Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Updated on 02/05/24
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Whether you are building a spa-like primary bathroom from scratch, remodeling a powder room, or renovating a small apartment wet room on a budget, there are bathroom ideas to make any space more functional, beautiful, and enjoyable to use.
Renovating your bathroom can involve everything from designing a layout that will maximize flow and streamline your daily routine to building in smart storage solutions. From choosing tile, sink vanities, window treatments, plumbing and lighting fixtures, bathtub and shower styles, color schemes, and more, you can turn a functional bathroom into a designer-worthy room that will complement your home style, from traditional to modern, industrial, farmhouse, contemporary, and more.
Check out these stylish and functional bathroom ideas for inspiration.
Table of Contents
1- Open-Plan Bathroom
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo
This minimalist open-plan double shower and bath from Cathie Hong Interiors has pivoting glass doors that can be left open to maximize light and air flow from the wrap-around windows, or shut to prevent unwanted shower splashes. Double showerheads are discreetly installed on opposite sides of the self-enclosed wash room, keeping the focus on the tub and the view.
2- Double Wall-Mounted Sinks
Design by JL Design / Photo by Reagen Taylor Photography
Not every shared bathroom needs a built-in double vanity. In this child’s shared bathroom from JL Design, matching wall-mounted industrial sinks are hung at kid-friendly height to give siblings their own space.
3- Slab Tile Walls
Design by Alexis Bednyak Design and Searl Lamaster Howe Architects / Photo and Styling by Alyssa Rosenheck
Covering bathroom walls in floor-to-ceiling stone or tiling has become a widespread design trend that is practical from a cleaning perspective and has the visual advantage of drawing the eye upward to make bathrooms feel more spacious.
In this luxury Chicago highrise bathroom from Alexis Bednyak Design and Searl Lamaster Howe Architects, a black slab of stone covers the far wall, creating a dramatic focal point. Pale stone shower tiles also run to the ceiling for contrast.
4- Custom Lighting
Installing good lighting is an important part of any room design, but bathroom lighting can often be harsh and unflattering in the room where you least want it to be. In this bathroom from interior designer Rhianna Jones of Tidal Interiors, LED backlighting adds a glamorous touch to a sleek built-in wall-to-wall shower niche.
Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
If attempting to add light to a shower, be sure to enlist a professional who can ensure that it’s safe, up to code, and waterproof.
5- Upcycled Vanity
Design by A. Naber Design / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
When choosing a bathroom vanity, consider upcycling a vintage or antique wood piece of furniture and adding a sink and waterproof countertop. A. Naber Design upcycled a midcentury modern buffet into a handsome bathroom vanity with character and plenty of storage.
6- Dutch Door
Design by JRS ID / Photo by Leela Cyd
In this bright bathroom from interior designer Jessica Risko Smith of JRS ID, an all-white mix of finishes is warmed by brass fixtures and glamorous lighting. But the real star of the show is a Dutch door leading to the outside whose top half can be slung open to increase natural ventilation and light.
7- Industrial Shower
Design by Lisa Gilmore Design / Photo by Native House Photography
When designing a bathroom, don’t feel obligated to stick to a single style. This eclectic bathroom from Lisa Gilmore Design features a black metal grid glass partition that houses the spacious shower. This industrial design feature adds contrast to the bathroom’s soft, polished decorative finishes such as patterned tile and floral wallpaper.
8- Wall Tile Surround
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Lindsay Stetson Thompson
Mindy Gayer Design Co. defined the combination shower and soaking tub area of this relatively small bathroom with a floor-to-ceiling wrap-around tile backsplash. The showerhead is centered over the tub and hung from the ceiling to reduce visual clutter.
9- Pass-Through Space
Design by Desiree Burns Interiors
In a long and narrow corridor-style bathroom, be sure to leave the central alleyway clear for ease of circulation and to keep sightlines clear. Desiree Burns Interiors made this pass-through bathroom feel distinct by adding a coat of minty green paint that adds freshness without calling too much attention to itself.
10- Separate WC
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
While open plan bathrooms are trendy, there’s something to be said for a shared bathroom that has distinct zones that can provide privacy when desired, like this WC in a bathroom from Emily Henderson Design.
11- Shower Windows
Design by Lori Gentile Interior Design / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
A shower with access to natural light is a luxury. In this marble tile shower in a California bathroom from Lori Gentile Interior Design, a pair of windows provides plenty of natural light, and a built-in window bench creates a relaxing place to shave your legs or wait for your hair mask to sink in.
12- Double Shower
Design by JRS ID / Photo by Erin Feinblatt
The double showerheads in this spacious bathroom from interior designer Jessica Risko Smith of JRS ID are practically invisible thanks to a wall of graphic patterned tile. The tub is tucked beneath the windows, and a transparent wall of glass shower doors practically disappears to control splashing while maximizing space to allow for a large soaking tub.
13- Bathtub Ledge
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
Mindy Gayer Design Co. added a built-in ledge that houses plumbing for the large soaking tub. But this practical design decision also provides a styling opportunity for displaying decor and accessories—not to mention a place to rest a wine glass.
