Think durable, easy-care surfaces, savvy storage and accessible zones for multiple users. With a swathe of practical, chic finishes and fixtures to choose from, it’s also the perfect space to splash out and have a little fun. As one of the busiest zones in the home, family bathrooms should be functional and fun-loving. The key to getting it to work for you is investing time and research into clever bathroom design ideas that tick all the boxes to make it a space that is pleasurable to experience.

Picture a bathroom ceiling light and it’s a sad fact that you’ll most probably imagine something perfunctory at best, with harsh hidden spotlights likely entering your mind. Happily, as the bathroom completes its transition into somewhere you actually want to spend time in, lighting is catching up – bathroom chandeliers are now a thing. While color drenching may be the phrase on every design hashtagger’s lips, we can’t deny it’s a daunting prospect. The bathroom can be a great room to compromise in, with bathroom tile trends offering a combination of a blast of brightness as well as calming respite. Use the same tile on the floor and walls to create a spacious and cohesive feel. “Wall-mounted vanities that free up floor space and offer generous internal storage work well in family bathrooms,” says Reece Marketing Lead Daniela Santilli.

Sealing Marble Showers

The wall-mounted stone sink integrates seamlessly into the stone wall behind it. Black framed mirror above the sink, white toilet, and glass doors of the shower serve a simple look and don’t steal attention. Light wood floor and wood towel basket provide a warmer atmosphere.

• Shelley has spent years helping clients create spaces that are elevated, inhabitable, and deeply personal.
• Temper a busy wallpaper pattern with solid-hued wainscoting, seen here in India Yellow by Farrow & Ball.
• For Real Homes, I specialize in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.
• A beige free-standing bathtub can create a stunning centerpiece while cream mats will continue the neutral theme throughout the room.
• To create an elegant and bold focal point in blue bathrooms, consider opting for a unique royal blue freestanding bath.

Heather added a gallery wall to her earhty pink wall in the bathroom of her colorful eclectic Scottish home. Interior designer Claire Thomas has created a pink floral pattern with the tilework in her Airbnb cabin in Fawnskin, California. A London home designed by Frank and Faber includes this bathroom with the “Opia” wallpaper by House of Hackney in the old rose color.

Carve Out a Bathtub Niche

Small spaces can benefit from an all-encompassing design feature like wallpaper, pick a colorway that’s easy on the eye like a muted tone if bright designs feel too intense. As we’ve explored, there’s no area of your bathroom that can’t be enhanced with a touch of marble. Be it the walls, floors, countertops, or even accessories, each element contributes to the overall aesthetic and luxurious feel of your space. The bold, striking color of red marble can turn your bathroom into a luxurious, vibrant space that is far from ordinary. Pair red marble with neutral shades like white or beige to balance the intensity.

• Panoramic views like those in the TriBeCa duplex of Beth Bugdaycay are refreshingly beautiful in summer—while heated marble floors keep the space equally cozy come winter.
• Infuse your white bathroom design with sophistication using reeded glass bringing a contemporary feel.
• Natural wood flooring also matches the green theme nicely, keep in mind that the wood needs to be sealed properly.
• Just because a bathroom isn’t a main living space doesn’t mean you can’t have some major fun with the design.
• An intricate accent wall made of marble tile creates a mosaic that makes this contemporary small bathroom design unique.

With a larger bathroom, you have more freedom to incorporate darker colors. There are some aspects of your bathroom renovation that you’ll have no control over. From oddly-shaped rooms and awkward door positions to sloped ceilings and windowless spaces. These can create unique challenges and may require some creativity to overcome.