When designing a bathroom, you want to ensure that you utilise contemporary design features that will still be beautiful and luxurious in years to come, especially if you are going to be living in the space yourself. It’s important to create a bathroom that is not only contemporary, modern and timeless but one that is both functional and practical.
Colours
Your choice of colour palette can play a big part in the timelessness of your design. To ensure your bathroom is always in fashion, use mostly whites and neutrals. But if you simply cannot go without using some sort of colour, a surface that can be easily changed with paint is a great place to get creative, such as your walls or cabinets.
Storage
To provide functionality and practicality, it is useful to have an effective storage design solution put in place whether it’s storage within your cabinets, floating shelves or through the use of handy woven baskets.
Natural finishes
The great thing is that natural finishes such as wood, stone and marble (which are totally in right now), will always be timeless and make your space feel contemporary.
Let’s look at how you can add some contemporary chic to your bathroom, no matter what your taste in décor styles.
1. Coloured basins
Coloured basins are an effective way to bring a permanent pop of colour into any bathroom. Or, if you’re going for a dark bathroom aesthetic, they’re perfect for bringing in a lovely matte black.
2. Stand-alone bath
A stand-alone bath is so divinely luxe. Place your bath has been next to a wall or you could experiment with placing your bath into the middle of the room to really achieve those luxurious stand-alone tub feels.
3. Bringing the outside in
OK, my current (and forever) obsession is indoor plants. I have them all over my house but have never actually thought of putting them in my bathroom… Until now. Putting plants in your bathroom is the perfect way to bring the outside in, plus most plants will even thrive off the steam from your shower.
Actually it’s such a great idea that we’ve dedicated an entire article to bathroom plant ideas and also other indoor plants for your home.
4. Terrazzo elements
Contrast a simple white bathroom with colourful terrazzo bathroom flooring – something that will have your guests exclaiming “wow!” Look for on-trend colours like blush, mustard and navy to really give your bathroom a contemporary feel, complemented by neutral colours and natural finishes. Or you could bring in terrazzo in the sinks or wall tiles too.
5. Ring light goals
If your bathroom doesn’t have much natural light, the addition of a ring light mirror installation will be perfect for your beauty and bathroom routines. You can create this look by installing an actual ring light to the wall or by utilising a round mirror and adding bright white LED lights to the circumference. Either way, getting an electrician to install correctly is something you should do to ensure your safety.
6. Hanging eucalyptus
A super simple way to unleash some creativity and bring some natural elements into your shower is to tie some eucalyptus leaves to your shower head. This is an easy and contemporary design solution that not only looks beautiful but once the warm water and steam hit those eucalyptus leaves the aroma will permeate through your shower and create the most beautiful atmosphere! You can achieve this look by taking a quick trip to the florist.
7. Varying textures
Even if your bathroom has quite a lot going on, you can make varying textures really work together to establish a modern and contemporary bathroom. For instance you might mix intriguing textured tile with clean neutral tile on the walls, then add hexagonal floor tiling. As long as everything as been thought out, you can give each element its place in the design story.
8. Mixing tiles
Speaking of mixing textures, using different tiles creates an interesting design in an otherwise simple and minimalistic bathroom. Using the same colour palette ensures an ever so subtle texture detail that is contemporary and modern, yet will still be on-trend for years to come.
9. Mermaid walls
Fish scale tiles or mermaid tiles are a trend that I’m absolutely here for and bathroom walls are the perfect place to work this trend to your advantage. As well as the pool and ocean, the bathroom is another place where you can channel your inner mermaid or merman and making your walls reminiscent of the ocean can really bring an extra level of zen to your bathroom routine.
If you want to see some other eye-catching tiles you have to check out these bathroom tile ideas and also these bathroom shower ideas.
10. Dark details
If I’m being honest with you, I’m so used to seeing bright white bathrooms… Now, don’t get me wrong, a white bathroom is my favourite. But what about playing with some darker colours and bringing warmth into your bathroom? It’s a strong modern look.
