Bathroom Interior Design: Your Guide To Ideas, Styles & Inspiration

Table of contents

• Bathroom interior design staples
• Bathroom interior design layouts
• Classic bathroom style ideas
• Hot bathroom style ideas

The days of bathrooms being purely about function are thankfully long behind us. In its place, modern bathroom interior design is all about creating beautiful spaces that are primed for relaxation.

However, achieving your dream bathroom interior design doesn’t just happen. It requires a good deal of thought, careful planning and some capital, especially if you’re looking to carry out a complete makeover. 

Even to the seasoned home renovator, a bathroom interior design project is a challenge, so if you’re new to this game you may well feel a little daunted.

But there’s no need to fret, as this post is all about bathroom style ideas. Giving you the lowdown on layouts, bathroom design staples, the latest decor trends and more, we’ll help you pull off a stylish bathroom you can enjoy every day.

Bathroom interior design staples

A good starting point for planning your bathroom update is getting a grasp on the fundamentals of a good bathroom design. Like the all-important kitchen triangle, there are some staple elements required to ensure your bathroom epitomises function and fashion in one fell swoop, which include:

• A bathroom suite: an obvious point, but every bathroom needs a sink/vanity unit, toilet and a bath, shower or maybe even both. When choosing your bathroom suite, be conscious of style, size and colour. The wrong choices could leave you with a bathroom interior design that lacks unity and function. Despite the utilitarian nature of these elements, they definitely don’t need to be boring. Think statement baths, double vanity sinks and luxury walk-in showers – space and budget permitting
• Waterproof floor and walls: water is a standard feature in bathrooms and, without the right protection on floors and walls, it can wreak havoc with the structural integrity of your home. This includes damp, mildew and wood rot. This means having a water-repelling covering to protect them is key – and bathroom tiles offer just the right solution with their water-resistant, hard-wearing exterior. Other options for floors include SPC flooring or vinyl, while a waterproofing paint can stand up to everyday sink splashes pretty well, too
• Storage: from bath linen to spare loo rolls and cleaning products, nothing ruins a bathroom interior design more than unnecessary clutter. To combat this, make storage a core part of your bathroom design. This will ensure everything has its rightful place tucked away out of sight, whether that’s in an ottoman, linen cupboard, under-sink drawers or mounted vanity cabinet
• Mirrors: whether it’s having your morning shave or taking your makeup off at night, incorporating at least one mirror into your bathroom design is a must. Practically, they provide the ideal place to scrutinise your face each day, but from a style point of view they deliver a striking focal point that adds depth and light into the room – perfect for small bathrooms
• Lighting: every bathroom needs ample lighting, but the best modern bathroom interior design ideas incorporate a mixture of illuminating to include bright task lighting, as well as softer glows for relaxation. When putting together your bathroom interior ideas, don’t forget the impact the right lighting can have on the space
• Good flow: when considering the layout of your bathroom design, always have an eye on how the room will be used to ensure it has a good, logical flow. For instance, placing  plumbing fixtures for the sink, toilet and bath/shower on one wall can create an easy to use area in certain types of spaces, but this isn’t always feasible with compact bathrooms
• Ventilation – exposed to moisture every day, having ample ventilation in your bathroom is essential to keeping the space damp-free. This can be as simple as a cracked window after your morning shower, but for added ventilation, a decent extractor fan is also recommended. In fact, if you have a windowless room, it’s a must

Bathroom interior design layouts

Unlike kitchens, bathrooms don’t have any set-in-stone layout rules as such. But there are some key considerations to still keep in mind before you commit to fixing everything in place. 

For example, when picking out the integral pieces for your bathroom (like your bathroom suite and any other large furniture), be sure to keep size in mind as these bulky pieces eat into floor space and can impact the functionality of the design long-term.

This is particularly important if you’re working with a modest bathroom. In these scenarios, opt for compact sinks, toilets and shower cubicles. You can even go for floating options to keep the floor clutter-free. On the flip side, small bathroom suites will look lost in large bathrooms, so strive to keep everything in proportion.

When it comes to positioning, a popular bathroom layout is to keep the plumbing on one wall, with the sink, toilet and bath or shower in a line. This keeps plumbing costs and labour down, too. 

Alternatively, you can create a sort of bathroom triangle which allows a seamless flow between each area of the bathroom. This is typically found with square bathrooms and small wetrooms where space is an issue. 

Ultimately your layout will be dictated by the shape and size of your bathroom, but whatever layout you decide on, don’t forget to factor in little details like allowing for door openings and storage.

Classic bathroom style ideas

A bathroom update is one of the bigger home improvement ideas to undertake, often involving a significant outlay, not to mention the disruption to your daily life. This means it’s not a job you want to have to undertake every few years, so choosing a bathroom interior design that will stand the test of time could be the way to go.

If you’re worried this means your bathroom won’t have that wow factor you want, don’t be. We’ve got some classic bathroom interior ideas that never seem to go out of fashion, meaning they’ll remain on-trend for many years. 

Marvellous monochrome

Delivering striking contrasts with a traditional feel, black and white monochrome could be just the classic bathroom interior design style your home needs. With such a versatile colour palette, there are endless ways you can style black and white together to create a chic finish.

With the option to go pared back with more white or bold with extra black, this adaptable trend offers ample flexibility to style it how you want. You can even add character to your monochrome bathroom by introducing patterned tiles or shades of grey to make it feel less stark.

