Inspirational Bathroom Designs For A Modern Classic Style

If you are confident in your DIY skills and planning a stylish bathroom makeover, no doubt you are already full of exciting ideas. There’s a lot of practical issues to sort out, from the plumbing and electricals to shower screen U channels. Of course, it’s crucial to get these aspects right for a safe and functional bathroom.

However, the overall look and ambience of your bathroom should also be important: it’s a space we use on a daily basis and a relaxing and pleasant environment can help to set us up to face the day ahead, or for a good night’s rest. We all have different ideas about what this might involve, from a luxurious spa vibe to a vintage retreat. 

Here are some inspirational design trends that have been around for a few years, but are proving to be more than a flash in the pan. 

Rustic bathrooms 

If you have a country cottage or just love the calm and nostalgic atmosphere of this look, a rustic bathroom is fast becoming a modern classic. Rustic in no way means basic: this is actually a very sophisticated look and it can incorporate high tech features. The key is to create a harmonious balance between the past and present. 

It’s a laid back design with no hard and fast rules about how you should achieve it: in fact, a little unplanned serendipity will add to its charm. Having said that, rustic bathrooms typically include plenty of natural materials such as natural stone for tiles and flooring, weathered wood for vanity units or shelving, and basket weave for storage accessories.

Choose simple white sanitaryware combined with copper or brushed brass fittings. If you are incorporating a glass shower screen, opt for frosted or textured glass to enhance the organic feel of the room. 

Victorian bathrooms 

The stylish Victorian bathroom has been popular for several years now, and shows no sign of going out of fashion: in fact, it’s safe to say that it’s a pretty timeless look. It’s a wonderful combination of fun and opulence, with claw-foot freestanding bathtubs, vintage glazed porcelain tiles, and angular white sanitaryware with stainless steel fittings.

For a truly luxurious feel, go for gold-plated taps and marble countertops. Patterned or frosted glazing for shower screens will add to the vintage vibe. These features work well with a range of colour schemes, from soft pastels to bolder blues and deep reds, or simple classic black and white. 

Spa hotel bathrooms 

Spa style bathrooms are all about emphasising sophistication, luxury and comfort, in order to recreate that five-star hotel experience in your own home. There are no fixed ways to do this, and everyone’s dream spa bathroom will be different. This look can work equally well with a modern minimalist style bathroom, or a vintage suite.

For example, a beautiful full sized roll-top bath may be the goal for one person, while an ultra-modern frameless glass shower enclosure could be the dream for another. Either way, when combined with well-chosen accessories they can create a calming and uplifting ambience in the room.

To a certain extent, these features will depend on the amount of space available: glass screens are particularly effective to help small spaces feel bigger, while free-standing baths are a stunning focal point in larger bathrooms. 

Keep colour schemes muted, and include natural materials such as stone and wood for floors, walls, and storage units. Keep the room clutter free with toiletries stored out of sight, and add a few well-chosen decorative details such as fake or real foliage and flowers, ceramics or shells. 

Monochrome bathrooms

Monochromatic colours make a dramatic yet simple statement, and can be adapted to a range of bathroom styles from the traditional to the sleek and contemporary. For example, a black and white chequered floor is a timeless choice and works for any style of bathroom. 

The simple colour scheme also gives you more scope to play with geometric patterns that would look too busy when combined with colour or texture. Add interest with chrome metalwork for shower heads, taps, towel rails and so on, or keep it strictly monochrome with matt black taps and accessories. 

Choose black frames for mirrors and shower screens to complete the look.