‘We use as much fabric as we can in bathrooms because it stops them from being cold, hard and echoey,’ adds Emily Todhunter of Todhunter Earle. Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light, and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness. Legendary designer Mario Buatta always used dramatic curtains as a way to complement architectural elements in a room—including in the bath in this 1930s South Carolina farmhouse. Classic Tillett stripes drape the owners’ bath, creating an ideal spot for a little rest and relaxation. Anchor a freestanding tub on a half wall to hide plumbing fixtures and create a backsplash like this elegant space from Mary Patton Design.

I’ve been a lifestyle journalist for over five years, previously working as an editor across regional magazines. Before this, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University a degree in journalism, along with an NCTJ gold diploma. I love running, decorating my rented Victorian home, and discovering new cheeses. For Real Homes, I specialize in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.

What Makes the House Beautiful

Merge rustic and coastal styles with shiplap walls and a soft white paint color. Add a sophisticated touch with marble countertops and polished chrome lighting and hardware, and keep the vanity tidy by corralling everyday essentials in a pretty decorative tray. If your bathroom includes a large window with a leafy private view, leave windows bare to maximize light. This breezy modern bathroom from Will Brown Interiors has light blue walls and plants for an indoor-outdoor feel. Add playfulness to your shower walls, backsplash, or wainscoting with colorful tile. Studio Peake injected whimsy into this London bathroom using a mix of blue and white fish scale tiles, trading clean lines for something more organic.