How to Decorate a Bathroom: A Guide with 25 Essential Tips

Traditionally, the bathroom has been a "forgotten" space in decor, where practicality was prioritized over design. Fortunately, this is no longer the case today, and it's possible to find designer furniture and accessories that are both functional and stylish . Read on to learn how to decorate your bathroom and make it the center of attention!

What is used in bathrooms?: traditional and new styles

If you have the opportunity to design your bathroom from scratch, whether you're doing a complete renovation or building your own home, consider what elements you consider essential : a guest bathroom isn't the same as a master bathroom, for example. These are the essential elements in a bathroom:

• Sanitary ware : You'll find a variety of sizes and options on the market, depending on the size of the room.
• Sink : They also come in different sizes, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
• Bathtub and/or shower : Choose one or the other depending on the space available and your intended use (if you have small children or plan to have them, a bathtub may be more practical). You can skip both options in guest restrooms.
• Mirror : Usually placed above the sink. If you want added practicality, choose one with a built-in cabinet.
• Bidet : you either love it or hate it, there's no middle ground. If you have enough space and you're in the mood, go for it.

How to layout a bathroom?

A good or bad layout greatly influences the use of the bathroom. To make it comfortable to use , keep the following in mind:

• Leave a free space of 70cm x 120cm where the toilet and bidet will be placed , so that, once installed, there is at least 15cm free on each side and 60cm in front.
• Standard sinks typically measure between 60 and 70 centimeters wide (depending on whether they have a countertop) and about 45 centimeters deep, plus 60 centimeters of clearance for ease of use. The standard height is 85 centimeters from the floor.
• The mirror should be placed 35 centimeters above the sink or 15 centimeters above the faucet.
• Once you've decided between a bathtub and a shower, you'll need to consider the dimensions of each: a bathtub typically measures 200x70 cm and is 42 centimeters high, while a shower tray can vary widely in size, but never less than 70x70 centimeters . In both cases, you should allow a minimum of 60 centimeters for entry and exit.

Another aspect you should pay attention to when designing your bathroom is the layout of the power outlets , ensuring they are within easy reach when you need them (for example, for a hairdryer or electric toothbrush) but out of potentially dangerous areas.

What to put on the walls of a bathroom?

As a wet room, the bathroom is typically tiled from floor to ceiling on all walls, either with more or less classic tiles or with ceramic or plastic coverings of varying appearances and qualities. If you want to innovate, you can now find different finishes that will give your bathroom a modern touch without sacrificing hygiene:

• Chalkboard : For a modern, avant-garde style. Keep in mind that the room must have plenty of light, though, as dark walls could make it seem even smaller and darker.
• Vinyl : Vinyl coverings (similar to wallpaper, but laminated) offer you maximum creative freedom; you can decorate the room with all kinds of motifs, phrases, photographs, etc.
• Combinations of different types of wall coverings: Until recently, it was common for all four bathroom walls to be the same, but that's a thing of the past. Try combining different materials, textures, and colors, focusing on one wall, or trying a mix and match that will turn your bathroom into a work of art.
• Vertical garden : Do you dare? Even if it's a humid room, the plants don't have to be natural: you'll find high-quality artificial alternatives on the market that will add a wild touch to your bathroom decor.

25 more decorative tips for your bathroom

If you can't do a complete renovation right now, but you still want to update your bathroom or give its decor a makeover , pay attention to the following recommendations; you'll love them!

Good lighting is key

Both for practicality and to emphasize the areas you want to highlight. A tip: combine general ceiling lighting with more direct lighting in the mirror area.

Plants do have a place in the bathroom.

Who said no? If your bathroom has good natural light, take advantage of it to place a few hardy plants to add greenery. No windows? Go for artificial plants; you'll find some beautifully designed models on the market.

Good wall covering

The cladding is key to the style of your bathroom: choose from tiles, stone, paper, vinyl, or a good paint … Innovate, play, and have fun!

Fiber and rattan baskets to give character

Decor is key. Try to match all your accessories with a common style, choosing similar or complementary materials and colors . Our tip: use rattan baskets to keep things organized while adding that warm and inviting touch.

Use small decorative details that fit together well

If you still have time to choose, opt for a classic and simple style for the large , unchanging pieces (toilets, wall tiles, faucets) and add personality with small decorative details, such as soap dishes, jars, and baskets. By changing these small things, the bathroom will completely change without having to make a large investment.

