathrooms.

19. Book-Matched Marble

"To achieve a luxurious look, it's important to choose materials that have real design integrity and solidity," says James at Drummonds. "Large statement pieces such as a walk-in shower are part of a trend for ever more luxury in the bathroom; we see this too in the increasing popularity of elements such as freestanding baths, too."

For beautiful symmetry that adds visual harmony to your shower setting, consider book-matched marble, as pictured above.

20. Double Doors

As if the Arabescato marble wasn’t loud enough for this bathroom trend, this spacious shower speaks volumes with double doors, an extra dose of drama for a space that usually gets a simple curtain. "Perhaps it is the color of the door — in this case, it was powder-coated a soft white — or perhaps it is the shower door handle," says David John Dick, a cofounder of LA’s DISC Interiors. "Both are opportunities to bring a subtle moment of visual surprise to one’s space, and to break the mold."

21. Screen Queen

A custom shower screen injects visual interest, even in small bathrooms. Here, an amber resin panel inspired by Victorian architecture drenches the bathroom in a tangerine glow. "I would always make it go full-height of the room so you don't have to have any additional horizontal supports or armatures that can ruin the look," says Alex Holloway, creative director at London’s Holloway Li, when choosing a custom screen.

Even if bespoke resin panels like these aren’t exactly within reach, you can still make a statement with traditional materials that draw the eye. "Frosted, clear, or textured transparent materials are great because they are more forgiving than plain glass from a maintenance point of view," adds Alex.

22. A Twist on Minimalist

While standard showers are often rectangular or stuck in a cubicle, it pays to think outside the box, like this sculptural stall with curved walls. Who said minimalist has to mean boring?

For this cream-colored minimalist bathroom, Susannah Holmberg leaned into the natural shape of the circular shower. "We chose a small format tile that intentionally lays out with some variation, so it has the most lovely, matte, artisanal finish," she adds. "It reminds me of a seashell after being smoothed and rounded by the waves.”

23. A Shed?

"Often showers are simply glass cubicles, but we felt that, for the design of this bathroom, it would be interesting to use the shower's 'walls' as a very decorative feature on the outside," says Angus Buchanan, creative director and co-founder of London’s Buchanan Studio. "We were able to create the symmetry with the WC shed and bring some color and pattern into the bathroom."

As a result, the opportunity for visual interest is flipped inside out; while shower wall ideas are often reserved for inside the cubicle, giving the shower its own structure creates a new way to incorporate shapes, textures, and materials — here, beauty is on the outside.

24. Center Stage

Create a new focal point by pulling your shower out of the corner or away from the wall. "This shower is in the middle of the room, which makes it unique — it’s a glass form with a metal structure, and the marble surround gives it height and an artistic, almost sculptural frame," says NYC-based interior designer Sara Story, who embraced the central placement with a showstopping base. "I used a very lively pattern of stone in the design — given the size of the space, it could handle it."

25. Color-Blocked

The easiest way to give a small bathroom shower personality is by tiling it in unique colors. In this project, the multicolored space with unique patterns gives the shower area a big boost of personality and allows the shower head to really stand out. It also distracts from the shower's small square footage.

"To maintain cohesion with the property's color palette, I brought the same color scheme into the bathroom," says Michelle Boudreau, founder of Michelle Boudreau Design. "To add visual interest, I used standard-sized tiles and incorporated a captivating bold graphic pattern with a juxtaposition on the floor and the wall."

26. A Standalone Shower

If you're lucky enough to have a large modern bathroom and want a stand-alone wet room, this one by Paradowski Studio is one to take note of. The design maximizes the beauty and versatility of marble, and the high-concept structure looks elevated, giving a hotel style bathroom vibe. "The minimalist clean lines stand in opposition to the maximalist scale of the free-standing shower block made of large-format marble slabs," say Zuza and Piotr Paradowski, founders of Paradowski Studio.

27. Stone Cold

Usually, spa and steam shower rooms are designed in a continuous stone that makes the room not only feel bigger but also calmer and more relaxing. A marble bathroom in a heavily veined design will add layering and depth to the room, as sometimes a single material can make a space feel too one-dimensional.

"We designed this shower area in Ceppo stone for a spa-like feel," says celebrity interior designer Kelly Wearstler. "The tribute stool in this space is custom-designed by us."

28. Hide Lighting

Shower lighting ideas can be tricky, as you can't just install any fixture due to its high moisture environment. This is why recessed lights, or flush mounts, do well in such a space.

"Acrylic ceilings with diffused lights are perfect solutions to all your light troubles," says Nishita Kamdar, founder of Studio Nishita Kamdar. "And for those who like to bring in a mood — remember no bright, harsh lights — add in backlit wall fixtures and turn on the music to create a peaceful ambiance."

29. Storage Niches

Built-in niches look especially beautiful when carved in tiles. "The primary bathroom I designed for my clients immediately pulls from São Paulo," says interior designer Mark Grattan. "One of the very first moments I noticed on my first trip to Brazil a few years ago was the use of mosaic tile on many exteriors of buildings. However, the most unusual application was the living room and bathroom at Casa de Vidro. It felt refreshingly retro. I’ve never met a mosaic with abundance like this. It felt new, opinionated, and full of quiet noise. "

30. Timeless Terrazzo

This homeowner worked with the smaller dimensions of this spa and shower room by choosing terrazzo flooring and walls, which gave the space a sense of luxury. Integrated seating is raised above the floor, making these heavier details appear lighter.

The tap and shower head are from the Davinci collection at AF New York. These ceiling lights are from Delta Light.

31. Shower-Tub

The warm woods, graphic tiles, and sleek fittings are beautifully combined in this space. We love that this wet room has incorporated a plunge pool, too, and even better that it's a deep tub that will cocoon you up to the shoulders.

In such spaces, experts suggest using wall-mounted faucets. "Having a floor-mounted solution can create more issues where the water can cause leaks over time when breaking through the sealed caulk at the perimeter of the space," says Alex Epstein, lead interior designer at Annapolis-based Purple Cherry Architects.

32. Pony Walls

This brick, pony wall separates the master bedroom from the shower room, without breaking the floor plan. These walls are actually great architectural additions to a room that retain the charm of an open-concept space.

"Pony walls are nice as a soft architectural separation while keeping the visual feel open and airy," says interior designer Kristen Pena at K Interiors.

33. Squeeze Into an Alcove

This stylish shower room boasts a porthole window that offers views of the outdoors. It creates a whimsical vibe and gives the room a special look. The white tiles ensure the space feels clean, breezy, and welcoming, while the views and architectural arch remain the focal points of the room.

The step-up shower with the door also ensures that the room feels secluded and a special unit within the bathroom.

34. Statement Stone

The green marble bathroom sink continues through the glass shower partition to become the seating in the shower. It looks particularly special when juxtaposed against the white tiles in the space.

The continuous stone also gives the room a design touch, while the brass/gold stool adds a pop of color to the otherwise muted space.

35. Alfresco Enclosure

A great way to make a small bathroom feel brighter is by making it alfresco; or adding a skylight above. The natural light streaming from above will make this space feel airier, cheery and more welcoming.

Plus, the light well will double as a design feature in the room and make the square footage feel not so tight anymore.

36. Mixed Marble

While it is common to see a white marble bathroom, it is truly a unique visual to see different colored marbles make home in a bathroom. Take this space, for example — the white walls, juxtaposed with the heavily veined marble seating give this bathroom a striking look.

If you want to pack your small shower with personality, this is a good design trick to follow. You could even add some marble bathroom accessories to add other colors to this space.

37. Lave Stone

While it is usual to see stone, such as granite, marble, or travertine in bathrooms, as these offer a luxurious and spa-like ambiance, it is quite unique to see lava stone make an appearance. The strength and versatility of this material allows it to go through several types of treatments, which is impossible with ceramic or marble.

This is a great stone for tiles and wall claddings, counters, bathtubs and even sinks.

38. Natural Beauty

Thanks to manufacturing technology developments, the marble look is available at a fraction of the cost of authentic marble. These realistic alternatives are also easier to care for than the real McCoy. When it comes to tiles, bigger is better. Fewer grout lines create a fuss-free, uninterrupted finish that’s hard to achieve with smaller tiles.

This shower makes a big impact, thanks to a simple mix of marble, chrome, wood, and very little else. The walk-in design creates a luxurious, open feel, especially when installed with a fixed shower panel and minimal framing.

39. Crittall-Cool

Crittall-style windows are enjoying a moment. In fact, metal-framed windows — first invented in the 19th century — are so popular that their comeback includes doors and partitions, too. Elevate a monochrome scheme with a metal-framed shower panel.

Here, it pairs well with the vanity unit. What its basin lacks in depth, it makes up for in width, extending into the shower to create a handy shelf.

40. In the Frame

Crittall-style glass translates well in the bathroom, where creating a stylish space that feels both light and open but retains an element of separation is a key objective. Pair an industrial aesthetic with classic metro tiles or ramp up the luxe with marble.

If you have an unusually shaped bathroom like this one, go for a custom-made enclosure. If you’re worried about the bathroom looking too industrial, team a natural material like marble with the steel frames to give it a spa vibe.

FAQs

Can I Put a Walk-In Shower in a Small Bathroom?

We all know showers are a better solution than a bath in a small bathroom, but are walk-in showers still a good idea, or is a traditional enclosure best? While walk-in showers typically take up more square footage than a shower cubicle unit, there's no reason why you can't scale it down.

"A walk-in shower can actually make a small bathroom feel larger," says Ginger Curtis. "It opens up the space visually and eliminates the visual clutter of a bulky tub or framed shower door."

Even a small corner can be dedicated to a walk-in shower. Just remember to use a glass screen (if it's not a dedicated wet room) to prevent water spray.

Is a Walk-In Shower a Good Idea?

Walk-in showers are usually a sound choice for your bathroom, but as Emma Scott, director of client design at C.P. Hart, says, it depends on the unique layout of your bathroom and, of course, your personal preference.

"A walk-in shower offers a more seamless, simple look, is easy to maintain, and the layout can be created to suit the space," she says. "However, be mindful that since it's not enclosed, it can sometimes feel colder because it doesn't contain the steam. Walk-in showers also typically require more space than an enclosure to ensure the water from large shower heads is contained."

What are the Disadvantages of a Walk-In Shower?

While walk-in showers have many functional and aesthetic benefits, they're not without their drawbacks. As mentioned, walk-in showers may feel a little cooler without the enclosure to trap steam.

"That’s where materials and layout matter," says Ginger. "I often skip the glass door and use a luxe shower curtain instead — it adds texture, softness, and makes the space feel less rigid or cold. It’s also easy to switch out if your style evolves."

Rebecca Hughes, founder and creative director of Rebecca Hughes Interiors, says she actually prefers enclosed showers because they help contain the water, citing drainage and extraction as common problems of walk-ins. "For this reason, we would always recommend having a separate enclosed shower," she says.

Looking for small bathroom ideas, specifically? Just because the room may lack space doesn't mean it has to lack style. From bold colors to wallpaper, slabs of marble, and clever architectural features, small spaces are perfect for big ideas.

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Design is always personal. Even the decisions that you think of as purely functional reveal something about yourself — a glimpse into your thought processes and priorities. Our homes are meant to act as a kind of portal into our inner worlds, an outward expression of not just our personal style, but our identity too. But when the design world is so heavily dominated by trends and spaces start to all look the same, these small touches of identity become harder to find. So when a trend comes along that actually embraces the personal (rather than encouraging stylistic monotony), it can feel like a small revelation.

Which is exactly why this new bathroom trend has captured my attention. To me, the best homes have always been the ones that tell a story, rich with personal touches that you can tell hold a significance that goes beyond the surface. It's something that often comes with time, of course — with collected items handed down through generations and family photos displayed along the walls. But, as these designers have found, there are many different ways to tell a story in your home.

Your bathroom walls may not be the place you typically turn to for this kind of visual storytelling, but that's exactly why this hand-drawn bathroom tile trend works so well. The bathroom is a personal space, a quiet, solitary room, ripe for personal contemplation. It's also, most typically, a room where functionality trumps design. But with just a few illustrated tiles, you can transform this space. With the right motifs and details, your bathroom tiles can become part of your home's visual narrative. And in a world becoming increasingly dominated by AI-generated trends and mass-produced designs, a little bit of individuality has never felt more welcome.

Why Are People Using Tiles to Tell a Story?

While unique, this idea is ultimately reflective of a wider shift in interior design trends; in reaction to the overwhelmingly fast-paced nature of the trend cycle, we're beginning to embrace a more holistic, personal approach to our homes.

"There is this lovely movement towards filling our spaces with things that actually hold memory and meaning, and tiles are such an enduring way to do that," explains Petra, who built her business creating customized, illustrated tiles at her brand, House of Petra. There's something special about taking tiles, which often play such a functional role, and turning them into a true design moment, elevating these oft-overlooked areas into little design storybooks. "Each square can hold its own tiny moment, whether that is a native garden bird, a birth flower, or an anniversary date that catches your eye while you sit with a cup of tea," says Petra.

In this age of AI, where we're fed a constant stream of falsified, picture-perfect homes, it's become more important than ever to honour authenticity. Features like these allow us to make our own mark, building our own identity into the very fabric of our homes. Sure, you could hang up a family photo, or display your collection of souvenirs, but part of what makes this tile trend work so well is the permanence.

As Petra explains, "Tiles are brilliant for this because of their sheer permanence. Paint gets rolled over and wallpaper peels, but fired ceramic becomes part of the actual fabric of the building. It is there for generations, like a little archival stamp of your family."

Below are some of my favorite examples.

1. The Cowboy Kid

As a professional interior designer, Callie Windle is well acquainted with what goes into making a room look good. But when it came to decorating her own home, and more specifically, her son's bathroom, her design approach shifted slightly.

It wasn't just about making the most beautiful room; it was about making it feel personal, too. "I wanted to create a space for him that would fuel his imagination and be a magical place he'd always remember," she says. During the early years, the bathroom functions as a shared space; milestones are reached here, and bath time and family time blend into one. So, dedicating this space to tell a story of family life feels particularly appropriate.

And it didn't take long for Callie to land on the idea of illustrated tiles. Having already met Jo Briggs, one-half of Such Stories, years prior, this new home felt like the perfect opportunity to work together. "I loved what she and Laura Carlin were doing and knew I wanted to commission tiles from them for a future project," she explains.

The cowboy motifs on the tiles came about as the bathroom itself developed. "I first picked the Scalamandre paper in the bathroom; it reminded me of leather tooling, which started this whole midcentury American cowboy concept," Callie explains. With images that feel straight out of a childlike Western fantasy, the whole room feels like stepping inside an adventure book.

But it's not just the family that these tiles tell the story of; it's the home itself, too. "I love honoring the architecture and history of a home; in the US, that history is often very recent, but it's still nice to nod to the period," she says. "This was a late 1960s ranch-style house, so I wanted to create a bedroom and en suite that felt like a modern interpretation of a midcentury American space." By opting for a modern interpretation of this mid-century style, blending western motifs with elevated materials and avoiding tired clichés, Callie was able to create a space that honored its ranch origins without going full rustic farmhouse style.

Although used sparingly and interspersed between blue bathroom tiles, these illustrations are easily the hero of this bathroom. And they even informed the other decisions Callie made in the room. "I ended up hand-water coloring the sconce shades to carry the theme through the rest of the bathroom," she says.

It may be just a small detail in some ways, but these tiles are part of what makes this home feel so special. "Tile is obviously much more of a commitment than a piece of art or a shower curtain, but that's what was so exciting to me," says Callie. "I suggest following your heart; choose to tell a story that means something to you, that will bring you joy every time you step into the bath."