11. Brass finishes
You can’t go past brass finishes for your showerheads and faucets. Brass finishes add an on-trend regal approach that works really nicely against the classic white tiling of many bathrooms.
12. Behind mirror storage
When you are limited in space, it is so important to include design solutions that can be for multiple uses. And mirrored storage works great in a smaller space as it doubles up as shelving units which you can use as storage. And this allows for a tidier space, keeping all your products off the bench and out of the way!
13. Floating cabinetry
Slick floating cabinetry is de rigeur for modern and contemporary bathrooms. There are endless possibilities for the vacant space under the cabinetry. You could leave it completely bare or utilise this space for a small bin, rattan storage baskets or your favourite slippers!
14. Rattan additions
Something that I’m completely obsessed with at the moment is all things rattan. You can make the most of this trend by changing up your lampshade to a rattan one. Plus, add details such as tassels and towels that are in the same colour palette.
15. A dreamy skylight
If I ever get the opportunity to build my dream home, I’ll definitely have skylights installed wherever possible. One of the many benefits to having a skylight is that you don’t need to have the lights turned on as often. I also love that you can make the most of the natural light beaming into your home as well as having that indoor-outdoor vibe that makes it feel like you are living on a tropical island at all times.
16. Moroccan style flooring details
What about adding a statement floor to your bathroom? A Moroccan style tiling pattern works really nicely as it often features a neutral colour palette and is always in a classic pattern that will stay in fashion for years to come.
17. Back to basics
There’s nothing quite like going back to basics with white and wood and calling it a day. And this bathroom has been executed beautifully with the simple white bath, tiled walls and floors, chrome finishes, and thoughtful decor such as a potted indoor plant.
18. Shower and bath 2-in-1
I just love the way this bathroom has been designed with the clear screen separating the vanity and wet area. Plus, the convenience of having the shower and bath in one area means that the rest of your bathroom won’t get wet when you are using the shower or bath. Genius!
19. Arched mirror
Now, there are so many differently shaped mirrors these days that can really transform your space. Arches and rounded shapes are very on-trend at the moment, so utilising this trend will automatically give your bathroom a stylish appeal that looks straight off of Pinterest or out of a magazine!
20. Easy to reach towels
Bring those luxe hotel vibes into your home with the addition of built-in towel shelves to your cabinets – they’ll look oh-so-snug in their very own little nook. Plus, having beautifully designed bathroom cabinetry can really make a world of difference to the overall look and convenience of your bathroom. I really love the minimalism of the idea of using perfectly folded towels as a feature for the bathroom.
21. Black details
One of the best ways of creating a cohesive space is through choosing a colour palette and sticking with it. And the black detailed trims on this bathroom have been carefully and thoughtfully designed in a way that the bathroom has been brought together perfectly and is aesthetically appealing to look at.
22. Oval mirrors
We’ve all seen square and rectangular mirrors, but what about trying something a little different by having the addition of oval mirrors in your bathroom? I just love the overall look of the double vanity with the twin oval mirrors which creates beautiful symmetry. And this look is so simple and effortless whilst achieving an on-trend and elegant look.
23. Matching natural details
Having matching details can really bring your bathroom together beautifully. It might be the addition of a little wooden stool in the corner of the shower which doubles as a shelf for all your shower essentials, made in the same natural wood as the bathroom cabinet and surface.
24. Statement cabinetry
Make a statement by using a bold pop of colour on your bathroom vanity or cabinetry or just the walls. I love the use of teal in this bathroom that really gives life to the overall space. As colours go in and out of fashion, you could keep changing this up fairly easily!
25. Your own personal salon
How beautiful is this design! Imagine having your very own vanity that looks like it could be straight out of the most luxurious of salons. The dusty pink countertop, the pink chair and a mirror with gold detailing… What more could you want? Perhaps an in-house makeup artist? Well, one can dream!
So there we have it, 25+ contemporary bathroom ideas for your next bathroom renovation. My personal favourites are ones with spectacular ornate mirrors, skylight roofing and indoor/outdoor living. What sorts of contemporary design solutions would you put in your dream bathroom? Comment and tell me.
