
When it comes to bathroom design, layout and space are big factors, but the ultimate dream (we're sure you'll agree) is to create a bathroom that can be fulfilling aesthetically as well as functionally, all while expressing your own personality and creativity.
Need some bathroom inspiration? Use these beautiful bathroom design ideas as a starting point for decorating in your own home. From wet rooms to freestanding baths, tiles to wallpaper, and artwork to accessories, discover all the fabulous ways you can transform your space, even in a small bathroom or downstairs toilet.
Browse these 47 bathroom ideas and start creating your moodboard...
1
Bathroom ideas: Blue and yellow
Blue and yellow is a colour combination we can get on board with. This cheery and inviting bathroom is defined with a blue rolltop bath, patterned blue wallpaper and sheer yellow curtains. Our favourite part is actually the old kitchen dresser from eBay, painted in India Yellow from Farrow & Ball.
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2
Bathroom ideas: Vanity skirt
There's no such thing as a cluttered wall in this Nottingham home. Black framed prints are carefully arranged around an oval mirror and small wall lights. We love the use of texture here – brick-effect tiles adds a rustic touch, as does the brick-style shower area reflected in the mirror. The striped vanity skirt is not only a lovely way to introduce colour and pattern, but it conveniently keeps items out of sight.
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3
Bathroom ideas: Rainbow effect
Proof that bathrooms can be fun, even with an all-white scheme. This handpainted rainbow mural is guaranteed to make you smile every time you enter the bathroom. It's an ideal way to transform bland walls and a clever way to make use of leftover paint or sample pots.
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4
Bathroom ideas: Combine colour and pattern
Dark, moody and dramatic (with the right amount of colour), this bathroom design is full of personality. The freestanding bath – painted in pink Rust-Oleum paint – is a focal point and perfectly contrasts against the dark panelled walls and black painted floorboards. The floral House of Hackney wallpaper adds extra interest.
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5
Bathroom ideas: Introduce art
We love this bathroom decorating idea: hanging wall art and displaying books in an open cabinet creates a lot of personality. Even small details like a jug of hyacinths can bring a splash of vibrant colour (in this case purple) to a muted scheme, as seen in this cool grey bathroom.
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6
Bathroom ideas: Powder room
A powder room typically only contains a single vanity and a toilet, so you can afford to make a standout feature of your vanity. Playful tiles are a great way to do this.
Pictured: House Beautiful Cube Blush Porcelain Tile at Homebase
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7
Bathroom ideas: Add pattern
An all-white bathroom scheme doesn't have to look clinical. The bathroom in this Brighton home of an interior stylist combines pattern and texture to bring character in small doses. Intricate floor tiles, spotty shower curtains and even a striped towel all create points of interest. The addition of potted plants helps to bring the outside in.
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8
Bathroom ideas: Contemporary and traditional
Verdant green bathroom wall panelling on the lower half with William Morris' Strawberry Thief wallpaper on the top half creates a rather characterful bathroom scheme. But it's all in the extra details here, from the grand countertop basin to the two-tone radiator and heated towel rail which perfectly mixes contemporary and traditional.
Pictured: Waterbury Shutters in Cotton White, Thomas Sanderson
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9
Bathroom ideas: The perfect view
Thinking a little outside the box, this snug is complete with a freestanding bath (this room used to be a bedroom) offering a luxurious space for relaxation – and hopefully some welcome views.
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10
Bathroom ideas: An industrial edge
Combining luxury with industrial style to great effect, a traditional washstand with countertop basin and black panelled walls give a period feel to this rather grand bathroom scheme.
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11
Bathroom ideas: Kit kat tiles
If you are more inclined to decorate with a plain white tile, but don't want anything too stark or clinical, there are certain design features you can look out for – here, the addition of copper offers a warming element.
Pictured: House Beautiful Aurelia Cotton Ceramic Wall Tile at Homebase
12
Bathroom ideas: Old and new
Formerly a bedroom, this family bathroom is light and airy with a light pastel colour scheme that mixes old and new. The bath and tiles are all from Fired Earth, and the bottled-glass effect door is from a reclamation yard. Handily, a towel rack hangs above to maintain order.
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13
Bathroom ideas: A living room vibe
Interior designer and House Beautiful columnist Sophie Robinson approached her bathroom design as she would a living room. She's created a cosy, inviting scheme by decorating her bathroom with colourful wallpaper, soft fabrics, paintings and decorative lighting – and it all works just brilliantly.
Read more: Sophie Robinson: How to design a bathroom you'll want to spend time in
14
Bathroom ideas: Moody and luxe
Here's how to design a dark bathroom to great effect. Dramatic yet luxe, this black bathroom really comes to life with decorative floor tiles, brass furniture and lush plants– even the ceiling is painted black.
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15
Bathroom ideas: Create a mural
Why not turn your bathtub into a piece of art? Murals are big news, so if you consider yourself a creative, try painting your own design for a truly personal space. This is the bathroom of colour expert and chalk paint founder Annie Sloan. Expertly curated, the windowsill – with a vase, candle and ornaments – creates another focal point.
16
Bathroom ideas: Narrow proportions
Who would have thought that this stunning Scandi-inspired bathroom is actually on a century-old narrowboat?
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17
Bathroom ideas: Animal-inspired
Small bathrooms are brilliant spaces to create impact. Here, Leopard Walk wallpaper by Cole & Son creates a striking effect in this downstairs cloakroom.
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18
Bathroom ideas: Marble
This stunning marble bathtub adds a touch of luxury to this modern cottage in Suffolk. The large window adds an abundance of natural light and helps to create a bright and airy space in what is quite a small bathroom.
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19
Bathroom ideas: Contrast tiles
Green and terracotta combine for an earthy bathroom scheme. What works well here is the use of tiles: on the floor is a monochrome tiled floral pattern which contrasts with the glossy green herringbone wall tiles in the shower. Combine with brass fittings, a black window frame and lush houseplants, and the result is an effortlessly luxe bathroom.
Pictured: Seaton Ceramic Sea Cabbage, Ca' Pietra
20
Bathroom ideas: Floor to ceiling pattern
A clever bathroom effect that would be so easy to replicate. We love this bold use of blue and white stripes that blends seamlessly from floor to wall – a great choice for a cloakroom or small bathroom.
Pictured: Blue Alalpardo Porcelain Tile, Bert & May
Olivia Heath
Daily Editor, House Beautiful UK
Olivia Heath is the Daily Editor at House Beautiful. Heading up all things digital, Olivia loves nothing more than uncovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and sharing the best decorating tips, small space living solutions, and houseplant care and gardening advice.
Week by week Olivia compiles the most stylish high street homeware buys to help you get the look for less, and showcases the best makeovers, as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market. She also loves covering some of the biggest events in the calendar, including all the action from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Colour of the Year forecasts from Pantone to Dulux, and exclusive previews of all the new Christmas collections before it hits the shops.
Olivia has been writing about homes and interiors for the past seven years, and her work has also been published on House Beautiful US, Elle Decor US, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Red, Prima, Town & Country, Elle Japan, Modern Living and Micasa Revista.
Prior to joining House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal magazine, where she reported on celebrity and entertainment news by day, and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night!
Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ qualification, as well as a BA in Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies.
Rachel Edwards
Style & Interiors Editor
Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
Lisa Joyner
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.