2. A Bathroom Bouquet

In this Californian bungalow, a floral theme flows across the home, with references sprinkled into every room, and the bathroom is no exception. "We were inspired by all of the beautiful gardens surrounding the property," explains designer Whitney Soloman. "Being in California, we always want to bring the outdoors in. Flowers are everywhere."

While the surrounding landscape may have informed the floral theme, it was these hand-painted tiles that set the ball rolling at the start: "Once we found these tiles, we knew we wanted to repeat the floral theme throughout the home," Whitney says. A delicate, matte white, decorated with fine blue botanical motifs, the tiles adopt the Delt tile color palette while swapping out the illustration style for something slightly more pared-back than you'd typically find on this type of bathroom tile.

There can be an expectation that working with an interior designer removes some of your own identity in a space, but as Whitney proves, there's no reason why that has to be the case. "Prior to our sourcing phase, we did a design deep dive with our clients," she explains. "We knew we wanted this home to ooze with charm. This collection from Tiles of Ezra was perfect! We wanted something playful, charming, and a nod to the East Coast."

With a different botanical motif featured on each tile, these delicate details became the focal point for this bathroom design. "All design decisions for this bathroom centered around these tiles," says Whitney. "We kept everything else neutral, clean, and simple." And, honestly, that's the best approach here.

3. The Floor That Tells A Story

Proving there are multiple ways to interpret this style, the mosaic flooring in this bathroom may look a little different from the rest, but the storytelling goal remains the same.

For mosaic artist Amy Exton, the bathroom has never been just a functional space; it's a canvas, somewhere to bring her artistry to life. Every commission she works on is shaped by the lives and stories of the client, making each design personal and unique. "I work really closely with my clients to get a good idea of what they'd like included in the design," she explains. Developing the story and building the narrative is always the first step in her process, and she works closely alongside her clients to create that vision.

Having worked with this art form for years, Amy has seen firsthand the growing desire for more unique, character-led designs within the home. "I think, thankfully, lots of people are getting fed up with stark, plain interiors which can feel pretty soulless, and mosaics are such a great way of adding in character," she says. Not only does it make the home feel more personal, but it also introduces a level of artistry and craftsmanship, too.

"They're completely customizable, and anything is possible when it comes to design, but it's also a craft which inescapably shows the hands of the craftsperson who made it, with all the irregularities and imperfections that come with that," she explains. "In an age where a majority of the things that surround us in the home are machine-made, the imperfections and character of mosaics are becoming more and more appealing."

It's her Unswept Floor mosaic works that have resonated the most. "The concept originated in ancient Rome, and it's definitely having a resurgence," she says. This tiling style was meant to create the visual effect of a messy floor after a party or feast, with various food items strewn across it. "The design concept in its own right, therefore, tells a story, but it's also a great design for people to customize and tell their own individual or family story by adding in elements which relate to them personally," explains Amy.

In the Fitzrovia home shown above, Amy's clients wanted to use the Unswept Floor style to tell the story of the family's multi-cultural heritage. After workshopping the concept, they chose to translate their heritage through floral imagery, with a Bulgarian rose, French lavender, and a Californian Sequoia leaf adorning their bathroom floor.

The hand-drawn bathroom tile trend is a further reflection of the shifting attitudes towards home design. Gone are the days of sleek minimalism. Now, we want our homes to feel personal, showing signs of the person living within them. It's exactly why we've seen such a buzz around the 'time-poor' aesthetic and homes that feel intentionally imperfect.

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Every once in a while, I come across a new color combination that takes over my life. Suddenly, everywhere I look, I find a new opportunity to include it. Every morning, as I pick out my outfit for the day, I'm internally plotting how to center it around my current favorite pairing. Every corner of my home becomes a blank canvas, just waiting for the combo du jour to bring it to life. And I think I've just found the best possible application for the latest color combination that's captured my heart: tiles.

It's pretty much an undisputed fact that brown and blue are the color palette of the season. From catwalks to stylish hotels, this calming duo is everywhere. What you might not have known, however, is just how well this combination works for your bathroom tiles. Striped or checkered, shiny or matte, no matter how you use the pairing, the result seems to be consistently chic, and I can't get enough of it.

Taking cues from nature, it should come as no surprise that the calming brightness of sky blue and the rich warmth of earthy brown work well together. And in the bathroom, where the goal is to reconnect and rejuvenate, these colors couldn't be better placed.

It's not just me who's obsessed with this color combination; designers seem to be equally enamoured with it. It's rich and earthy, yet bright and uplifting, coming together to make a beautifully balanced pair that's just perfect for a modern bathroom.

It's not too serious, either, says Nicky Muudie from Violet & George. "We wanted something playful," says the designer, who recently used this combination in the cozy ensuite of a rural, wellness-inspired cottage. Opting for a spin on the striped tile trend, Nicky chose to intersperse rows of brown tiles within a base of soft sky blue squares, bringing a cool, geometric quality to the walk-in shower.

When the design world is so saturated in earthy color palettes, this combination feels slightly unexpected, while still staying true to the desire for nature-inspired homes. As Nicky explains, "Blue and brown are such a natural pairing, essentially earth and sky." Which is exactly why they work so beautifully together.

Although borrowing directly from nature, there's something striking about the combination that brings a bathroom to life. "We love the contrast of blue and brown and blue and oxblood," adds Nicky.

Sitting at the slightly warmer end of the spectrum, a deep burgundy red tile can make a beautiful alternative for brown, too. For artist and content creator Laura Prietto (@laura_prietto_ on Instagram), it was this richer, warmer tone that stood out.

In her own bathroom, she opted for sky-blue tiles alongside a deep red bordeaux. "What inspired the decision was a picture I saw on Pinterest," she explains. "I had saved a couple of different colors and ideas, but this one really spoke to me. My husband liked it too. I went to the tile store and was laying out options, and a designer from the store was really drawn to this option as well."

How To Get The Look

The beautiful thing about this trend is just how many ways you can bring it to life, with different types of bathroom tiles and layouts to explore. You could opt for large-format tiles for a more seamless, spa bathroom effect, or stick with smaller tiles for a more on-trend finish.

While there are many gorgeous ways to interpret it, there's something especially beautiful about the effect of brown and blue zellige tiles against one another; the shiny finish amplifying the contrast between the two colors.

For Nicky, it wasn't just the color that the high-shine finish amplified. "We went for zellige as it works perfectly with the texture of polished plaster," she adds. Sitting directly alongside the mottled plaster walls, the zellige tiles become even more prominent as a feature.

You don't have to feel bound to one particular design style, either. "Depending on how you pair it, this could work in either a more contemporary scheme, such as this, or a more traditional one," says Nicky. "It’s really about how you use it." It would look as beautiful paired with traditional bathroom features as it would within a sleek, modern home.

For designer Brandon Schubert, this color combination presented the opportunity to explore a slightly more industrial, modernist style. "I was looking for a tile that felt tactile and soft but also highly utilitarian," he explains. "I settled on these unglazed tiles from Winckelmans in France. They're the kind of thing you might see in a public swimming pool or bus station." But they look way better. (See below.)

How To Style Blue and Brown Tiles

With such a striking, high-contrast design, it's best to keep the rest of your design relatively neutral, allowing the tiles to take center stage.

Although the combination takes its cues from nature, in the context of your bathroom, the colors can look surprisingly bold, so other competing features can quickly make your bathroom feel cluttered, detracting from the calming atmosphere you're attempting to create.

Instead, seek out warm, natural materials, with Nicky listing "timber, aged brass, stone, and linen" as particularly good options. The natural warmth and textured finishes work beautifully alongside this color combination, rooting it in nature and highlighting the earthiness of the brown and the calming effect of the blue tones.

In terms of bathroom hardware, Laura encourages polished nickel, which further adds to this laid-back, lived-in warmth. Similarly, Nicky suggests using "Warm whites rather than brilliant white, which can feel a bit harsh next to these colors."

Colors in general are best kept to a minimum here. "Let the blue and brown do the work and use texture and natural materials to layer around them," says Nicky.

If you do want to expand the color palette, though, other nature-inspired shades work best. In Brandon's bathroom (shown above), he paired the brown and blue tiles with rich, green granite. "The green granite of the door lining is an important transition," he explains. "And the dark reddish-brown of the vanity is a perfect third color to add into the mix."

Shop The Look

If the idea of committing to a hyper 'on-trend' color combination fills you with fear, worry not. As much as I believe this gorgeous pairing will look just as chic in years to come, if you don't want to take the risk, these tried-and-true anti-trend color combinations will be just what you're looking for.

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For many years, it was believed that the gold standard for a bathroom was a space that felt pristine — it was a room where minimalism thrived, color palettes were muted, and unnecessary flourishes were skipped. Things were designed to feel orderly and calming, so the idea of intentionally mismatching details was nothing short of sacrilege.

But, as we all know, design is ever-changing, and what was once the height of fashion can, in just a few short years, completely lose its shine. So it really shouldn't come as a surprise that the coolest thing a modern bathroom can be nowadays is exactly that: mismatched. We're talking mixed metal finishes, contrasting tiles, and antiques interspersed with modern designs. We want choices that challenge our expectations. Designer Uns Hobbs, known for her eclectic, layered style, says this bathroom trend is reflective of a wider shift in our decorating habits. "I think bathrooms are becoming much more interesting," she says. "We’re moving away from the idea that a bathroom should be purely practical. We’re treating them more like any other room in the house, bringing in different materials, furniture, art, and decorative details to give them warmth and personality."

Across interiors, we're seeing a growing desire for more characterful, layered designs. We want our homes to reflect our own identity, revealing parts of ourselves through the design choices we make. And after years of bathrooms being considered functional spaces, we're finally beginning to see them as a thread in the fabric of our homes, paying them the same attention we'd give to any other space in our home. "I love a bathroom that feels like a comfortable room you happen to bathe in, rather than a very functional, clinical space," says Uns. And mismatching your details achieves just that.

The Argument for Mismatched Bathrooms

So, what exactly do we mean by a mismatched bathroom, and why have they suddenly become so popular? Well, in the age of AI, anything that shows signs of human touch and natural signs of aging has become more desirable, which is exactly why we're moving away from the perfection of all-matching white bathrooms, instead turning to more unexpected combinations in our homes.

It's a trend Louise Ashdown, the head of design at West One Bathrooms, has been noticing, too. "Bathrooms are moving towards a more layered and expressive aesthetic, where warmth and personality take precedence over uniformity," she says. In particular, "We're seeing a confident mixing of metals, from dark bronze paired with brushed brass, chosen to complement rather than perfectly match, usually with one dominant finish and a secondary accent," she adds.

This trend also comes back to the growing appreciation for vintage furniture and antique-inspired designs, which is why we're seeing a return of traditional features in bathrooms, as well as smaller, vintage touches, too. "I think the eclectic, collected, almost vintage feel is really resonating right now, and part of achieving that look is mixing elements so the space doesn't feel too perfect or overly planned," says interior designer Amy Peltier.

Combining features and finishes that wouldn't traditionally be found together is what builds character, while a fully matching set can easily feel slightly flat and uninspired.

"When every metal, stone, or finish matches perfectly, a bathroom can start to feel a little too coordinated," adds designer Melissa Selvaggio. "Mixing gives you an opportunity to add layers and personality, and to make choices that feel specific to the client and the home." It invites a little more creativity, allowing you to step outside of the box and design a bathroom that feels more true to your personal style.

What Details to Mismatch in Your Bathroom

One of the best things about this look is how broad it can be, with countless different options for how to interpret it. For Uns, bathroom tiles are the perfect way to bring a touch more personality and experimentation into your space.

"We’re much more open to using different tiles within the same bathroom, mixing colors, shapes, and formations rather than choosing one tile and using it everywhere," she says. This could be as simple as a contrast trim, or you could do something bold, like a full patterned tile moment. With such a wide array of types of bathroom tiles to choose from, it's an easy starting place for designing a mismatched bathroom.

And it's not just colors and shapes you can combine; for Amy, mixing different tile materials has become somewhat of a go-to approach. "I'm no longer blanketing a bathroom from floor to ceiling in the same marble," she says. "Instead, I like mixing materials and even different stones to create a more collected, less expected look." You can opt for completely different stones, or try mixing marbles, for a luxurious, marble bathroom with a twist.

You don't need to undergo a full bathroom renovation to bring this look into your space, though. Often, it's more about your bathroom's finishing touches. For example, "I also love mixing in pieces that you wouldn’t traditionally associate with a bathroom, particularly antiques, old shelves, stools, mirrors, and artwork," shares Uns. "It immediately makes the room feel warmer and less utilitarian."

Layering in antique finds and vintage elements is what will make your bathroom feel more considered and layered, and they can easily play functional roles, too. A vintage stool, for example, can easily double up as a helpful storage spot, while also adding some warmth and intrigue to your space.

Hardware is also a particularly good way to bring this look to life. Instead of finishing your entire bathroom in the same metallic finish, combining a few different tones can feel far more interesting. "The interesting shift is that designers are no longer treating every piece of metal in a room as though it came from one matching set," explains Gareth Hull, from Hendel & Hendel.

In his role, Gareth gets a clear view of the growing trends in bathroom hardware. "A tap has one function, a cabinet handle another, and a wall light another, so there is no particular reason they all need exactly the same finish," he explains. By combining varying tones and finishes across your hardware, you're able to create a more complex design, with different layers of warmth and tonality.

How to Curate an Intentionally Mismatched Bathroom

Thanks to the breadth of variety that exists within this look, it couldn't be easier to recreate within your own home, no matter what stage of the design process you're at.

A good place to start is the color palette of your bathroom. This is, in many ways, the foundation of your design, and is a great place to lay the blocks for a mismatched design. You'll want to find colors that still flatter one another, without necessarily matching. When doing this, Ca'Pietra's Grazzie Wilson follows one rule: "Stop trying to match the color and start looking at its undertone. That is often where a bathroom either comes together or starts to feel slightly off."

When suggesting stone pairings from the Ca'Pietra collection specifically, Grazzie searches for one consistency, rather than a complete match. For example, "A terracotta floor, pink wall tile, and deep burgundy vanity are three completely different colors, but there is warmth running through all of them, so your eye understands why they belong together," she says.

It's this idea of small consistencies that is the key to success with this look. Finding cohesion in a mix-and-match design comes down to the subtle similarities across your materials and finishes. This is how Uns approaches her designs, too. "I like using a few different materials but finding small connections between them," she says. "You could mix a square tile with a rectangular tile, for example, or use different colors but repeat one of those tones elsewhere in the room."

Ultimately, the most important thing is that everything feels logical. Your finishes don't need to match; they just need to make sense together. "I don’t think your taps, lighting, handles, and accessories all need to be exactly the same finish," says Uns. "If the overall palette works together, mixing finishes can make the room feel much more natural and interesting."

Even if you naturally lean more towards minimalist design styles, this look can still work. "You don’t necessarily need more pattern or more color to make a scheme interesting," says Grazzie. "Sometimes the cleverest mix is one color family expressed through three completely different textures."

Mismatched doesn't need to mean busy or overwhelming. When done well, it should be quite the opposite, calming in its natural, layered warmth.

If you're a fan of this eclectic, layered look, I reckon you'll love these kitchens with mix-and-match cabinets; it's an easy way to make your space feel more playful and intriguing.

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There’s a school of thought that bathroom sanitaryware looks best in white. Sure, white toilets and sinks have timeless style appeal, but when it comes to designing a powder room — an inherently smaller-scale room housing a toilet and sink — there’s a wave of designers opting to make a statement by featuring a rock-solid, sculptural sink as the focal point in the room.

Whether square, rectangular, or curved off and crafted with more fluid lines, a stone bathroom sink, says interior designer Clarisa Llaneza, "succeeds because it creates a memorable moment." Colorful and varied, it brings "weight, permanence, and a sense of nature" into a space, she adds. "A rich tonal variation can add depth to the decor, creating a sense of tension between softness and strength."

