Refined Rituals: My Expert Tips for Details that define a Luxurious Bathroom

Too often the bathroom is still seen as a purely functional space — somewhere to get ready and move on. Yet for me, it’s one of the most rewarding rooms to design. It’s where form and function meet intimacy; where small decisions make a big difference. This is the space that quietly defines the rhythm of your day — the first light you see in the morning, the last calm moment before bed. When designed thoughtfully, a bathroom can transform your home in ways most people underestimate. The right materials, lighting, and layout don’t just create a beautiful room — they create a mood. A sense of calm that carries through the rest of the house. A touch of luxury that isn’t about extravagance, but about the way a space makes you feel every single day.

I believe that the best bathrooms are those that balance craftsmanship with comfort. They should look effortless because every decision — from the placement of lights to the finish of taps — has been made with intention. These are spaces that must age gracefully (given the investment), function flawlessly, and feel indulgent without being showy. Creating a bathroom like this is a journey in design discipline. It requires careful planning, technical precision, and an understanding of how people really live. It’s about layering functionality with atmosphere — something that’s not always easy to achieve without experience. That’s why I always tell my clients: the bathroom deserves as much design attention as your kitchen or living room. Because when it’s done right, it becomes more than a practical necessity — it’s a sanctuary that adds daily pleasure and long-term value to your home.  It is also one of the places that is impractical to improve or upgrade lateron, if you are undertaking a renovation please invest into your bathrooms at the start, you can always buy expensive sofas next year!

1. Start with a Clear Plan 

Every successful project begins with a well-thought-out plan. Bathrooms are among the most technically complex spaces in a home, where plumbing, heating, electrics, and ventilation need to be perfectly coordinated before the design and your chosen materials can shine.

Assess how you live. Think carefully about your priorities: who perfers a large walk-in shower that feels like a spa, do you dream of a freestanding tub for long baths, or do you really need to reconfigure space to fit dual sinks for siblings? These questions form the foundation of a design that truly works for you. You are likely to have multiple bath and shower rooms, prioritise who needs showers, who needs a bath. Which rooms are shared by siblings or with guests or can a bathroom become as multifunctional space and double up up as a laundry if its near your gym or workout space?

In one of our most intricate reconfigurations, we had to move every wall and pipe beneath a roofline to create a sense of spaciousness. Introducing a glass brick corner wall brought in natural light, while a mirror-clad joinery unit concealed the boiler — proof that technical challenges, when handled well, can produce beautiful results.

Invest where it matters. Bathrooms demand a higher proportion of skilled labour and specialist materials. Allocate your budget to high-use elements — invest into the best quality fixtures, taps, and surfaces you can afford. These are what you’ll see and touch every day. They need to last and perform and also ensure you have appropriate cleaning in place later adapted to the type of materials you chose (consider natural brass, marble, encaustic tiles).

Think long-term. The most timeless bathrooms are grounded in classic layouts and natural materials. Avoid chasing trends; instead, choose finishes that feel enduring and quietly elegant. It is fun to stay in a trendy design hotel bathroom with black taps and a bath in the middle of the bedroom – but is this how you wish to live for the next decade?

If you can afford the space, make large long vanity surfaces and generous walkin showers. 

A narrow shower clad with fun terrazzo tiles while the rest of the bathroom is quite simple. 

Nothing wrong with plain tiles and simple designs but ensure a streamlined layout , avoid boxing pipes and invest in good quality fixtures. 

2. Layout and Flow: Achieving Maximum Functionality 

A well-designed bathroom layout should feel effortless — intuitive, calm, and perfectly balanced. Every movement, from reaching for a towel to turning on the tap, should flow naturally. You shouldn’t have to think about where things are; good design makes it instinctive. Bathrooms are complex spaces — every centimetre matters. Unlike other rooms, they’re governed by technical constraints: plumbing runs, structural walls, window placement, and ventilation. But within those limits lies opportunity. The right layout can make a small space feel generous, or a large one feel cohesive and serene.

Start with circulation.
Think about how you enter the room and what you see first. Ideally, your eye should land on something beautiful — a vanity, a freestanding bath, a sculptural basin — not the toilet. In many older homes, the WC sits in direct view of the door; even just swapping its position with the basin can dramatically elevate the feel.

Small adjustments, big impact. If a full remodel feels daunting, focus on updating fixtures, tiles, and surfaces. A sleek new basin, statement mirror, or modern taps can breathe life into an outdated bathroom without the need for extensive construction. 

Reimagine the proportions. Don’t be afraid to steal a little space from an adjacent corridor or cupboard to achieve better balance. A few extra inches can turn a cramped shower into a comfortable one, or allow space for double basins. We typically reconfigure narrow bathrooms by taking adjacent space, allowing for a larger vanity and walk-in shower that instantly changed the sense of scale.

