With lounge areas, meditation spaces, and even beverage stations, bathrooms are taking on new functions in our wellness-obsessed daily lives. As a result, the world of bathroom decor ideas has expanded, transforming what used to be the most utilitarian rooms of the home into personal sanctuaries. And we’re not only growing fonder of our bathrooms, they’re increasing in square footage too. “We are seeing that bathrooms are growing larger and more important to homeowners, especially in the high-end housing market,” says Holly Hunt of the Chicago-based House of Hunt.
As for outfitting these increasingly significant spaces, we reached out to top design pros across the country for their best bathroom decorating ideas. Below, these trusted experts share their solutions to common homeowner concerns as well as some fresh inspiration to get you going.
How do I decorate my bathroom?
In other words, where should you begin? Bianca Ecklund of Bianca Ecklund Design in Hermosa Beach, California, recommends turning to your personal style when it comes to bathroom decor ideas. “Bathrooms are great spaces to express a design style unique to the homeowner,” she explains. [A bathroom is] also a space that should look the way you want to feel [when you’re] in it. Whether that’s spa-like or energetic, this is where you have the freedom to express your energy.”
From there, consider each choice—from the faucets to the floor tile—an aesthetic one. “Embrace imaginative design decisions to metamorphose an ordinary powder room into a charming treasure trove brimming with character,” says Kellie Sirna of the Dallas-based Studio 11 Design. She recommends combining a vibrant sink with a patterned wall covering, using sculptural lighting to elevate the ambiance, or adding thoughtfully positioned tiles to “craft optical illusions that captivate the eye and introduce visual intrigue.”
What decorations can you put in a bathroom?
In addition to the requisite bath mats and towel racks, designers are approaching bathrooms like they would other rooms in the house. Actual pieces of furniture, such as armoires (as opposed to your typical built-in storage that has historically been relied upon in such spaces), luxe lighting fixtures, and open shelving are all on the proverbial table when it comes to bathroom decor these days. Sarah Tract of Sarah Tract Interiors in New York City suggests looking to your walls to add a bit of flair to your bathroom. “I love wallpaper in a bathroom, especially in the powder room,” she says. “A powder room is your own personal jewel box with the opportunity to make a statement for your guests to see.”
What bathroom decor trends are worth trying out?
Some of the biggest bathroom trends of recent years have revolved around utilitarian additions. Bidets were all the rage in 2020, and the splashy add-ons remain more popular than they were in the US pre-pandemic. Steam showers have also become increasingly common in luxury homes. Freestanding bathtubs have held steady as the preferred choice for the ultimate space to relax.