There’s a distinct air of confidence required for this design cue. "I often encourage clients to be more adventurous than they would in a primary bath," explains Clarisa. "Guests can forgive a little impracticality if the room feels special." And this feeling of being ‘special’ is really the crux here. A ‘wow’ sink ‘transforms a routine act into an experience and gives the room a distinct identity’ — an injection of emotional value in a space that’s so often just given over to practicality and some form of an air freshener.

Of course, there are practicalities to consider when designing your room around a sink like this. Often fairly sizable and striking in appearance, they tend to be "generous by nature", say designers Benjamin Stelly and Tanya Selway, the duo behind interiors studio Stelly Selway. "You’re committing to it being the focal point."

For this reason, other design elements in the room should be chosen to complement it, not fight it. When Stelly Selway opted to include a bespoke Hammam with high-contrast marble veining in the bathroom pictured at the start of this article, they selected white walls, plain blush zellige tiles, and a simple wooden plinth for their sink to sit on — restrained "to avoid it feeling cluttered". This approach works particularly well for family life, where the look can be "polished, but not too precious", they explain.

If maintaining a sense of space is a key concern, there are design tricks you can pull out of a hat. "You have to think about every centimeter," say Benjamin and Tanya. "Where possible, we built storage into the plinth itself rather than letting it sit out in the open. That way you're not sacrificing any practicality; you're just keeping it all tucked away and tidy. The goal is to keep the floor as clear as possible so the sink has the space to feel like a proper feature rather than something you're squeezing in." On a similar note, opting for a wall-hung toilet sans floor pedestal can also help create the illusion of a larger floor area and make a small bathroom look bigger.

To maintain its striking quality, consider cleaning and preservation too. "It's more straightforward than people expect, honestly," say Benjamin and Tanya. "Seal it before it gets used with a good stone sealant, and then just keep on top of that every so often depending on how much use it gets. The main thing to know is to keep acidic cleaners well away from it; anything citrus or vinegar-based will dull the surface over time. A mild soap and a soft cloth are really all you need day to day." Treat it well, and a sculptural stone or marble sink like this isn’t just a star feature — it gets better with age.

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If you have a small bathroom, choosing between a bath and a shower is one of those design dilemmas we come across so often here at Livingetc. You want a luxurious, spa-like bathroom for morning and nighttime routines — but is ditching the tub and replacing it with a shower the right move in a small space? It's a swap that might seem like an obvious solution. BUT a tiny bathroom is a tiny bathroom, right? And if you forfeit the tub for a shower, are you simply replacing one compromise with a worse one, and giving up the opportunity to enjoy a luxurious soak in the process?

The bath vs shower conundrum in a small bathroom is a tricky one. So I thought I'd go straight to the designers for their take. Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms, explains, "Losing the bath is a conversation we have with clients all the time, particularly in London homes where space is often tighter and a bath simply isn’t practical. My advice is always the same: a shower shouldn’t feel like the compromise — it can and should still be the star of the room.

"Even without a bath, you can still create that sense of everyday luxury. A beautifully designed shower with great water pressure and tactile materials can feel every bit as restorative as a long soak, if not more," Louise says. The trick, according to designers, is knowing how to plan your shower in a teeny tiny bathroom so that it feels like a luxurious wellness retreat rather than a bog-standard compromise to a bath. Here are five expert-approved ways to get that elevated shower experience even in the smallest bathrooms — so you won’t feel shortchanged without a bath.

1. Look at your lifestyle first

Do you shower more often than take a bath? If the answer is yes, that’s the best starting point for deciding whether to ditch the tub and create a luxury shower experience instead.

"Think about why you take a bath in the first place; usually it’s to relax," says Ali Childs, founder of Studio Alexandra. "But can you truly relax in a small, poky space? A bath is certainly useful when you have young children, but otherwise I think it’s far more luxurious to give that space over to a really generous shower."

This is a design decision the experts agree on. "I would absolutely give up a bathtub in a small bathroom if it meant creating a beautiful, generous shower," adds Vanessa Katzen, founder and principal of Vanessa Katzen Design. "Trying to squeeze both into a limited footprint can make the entire room feel compromised."

2. Size up your shower

Once you’ve decided to ditch the tub in a small bathroom, the key is to be as generous as possible with your shower. And that means choosing either a wide shower enclosure or a walk-in wet room.

Because, as the experts say, there’s no point replacing a bath with a cramped shower enclosure — it’s a compromise that won’t give you the luxury experience you crave.

"If you take out a bath and put in an 800mm square cubicle with a door that swings open, you have swapped one compromise for a worse one and given up a bath to do it," says Natalie Bird from Roca. "A shower only earns the bath space when it is genuinely generous: 1200mm or more of a walk-in, one fixed panel of glass, and no door swinging into the middle of the floor."

One trick to steal from the five-star hotels is to visually trick the eye into thinking your bathroom is bigger than it is by going big with a wet room or walk-in shower.

"A wide shower can feel really elegant and make a space feel more luxurious, as generous shower enclosures are often associated with spacious bathrooms and luxury hotels," says Niamh O’Sullivan, founder and creative director of Studio Kiri.

3. Keep it simple

In a small bathroom, keeping the look simple is a foolproof way to create a luxurious shower experience.

Busy patterns and lots of different materials will make a shower feel more enclosed than it actually is. Instead, pare everything back and allow the shower to feel luxurious in its simplicity.

"A frameless glass enclosure, large format tiles, continuous flooring, recessed storage and thoughtful lighting can make the shower feel luxurious and intentional rather than like a compromise," says interior designer Rebecca Hughes.

Choose concealed valves for a clean architectural silhouette and a simple glass screen to enhance the visual openness.

"Continuing the same tile across the floor and into the shower creates a more seamless visual plan and allows your eye to travel through the room," adds Vanessa Katzen. "To me, luxury isn’t about how many features you can fit into a bathroom; it’s about giving the elements you use every day enough space to feel really good."

4. But introduce a design moment

A luxe shower experience doesn’t mean giving up personality and character. You want your shower to feel simple and spacious but never bland.

So look at introducing design elements to make your shower feel really special for you. Simple but still striking is the answer say the experts.

"I often encourage clients to treat the shower as its own design moment, perhaps with a feature stone wall, textured tiling or even waterproof wallpaper, so it feels intentional rather than like a scaled-back version of what they really wanted," says Louise at West One Bathrooms.

One of the best ways to make a shower feel more luxurious but still interesting is with large stone slabs.

"Stones such as marble, quartzite and limestone bring natural color and movement, so the shower still feels interesting without needing lots of extra detail," says Oli Webbdirector at Cullifords. "And fewer grout lines can make the space feel cleaner, calmer and less busy, which is especially helpful in a compact room."

As with any stone used in a bathroom, it should be properly sealed and installed by a specialist, so it's both suitable for a wet area and will last.

"We would recommend a honed or satin finish over polished in wet areas," adds Oli.

5. Turn your shower into a wellness retreat

Losing the tub in a small bathroom has another potential benefit: it might free up budget for a few spa-like features. This way you’ll get a more immersive, luxurious bathroom experience, even without the bath.

"If the budget allows, turn it into a steam shower and include a heated stone bench so you can sit and get the indulgent relaxation that usually comes from a bath," says Manuela Hamilford, creative director of Hamilford Design. "I’d specify a ceiling-flush rain panel with different water pressure settings — it gives you a much more immersive shower.

"And if you’re including steam, it has to be designed from the start, as it affects the waterproofing, ventilation, ceiling and water pressure."

"Go larger than you think with the shower head," says interior designer Abigail Ahern. "I'd also build in a niche or ledge for bottles so there's nothing cluttering the floor."

Small bathrooms can be notoriously difficult to keep calm and clutter-free. If there are bottles, brushes, and cleaning products littering every surface, you'll lose that luxe look you painstakingly put together in seconds. That's where clever storage is king. But where to start in a mini bathroom? Never fear; many small bathroom storage ideas can help you unlock more space in even the most compact bathroom. Here's to culling the clutter and restoring calm and order while you get ready for the day or unwind at night — in style, of course.

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It may be the smallest room in the house, but there’s a lot to think about when you're planning a new bathroom. Do you need a bath or a shower, or both; how much storage do you need, and what type; and which layout will elevate your space? Factor in lighting choices, brassware and flooring decisions (tile, LVT, timber?), and bathroom planning can get a little bewildering.

That’s why it’s always an absolute gamechanger to hear what the experts have to say. Because whether you’re knee deep in bathroom plans or fancy a mini upgrade, sometimes it is the simpler (some may say obvious) details that we miss that make the biggest difference to how your bathroom functions on a day to day basis. And the bathroom experts are poised to tell us exactly what these are.

So before you start your modern bathroom reno, here are the five non-negotiables the designers always include in their own bathrooms that make it work that little bit harder and a whole lot better.

1. Fit a Hand Shower

Most of us can’t live without a shower in the bathroom — for both a quick blast of water in the morning or a slower routine to unwind before bed.

So whether you’ve decided on a walk-in wet room, a shower over bath set-up or a neat shower cubicle, it’s important to consider what sort of shower controls you require.

And for Saskia Blyth, founder and creative director at Blyth-Collinson Interiors, a hand shower is an absolute must.

"Some design rules are simply about making everyday life easier and every shower should have a hand shower," says Saskia. "It’s one of those small details that makes a huge difference, whether you’re rinsing down the shower or if you don’t want to wash your hair every time."

For any plumbing fittings and fixtures the key is to plan these in from the very start of your bathroom project. Some of the most important bathroom decisions are the ones you don’t necessarily see once the room is finished.

"Shower configuration, controls, water pressure and installation requirements all need to be established early, particularly where concealed fittings are involved," says Jeevan Seth, CEO of JTP. "Planning these details before work begins gives the installer a clear specification, helps avoid changes later in the project and ensures the finished bathroom works as well as it looks."

2. Choose Storage With Drawers

Clever, built-in bathroom storage is a non-negotiable for Areezo Pouya, design consultant at West One Bathrooms. "A place for everything and nothing on show makes all the difference to how calm a bathroom feels day to day."

But, more specifically, it is a well-designed vanity unit with deep drawers that is top of the list for Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House.

"Drawers are much easier to use than a cupboard because you can see and reach everything without having to rummage at the back," adds Sophie. "We often build in internal dividers for everyday toiletries and include a shaving socket inside the drawer so electric toothbrushes and other devices can be charged while remaining completely out of sight. It keeps the worktop clear and makes the bathroom much easier to use day to day."

And if space allows, opt for a double basin to make busy morning routines a little less stressful.

"The key is to make sure you don’t compromise valuable worktop or storage space just to fit two basins in," says Sophie. "We would usually design the vanity as one generous piece of joinery, with plenty of drawer storage beneath, so each person has their own basin and everyday essentials can still be kept neatly out of sight."

3. Position Lights Around the Mirror

All designers stress the importance of good bathroom lighting — it's important element throughout the house, and the bathroom is no exception.

But positioning lights around the mirror is one design rule the experts always prioritize.

"If I had to choose one light, it would be lighting at the mirror," says Vanessa Katzen founder and principal of Vanessa Katzen Design. "I prefer sconces positioned either side of the mirror rather than relying on a light directly overhead. Side lighting illuminates the face more evenly and avoids the shadows that overhead lighting can create. That makes it much more flattering and functional for getting ready."

And we're a fan of overhead lighting alternatives wherever possible. Vanessa is a big fan of sculptural light fittings in stone, ceramic or aged brass to break up the functional, hard surfaces in a bathroom — designs that are almost like a piece of art on the wall rather than simply a source of light.

"And I always put bathroom lighting on dimmers," she adds. "I want bright and even light — but at the beginning or end of the day, I want the ability to soften the room completely. That shift in atmosphere is what can make a bathroom feel less utilitarian and more like a retreat."

4. Put Towels Exactly Where You Need Them

One of the smallest design details that can make a huge difference is getting the position of towel rails and hooks right, say bathroom experts.

"You should be able to step out of the bath or shower and reach a warm towel without crossing the room," says Sophie at The Vawdrey House. "We like to position heated towel rails intuitively and put them on a timed isolator so the towels are warm when you actually need them. It sounds simple, but these are the details you notice every single day."

And just like planning your bathroom lighting, any radiator and heating specifications need to be decided from the start. This way you'll avoid the mess, upheaval and extra expense involved if you've already decorated.

5. Choose a Wall-Mounted Basin

Raising your basin off the floor and mounting it to the wall will do far more than you expect.

Yes, it’ll look rather chic in that cool hotel-style bathroom way. But it’ll also maximize functionality and make the best use of available space. So it’s a really clever design solution for a smaller bathroom.

"I have a wall-mounted basin in my own bathroom which has improved the space immeasurably," says Mike Manders, co-founder and CEO at Haddon. "It’s compact with clean lines, and it has freed up floor space, making the room feel less crowded and cluttered. It also gives the bathroom a luxury hotel feel, which makes it much nicer to use."

And if you choose a wall-mounted basin with storage underneath, you’ll get the added bonus of somewhere to hide away all your everyday bathroom essentials.

Designing a new bathroom needs a well-organized planning schedule — and that's where bathroom experts and designers are invaluable. Because in addition to the obvious elements like a basin, WC, shower, and bath (plus tiles and flooring), there are some less obvious parts that need consideration from the outset.

"Although not obvious, I would always plan the technology at the start so it becomes almost invisible," says Manuela Hamilford, creative director of Hamilford Design. "Underfloor heating, discreet speakers, low-level motion-activated lighting beneath the vanity and power points concealed within the cabinetry all make a real difference to how the bathroom works."

For more inspiration when planning your redesign, this year's biggest modern bathroom trends will have you covered. And for even more design ideas, why not subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter, where all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

From deep forest green to muted pistachio, green bathrooms have topped our interiors radar for a while now. A nature-inspired olive, emerald, or sage green et al always feels calm and collected — whether that’s for a morning shower or a relaxing soak at the end of the day.

But what makes a green bathroom feel especially luxe is the addition of warm brass fixtures and fittings — it’s that shortcut to the modern vintage mood we can’t get enough of. Crucially, though, is the green-and-brass bathroom combo a flash in the pan or a timeless choice we’ll still love in a decade from now? According to the experts, this classic duo isn’t going anywhere.

"Green works beautifully in a bathroom because it’s a color that ages very well," says Marcelina Janiszweska, head of design at Project London. "Brass details in a few well-placed fittings or handles add just the right amount of warmth and polish, which is exactly what gives a green bathroom that timeless and luxurious feel."

It’s a combination that also works incredibly well in every style of bathroom — whether you prefer modern rustic or cool and contemporary. So if you’re inspired to explore green and brass in your next bathroom renovation, here are six bathrooms that embrace the color combination oh so well.

1. Luxe Green and Brass Powder Room

It’s a well-documented design trick that one of the best places to go daring with our decorating choices is in a small space, such as a powder room. And this luxe green-and-brass cloakroom proves the point brilliantly. The bold, slightly heritage mood is classic, yes, but feels spot on for today’s storytelling interiors.

"Smaller spaces are an opportunity to be more expressive, and we wanted the powder room to feel rich and immersive," says Alexii Friedman, founder and lead designer at Studio Friedman. "The saturated green creates depth and intimacy, while the unlacquered brass brings warmth and a sense of history."

Instead of tiles, the designer used embossed vinyl wallpaper with a crocodile leather effect. The green-sheen backdrop is then highlighted with pops of brass on the taps, fittings, and wall lamps. "The combination feels inherently classic, yet still bold. I also love that the brass will continue to patina over time, adding another layer of character to the room," adds Alexii.