Zone the space. Where possible, create subtle zones — wet and dry areas, vanity and bathing, or even morning and evening use. In larger bathrooms, a half-height wall or glass partition can divide areas while keeping the space visually open. Currently we are designing en ensuite where the bath is separated by a low partition wall from the WC . In another project we positioned the bath on a slightly raised platform under a roof window, while the shower and vanity formed a more functional side of the room. The result felt both architectural and deeply relaxing.

Understanding the Architecture of the Space. Before you choose a single tile or tap, take time to study the architecture of the room. Every bathroom has its own geometry — proportions, ceiling heights, window placement, awkward corners — and the most successful designs start by working with those qualities where it makes sense.  A long, narrow space, benefits from strong symmetry: a centred vanity, mirrored walls, or a line of tiles that draws the eye through the room, shower one end and WC the other end. In contrast, a square or compact space may feel more harmonious when zones are layered — shower, vanity, and WC aligned along one wall to create visual calm.

If the ceilings are low, run tiles vertically or choose a tall mirror to elongate the perspective. For high ceilings, introduce panelling or a darker tone on the lower half of the wall to bring the proportions back to a more comfortable human scale. Add a roof or sky light, add LED strip in a coving detail along a tall long ceiling line.  I often remind clients that challenging spaces are where the most interesting design moments happen. A structural column can become a divider for a wet area; a sloping roofline can frame a bath beautifully beneath a skylight. In our chalet attic conversion, we tucked a bath under the eaves and replaced a large section of roof with a massiv glass pane (flown in by helicopter) to raise ceiling height and fill the room with natural light — turning what was once an cramped corner into an atmospheric spot with mountain views.

Respect the architecture and respond to it thoughtfully, and if this really doesnt meet your objectives, then don’t be afraid to undertake structural change: we often move walls, move windows or door openings. Bathrooms have to function for your way of life .

Using folding pocket doors allowed us to hide the laundry room in the guest cloakroom. 

For small bathrooms. Swap a traditional swing door for a pocket or sliding door to free up floor space. Use a floating vanity to show more of the floor — this instantly makes the room feel larger. Choose a wall-mounted toilet in compact size (we always use the catalano small models) with low concealed cistern and then recess a mirror cabinet  or a mirror niche above; it saves depth and keeps the look refined. Run tiles from floor to ceiling — vertical continuity creates height and flow. If you do stop tiles make sure they are recessed flush so your plaster sits flush with the tiles. Avoid tile trims if possible. Place the largest mirror possible; it will bounce light and visually double the space.

Consider dual-function spaces. In family homes, multifunctionality can be a game-changer. We’ve designed guest bathrooms that double as laundry rooms — concealing a washer-dryer behind ribbed timber pocket doors — and principal suites where a freestanding tub sits within the bedroom space, separated only by a pane of fluted glass. These layouts feel modern, intentional, and visually striking while remaining practical.

Ultimately, good layout design is about more than fitting everything in. It’s about meeting your daily life style needs, allowing comfort and movement, with beautiful and flexible lighting, and aestetic sightlines so the space feels calm, generous, and beautifully resolved. When the layout is right, every other design decision — from materials to lighting — naturally falls into place.

This bathroom was stripped back to the brick walls then clad with marble porcelain on the walls and encaustic floor tiles. Every inch of space was used to enlarge shower and vanity space and added storage. 

3. The Importance of Lighting

Lighting is often underestimated but it’s what makes the difference between a bathroom that’s merely functional and one that feels quietly indulgent. I have written separate Expert articles about lighting please go check them out for great tips.

Layer your lighting. Combine ambient, task, and accent sources. Ceiling lights provide general illumination, while wall sconces flanking mirrors prevent harsh shadows. Consider integrated LEDs behind mirrors or under vanities for a soft, atmospheric glow. I am increasingly trying to avoid the use of downlights, but if we position them then they must be the best quality integrated LED which makes noticeably better light. Only place light where you need it, you do not need to illuminate the entire space equally.

Wall lights. I love using wall lights in bathrooms but you must pay attention to the required IP rating dpending on the location of the fittings to the water source. Please consult your electrician or google the IP ratings charts for bathrooms. Hence when you are able to wire your light try and position it outside of those restrictive zones, and if that is not possible then search for IP44 rated lights, often I use outdoor rated wall lights or pendants , especially for pendants over a bath.

Dimmable lighting. I can not mention this often enough. Ensure your circuits are fitted with dimmers and the lights are compatible. You want brightness in the morning but softness in the evening. And for nighttime comfort, I design motion sensors into the entrance to bring on low-level floor lighting to create gentle guidance without disruption.