14- Double Niche
Design and Photos by Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design
Why build in one bathroom niche when you can have two, like this bathroom from Emily Henderson Design contributor Malcolm Simmons that is perfect for sharing, or separating everyday products from once-a-week home spa day items.
15- Framed Perspectives
Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Creating sightlines and perspectives makes a small space feel more expansive and a larger space more interesting. Interior designer Rhianna Jones of Tidal Interiors added a wood-clad, inset nook over the large double vanity in this spacious California bathroom that is outfitted with a wide mirror that reflects the view and natural light from the sliding glass doors opposite.
16- Vanity Wall
Design by Lisa Gilmore Design / Photo by Native House Photography
In this spacious primary bathroom from Lisa Gilmore Design, a dedicated vanity wall includes a wood vanity with plenty of storage, a comfortable chair, a pretty gold mirror, and vintage lighting.
17- Wood Accents
Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Interior designer Rhianna Jones of Tidal Interiors added warmth to a modern black-and-white bathroom by choosing a wood-clad vanity and wood-effect tiling to create a shower accent wall and a focal point.
18- Dark Wood Finishes
Design by Flourish Interior Design / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Interior designer Jenn Bannister of Flourish Interior Design clad the vanity and tall adjacent storage cabinets in dark wood that creates a seamless look and a warm, grounding element in the clean, modern all-white bathroom. A thin vertical window with opaque glass brings in natural light while maintaining privacy.
19- Wall-to-Wall Tile
Laura Brophy Interiors
Sometimes the best way to maximize the perception of space in a bathroom is through clever use of design finishes. For a streamlined modern look, tile all surfaces in the same hue, like this bathroom design from Brophy Interiors.
20- Faux Windows
Design by Latham Interiors
Use bathroom mirrors to amplify natural light and views to give your bathroom an airy feel. Latham Interiors used simple rectangular mirrors that mimic the windows and sliding glass doors on both sides of the bathroom, creating perspectives, bouncing around natural light, and maximizing views.
21- Wet Room
Design by Flourish Interior Design / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Interior designer Jenn Bannister of Flourish Interior Design created a wet room that houses the shower and tub positioned against the right hand wall, a space-saving and efficient design that works well in a railway-style bathroom with enough width.
While the fun part of designing a bathroom lies in choosing fixtures and finishes, it’s important to make big decisions about how to maximize function and optimize the layout before you start contemplating the finer details.
22- Arched Details
Design by Kate Marker Interiors
Kate Marker Interiors brought architectural interest to a new build by adding large mirrors and built-in sconces to the inset arches over the bathroom’s twin vanities that add polish and a luxury hotel feel.
23- Privacy Wall
Design by If Walls Could Talk
Jamaica-based interior designer Joelle Smith of If Walls Could Talk created a sense of privacy in this shared bathroom by creating a toilet nook that is blessed with two windows and is partially concealed by a wall.
24- Built-In Tub
Design by Desiree Burns Interiors
While sculptural free-standing garden tubs are on trend, there’s nothing wrong with a classic built-in bathtub for a streamlined look that’s easy to keep clean. In this primary bathroom, Desiree Burns Interiors created a console on the righthand wall that creates a place to display art and decor while hiding the plumbing for the bathtub.
25- Built-in Nooks
On the lefthand wall, Desiree Burns Interiors added a shallow ledge and built-in nooks that offer additional space for decor and bath items.
26- Storage Nook
Design by Latham Interiors
In this bathroom from Latham Interiors, the designer created a built-in open and closed storage nook that still leaves room for a roomy shower while adding functionality to the room.
27- Under the Eaves
Design by NORD for Living Architecture / Photo by Jack Hobhouse
In this house designed by NORD for Living Architecture, a black garden tub is tucked under the eaves and lit by a skylight, while white painted shiplap and a farmhouse sink match the English countryside setting. The black-and-white palette add a tough modern edge that keeps it from looking twee.
28- Angled Corner Shower
Design by Latham Interiors
If you’ve got awkward-shaped angles in your bathroom, turn this design bug into a decorative feature. Latham Interiors clad the shower in contrasting tile and added clear custom glass shower doors to add a more streamlined look.
29- Octagonal Window
This bathroom from Erin Williamson Design has plenty of decorative finishes, from eye-catching cement tile floors to walnut front cabinetry and matte black Brizo plumbing fixtures. But the hexagonal window embedded in the far shower wall and surrounded by simple white tiling is the kind of atypical feature that creates a memorable design.
30- Railroad-Style Layout
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photography
In this railroad-style bathroom from Cathie Hong Interiors, the tub is located out of the way at the far end beneath a window. The designer added dark gray tile in a herringbone pattern that adds depth to the long, rectangular room, providing a backsplash that continues onto the floor for a seamless look.
31- Cohesive Color Palette
Design by Studio KT
Studio KT designed the giant walk-in shower in this primary bedroom suite using the same black and gray palette as the adjacent dressing room to create cohesion and flow between the spaces.