2. Pair Green and Brass With Vintage Furniture

Green and brass work incredibly well as a base for layering vintage pieces — and this was exactly the starting point in this bathroom by Elemental Studio.

"The clients are a young couple who love vintage, so the entire house followed that premise," explains Laurence Katz, owner and creative director at Elemental Studio. "The vanity unit is a vintage cabinet adapted for the two basins, and the counter was the old kitchen slate worktop. That way, less was thrown away from the kitchen."

As for choosing green, it’s a color that Laurence always tries to bring into her schemes to help anchor and calm other hues. "For me, green is timeless, and in color psychology, it’s the easier color on the human eye as it’s the color of nature," she adds.

Classic green metro tiles create that timeless silhouette while brass details echo the vintage brass fittings used throughout the rest of the property.

3. Add Drama With Vibrant Green

In this modern bathroom (part of an iconic Art Nouveau apartment block in Malta), vibrant green geometric tiles are offset with brushed brassware — and the result is dramatic.

"The client’s brief was to restore the space to its former Art Nouveau glory, adding a modern, contemporary touch," says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds. "Vibrant green geometric tiles wrap the walls and floor while the brushed brass will develop a patina, in keeping with the historic feel of the building.

"Although the room is relatively compact, the high ceiling, large window, and continuous tiling help to give it a much greater sense of space."

If you ever needed any more push to go full green-and-brass, this might be it.

4. A Dark and Moody Jewel-Box Bathroom

We love dark, moody interiors for a cozy, personality-filled space — so a green-and-brass bathroom is the perfect color scheme to take this look throughout the home.

"This bathroom sits downstairs, off a lounge, bar, and home theater, all of which are dark and moody," says Brenda Thompson, owner and creative director of Houselift Design. "We didn’t want the bathroom to break that spell, so we carried the darker palette right through it. Same reasoning behind the black toilet — a white fixture would have pulled focus, and we wanted the mood to hold.

"Once we knew the room was going dark, green was the obvious answer. Many dark colors can get oppressive in a space this size — black closes it in, deep blues go cold, dark reds overstimulate, browns can feel heavy."

Movement and texture were key in a bathroom this dark. So the designer introduced brass fittings for a warm sheen, limewash walls for a cloud-like texture, and glazed tiles that catch the light and throw it back into the space.

"Green is also why the room won’t date,” adds Brenda. “It has staying power because of its connection to nature, and we surrounded it with classic wood, brass, and tile materials that don’t go in and out."

5. Soften With Earthy Neutrals

Green and brass might sound like a super bold choice for the bathroom — and it can be if that’s the look you want. Deep green with warmer antique brass is impactful, for sure. But it’s also a timeless combination that can be stripped back if you want to lean into a gentler bathroom decor.

The simple way to do this is to introduce a range of earthy neutrals, like sand, off-white, buttermilk, and taupe. In this classic bathroom, the mix of eucalyptus wall tiles and brass taps is softened with bands of ivory tiles on the upper half of the walls and natural linen curtains.

And to enhance the timeless yet luxurious mood, black-and-white checkerboard floor tiles introduce a crisp accent. "Rather than being tied to one particular trend, green and brass can be adapted to suit everything from a classic country bathroom to a more contemporary space, which is what makes it such a timeless choice," says Richard Skeoch, director at Hyperion Tiles.

6. Try Pale Green and Brass

The green palette is vast, so there’s a green to suit every bathroom. So if you don’t fancy a deep emerald hue, a chalky sage creates a softer silhouette with brass bathroom detailing.

"What I like is that the green on the walls has not been matched exactly to the floor," says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra. "Pulling out a softer, chalkier version of the sage gives the room more depth — exact matching can make a bathroom feel slightly showroom-like."

"The brass then becomes a small point of polish rather than another big color statement. There’s enough yellow and warmth in the floor for brass to feel completely at home."

Grounding shades of green are emerging as one of the defining interior trends of the moment — and that includes the bathroom. "Green has enough personality to make an impact, but its natural undertones mean it is unlikely to date quickly," says Abbas Youssefi, founder of Porcelain Superstore. "Richer shades like forest, emerald and deep olive can create a cocooning, luxurious feel, particularly when paired with warm metals, natural wood and layered lighting." Green is featured in our list of timeless bathroom color choices for a reason.

And for more ideas for your bathroom and beyond, why not subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter? And all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

I'm tired of white towels. And this is coming from someone who used to be minimalist minded throughout the aesthetic of bathroom design. However, I recently realized that not all patterned towels have been getting a bad name.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some truly fashionable designs that will elevate the modernity of your bathroom, rather than clash in traditional motifs. And since neglecting finishing touches is one of those things making your bathroom look cheap, I've rounded up 15 patterned towels that earn their keep.

Whether you're looking for soft geometry, simple stripes or a bold statement in this bathroom textile, let's take a look at what's hot right now.

Right alongside bath towels, 2026 has seen a blaze of fresh beach towels that will immediately inspire you to soak in some sun on the sand. To keep up with more of the coolest finishing touches for your living spaces, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter.

As obsessed as we are with the idea of being 'minimalist' in our homes and freeing ourselves from clutter, there are some rooms it suits more than others. Minimalist bathrooms often feel a little too harsh and clinical for real life in 2026. All-white, glossy surfaces and graphic lines don’t naturally lend themselves to a room we now want for relaxing slow showers and a restorative soak.

Enter the ‘romantic minimalism’ trend, an interior mood Livingetc.com’s editor Hugh Metcalf is championing for its ability to feel pared-back yet soft, elegant, and personal. But, while it's a look that naturally fits a space like a bedroom, how does romantic minimalism work as bathroom trend, in a space that needs to be fresh, clean, and hygienic?

Think soft palettes, slight old-world charm, a hint of floral and textiles (yes, even in the bathroom). But the real key to nailing the romantic minimalist bathroom is contrast.

"The beauty comes in making a choice that feels directly at odds with the minimalist worldview," adds Hugh. "A floral motif for example or a moment of jewelry-like glitz in a decorative chandelier. A minimalist backdrop reframes these choices, showing them in a new light."

If you’re feeling inspired, here are five bathroom schemes that perfectly capture the romantic minimalism tempo. A balance of minimalist cool with just the right hint of romantic detail.

1. Embrace a Pared Back, Soft Color Palette

The soft, earthy color scheme of this compact bathroom perfectly captures the lived-in mood of romantic minimalism. The mix of burgundy, ochre, and off-white is grounding yet inviting.

But it is the gentle, neutral backdrop of this (some would argue) minimalist bathroom that allows the patterns and fabrics to create an elegant, elevated, and warm atmosphere.

"The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s White Tie because I wanted the color to be similar to the background of the tiles, keeping it fresh and clean," says Bianca Serrao Jones, interior designer and founder of The Home Reform. "Delft-style tiles add delicate detail to the bath surround, while the burgundy and cream checkerboard floor tiles ground the scheme."

It’s a small yet personality-packed bathroom thanks to the basin skirt (custom-made by a curtain maker) and the striped shower curtain in a washable fabric that’s suitable for damp areas.

"Classic Lefroy Brooks brassware will develop a beautiful patina over time," adds Bianca. "Overall, the feel is timeless and considered, balancing classic details with playful, unexpected touches."

2. Soften With Curtains and a Rug

Introducing soft texture and fabric is a simple way to combat the coldness of a minimalist aesthetic and instantly add warmth. For the bedroom, that’s an easy win with cashmere blankets, billowing drapes, or plush rugs. But does this work in the bathroom too? Most definitely.

It may not be in London, but this project in Denver, Colorado, captures the spirit of the romantic minimalist bathroom aesthetic.

"We kept the foundation of this bathroom quiet and tonal, allowing the natural materials and decorative details to bring in warmth and personality," says Regan Mattingly, lead designer and owner of Chalet. “The soft, sheer curtains, vintage-inspired rug, and wood vanities add layers of texture and depth. It’s a great example of how a more restrained starting point allows textiles, materials, and accessories to give a space character and dimension."

Bathroom curtains might be a divisive design trick, but if you follow a few simple rules, they work wonders for the romantic minimalist look.

Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated and, if possible, the window is away from direct splashes. Rather than full-length curtains, you could try café-style sheers that stop at the sill.

Material choice is important too. Polyester will repel water, dry quickly and resist mould. But if you prefer a natural fabric, linen and cotton-rich curtains are breathable and quick-drying. Steer away from velvet, which will trap water and lead to mould and musty smells; heavy silk curtains stain and tear easily.

"We also recommend keeping rugs away from areas that are consistently wet," adds Regan.

3. Embrace Original Design Details

Original design details, like cornicing and skirting boards, are another way to bring authenticity and elegance to a minimalist bathroom.

But this small bathroom presented something of a design conundrum. The bathroom is part of an original Victorian building that was converted into flats in the 1960s. And this part of the apartment held no original fabric of its own.

"Rather than invent a period the room never had, we borrowed from elsewhere in the apartment," explains Anthony Calvert-Harrison, architectural design lead at Levan House Design, an interior design studio that works with period and character homes. "We took a Victorian cornice and a sympathetic skirting from the rooms that still had theirs, then set them against tongue and groove paneling."

After that, a palette of earthy hues layered with antique brass, bamboo frames and a marble floor creates a warm, lived-in bathroom mood with masses of character.

"The 1960s conversion earned a reference of its own, and so we chose a diamond floor in white and Rosso marble," adds Anthony. "The point was layering. Not a period replica or pastiche, but a room that suits modern living in an older setting."

4. Hang a Statement Light

Paying attention to the details — the textures, bathroom lighting, original architecture — is what adds the romance element to a pared-back bathroom. And in this space, by Golden, an amber glass lantern adds a whimsical flourish to the warm, pink-toned neutrals.

"The client’s brief was a New York-inspired, slightly Art Deco aesthetic," says Alice Bettington, co-director of Golden design studio. "The walls and ceiling are washed in warm, pink-toned neutrals with Moroccan Zellige tiles adding a super reflective, tactile and luxurious base."

The design team chose a statement Murano glass lantern in a rich amber hue to add cosy elegance against the neutral backdrop. The warm glow ties in with the striped silk blind and olive-painted bath for a bathroom that’s simple and unfussy, but packed with shape, texture and romance.

5. Add Flowers and Foliage

There’s nothing easier than adding a huge jug of greenery to a bathroom if you want a little romance. And for this trend, it's a good idea to go less formal and less structured with your foliage.

In this bathroom, the soft pink walls, lace curtain and antique sideboard layer texture and color. But it is the trailing branches of foliage that create a whimsical mood with just the right hint of romance.

And don’t forget, lighting a scented candle adds fragrance and glow to the most minimalist bathroom scheme – in literally seconds.

The best thing about any interior design trend in 2026 is that they are open to interpretation. You can adapt, enhance or strip back a trend to suit your own personal style and space. So for the romantic minimalist bathroom, it might be that adding an oversized vessel of freshly-picked flowers is enough. Or you might want to upgrade your basin or shower area with some pretty Delft-style tiles. It's totally your call. If this has piqued your design interest, discover more about the emergence of the romantic minimalism trend written by our editor.

For decades, the shower has been seen as a quick, functional part of our morning routine. Hop in, a quick blast of water, and then out to get dressed and ready for the day in record time.

However, using the bathtub is subject to a guilt trip in today's world. Not only because it's much more water-intensive than taking a shower, almost regardless of length, but there's a growing 'anti-hygiene' rhetoric surrounding the bathtub, and the idea of sitting in dirty bathwater being, actually, less romantic and relaxing than we once imagined.

Enter the rise of the ‘slow shower’, a morning routine that’s a little less frantic and a lot more mindful. And with that, walk-in shower ideas and relaxed bathroom rituals are on the up, say designers.

What Exactly Is a 'Slow Shower'?

In a nutshell, showers are now being designed for calm, lingering moments, instead of a place to rush through a morning routine. Much like our baths are a key part of our wellness ritual, the slow shower is following suit as a place of restoration rather than simply a functional fixture.

"Popular self-care rituals such as the ‘everything shower’, alongside growing interest in at-home wellness, reflect a wider shift towards bathrooms becoming spaces for restoration rather than simply places to get ready," explains Connor Warren, a design consultant at bathroom design studio Ripples. "And that’s reflected in shower design, with larger, walk-in spaces, multiple water outlets, built-in seating, warm materials and softer lighting all helping to turn an everyday shower into a more immersive experience."

So how to transform a rushed morning shower routine into a relaxed daily ritual? I’ve asked the experts for their top tips, and here’s what they say.

1. Choose a Walk-in Shower

Slow morning bathroom rituals don’t need a big built-in bathtub to relax in. And when planned properly, a generous walk-in shower can feel just as calm and luxurious, even in modest-sized bathrooms.

"One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is the move towards larger walk-in showers and wet room-style spaces," says Connor. "A flush-to-floor shower creates a seamless feel, while frameless glass can help a room feel more open."

Removing any visual barriers within your shower lets materials like stone-effect porcelain and textured tiles flow throughout the space. So you’ll get a more cohesive and spa-like environment and a more mindful morning.

If space allows, add a built-in shower bench to create a more comfortable spot while applying treatments or taking a moment to pause before the day ahead begins.

And built-in shower niches keep toiletries neatly organized and to hand (rather than jostling around on the shower floor) for a calm and considered mood.

But if you've already installed your shower, you could try a small table on legs (as shown in this image) to stand your lotions and potions. Choose waterproof materials if possible.

2. Plan for a Sensory Experience

The wellness benefits of a spa day are hard to beat for that refreshed and relaxed feeling. You come away from the warm, scent-filled space feeling recharged and ready to face the world.

And the rise of the ‘slow shower’ follows that same ethos, encouraging us to slow down and start the day in a more considered and connected way.

That's why wellness technology in our own homes is on the increase too. If you have the budget, a steam shower delivers intense wet heat at nearly 100% humidity for a spa-like treat. Benefits include opening airways, relieving congestion, and opening pores.

Generous rainfall showers can provide a softer, cocooning flow while multifunction handsets offer a range of shower patterns. And a good thermostatic control that locks in the right temperature within seconds is key.

But creating a shower routine that feels relaxed and mindful doesn’t mean packing your bathroom with the latest technology — far from it.

"Acoustics softened by textiles, subtle natural fragrance and humidity-loving plants all contribute to a sense of completeness," says Nick Cryer founder of Berkeley Place. "These elements should never compete for attention; they work collectively, creating an environment that feels instinctively calm without announcing itself."

Underfloor heating, a heated towel rail and a nearby stool stashed with fluffy towels can all make stepping in and out of the shower feel like a real treat.

We're starting to feel relaxed already...

3. Switch on to Layered Lighting

Bathroom lighting has that incredible power to make us feel relaxed. And for the ‘slow shower’, warm, dimmable lighting creates a more relaxed environment, whether that’s a morning shower ritual or unwinding at the end of the day.

Yes your bathroom still needs bright task lighting for getting ready. But like the rest of the house, the answer is a layered lighting scheme. In basic terms, this is a range of different light sources installed at different levels that work in tandem with natural daylight to create a gentle progression from rest to wakefulness.

"Harsh overhead lighting can make a bathroom feel clinical, so introduce layered lighting wherever possible," says Waleed Shahid of Royal Bathrooms. "Warm wall lights, illuminated mirrors or dimmable fittings can create a gentler atmosphere, particularly during darker mornings. Lighting should still be practical, but it does not need to feel stark."

One easy switch that Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville, suggests is to replace a clear glass shade with a warmer, smoked amber finish. It can introduce depth and character, while textured glass helps gently diffuse light and reduce harsh glare.

Remember, any light fitting or fixture you use in the bathroom needs to be IP-rated for safe use around water.

