How to Masterfully Balance Bathroom Functionality and Fashion

When it comes to bathroom design, simplicity has often taken centre-stage. But for those who are looking for a little more from their interior, there’s an abundance of different furnishing, accessory and storage options you can use. With so many different ways you can decorate your bathroom, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees and think about what a bathroom requires at its core – functionality.

Finding the sweet spot between the practicalities of the space and its aesthetic appearance needn’t be difficult or drab – as, in today’s post, we’ll be helping you pin it down.

1. Take inspiration from overseas

Blending fashion with functionality in bathrooms isn’t a new consideration in the world of interior design. In fact, public baths, some of which date back over a thousand years, often boasted breathtaking decor during the height of the Roman era. Flash forward to modern day, and there are a new set of cultures embracing the beauty of a stylish yet practical bathroom space. A region hot on the lips of every interior designer in recent years, Scandinavia offers endless inspiration for those looking to do this in their own home. From clever storage solutions through to stripped-back but effortlessly stylish furnishings, if you’re looking for examples of sophisticated contemporary design, the Scandinavians offer plenty.

On the other side of the world, the Japanese are also experts in designing incredible bathrooms that fuse minimalist style with next-level functionality. Natural materials, compact furniture and subtle decoration make their bathrooms at home some of the most wonderfully practical for their users. We’re not saying you should imitate Japanese style in your own home (unless that’s your thing, of course), but taking a less-is-more approach to your bathroom design will guarantee that your interior doesn’t go overboard.

2. Experiment with your bathroom flooring and walls

When it comes to your bathroom walls and floors, tiles are the obvious choice for any home. Offering an easy-to-clean, affordable, anti-slip and waterproof surface that can be installed painlessly, bathroom tiles trump other surface materials out there like carpet and wood. Aside from the practicality-related advantages, tiles are also massively diverse in colour, shape and texture – and that means they’re suitable for any aesthetic. Whether you want to make a statement with bright and bold colours or you’d prefer something more pared-back and classic, tiles offer unmatched variety.

So, when you’re renovating, consider using tiles to add character and personality into your bathroom. We stock an impressive selection of different looks – from wood-effect tiles through to modern rock-effect tiles – so there’s no reason you can’t find a functional tile for your bathroom that doesn’t sacrifice style. You can even mix and match different tiles for a contemporary twist, using an alcove, a single wall or the bath or shower area. Large tiles for small bathrooms also have the added bonus of making the space look bigger than it is – so consider using them to trick the eyes of both guests and everyday users alike!

3. Get smart about storage

Clutter is the enemy of any small space, whether that’s a bathroom or a bedroom. Without adequate storage, you’ll soon find beauty products, toothbrushes, spare toilet rolls and towels are covering every available surface – leaving your bathroom looking small, untidy and unappealing. But storage doesn’t have to be drab – in fact, it can add bags of style to a space. A couple of strategically placed wicker baskets and a mirror that doubles as a cabinet can provide plenty of functional storage that’ll ensure your surfaces stay clutter-free with style.

For those with more space, a separate wall cabinet or a chest of drawers underneath your sink can give you greater scope for creativity. Whether you opt for a dark walnut cabinet or prefer a white-washed set of drawers, installing a piece of storage furniture will provide extra space for items and decorations like indoor plants or antique clocks. Just be sure that, if you’re bringing greenery into the space, you focus on buying plants that thrive in humid, warm conditions – like most ferns, English Ivy or a dragon plant.

4. Colour coordinate

Instead of adding more ‘stuff’ to your bathroom to achieve a desired aesthetic, why not focus on revamping the existing items to create a cohesive look instead? An example of this could be using the same colour across your towel rack, toilet roll holder and wall cabinet for a uniform design. You could even create contrast against your bathroom floor tiles and wall tiles for a contemporary twist that’s sure to impress guests. Stunning white Underground Tiles will offer a beautiful backdrop to an organic wood material like bamboo or oak. Everything down to the finer details can be built into the larger colour scheme – so think outside the box and consider waterproof blinds in complementary shades, matching chrome fittings across the bath, sink and shower, or even a coordinated selection of hand and bath towels. The options are virtually endless!

A stylish bathroom doesn’t have to leave functionality at the door. Whether your bathroom is small or large, basic or luxury, with our selection of tips and ideas, you can design a fashion-forward and practical space that both you and your guests will love. For other useful tips and tricks, check out more of the many practical posts on the Tiles Direct blog.

Alternatively, shop our huge range of functional and fashionable bathroom tiles right here and have them delivered direct to your front door.