32- Large-Scale Art
Design by Ginger Barber Interior Design / Photo by Michael Hunter
In this luxurious high rise bathroom from Ginger Barber Interior Design, floor-to-ceiling windows provide a wide open view and a natural focal point. But a large-scale piece of art on the adjacent wall gives the eye another place to rest that adds color and vibrancy to the contemporary, neutral-toned space.
33- Glass Shower Doors
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo
Cathie Hong Interiors tiled this spacious bathroom from the floor to the vaulted ceiling line to lightly define the space. Glass doors create a seamless transition from the tub area to the walk-in shower, and allow the light from adjacent windows to brighten the space.
34- Mirror Placement
Design by Living with Lolo / Photo by Life Created
Living with Lolo worked around the window in this primary bathroom, installing a countertop that runs the length of the wall, and positioning matching sinks, mirrors, and pendant lights right next to one another to maximize the available wall space. The symmetry of the double sinks adds structure to the asymmetrical layout, making it look polished and purposeful.
35- Wall of Mirrors
Customize your bathroom design with bespoke decorative touches. Kendall Wilkinson Design layered a wall of mirrors with decorative framed mirrors over each sink, and built-in sconces and ceiling lights that add ambient light.
36- Semi-Opaque Glass
In this historic California house renovation, Erin Williamson Design added semi-opaque glass on the window and door that preserve privacy while letting the light shine through.
37- Half-Wall Shower
Design by Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little
Tyler Karu Design + Interiors added a half-wall shower to create a clear division between the shower and toilet to maximize space.
38- Glass Walls
Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Photo by Stoffer Photography
Kate Marker Interiors added transparent floor-to-ceiling glass doors that separate the shower and tub from the rest of the bathroom, creating a splash guard without blocking any of the natural light from the windows.
39- Statement Bathtub
If you’ve got the budget, space, and inclination, designing your bathroom around a statement bathtub will turn the space into a showpiece. In this luxury bathroom from Kendall Wilkinson Design, a sculptural stone tub floats in front of a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows with a view to the outdoors. Japanese-style sliding screens can be adjusted to add privacy while still allowing the natural light to flow in.
40- Window Seat
If you’re lucky enough to have extra space, turn your bathroom into a rest room by adding in seating. In this spacious bathroom from Desiree Burns Interiors, a window seat big enough for two between the double vanities creates an opportunity for extra storage, and a place to enjoy the view while giving yourself a pedicure.
41- Suspended Toilet
Design by Maite Granda
Suspended toilets make a bathroom feel contemporary and updated and are easier to clean. In this spacious bathroom from interior designer Maite Granda, the ledge created by the hidden plumbing behind the toilet creates a display for art, plants, flowers, or decorative items.
42- Mixed Materials
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Lane Dittoe
When designing an all-white bathroom, be sure to mix materials to create interest and keep it from feeling too cold and sterile. Mindy Gayer Design Co. clad the walls of this Southern California bathroom in vertical shiplap to emphasize the ceiling height. The white wood extends to the half-wall entry to the shower, and blends in with the white marble tiling.
43- Textured Wood
Design by Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions / Photo by Mackenzie Merrill Photography
If you’re lucky enough to be working with a large bathroom footprint, consider zoning distinct areas to maximize functionality. In this bathroom from interior designer Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions, a towel wall in the spacious enclosed shower features a textured wood accent, towel hooks, and a teak bench.
44- Secret Door
Design by Maite Granda
Interior designer Maite Granda added wall moldings to this long, linear, windowless bathroom that conceal a hidden door to the outside.
45- Corner Bench
Design by Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little
Tyler Karu Design + Interiors added an angled bench in the right corner of this walk-in shower that provides a place to sit without taking up too much floor space to keep circulation flowing.
46- Built-In Bathroom Storage
Floor-to-ceiling built-ins give this bathroom from Charbonneau Interiors a tailored feel. A combination of open and closed storage offers a place to store and display stacks of towels, art, and objects, while plenty of cupboard space and drawers hide clutter.
47- Tile Alternatives
Tile is a popular choice in the bathroom, but for those who prefer a more streamlined look, or simply can’t bear the constant maintenance required to keep grout lines sparkling clean, why not opt for a concrete finish like this minimalist shower from Brophy Interiors.
48- Bathtub Nook
This deep bathroom nook remodel from A Beautiful Mess features a wash of sea-blue tiles to define the space. The bathtub is nestled into the corner nook, leaving the space under the window free and plenty of room to circulate when the tub isn’t in use.
49- Wall-Mounted Fixtures
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Emily Henderson Design saved counter space in this black-and-white bathroom by installing plumbing fixtures on the wall above the double sink vanity. The same trick can be used with bathtub hardware.
50- Tub Niche
Design by Lindye Galloway Studio+Shop / Photo by Chad Mellon
Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop added graphic interest to a bathtub niche in this all-white bathroom with black accents, from a double window with black metal grid detailing to a black-and-white pendant light shade, and a black soaking tub.
51- Floating Concrete
Home Consultant installed a wall-to-wall polished concrete floating vanity that adds a industrial flair to a simple, compact bathroom. Countertops are kept mostly bare and toiletries are stored in a mirrored medicine cabinet above the vanity for a minimalist look.