4. Reduce Clutter

You know the saying, a clear space equals a clear mind.

And a calm, mindful morning that allows you to slow down is much harder to achieve when bottles, towels and everyday essentials clutter up every bathroom surface.

That's why well-designed bathroom storage is one of the most important elements for the slow shower routine. Choose built-in vanity units to conceal all your shower essentials when you don't need them.

And for the shower itself, a neat shower caddy or rack can free up floors and trays.

"Built-in niches keep shampoos, treatments and body products within easy reach without covering the floor or shower tray with bottles," says Connor at Ripples. "A well designed niche can also become an architectural feature, especially when finished in a complementary tile."

As the experts say, good bathroom storage allows you to focus less on the practicalities of tidying up and finding stuff and more on enjoying the shower experience.

5. Use Feel-Good Materials

Stark white bathrooms and crisp tiles are fresh and hygienic, yes. However you might not feel calm and relaxed with everything so spotless and super shiny.

Instead, choose gently-textured tiles and nature-inspired materials such as stone, warm timber and soft brushed metals.

"They invite touch, develop character with age and offer a quieter expression of luxury," adds Nick at Berkeley Place. "Increasingly, homeowners are seeking interiors that feel authentic rather than immaculate; spaces that acquire a gentle patina instead of demanding constant perfection."

Don't forget, wood-look furniture and stone-effect tiles are really practical options that will still soften the overall bathroom mood.

6. Choose Warm, Earthy Colors

Colors that suit slower mornings should be soft, earthy and warm. Because all white walls and floors tend to give off a clinical, 'don’t-linger-too-long' mood (for fear of everything getting a bit dirty!)

Jo Wilkinson, design lead at West One Bathrooms suggests nature-inspired hues such as khaki, rich brown and olive green.

"I’m naturally drawn to blues and greens for their tranquil quality, alongside rich reds and earthy, grounding tones," says Saskia Blyth, founder and creative director of Blyth-Collinson Interiors. "One of my favorite paints is Edward Bulmer’s Jonquil – a warm dusty pink that fills a room with optimism and creates a welcoming atmosphere for a more mindful start to the day."

Calm, atmospheric design choices naturally make us want to linger longer in the slow shower. But how do we justify longer showers, which potentially use more of the earth's precious water supply? Luckily, today's showers are equipped with a range of eco-friendly features so you can immerse yourself in the shower without feeling guilty. "Low-flow rain heads now inject air into the water stream, so a fraction of the gallons still feels like standing under a real downpour," says John Maloney McNamara, principal and founder at Coosa.

For more inspiration, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter, and for help designing your own mindful showering space, why not book a Style consultation with Design Lab by Livingetc?

Let’s face it, the rush to get ready for the day can be a stressful affair — even in the most beautiful bathroom. But we all know stress-free mornings can help set you up for a better day ahead, right? That’s why the best bathrooms are designed to soothe and de-stress at every time of the day, from morning to night.

So how to swap chaos for calm in the bathroom and get that Zen morning feeling every day? I asked the experts for their best modern bathroom ideas that can help beat the morning rush and get you off to a great start. "The way your bathroom feels first thing in the morning can have a real impact on the tone of the rest of the day," says interior designer Rebecca Hughes. "A calming space isn’t about luxury finishes, it’s about thoughtful design. Soft, layered lighting, uncluttered surfaces, and soothing colors that work together to create a sense of calm. And good storage should never be an afterthought."

So if you’re planning a bathroom renovation — or looking for a few thoughtful updates — here are five bathroom design habits the experts always use for a cool, calm, and collected morning. And relax...

1. Keep Visual Clutter Under Control

Walking into the bathroom and seeing surfaces cluttered with everyday essentials will instantly make a room feel chaotic. While the opposite — clear counters, concealed storage, generous vanity units — will keep visual clutter to a minimum and create a calm, uplifting mood. That’s why well-planned bathroom storage is one of the most important elements of the calm morning bathroom, and if possible should be planned from the start of any project.

"When everyday essentials have a dedicated place behind drawers and cabinetry, the room feels lighter and more peaceful, and your morning naturally follows suit," says Michelle Squire principal and founder of Studio SQUIRE. “We often design bathrooms with storage niches, generous vanities, and medicine cabinets. An added bonus is having hidden storage places for charging items such as electric toothbrushes in a medicine cabinet or vanity.”

For Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms, a clutter-free basin area is top of the must-have list: “A vanity unit with well-configured drawers is probably the hardest working piece of furniture in the room. A mirrored cabinet is a close second, since it doubles up your storage without taking up any extra visual space.”

That’s not to say you can’t have anything on display because bathrooms that are too clinical and too functional won’t feel calm either. So a beautiful bottle of handwash or fluffy towels stacked at arm’s length will make your bathroom feel like a home, and a calm one at that.

"The simplicity of knowing where all the things you need are and not having to search for important things can make a huge difference in experiencing a calm morning," adds Michelle.

2. Install Lighting That Eases You Into the Day

Bright, functional lighting is useful when applying make-up or getting ready, but it isn’t always what you want first thing in the morning. And like other rooms in the house, harsh overhead lights can make your bathroom feel clinical and uninviting.

"The calmest mornings start before you’ve properly flicked on a switch," says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director at Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio. "Harsh overhead light at 6am jolts your whole system awake, so I always wire bathrooms on more than one circuit: a soft, low glow for early starts and brighter task light at the mirror for when you’re getting ready. It’s a decision you make at first fix, long before the tiles go on. Get it right and the room meets you gently instead of shouting at you."

The key is a layered lighting scheme to gently ease you from sleep to morning wake up. That means installing a range of different lights (such as wall sconces and task lighting around mirrors) at different heights that can be switched on or off independently. And dimmable light fixtures are a non-negotiable if you want a calm morning mood say the experts.

To create the calmest morning bathroom, interior designer Laura Hammett recommends a combination of dimmable wall sconces, luminous alabaster fixtures, and delicate frosted glass elements plus discreet LED strips tucked beneath floating vanities and within architectural details.

3. Treat the Shower as a Ritual

We all know that familiar morning drill: jump under the shower for an invigorating blast of water to wake you up and then head straight out. But if you want to start the day on a calmer note, your shower routine should be part of a slower morning ritual.

"Start by thinking how you want your shower to feel: spa-like and cocooning or light and invigorating," says West One Bathrooms' Louise Ashdown. "Good lighting, warm neutrals and storage niches all help the shower to feel calm and considered rather than purely functional."

Look for different shower set ups that suit your different needs. An overhead rainfall shower head will feel spa-like and immersive while hand showers are flexible and practical. Thermostatic shower valves and smart temperature features mean the water comes out at the right temperature every time.

It’s these smaller bathroom design habits that add up to a calm morning space for your real life routines. "Water-saving shower technology has also come a long way," adds Louise. "Aerating showerheads mix air into the flow so you get the same pressure and feel, just with less water behind it, which means you can happily linger a little longer without the guilt."

4. Choose Warm, Natural Materials

Once a classic go-to, the all-white bathroom has now undergone something of a transformation. Because while bright whites and shiny surfaces still equal hygiene and cleanliness, the minimalist bathroom can also feel stark, clinical, and functional — not the look for a calm and restorative morning bathroom routine.

Instead, designers are favoring a warmer, more natural aesthetic with a shift to soft earthy colors and feel-good textures. "Stone, timber, textured porcelain, marble, and warm, metallic finishes can all introduce depth and tactility," explains Connor Warren, design consultant at Ripples Beaconsfield. "They make the bathroom feel more like a room within the home and less like a purely functional space."

That’s not to say you should get rid of your white bath and basin because all-white sanitaryware will always be a timeless choice. But you can easily soften the look with lightly textured tiles, brushed brassware, and a palette of muted green, soft brown, and terracotta tones. The result is a calm and cohesive backdrop that can make a huge difference in experiencing a calm morning.

5. Design an Ergonomic Layout

A calm bathroom should feel effortless to use, so avoid bathroom layouts where doors, drawers, and shower screens compete for space and make your room feel crowded. "I think thoughtful layouts are often overlooked," says Michelle Squire. "Even something as simple as having enough room to move comfortably, a bench to pause for a moment, or a little breathing room between fixtures can make a morning feel noticeably more relaxed."

And don’t worry if you have a small bathroom, even a compact space can feel calm when you know how. "Wall-hung furniture and toilets can open up more visible floor area, helping the room feel less cramped and easier to clean," adds Waleed Shahid at Royal Bathrooms. Free up space for a bigger walk-in shower and linger longer under the warm stream of water for a Zen-like start to the day.

If you’ve got the budget, investing in a few smart bathroom tech features is another way to create calm in the bathroom. Customized shower controls, integrated lighting in shower heads, demister functions, easy clean glass, and a steam shower work quietly in the background to promote relaxation and ease you into the day.

"I always spec whisper-quiet fans so you get the mirror clearing and moisture control benefits without adding noise to a room that’s supposed to be the calm part of your morning," adds John Maloney McNamara founder and principal designer at Coosa.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Livingetc's newsletter.

A stressful bathroom is my worst nightmare. As someone who loves a skincare ritual, a warm bath, and an everything shower, I need my bathroom to feel soothing. But harsh lighting, poor layout planning, visual noise, mismatched finishes, and reminders of unfinished tasks are some of the main stressors in this space.

I spoke to the experts about why these design decisions snatch away any sense of peace, and how to fix them for a calming bathroom. It's not all difficult, and some of these are easily solved with a quick reset.

So, without further ado, if you're struggling to evoke that spa-like feeling in your bathroom, here are the culprits to consider.

1. Harsh Lighting

"Many bathrooms rely on a single overhead fixture. This is problematic and stress-inducing by increasing glare and casting shadows that make grooming and self-care feel uncomfortable," says Craig Gritzen, founder of Curated Style Collective.

"Layered bathroom lighting with vertical sconces around the mirror for grooming and a dimmable overhead light for nighttime unwinding helps control the atmosphere during our morning and evening routines."

I also recommend designing spa bathroom lighting ideas into your space. Personally, I love setting the mood to unwind in a dark shower or a long bath with a glowy lamp. For instance, imagine this Ribbed Round LED Lamp from Cox & Cox on your counter or a high open shelf (at a safe distance from your bathing space) gently illuminating your PM routine.

2. Poor Layout Planning

"A bathroom can be beautiful but still cause stress because it doesn't support your daily routine. These are micro frustrations like towels being slightly out of reach of the shower or having no place to put your dirty clothes," says Craig.

"These are relatively minor issues, but multiple can add frustration when repeated every day. So, I recommend fixing it by walking through your daily routine and placing each item at its point of use. Sometimes a simple hook or laundry basket can make all the difference."

Considering your bathroom layout is crucial to easing the flow of the space. I find that strategically placed decor like this Tota Trio Laundry Basket from Joseph Joseph and this Small Wooden Organizer from H&M will improve the functionality of this room.

3. Reminders of Unfinished Tasks

"It's common to overlook seemingly minor things such as leaky faucets, empty water bottles, dirty mirrors, and clutter," says Dr. Amy Fitzpatrick, chief medical officer at Bedrock Recovery. "However, it's these items that can send you silent signals that need your immediate attention."

Speaking to the psychological side of bathroom stressors, Amy explains that fixing these small issues through maintenance is essential to restoring calm to the space. "I also recommend a weekly reset to reduce the mental burden associated with managing your living space," she adds.

And if you're looking to make a more permanent change, switch to low-maintenance bathroom design. In the meantime, lean on bathroom cleaning hacks for a quick fix.

4. Visual Noise

"Bathrooms accumulate a lot of small objects that we use in our daily lives. Products and tools for grooming, medications, half-empty bottles, along with cords, add visual clutter to our spaces," says Craig.

"All of these items compete for our attention, and our brain registers this as a need to tidy up. And the solution isn't stark minimalism. It's to create a system where the items we genuinely use every day remain accessible."

He also recommends storing the backups away and keeping corded items out of sight. Decluttering your bathroom does take consistent effort, but it truly pays off when morning routines call, and you have a tidy space to enjoy it in.

5. Mismatched Design Decisions

"With many things in life, more choice can create more stress, not less. The same goes for your bathroom," says Katie Weston, bathroom expert at VADO. "A space pulled together from mismatched finishes and unrelated products can feel visually chaotic even when every individual piece is nice on its own."

While your fixtures, fittings and accessories don’t need to match perfectly, she explains that co-ordinated ranges can bring the space together. "VADO’s Safari collection, for example, is designed so brassware, furniture and accessories work together across finishes, removing the guesswork and creating a sense of calm cohesion the moment you walk in."

I recommend looping your bathroom organizers into the design palette, too. For a beige bathroom, this Small Decorative Marble Tray from Westwing is perfect. Or if you yearn for a pop of color, look to this Two Tone Hook Shelf from Urban Outfitters.

Next, treat your space to spa bathroom accessories to further elevate the ambiance. And sign up for the Livingetc newsletter for more design advice.

We’ve all been there. You clear the bathroom worktop, stand back to admire it, and somehow, by the next morning, your skincare has taken over the basin again. Between serums, SPF, supplements, toothbrushes and all the little luxuries we reach for twice a day, it’s no wonder the space can start to feel cluttered. The thing is, the secret to a consistently tidy bathroom isn’t about living with less. It’s about creating somewhere clever (and beautiful) to tuck it all neatly out of sight.

That’s why bathroom mirrors with storage are such a smart addition. A mirror is one of the first things you use in the morning and the last before bed, so it deserves just as much thought as the storage behind it. The right shape can soften hard lines, bounce around the light, and make even a compact bathroom feel larger, which is why choosing a bathroom mirror matters just as much as what it conceals.

By keeping everyday essentials close at hand but out of sight, a mirrored cabinet reduces visual noise and makes the whole room feel more curated and spacious. Also, far easier to maintain. Here are the 16 designs I’d personally pick, each one with style at its heart.

Forget their clinical past — today’s designs are architectural, sculptural, and full of personality. Some nestle almost invisibly into the wall, while others demand to be noticed with beautiful timber finishes, soft curves, or integrated lighting (always my favourite touch). They prove that hidden bathroom storage doesn’t have to look like storage at all. Done well, it simply becomes part of the room.

For more design insight and product inspiration, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter. And if you’re looking for something more specific, send your brief to Design Lab by Livingetc, and I’ll curate a tailored shortlist for you, completely free of charge.

We’re all a little guilty of treating our bathrooms as day spaces. Somewhere to set you up for the day with an invigorating shower experience and bright lighting.

But modern bathroom ideas are shifting. And today we want a space that works equally as well for an evening wind-down routine as it does for a quick freshen up at the start of the day.

"The bathroom is increasingly becoming part of our evening ritual rather than simply a practical space," says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs, "so it’s worth designing it to support a slower, more restorative transition into the end of the day."

So does that mean overhauling the entire bathroom? Well, not really. If you’re at the beginning of a bathroom refit, there are a few things you can do from the outset to make sure this is a space for relaxing at night. But if you’ve already got a bathroom you love, there are a few expert-approved tweaks that can make all the difference too. "By the evening, your bathroom should feel less like somewhere you rush through and more like a destination in itself," adds Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors, "a place to decompress, reset and quietly prepare for sleep."

So here are five ways to get the ultimate relaxation space when nighttime falls. Sweet dreams to that.

1. Embrace Darker Color Schemes

Rich, cocooning bathroom color ideas will help your space feel calm and relaxed after dark. Think deep green, warm taupe, earthy terracotta, and smoky blue for a soothing retreat.

"Evening light naturally softens colors, so richer paint shades come into their own after dark," says Cathryn Sanders from paint brand Earthborn. “Deep greens, earthy browns, burgundy and smoky blues create a sense of warmth under softer lighting that paler colors simply can’t achieve."