Styling ideas

If you love interiors that hark back to a bygone era like the Victorian age, black and white bathrooms are definitely for you. To pull off this look, pair a vintage-style bathroom suite with classic metro brick tiles in white on the walls and a checkerboard floor. Finish with gold or brass taps and accessories in traditional designs and you have the vintage bathroom vibe locked down. 

For a more contemporary look, black quartz floor tiles set against white wall tiles in a large format are guaranteed to deliver a clean and sleek look. Complete with shiny chrome fixtures and fittings and some of the latest bathroom technology (like a heated mirror that can even tell you the weather forecast), you’re onto a winner.

Works well with: 

• Vintage-style 
• Ultra-modern
• Sixties retro 
• Scandi minimalist

Nature inspired

The nature-inspired interior design movement doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and, with the right design choices, it can deliver a timeless bathroom interior design with minimal effort.

With an emphasis on creating a connection to nature, it requires close attention to the colour palette, materials and decorative accents to ensure it perfectly depicts a natural oasis. We’re talking untreated wood, natural stone, green hues, plant life and organic materials throughout.

Styling ideas

When it comes to bathroom style ideas for natural aesthetics, there are a few ways you can go. 

For some, it could be creating a zen-like space that works brilliantly with the Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism. The overall design will be simple and functional yet very elegant. This could be opting for natural wood-look floor tiles alongside some textured stone wall tiles in a pale sandy shade. Complement with unvarnished wooden furniture, warm tones of terracotta and smatterings of organic fabrics like linen and hessian.

The other end of the spectrum is to create a luxury oasis that denotes a natural feel with hints of grandeur. We’re talking natural stone floor tiles in a dark grey, a standalone bathtub and copper accents finished with oversized plants throughout – creating an opulent tropical oasis. 

Works well with:

• Scandi style
• Japandi chic 
• Modest modern 
• Luxury interiors

Minimalist magic

Fuss-free bathroom interiors that centre around a minimalist aesthetic also tend to age well, but this doesn’t mean they have to feel sterile. To master modern minimalist bathroom interior design, the devil is in the detail – harnessing the power of different textures and colours to bring personality to a stripped back theme. 

There’s also a focus on function with minimalist design, ensuring that each carefully selected piece adds value through practical use. With furniture that typically features clean lines and no frills, the key is to make these pieces shine in their own right.

Styling ideas

The bathroom can be the perfect place to adopt the less is more approach with your interiors due to its practical use. A pale, soothing colour palette is a good place to start. 

Why not try the same style of large format matt finish tiles in a soft grey or beige on floors and walls to provide the ideal foundation to build on? Beautifully complementing a contemporary white bathroom suite, introduce other textures such as gunmetal hardware for an industrial feel or dark wood that will create colour and textural contrasts. 

Works well with:

• Japandi style
• Classic Scandi
• Industrial chic

Hot bathroom style ideas

Of course, if you feel like being more adventurous with your bathroom interiors, there are plenty of other on-trend styles to choose from. 

Bold colours

As typically small spaces, bathrooms can often provide the ideal space for experimenting with interior design – and bold colours are definitely one way to go. 

Bold colours have become a mainstay of interior design over the past few years with vibrant shades like green, blue and yellow featuring heavily in bathroom decor. 

The beauty of using these gorgeous colours in your bathroom design is that you can go as bold or as subtle as you like, making your design feel truly personal.

Styling ideas

If you’re itching to go loud and proud with your bathroom style, using vivid shades on walls and floors will do the trick. For a full on feel, bold coloured monochrome bathrooms are in right now. With one overarching colour theme, different shades of that colour and varying textures deliver a layered and impactful finish. Think painted walls against glossy tiles with soft and shiny fabrics blended in, too.

You can also use pops of your favourite colours throughout the space that provide colourful accents in a more toned-down way. This could be playful patterned bath linen, artwork or colourful decorative tiles for statement showers or splashbacks. With colour so popular in interior design right now, there really are endless ways to use it.

Works well with:

• Eclectic styles
• Maximalist decor
• Ultra-modern
• Vintage 
• Modern luxury

Pretty patterns

Our love affair with patterns seems to be going nowhere anytime soon, so bringing them into your bathroom interior design will help you achieve that contemporary style with a twist.

When it comes to bathrooms, using patterned tiles provides the perfect way to bring character into this function-first room. From pretty encaustic floor tiles for a classic bathroom to eye-catching geometric shapes for a modern look, there are so many ways to use patterns effectively.

Styling ideas

If you want to blend old with new with your bathroom style, using Victorian inspired tile designs for floors or walls is the way to go. Sat alongside modern design features like a walk-in shower and contemporary vanity unit, you can marry these two genres together effortlessly. 

Or perhaps you want to go all-modern with your design, using funky geometric shapes and patterns to create a sleek finish. To ensure the space doesn’t feel busy, keep other design elements simple using block colours in muted tones that will balance out the overall aesthetic. 

Works well with:

• Victorian-style bathrooms
• Retro vibes
• Eclectic decor
• Modern minimalism

Decorating your bathroom doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right planning and design, pulling off your dream bathroom can be nice and simple – and with these handy bathroom interior design ideas, you’ll hopefully have all you need. For further inspiration, check out our dedicated blog post on the best bathroom colour ideas!

When you’re ready to take the plunge and start renovating, don’t forget to check out our diverse range of bathroom tiles that covers a wide range of styles, colours, shapes and sizes. Just be sure to you know how to tile a bathroom first!