A large borderless mirror

Mirrors add light and depth to a room , making it appear larger. In the case of the bathroom, they also have a practical function, so opting for large-format mirrors without frames is a great idea.

Use matching towels

There's nothing more garish in a bathroom than towels that don't match each other or the rest of the decor, creating a sloppy appearance that can ruin all the effort you've put in. If you want to get it right, opt for neutral colors and high-quality materials , like cotton, for your bath towels.

Combine materials

Especially if the bathroom is large or adjoins the dressing room, for example: how about limiting porcelain flooring to wet areas and using wood for the rest ? The same goes for the walls: you can use tiles only on the sink and bathtub walls and choose paint or wallpaper for the rest.

Delimit the spaces

Continuing with the previous idea, you can use different materials or colors to define the different spaces in your bathroom. Just be careful to choose a maximum of two or three different colors or materials to maintain harmony and prevent the bathroom from becoming cluttered.

The windows and views are a nice addition.

If you have the opportunity to leave a space open to the outdoors, don't miss it: you'll gain in spaciousness, light, style, and comfort.

Custom furniture

Especially for the sink area, a custom-made piece of furniture will perfectly fit the space, style, and your practical needs. A perfect investment!

Storage and order, a perfect mix

To have a magazine-worthy bathroom, it's essential to maintain order, and to ensure everything is in its place, you must have enough storage space to make it easy to put everything in its place and eliminate the temptation to leave everything in the way . Plan your needs in advance and take advantage of every corner to get the most out of your bathroom.

Shower or bathtub?

Don't just think in practical terms: a shower can also be the focal point of the bathroom if you choose top-quality materials and finishes . Play around with the shower screen and faucets to make the result even more spectacular. Do you have enough space? No need to choose! Place both and enjoy each one as you wish.

Rustic or modern style?

Any decorating trend can be a wonderful idea for your bathroom, but our advice is to keep your entire home in a similar vein : if you have a modern home and suddenly redo your bathroom in a rustic style, the result will look odd.

Take advantage of the screen as another decorative resource

Tired of the typical transparent shower screen with a shiny steel frame? Opt for custom-designed models that give your bathroom a sense of distinction: translucent colored glass, unusual materials , large-format models that fill the entire wall...

Bet on color

Nothing is more boring than the typical monochrome bathroom: choose two complementary shades and look for a contrast between them . Our recommendation? Black and white for a dramatic space, blue for a relaxing spa-like space, and pink and black for an elegant and very feminine space.

Hydraulic tiles

Both on the floor and on the wall, they'll add a vintage touch that will transform your bathroom into a unique space full of personality . A tip: combine hydraulic tiles with plain tiles to avoid overwhelming the room.

Colored toilets

Leave boring white bathroom fixtures behind: for both the sinks and the shower or bathtub, you can choose bright colors that contrast with the rest of the decor, adding a touch of joy.

Construction furniture

If you're thinking about remodeling your bathroom, how about designing the vanity unit and shelving as part of the new bathroom design? You can complement this with custom-made wooden doors or, even better, colorful curtains that will draw the attention of guests.

Inside the bedroom

A step beyond the classic en-suite bathroom, how about adding a shower or bathtub to the bedroom? Not for couples where one is an early riser and the other likes to sleep in!

Baseboard and paint

The area of ​​the wall that suffers the most is the lower part. How about a striking baseboard and a plain paint job halfway up to the ceiling? You'll achieve a bathroom that's both practical and elegant .

With double shower

If you have enough space, a large shower with two separate faucets is a wonderful option for starting the morning together but not in a mixed situation.

Sanitary facilities suspended

Save space without sacrificing style by choosing wall-hung toilets, especially if you can recess the cistern into the wall. You'll enjoy a more spacious bathroom, with more polished spaces and, not least, one that's super easy to clean!

Glass mosaic

Mosaic tiles were very popular a few years ago, but then fell out of favor, mainly due to the proliferation of low-quality imitations that emerged to save money without considering the final result. Now they're back in fashion, but if you're going to choose them, keep these tips in mind:

• Always choose top quality material, avoid imitations .
• Opt for neutral , not too flashy colors .
• Limit the mosaic tiles to one area of ​​the bathroom and combine them with a visually lighter option, such as paint or plain tile.

Three-dimensional walls

Do you want a cutting-edge bathroom? Opt for textured wall coverings that add a three-dimensional style to the wall. Combined with directlighting , you'll achieve a shadow effect that will enhance the room's drama.

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