A rich, nature-inspired color palette is key, say the experts. So instead of bright white, try charcoal, earthy brown and inky blue for the ultimate bathroom space to unwind in.

"This approach works especially well in bathrooms with limited natural light, where darker colors create an intimate, spa-like ambience rather than feeling gloomy," says Helen Shaw, a color expert at Benjamin Moore.

Layer with natural materials, plenty of texture and metallic accents like brushed brass and aged bronze to create a sanctuary for rest and restoration.

And if you’re a little nervous of wall-to-wall dark color, there are other design tricks to try. "Even if you wouldn’t paint your entire bathroom dark, introducing deeper tones through cabinetry, feature walls or stone creates a more intimate atmosphere after sunset," says Kunal, at Touched Interiors. "Think deep olive, mocha, charcoal or smoked walnut rather than stark white."

2. Layer Your Lighting

The biggest mistake is relying on bright, ceiling bathroom lighting, say the experts. Instead, layered lighting is an essential part of any wind-down routine.

So rather than playing it safe with a single ceiling light, choose multiple layers of lighting that can be easily adjusted to suit either bright lights for morning wake-ups or a warmer glow for after dark.

"Soft, dimmable lighting at different levels, wall lights, illuminated mirrors and discreet LED lighting beneath vanity units all create a far more calming atmosphere than a single overhead light," says Emma at Kelling Designs.

Dimmers are a super easy design hack to create a warm bathroom ambience at night, the experts recommend.

"They allow the room to transition effortlessly from a bright morning environment to a much softer setting in the evening," adds Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House. "We also like to introduce low-level lighting such as ankle-height wall washers which offer subtle illumination for late-night visits without disrupting the sense of calm."

The key is to ditch harsh lighting and replace it with soft, ambient illumination.

"Recessed LED strip lighting used subtly around ceilings, niches or floors creates a gentle glow," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms, "while LED mirrors offer diffused, glare-free light that feels soothing."

But don’t leave your lighting choices to the last minute — any wiring needs to be factored in from the beginning of your reno.

"Layered lighting and heated floors aren’t things you can style in afterwards," says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director at Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio. "They’re build decisions, planned at first fix stage — that calm you feel at 9pm was decided months earlier on a wiring plan."

3. Choose Tactile Materials

Material choices matter just as much as color for a relaxing bathroom mood. So go for textured and tactile finishes that add warmth and depth without overwhelming the space.

"Natural stone, textured porcelain, timber veneers and brushed metals all absorb light differently throughout the day," says Kunal at Touched Interiors. "At night these materials become softer and richer, creating depth that glossy finishes often struggle to achieve."

Look for natural materials like travertine, warm-veined marble, rustic natural wood, limestone and terracotta.

4. Clear the Clutter

For the nighttime bathroom to feel calm and considered, take your cue from the bedroom.

Because just like the bedroom, your bathroom should be a clutter-free space for switching off and unwinding at the end of the day. And all the experts agree, a cluttered room can feel stressful rather than soothing.

So that means effective storage for clear surfaces and visual calm. "Be ruthless about storage," says Lisa Hensby. "Calm comes from simplicity, so give everyday clutter somewhere to live behind closed doors."

Choose concealed storage for stashing everyday toiletries behind closed doors. Neatly stacked shelving is great for keeping essentials to hand and creating a space that feels calm rather than overstimulating before bed.

Wall-hung furniture can work particularly well because it opens up the floor, but that doesn't mean your storage should be boring — far from it. Think outside the box and introduce decorative storage you wouldn't traditionally associate with a bathroom.

"Vintage furniture is being used more to help the bathroom feel more connected to the rest of the home and create a space where you want to spend time rather than just frequent out of routine," adds Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design. "These layers create a more comforting, lived-in environment that naturally lends itself to an evening wind down."

5. Add Hotel-Inspired Extras

The best night bathrooms borrow heavily from five-star hotels, say the designers.

You know that feeling of soaking in a tub of bubbles in your hotel bathroom during a busy city break — that’s what you want at home too.

So once you have the colors, the textures and the lighting spot on, it’s those little touches that will create the dreamiest bathroom to unwind in at the end of the day.

"Heated floors, oversized towels, upholstered seating where space allows, robes within easy reach and carefully scented candles or diffusers, all contribute to making the evening routine feel more intentional," says Kunal.

Even small luxuries can add up to so much for a relaxed end-of-day routine.

"The finishing touches are equally important," adds Sophie at The Vawdrey House. "Thoughtful styling with artwork, greenery, candles, refillable soap dispensers and tactile accessories help transform a bathroom from a purely practical room into a space where you’ll want to spend time."

Don't forget about the power of scent, whether you prefer lavender, ylang ylang or something deeper and woodier like oak moss.

"We treat fragrance as part of the design, not an afterthought," says Simon Mayhew, founder and creative director at TXTURED. "It sets the atmosphere before your eye has settled on a single surface."

And the key is to make scent a ritual — a subtle signal that switches your bathroom from day to nighttime use.

"Light the candle when the wind down begins, not once you're already in the bath," he adds. "If it doesn't make your shoulders drop, it's the wrong scent, however calming the label claims to be."

The concept of a night bathroom is the ultimate way to get the most out of your space. And the best ones are all about calm, simplicity, great lighting, and a few little luxuries that will take your space from day to evening effortlessly.

Perhaps it is Lisa Hensby who sums it up in a nutshell: "Design your bathroom for the evening version of you, not just the 7 am one. If the last room you spend time in feels warm, quiet and considered, you'll carry that into a better night's sleep. That's worth more than any tap upgrade."

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I've stepped out of my shower too many times to towels that have completely lost their fluff, making my evening wind-down routine less spa-like and more like summer camp or a travel hostel. No shade, but don't we all want our bathrooms to reflect a bit of considered wellness? It was time to invest in a new set of bath towels. I was looking for something soft, absorbent, quick-drying, and, of course, easy on the eye. And as I searched high and low for the best bath towels on the market, The White Company's Hydrocotton Bath Towels kept resurfacing.

"Incredibly soft, these are the best towels I have ever bought," one review said. "It's pure luxury. I will be buying more," another noted. As I scrolled, nearly all of the 300+ reviews continued with the same level of adoration. After reading the relentless praise, how could I not immediately add to cart? I was impressed but also intrigued. My London flat is... quite damp, so as much as I value luxury, I also value function. Quick drying abilities are a must, but not at the expense of fluff. So, all that was left to do was try these towels for myself.

Investing in high-quality fabrics is the easiest way to make your towels last longer, so after a few weeks of using these linens and evaluating post-wash, here are my honest thoughts and feelings.

How I Tested

First and foremost, the best bath towels need both form and function. Sure, we love a design-forward moment here at Livingetc, but the biggest bath towel mistake to make is choosing something solely based on aesthetics. When trying to elevate your routine, function really matters here.

So, for this review, I kept in mind a few different characteristics. For my specific space, fighting dampness was especially important, hence why I chose the Hydrocotton range. On top of that, I kept track of how the towels looked and felt upon initial review, as well as after use and washing over about a month.

Below you'll find a detailed review of everything from initial impression to material quality.

Initial Impression and Design

Full disclosure: I needed a totally new bath set, so I went big. I ordered two bath towels, two bath sheets, two hand towels, and a face cloth in the classic Hydrocotton design in white. Basically, I wanted the simplest, but crisp and elevated design I could get.

And initial impressions knocked it out of the park. The towels come neatly folded with the brand's signature ribbon and paper (a nice touch when you've just invested in a new set of linens), and wow, were they soft. Let's call it how it is: these towels were incredibly plush, expensive-looking, and transformative.

Absorbancy

The main test is how well a towel absorbs water and dries your skin. The worst feeling is stepping out of the bath, grabbing your new towel, only to find it gliding across your skin. It's painful really, and thankfully that couldn't be further from the case with these towels from The White Company — these were soft and perfectly absorbent on the first go.

In fact, they were so soft that they might even rival Cozy Earth's Bath Towels (although I might have to try those for myself, too, at some point). And the hand towels and face towels were just the same.

One thing I would note is that I was more keen to wash the face towels as I wanted them to be a little more worn in before using them on my sensitive skin.

Post Wash

After a week, I decided to throw these towels for a spin in the wash and see how they held up — that's the ultimate test after all. Once again, my flat in London is a harsh judge for these kinds of reviews. It's damp, and we don't have an in-unit dryer (like many London homes), so it's air-dry only. If the towels can stay soft through these conditions, then they are likely worth investing in.

And I'm happy to report not only that they washed and dried well, but they even managed to feel cozier. The slightly slick, new-towel feeling broke down, and what was left was an even softer material. And they don't lose their thickness, which is really important. Nothing's worse than watching your once-plush towel wear down to the size and feeling of a napkin.

However, I can't attest to their longevity, as the towels are still semi-new to me, but so far, so good. And if the online reviews are any judge, then the future looks bright.

Should You Buy The White Company's

So, are The White Company Hydrocotton Towels worth the hype? Yes. I'd say they most definitely are. They exceeded expectations on softness, absorbency, and overall coziness. So between my enthusiasm for my freshly stocked linen closet and the glowing reviews online, I'd say you are in safe hands with these White Company towels.

You might be spending a little more than you thought on towels, but it's an investment worth making if you value a nice nighttime routine.

The White Company Hydrocotton Bath Towels are the easiest way to make your bathroom feel more like a retreat. All you need now is a fluffy robe and a nice scent, and an at-home spa is right around the corner.

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Getting an expensive-looking bathroom isn’t about how much money you spend. And in fact, choosing the right bathroom color ideas will totally change how luxe your bathroom looks, say the experts.

Sounds easy, but it's a design trick that only works if you pick the right colors. "Color is one of the most powerful tools in a bathroom but works best when it supports the mood of the space rather than dominates it," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. "The colors that read as high-end are the ones that feel considered and layered, rather than bold for boldness’s sake."

So before you study the paint charts yet again, you could enlist the help of our Design Lav by Livingetc stylists for help choosing a color, but in the meantime, here are 5 colors guaranteed to make your bathroom look more expensive, whatever your style or space.

1. Chalky Off-White

A stark white bathroom feels a little basic in 2026, say the experts. Instead, off-white with a chalky, plaster-like undertone feels far more elevated than bright white.

"Keep your color palette pared back with creams, off-whites and neutrals to create a clean look in the bathroom," adds Sarah Brown, founder and creative director of Sarah Brown Interiors. "This allows more luxurious finishes and touches in your taps, towel rails and other fixtures."

But if you do want a touch more color, go for warm neutrals like putty, limestone, muted greige and clay

"These shades are versatile and refined, creating a sophisticated backdrop that allows the bathroom’s other decorative elements to take center stage," adds Laura Hammett, creative director of her London-based interior architecture and design studio.

So rule number one is clear: if you want a bathroom that looks expensive, step away from stark white.

2. Olive Green

Olive green instantly gives your bathroom an expensive uptick, the experts agree. This rich green tone adds depth and a sense of quiet luxury without trying too hard.

"Inspired by nature, deep olive pairs beautifully with travertine, limestone, and unlacquered brass for a spa-like environment that feels both timeless and indulgent," says interior designer Kunal Trehan at Touched Interiors.

Choose deep or muted olive green bathroom depending on how dark you want to go. Otherwise, soft sage green always feels timeless rather than trend-led.

"Soft sage green continues to be one of our preferred bathroom colors," says Sophie Chapman, interior designer and associate at The Vawdrey House. "It works particularly well with natural timber, marble and brushed brass."

3. Rich Cocoa Brown

Brown has shrugged off its reputation for a color that's simply for retro decor fans and returned in a far more refined way than we remember. And in the bathroom, a rich cocoa hue creates an unexpected yet expensive boutique hotel quality.

"Rich, cocoa tones feel grounding and elegant, particularly when paired with tactile materials like fluted timber, smoked glass and natural stone," says Kunal at Touched Interiors. "They give a bathroom a special boutique hotel quality."

In a similar way, dark bathroom colors, intense tones of mulberry, warm tobacco and bitter chocolate also look incredibly luxurious, say designers.

4. Soft Plaster Pink

Pale pink bathrooms are a softer alternative to white or beige, but still feel incredibly expensive.

But the key is to get the right pink. Steer clear of sugary pinks and hot fuchsia and instead go for barely-there blush and whispery plaster shades.

"Soft plaster pinks add real warmth and, honestly, they flatter everyone’s skin tone in the mirror, which is no small thing in a bathroom," says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director at Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio.

Pair plaster pink with accents of green, natural stone and warm metallics for that expensive hotel or spa bathroom mood.

5. Warm Terracotta

Rich terracotta is having a real moment in our homes - and that includes the bathroom. This warm, earthy shade is a seriously chic color to make your bathroom look super high-end say the experts.

"We’re seeing a shift towards earthy color palettes such as soft browns and terracotta tones, which bring a calm, grounding feel to the bathroom," says Louise at West One Bathrooms.

And the designers all agree that terracotta makes a bathroom feel cocooning and expensive, especially when layered with natural textures.

Color plays such an important part in our bathrooms — for the look and the atmosphere. So it's a good idea to try a variety of paint testers and tile samples in different parts of your bathroom.

But there are two more things you shouldn't forget. "Bathroom lighting changes how color reads, and a beautiful paint shade can fall completely flat under harsh, cool lighting," adds Lisa Hensby, "so get your bulb temperature right before you blame the paint."

And if you really want that seamless, high-end look, try color drenching walls. "Walls, ceiling and woodwork all in the same tone," she adds. "It removes the visual joins, which always reads as more expensive."

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Once reserved for bold, all-encompassing paint schemes, color drenching has evolved into a far more nuanced design approach. It's no longer just about coating the walls in one shade, but about layering tonal materials, matching fixtures, architectural details, and decorative accents to create spaces that feel beautifully immersive.

"I think bathrooms are one of the best places to embrace color drenching because they're typically smaller, more enclosed spaces," says Dorothee Junkin of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio. "We spend relatively little time in a powder room, so it's a wonderful place to take a design risk you might hesitate to make in a larger living space."

Rather than feeling overwhelming, this bathroom color idea "creates a calm, immersive atmosphere that feels intentional and surprisingly soothing," she adds. "The color becomes the architecture of the space." Whether you prefer earthy neutrals or saturated hues, here's how to embrace this design idea, which adds depth, character, and designer polish.

1. Mix Materials in One Tone for Extra Depth

This space is a beautiful example of color drenching done in a warm, earthy palette. Rather than relying on contrast, the terracotta bathroom layers rich terracotta and clay tones across the wall tiles, vanity, stone benchtop, and even the floor, creating a cocooning effect that's both sophisticated and calming.

"The subtle variation in texture and finish keeps the scheme feeling dynamic, even though it's centred around one color family," explains Kathryn Sims, creative director of MAEK. "Bathrooms are one of the best spaces to embrace color drenching because they're typically smaller, enclosed rooms."

Leaning into a single hue creates a sense of immersion, she continues. "It can actually make the space feel more intentional and luxurious, rather than visually chopping it up with multiple colors. It's a great way to create a serene and calming atmosphere that's both warm and inviting."

And one of the best ways to bring the technique right up-to-date? Mixed materials. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that color drenching is all about paint," says Kathryn. "This space shows that you can achieve the same effect through materials instead — using tiles, stone, cabinetry, and even accessories in tonal shades."

"Mixing matte and gloss finishes, natural stone with ceramic tile, or varying tile formats within the same color family adds depth and interest while maintaining that seamless, enveloping look," she adds. "The key is to think in terms of tone rather than exact color matching, allowing slight variations to create a layered, considered finish."

2. Add in Vintage Pieces to Create a Characterful Feel

The most important elements of color drenching a bathroom include textural finishes, committing fully to the scheme, making sure the relationship between the hue and the decor subtly sings, and introducing personality through vintage finds, says Dorothee Junkin.

"In this project, we wanted to celebrate the dialogue between the subtle blue tones and the warmth of layered brass accents," she explains. "I also love incorporating collected pieces, like the vintage Parisian flea market pendant, into a color-drenched room. These one-of-a-kind finds keep the space from feeling too new or one-dimensional and instead bring a sense of history, character, and personality."

When color-drenching your own bathroom, Dorothee really urges you to commit to it. "Extending the color across the walls, ceiling, and trim eliminates visual interruptions, making the room feel larger and more cohesive," she says. "Texture and sheen then become just as important as the color itself. As light moves across the subtle plaster texture and understated paint finish, the room reveals depth and nuance without introducing visual noise."

3. Layer in Artwork to Break up the Block Color

One of the easiest ways to elevate a color-drenched bathroom is with thoughtfully chosen art. Rather than introducing a contrasting hue elsewhere in the room, framed paintings add pattern, texture, and tonal variation while remaining sympathetic to the palette.

In this space above, botanical florals pick up the rosy-brown walls beautifully, proving that art can soften the immersive effect while making the scheme feel more collected and lived-in.

Speaking about the pretty space, Melanie Lissack, of Melanie Lissack Interiors, says: "As this tiny toilet space was previously mostly painted a pure, brilliant white, I felt the room was a bit sterile and cold. The large sash window let in natural light throughout the day, so the room didn’t need to be painted in such a blinding neutral. Instead, I decided to colour-drench the bathroom in a warm, earthy tone to embrace and absorb the sunlight rather than reflect it, while adding some character to the space."

She chose Little Greene's Nether Red. "It's an interesting shade with red undertones; after two coats, the final color was a lovely mix of purple, pink, brown and muddy red," she describes.

Color drenching a bathroom is about practicality as well as aesthetics, she adds. "What's great about color drenching is that it makes decorating so easy! There is no cutting-in required where two paint edges meet, and one tin does it all. This room also has a lot of complicated areas (a giant box above the toilet hides pipes, and the walls aren’t completely straight). Color drenching helps to disguise these by blending everything in one hue."

4. Include Cabinets, Vanities, and Sinks in the Drenching

As well as tile drenching, you can take the concept even further and introduce the wall color into the vanity units, cabinets, or sinks (or all!) Designers are thinking beyond paint with these color-matched bathroom fittings. One of the defining characteristics of color-drenching bathrooms right now is the move towards coordinating every fixed element in the room.

Matching a vanity unit to surrounding wall tiles creates a cocooning, bespoke look that feels richer than paint alone. Varying the finish — matte cabinetry against glossy ceramic tiles — introduces subtle contrast, proving you don't need multiple colors to create visual interest.

5. Don't Forget Doors, Ceilings, and Architraves

Color drenching a bathroom feels most convincing when it extends beyond the walls and ceiling. Painting doors, skirting boards, and architraves in the same shade creates a seamless backdrop that blurs the room's architectural lines, making even a compact bathroom feel calmer and more cohesive.

Here, the soft sage, Farrow & Ball Bone, wraps every painted surface — including the bath — allowing the brass fittings to sing. Taking your chosen shade across doors, trims, and built-in joinery is what elevates color drenching a bathroom from a decorating technique to a fully immersive design scheme.

Finally, the monochrome checkerboard floor introduces subtle pattern without disrupting the restrained palette, proving that a color-drenched bathroom doesn't have to mean every surface is plain.

6. Use Color Drenching to Frame Architectural Features

Color drenching a bathroom doesn't have to stop at the walls — it can be used to highlight architectural features like arches. The beautiful bathroom nook above shows how drenching can do more than create a cohesive palette; it can also draw attention to the room's best details.

In this butter yellow bathroom, the same hue wraps the walls, paneling and arched alcove, turning the bathing area into a focal point while lending the space a cocooning feel. It's a clever way to celebrate original architecture or bespoke joinery without relying on contrasting colors.

The patterned floor then provides just enough contrast to stop everything feeling flat. "Color drenching works because it creates a sense of cohesion and a cozy atmosphere," says Uns Hobbs of Uns Hobbs Design. "By carrying one color across the walls, woodwork and ceiling — in this case Farrow & Ball Cord — the eye isn't interrupted by contrasting surfaces, making a room feel both calmer and more enveloping. The key is to add interest through texture and materials and to be brave and go for it!"

The beauty of color drenching a bathroom lies in its versatility. Whether you're wrapping walls and woodwork in one shade, matching your vanity to your tiles, or introducing artwork that echoes the palette, this design approach can be tailored to any style.

The modern bathroom trend is less about making a bold statement and more about creating a bathroom that feels cohesive, cocooning and thoughtfully layered — proving that one well-chosen color really can do it all.

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Showers are stepping out of the background in 2026. No longer hidden behind a sheet of glass, they're becoming beautifully designed spaces in their own right, where architectural details, tactile materials and clever styling take center stage.

From walk-in showers to statement niches, striped tiles, elegant arches, and minimalist fittings, shower trends prove that one of the hardest-working areas of the bathroom can also be one of the most beautiful.

Whether it's sculptural enclosures or beautifully integrated details, the latest bathroom trends for showers blur the line between function and architecture, transforming this element into a standout feature.

The biggest shower trends for 2026 are less about flashy new technology and more about thoughtful craftsmanship, tactile materials and creating a sense of everyday luxury. Here are five ideas designers are embracing to elevate the modern shower.

1. Conservatory-Style Showers that Create a Retreat Vibe

Showers that are a destination in themselves, a luxurious room within a room, are trending for 2026 and beyond, and it's a trend we're calling the 'conservatory shower'.

"Bathrooms are evolving from purely functional spaces into spa-like sanctuaries, and one of 2026's standout interior trends is the rise of the conservatory-style shower," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. "This glass-walled, light-filled, nature-inspired approach brings the outdoors in, merging the serenity of a greenhouse with the luxury of a high-end bathroom.

"As homeowners increasingly seek more space, natural light and a stronger connection to nature, conservatory-style shower rooms are becoming the ultimate expression of wellness-led design, offering a bathroom that becomes a calm, restorative retreat," Louise adds.

2. Arched Shower Entrances for an 'Architectural Moment'

As bathrooms continue to take cues from boutique hotels and Mediterranean-inspired interiors, soft, curved openings are replacing conventional straight-edged enclosures.

An arched entry instantly elevates a shower, framing it as a destination rather than simply a functional zone, while introducing a sense of craftsmanship and permanence. Paired with marble architrave surrounds, glazed doors and warm-toned tiles, the look feels both timeless and unmistakably luxurious.

"Arches have always had a timeless quality, but I love seeing them reinterpreted in unexpected ways," says Ryan Saghian of Ryan Saghian Interior Design. "Instead of a traditional doorway, we treated the shower as an architectural moment by framing it with a dramatic marble arch and steel-framed doors.

"It softens the geometry of the room while giving the shower the presence of its own private sanctuary," Ryan adds. "I think we'll continue seeing more showers designed as destinations rather than simply functional spaces."

3. Statement Recessed Niches as Thoughtful Design Details

Recessed shower niches are becoming more considered in 2026, with designers using contrasting stone, bold veining and generous proportions to transform them into focal points rather than somewhere to stash shampoo.

A feature niche introduces another layer of texture and interest, breaking up expansive wall surfaces while offering an opportunity to showcase a standout material. Here, the dramatic marble insert creates a striking contrast against the soft travertine walls, proving that even the smallest design details can have a big visual impact.

"Recessed niches are no longer just practical — they're becoming design moments in their own right," comments Ryan Saghian. "Rather than cladding the niche in the same material as the surrounding walls, I like using a contrasting stone to create depth and give the eye somewhere to land. It's a subtle detail, but it's one that instantly makes a shower feel more custom and thoughtfully designed."

We love this trend because it's an easy way to add personality without committing to an entire wall of statement stone. It feels luxurious, practical and bespoke all at once — exactly the sort of thoughtful detail that's defining high-end bathroom design for 2026.

4. Striped Tiles That Introduce Neutral Maximalism

Stripes have quietly become one of the biggest bathroom tile trends of the past year. They add interest without relying on bold colour or pattern, making them feel playful but still timeless.

Bathroom tiles in general are taking on a more decorative role in 2026, with vertical stripes emerging as a fresh alternative to plain layouts. Whether created through alternating colors or tonal shades, striped walls introduce rhythm and movement while subtly drawing the eye upwards to make a shower feel taller and more spacious.

In soft, muted hues like these sage green and cream stripes, striped tile bathrooms feel playful yet sophisticated, proving that even simple geometric designs can have a striking architectural impact.

"They add movement without noise," states JoJo Barr, of House Nine Design. "A striped pattern brings energy to a room while staying calm and orderly at the same time. It is bold but never chaotic."

"They work with almost any style," she continues. "Whether the space is coastal, modern, traditional, or minimal, stripes adapt. Thin pinstripes feel refined and classic. Thick bold bands feel more contemporary. They read as classic rather than fashionable, which is the real definition of timeless.”

5. Ceiling-Mounted Rainfall Showers for Less Visual Noise

Choose minimalist fittings that let the architecture shine. Today's most luxurious showers aren't defined by oversized fixtures, but by what's left out.

Ceiling-mounted rainfall heads, concealed valves and pared-back brassware create a calm, uncluttered backdrop, allowing beautiful materials and sculptural forms to take centre stage.

In the calming, minimalist bathroom above, the flush-mounted shower head all but disappears into the ceiling, while the slim brass controls complement the softly curved tiled wall, proving that understated design often makes the strongest statement.

"Shower systems that have waterfalls to massage your calves and shower heads that enable calming rain modes, as well as flush-mount shower heads that reduce visual noise, are all becoming more popular as we seek showers that double as wellness spaces," agrees Adam Knight, director of Nefarious Interiors.

6. Material Drenching for a Statement Shower Room

Following the rise of color drenching, designers are now embracing 'material drenching', where the same finish flows continuously from the walls onto the floor to create a cocooning, uninterrupted look.

So, rather than treating the walls and floor as separate surfaces, designers are wrapping showers in the same tile for a seamless, immersive effect.

Extending a material across multiple planes creates a stronger architectural statement, making even compact shower spaces feel more expansive and thoughtfully designed.

The approach gives showers a bespoke, architectural quality while allowing beautiful stone or tile to become the hero of the space. This striking checkerboard design proves that when pattern is carried across every surface, the result feels bold yet wonderfully cohesive.

"A big trend we are seeing emerging for showers is 'material drenching' - when the space is enveloped in a finish that continues from floor to wall to create that feeling of being cocooned," says Adam Knight. "It also has the power to enlarge spaces by eliminating obvious transitions, which can make even a small bathroom shower feel larger."

7. Curved Enclosures for a Cocooning Feel

Bathrooms are becoming softer and more enveloping in 2026, with designers favoring rounded forms that create a sense of comfort and retreat.

Circular shower rails and curved enclosures gently define the showering space without the need for heavy screens, introducing a more relaxed, spa-like feel.

In this scheme, the suspended oval rail and patterned curtain soften the geometry of the room, while subtly enclosing the bath and shower to create a cozy, almost room-within-a-room effect.

"We love adding oval shower curtains, shower or bath nooks to create a more cocooning and unexpected feeling, with a more boutique hotel vibe," says Natasha Lyon, co-founder and creative director of Appreciation Project, who designed the colorful bathroom above.

As bathrooms continue to evolve into spaces for relaxation and escape, the shower is no longer an afterthought.

Instead, it's becoming a carefully crafted focal point, where materials, shape and subtle design details work together to create a more immersive experience.

The biggest shower trends for 2026 aren't about following fashions, but about designing spaces that feel considered, timeless and a joy to use every day. From statement materials and sculptural forms to thoughtful architectural touches, today's showers are designed to feel as beautiful as they are practical.

There are certain home essentials I've put off buying for far too long, and a laundry basket is at the top of that list. Buying a new piece of furniture? No problem. Home accessories? I'll buy them all. But when it comes to something practical, suddenly procrastination becomes my middle name.

You see, generally speaking, laundry baskets don't tend to be the most inspiring piece of home decor around. Yes, they're a bathroom essential, unless you like living with clothes strewn across the floor, but that doesn't mean they're particularly pleasant to look at. In fact, for the most part, they are complete eyesores. Big, bulky baskets that linger awkwardly in the corner of your bathroom. Unless, that is, you opt for a design like the Mia Wall Laundry Box by ReCollector, currently available on Westwing. A complete game-changer in the world of laundry storage, particularly as a small bathroom storage idea, this design solves all my previous problems with this category.

Impressively discreet despite its generous size, this laundry box is designed to hang off your wall, lifted above the ground, providing ample storage without eating into your floor plan. And, best of all, you'd never guess it was a laundry basket. Seriously, until you open up the tilting baskets, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a regular storage cabinet. This is, I sincerely hope, the future of laundry baskets.

Stylish and Discreet Alternatives

Since adding one of these clever, discreet designs to my bathroom, I can't believe how long I went without one. There's a reason a laundry basket is one of those things everyone with a tidy bathroom has, no matter what.

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Bathrooms in 2026 are moving beyond safe neutrals and predictable contrasts.

Instead, designers are embracing bathroom color ideas and combinations that feel layered, comforting, and deeply connected to nature, pairing earthy tones with richer accent shades to create spaces that feel as considered as any living room or bedroom.

From olive and moss green to rust and clay pink, these bathroom color pairings prove that practical spaces don't have to feel clinical or stark.

1. Rust and Clay Pink

A rust and clay pink bathroom proves that warm-on-warm color schemes can feel incredibly sophisticated.

In this bathroom, Little Greene's Arras wraps the room in a rich earthy red, while the terrazzo tiles introduce softer clay-pink undertones that lighten the palette and add subtle texture. The result is a cocooning bathroom that feels both bold and beautifully balanced.

"This bathroom combines deep rust tones with a softer clay pink to create a space that feels warm, enveloping and atmospheric," confirms Ruth Milne, of Studio Milne. "Bathrooms can sometimes feel quite clinical, so I tend to favor tonal color combinations that sit closely together rather than stark contrasts. The result feels more sophisticated and cohesive, with the colors wrapping around the room to create a calm, cocooning effect."

2. Soft Olive and Moss Green

Rather than contrasting colors, the tonal scheme above layers different shades of green with warm natural materials.

This is a big bathroom trend for 2026, as designers move away from stark color contrasts and towards rooms that feel cocooning and connected to nature.

Layering a soft khaki olive on the walls with deeper moss-green floor tiles of this green bathroom creates a tonal palette that feels both grounding and sophisticated, especially when paired with warm oak cabinetry and aged brass fittings.

3. Deep Plum and Warm Stone

Using richly veined marble alongside warm, tactile natural stone rather than crisp white ceramics is where bathroom design is heading for 2026.

In the above bathroom, rich plum-veined marble introduces drama, while blush-toned stone tiles soften the palette with warmth. The pairing feels luxurious without becoming overly dark, balancing boldness with an organic, sun-warmed quality.

"Soft, earthy tones mixed with darker, moodier colors is always a great vibe, like this natural Zellige tile paired with a calacatta viola marble with with deep purple veining," says Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors, who designed the gorgeous space above.

4. Ochre and Inky Blue

Yellow bathrooms are 2026's most sought-after trends, bringing warmth without overpowering a space.

In the bold yet comforting bathroom above, honey-hued panelling is paired with an inky blue basin and toilet for a look that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

The contrast is bold enough to make a statement, yet softened by earthy undertones that keep the palette feeling timeless.

"I wanted this space to feel bright and bursting with personality," says Natasha Lyon, of Appreciation Project. "This shade of warming ochre yellow is bold and calming and, paired with the earthy-toned deep blue sanitary ware, it adds a pop of joy and sophistication to this small bathroom."

5. Dusty Blue and Espresso Brown

The coolness of dusty blue is given depth and definition when paired with rich chocolate-brown accents.

The dark architectural framing around the bathing alcove introduces a grounding note of espresso that prevents the pale blue from feeling overly sweet, creating a bathroom that feels both contemporary and cocooning.

Throw in creamy white walls and warm timber flooring and you've got a sophisticated palette that feels very 2026 as t's not relying on obvious color blocking.

The darker tone is being introduced through architectural details rather than cabinetry, which is something designers are increasingly doing.

The best bathroom color combinations for 2026 share one thing in common: balance.

Whether pairing earthy greens with stone tones or richer shades like plum and burgundy with softer neutrals, the focus is on creating depth and warmth rather than stark contrast.

The result is a bathroom that feels less utilitarian and more like a true extension of the home's overall design story.

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If you’re about to start a bathroom reno or refresh, it’s too easy to reach for a tin of bright white paint and a stack of pure white tiles. But I get it, white is classic, it won’t date and it’s a foolproof blank canvas for any style of accessories.

However, stark white isn’t (and shouldn’t be) the only option, say the experts. And there are plenty of bathroom color ideas that should be on your radar for a stylish space that you’ll still love in years to come.

The key is to pick your palette wisely, so you don’t end up with a trendy color you’ll hate in ten years.

"The bathroom colors that will still feel elegant and relevant in ten years’ time are those rooted in nature: soft stone, warm ivory, chalky taupe, sage, dusty blues and earthy clay tones," says Anna Hill, brand director and color consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook. "While trends will inevitably come and go, bathrooms that layer soft, nature-inspired colors tend to age gracefully, creating spaces that feel just as sophisticated a decade from now as they do today."

All the experts agree that it’s the colors we associate with nature that will stand the test of time. Think blue, green, warm neutrals, clay tones, and rusty hues.

"You want shades that offer an innate sense of calm and wellbeing and transform your space into a sanctuary," says Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore. "Soft, gentle colors make spaces feel serene and naturally confident, inviting you to pause and unwind, while remaining timeless for years to come."

But with hundreds, if not thousands, of different paint colors and tiles available in every shade of the rainbow, where to start? Fear not, we’ve gone straight to the experts for their words of wisdom.

So here are five timeless bathroom colors to transform your space — which crucially will still be stylish in ten years’ time.

1. Warm Neutrals

Neutral hues like warm beige, stone, ecru, and off-white are classic bathroom colors that will never date, say the experts.

And why? Well, a neutral palette is calm, restorative, and elegant, whether you choose a traditional bathroom scheme or a super modern space.

"Soft neutrals are effortlessly timeless in bathrooms because they create a calm, understated backdrop that transcends trends," says Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish.

"Limestone, sand, taupe and soft greige shades have longevity because they’re rooted in nature rather than trends," adds Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors. "They create a calming, hotel-inspired feel that rarely dates."

But it’s important to choose the right sort of neutral, say the designers, if you want a bathroom with serious staying power.

"If you want a bathroom that still looks beautiful in ten years, keep it simple: beige and white. But it has to be the right beige and the right white," explains Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director of Lisa Hensby Design & Studio Build. "I always go for a soft, warm beige with undertones of brown in it, never a yellow one. And the white should be an off-white, never stark or bright. Softer, warmer tones sit quietly in the background and let the room breathe."

"Warm white is one of the most timeless choices for a bathroom because it creates a clean, bright foundation without feeling sterile," agrees Jackie Armour at JMA Interiors, who recommends White Dove from Benjamin Moore. "Unlike cooler whites, which can feel dated as trends change, warm whites offer softness and versatility and can help bathrooms feel larger, brighter, and more inviting."

For Simon Mayhew, founder and interior designer at TXTURED it is Bauwerk’s Hoar Frost limewash that he keeps returning to. "It’s not quite white and not quite gray," he says. "Limewash is a mineral finish, breathable and slightly porous, so it absorbs and reflects light unevenly across the surface. That’s what gives it depth rather than flatness."

And the real beauty of a neutral bathroom is that it gives you flexibility to change your accessories for a fresh new look in the future.

"You can update brassware, towels, mirrors, or lighting over time without needing to rethink the entire room," adds Waleed Shahid of Royal Bathrooms.

2. Terracotta

Terracotta has been on the interiors radar for a little while now, but it’s a color that’s set to stick around, especially in our bathrooms.

"Natural terracotta is one of the few bathroom colors I can genuinely see feeling as relevant in ten years’ time as it does today," says Damla Turgut, founder and creative director at Otto Tiles & Design. "Unlike trend-led shades, it isn’t really a color at all. It’s tied to a material that’s been used in homes for centuries, which gives it a sense of timelessness."

"And when you build a scheme around colors found in nature, it naturally stands the test of time," agrees Isabel Fernandez, director at Quorn Stone, meaning look to other naturals as colors that complement terracotta. It all comes down to the warmth that terracotta naturally brings to a bathroom, something we’re all craving in 2026.

"After years of cool grays and clinical white dominating interiors, homeowners are gravitating towards earthy, grounding tones that make a space feel lived-in and human," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. "Terracotta does that instinctively – whether it appears as the material itself or a color reference."

It’s the perfect color for both contemporary and traditional bathrooms. But the key is to layer terracotta with natural stone, linen or raw timber for a considered and grounded look.

"Keep it too flat or too clean, and you lose the very quality that makes it so appealing," adds Louise.

3. Dusty Blue

Blue bathrooms have a strong track record for timelessness. They're calm, restful and rooted in nature.

"Blue has an obvious association with water, making it particularly well suited to bathrooms," says Paul Dwyer at Thomas Crapper. "It’s not tied to a specific trend cycle, which is why homeowners return to it time and time again."

But it is soft, mineral blues — and airy blues with a blackened or gray undertone – that create timeless bathroom schemes you’ll still love in 10 years’ time. So steer clear of blues that are too poppy, too pastel, or too bright.

"A soft, airy blue brings a refreshing energy to any bathroom," says Helen at Benjamin Moore. "It taps into basic psychology and mimics the soothing qualities of water and the sky, so it will never go out of style."

"And unlike bold blues that can feel trendy, a muted blue-gray acts almost as a neutral, adding just enough color to create interest without dominating the space," explains Jackie at JMA Interiors.

Dusty blue-gray pairs effortlessly with natural materials and brushed metal finishes or crisp white accents if you love the coastal-inspired look.

If you want a pale blue gray shade with staying power, Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball, recommends Calming Skylight. Or for a cosy country house vibe, try Oval Room Blue, a deeper, historic blue hue.

"The key is to avoid colors that feel overly saturated or trend-led," adds Anna at Fenwick & Tilbrook, "and instead choose nuanced complex tones that shift beautifully with the light throughout the day."

4. Sage Green

Using soft heritage tones like sage green won’t let you down in the bathroom, say designers.

"Green is a timeless bathroom color," says Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Calypso Bathrooms. "And its enduring appeal comes from its strong connection to nature, helping spaces feel calm and grounding."

Stick to green bathrooms that sit from pale to mid strength for a serene and refreshing retreat. So muted sage, olive tones, or a whispery green gray.

"Unlike stronger greens that come and go, a soft sage has proven remarkably enduring," says Kunal at Touched Interiors. "It introduces color while remaining subtle and restorative."

"If you want color with longevity, look to nature," adds Waleed at Royal Bathrooms. "Muted sage and olive tones feel timeless because they are restful and familiar. They bring personality to a bathroom without overwhelming the space."

5. Earthy Pink

Soft blush pink has been a popular pick for our homes recently. And according to the experts, pale pink is tipped as a timeless bathroom color you’ll love for years and years.

The trick is to use an earthy pink or a plaster-like hue that adds depth and subtle character to your space, instead of a bright pink bathroom.

"Beyond flattering to the complexion and exuding gentle warmth, earthy pinks like our classic Setting Plaster are a natural choice for the bathroom," says Patrick at Farrow & Ball.

Whether you choose soft pink paint or a muted blush tile, earthy pink is a perfect complement for materials such as natural stone, timber, and brass

"Neutrals will always be the most popular colors, but if you do wish to stray away from these, I believe pink, peach, and yellow will all be up there as they are warm, welcoming, and make us feel happy," says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May.

So what about plain white bathrooms? Should we be avoiding this at all costs? Well, yes and no, say the experts. Choosing an off-white or a soft cream is perhaps a better choice than stark white and will look sophisticated layered with woods, natural stones, and soft textures. Even a butter yellow bathroom can be a good alternative to a pure white design.

"An ecru shade, something akin to a warm canvas color is one of the most timeless choices for a bathroom," says Damla at Otto Tiles & Design. "It’s an incredibly versatile foundational color and works in almost any bathroom, regardless of its size, its style or the amount of natural light the space receives."

And there’ll always be a place for a classic black and white bathroom scheme — but the key is to use the contrast carefully. “A monochrome bathroom can look incredibly elegant, especially softened with texture, warmer lighting and simply, unfussy fixtures," adds Waleed at Royal Bathrooms.

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No room plays quite as significant a role in your daily routine as the bathroom. The first place you enter in the morning, and the final stop before retiring to bed, your bathroom design has to strike the balance between energizing and relaxing, and no shade achieves that quite like a lick of butter yellow paint.

The standout shade in both fashion and interiors last summer, the sunny hue felt practically inescapable in 2025. But now, one year on, the color is finding new life as the designer's go-to for bathrooms. Warmer and more characterful than a flat off-white, yet still comfortingly neutral, having a butter yellow bathroom is an easy way to add brightness and personality to your space without becoming overwhelming. With its joyful connotations of childhood summers and sun-soaked, ice-cream-filled days, there's an undeniable happy factor to the hue, and who doesn't want a bathroom that brings a smile to your face?

As interior designer Pernille Lind puts it, "It creates a space that feels instantly warm, inviting, and nostalgic, while still feeling entirely fresh." There's a unique appeal in this shade, and while this sunny warmth would be welcome all year round, in these summer months, it feels particularly appropriate.

Why the Designers Love It

Choosing the right bathroom color isn't always an easy task — you need something that feels uplifting and invigorating enough to get you started for the day, while still being calming enough to provide a comforting refuge before bed.

As color psychology shows, the colors we surround ourselves with can help to shape our moods and daily experiences, and considering the vital role our bathrooms play in our daily routines, bathroom color psychology becomes all the more important. It's with this in mind that many designers are opting for this sunny, bright shade in these spaces.

As Mike Whitfield, interiors expert at Lusso, explains, "Butter Yellow is a mood-boosting color, combining the happiness of yellow with a muted pastel tone. This makes it ideal for bathrooms, as it contributes to the overall mood and wellness."

Reflecting our growing appreciation for earthy color palettes and shades that refer back to nature, there's an obvious appeal to this happy shade. "It makes a space inviting, as it’s associated with sunlight and fresh blooms, which aligns with the interior trend of connecting with nature and bringing the outdoors in," notes Mark. And in the summer months, when natural light will serve to intensify the warmth of the shade, this only rings truer.

There's a specificity to the charm of butter yellow, too — more subdued and creamy than a regular pastel yellow shade, it acts more like an intensified version of an off-white, cream colored bathroom, which can often feel slightly boring or uninspired. Interior designer Amy Stoddart chalks this charm up to the memories this shade evokes, taking us back to a childlike frame of mind.

"The key behind the popularity of these colors is that they’re comforting, nostalgic, and familiar, conjuring warmth, flavor, and texture in a way that flat color codes never could. Butter Yellow feels softer and more inviting than just pale yellow," notes Amy. And this comes down to the subtle depth of the shade.

How to Style a Butter Yellow Bathroom

That being said, butter yellow isn't exactly an easy win; the sunny shade can quickly turn saccharine when styled poorly, so to get it right, you'll need to give it some careful thought and planning.

The key lies in finding ways to counteract the natural tweeness of the shade. As Grazzie Wilson, from Ca'Pietra, aptly points out, "Butter yellow can go wrong very quickly if you let it become too cute, so I would always give it a bit of structure."

You'll need to find ways to bring some texture and movement into the design, and one effective way of doing this is through your bathroom tiling. "In a bathroom, tiles are a much better way to use it than paint because you get variation, shine, shadow, and all those tiny changes that stop the color from feeling flat," says Grazzie. A pale yellow zellige tile can bring just the right amount of warmth and brightness to your bathroom, even if it's only used as a trim or backsplash.

Having said that, a bathroom tile isn't always the best option for those with a tendency to change their mind. As much as you love butter yellow right now, there's always the chance you'll go off of it in the next few years, and opting for something as permanent as a tile could land you in a tricky predicament.

This is exactly why Sandra Baker, known as The Idle Hands on Instagram, says, "Using a butter yellow paint is the best way to incorporate it into a bathroom for commitment-phobes, as it's easily changed if you have a rethink in a few years." And with so many excellent choices out there, this is by far the most customizable approach. But, Sandra adds, "If you're in for the long haul, then I've seen some absolutely amazing vintage WCs and sinks in butter yellow, which would be so fun to use in a bathroom."

There is an inherent vintage feel to the color, making it a perfect choice for bathrooms with traditional features, and a butter yellow freestanding tub is an excellent focal point for a vintage-inspired design.

This gentle, antique warmth is what dictates the styling for many designers, picking out materials and bathroom finishing touches that play into this aura. This was certainly the approach that Pernille encourages, saying, "To lean into the era and the softness of the shade, I recommend a styling approach that feels soft, tactile, and subtly feminine." She suggests seeking out sheer linen blinds for your modern window treatments, like these lovely linen cafe curtains from H&M, and layering "plush cream and off-white towels to add texture and luxury."

Perhaps the best way to play up this vintage effect is through your hardware, though. Both Sandra and Pernille recommend using antique brass sanitaryware and accessories, noting the metallic finishes' ability to add even more warmth and texture to your design.

The Best Colors to Pair With Butter Yellow

Whether butter yellow is the highlight of your room or merely an accent color, the shades you choose to pair it with will play a huge role in the overall effect of your space.

Generally speaking, the experts recommend opting for a light, neutral color scheme; nothing that's too harsh a contrast, or that will compete against the yellow for attention. "Instead, keep the surrounding palette lighter and more harmonious," suggests Pernille, adding, "It works best when you keep the accent colors in lighter, neutral tones, allowing the butter yellow to remain gentle and balanced."

Think about the colors you'd naturally find it with for a calming palette. Or, for a vintage look, take inspiration from historical color pairings. "I highly recommend pairing it with creams, rich browns, dusty blues, or other period-appropriate pastels of the same saturation," says Pernille. "These tones complement the warmth of the yellow without fighting it for attention."

Search for muted, subdued shades that complement the gentle warmth of butter yellow and help keep it from feeling too kids' room-esque. "Limestone, putty, soft taupe, pale oak, and old brass all work because they make the yellow feel more grown-up," says Grazzie.

There is also scope to play around with some more vibrant shades, if that's more your style, but this approach will require more care. For example, Grazzie says, "If you want something a bit punchier, a muddy green or chocolate brown is a brilliant partner, but I would use it sparingly, perhaps on a vanity, mirror frame, or painted woodwork, rather than turning the whole bathroom into a color chart."

It's also best to specifically look for muted variations of these colors, with Pernille saying, "I would specifically avoid using vibrant blues or sharp greens, as they can easily clash with the soft, vintage nature of the yellow."

It's not only in the bathroom that this shade shines, though. In fact, one of our favorite places to see this sunny color is in a yellow kitchen — you'd be shocked at just how elegant it can look. And for more design ideas, subscribe to our newsletter.