4. Materials and Finishes: Merging Luxury with Practicality 

Material selection is where a bathroom’s true personality emerges. It’s the intersection of beauty and performance. As you have seen above I would not rush into chosing tiles before having solved the big picture spatial planning. When I begin selecting materials, I’m not only thinking about aesthetics but also how the space will feel and perform — underfoot, to the touch, and across the changing light of the day. A successful bathroom palette combines durability, texture, and tone in a way that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.

Stone and Tile. The Foundation of Luxury. Natural stone remains the hallmark of a luxurious timeless bathroom. Perosnally I have designed all my main bathrooms with real stone; marble, limestone, and travertine -they have an unmatched depth and authenticity — no two pieces are ever the same, and that uniqueness – stone is nature’s art – creates a quiet sense of luxury. For a seamless, architectural effect, I love to use large-format slabs or bookmatched marble, allowing the veining to run continuously across walls and floors. This approach eliminates visual clutter and creates the feeling of a sculpted, monolithic space.

For projects where natural stone isn’t practical and sensible, I source porcelain slabs which have evolved beautifully. They now replicate the texture and movement of marble and other stones as well as wood effect with incredible precision, offering both visual drama and ease of maintenance. Textured porcelain (ribbed, dotted, crackled) as well as glazed colorful tiles, terrazzo, zelliges and encaustic tiles can all be mixed to add depth and individuality to bathrooms. In my recently photographed Surrey Hills project I designed seven bathrooms, in subtle colour schemes of soft greys, blues and greens with some pink, each with three different tiles (floor, walls, shower accent) and these 21 different materials all coordinated and complimented each other and their ensuing bedrooms and created a feast for the eye and to the touch.

Surface Performance. Bathroom surfaces must work hard and be durable. Occasionally however I would employ something other than stone or tiles. For a softer, more rustic look, microcement and tadelakt (a traditional Moroccan plaster) are wonderful alternatives. In my Moroccan house project I applied both polished concrete and Tadelakt on walls and vanities. Their seamless finish creates a sense of calm continuity while being waterproof and tactile. They have to be applied by trained specialists and you want to ensure you check the colours and durability for your chosen application.

Don’t be afraid to combine porcelain or quartz on main surfaces  such as vanities and floors but then combine this with natural stone detailing — perhaps a marble splashback, bath surround or shower feature to achieve the look and feeling of luxury with minimal maintenance concerns.

Layers of Texture. Don’t feel confined to stone and tile alone. Limewash paints and specialist plaster finishes like Marmorino or polished stucco can add softness and movement to walls, particularly above dado height or in dry zones. They reflect light in a beautifully diffused way and contrast gently with hard surfaces like marble or brass. In a period home, wall panelling painted in satin finishes can bring warmth and rhythm to tall walls, preventing the space from feeling clinical. Pairing painted panelling below with tiled walls above is also a clever way to manage budget while retaining elegance.

Shower Design. Showers have evolved from functional enclosures into architectural features.  Most often I will design a frameless glass screen which keeps lines clean and enhances the perception of space. Occasionally we commission shower enclosures with deliberately opulent nickel, brass or bronze heavy frames as design feature. Generally our sanitaryware is recessed into the wall which means there is enough depth to also build recessed niches  to which i add a spot of LED strip, this eliminates the need for hanging shelves and keep products neatly out of view. I typically always integrate dual showerheads — a rainfall head for relaxation and a handheld round head on a slider rail for practicality.

The Bath. Where space allows, a bath can become the room’s central statement — not merely functional but emotional. I always look for forms that feel sculptural: a freestanding bath looks great in another colour than white, steel baths can be painted in bespoke colours and be dressed with pretty feet. Placement is everything — positioning a bath beneath a window or beneath a pitched ceiling can turn it into an architectural feature. In our chalet projects, I always aim to give mountain views from the bath, in a typical city property you might consider views to a pretty niche, an artwork on the wall or a feature tiling installation ; many years ago I commissioned an incredible mosaic copy of Klimts ‘The Kiss” painting which became the bath feature wall.

The Art of Combination. True luxury rarely comes from a single expensive material; it comes from contrast and balance. Mix tactile with polished, natural with refined — think stone with timber, brass with bronze, linen with glass. These combinations add depth, warmth, and individuality. For example, pairing cool Carrara marble with dark walnut instantly softens the space, while warm limestone and brushed brass create a spa-like, luminous calm. Even the smallest bathroom can feel indulgent when textures are layered thoughtfully.

5. Storage: The Art of Concealment and Convenience

A beautiful bathroom is, above all, a calm bathroom — and calm comes from order. The difference between a space that feels luxurious and one that feels chaotic is often as simple as where (and how) things are stored. True luxury isn’t about having more; it’s about having exactly what you need, beautifully organised and effortlessly within reach.

Storage must not be an afterthought — it’s part of the architecture. Think about what you need to store before the design begins: how many towels, products, electricals, spare toiletries. Planning cabinetry around your lifestyle ensures that everything has a place and the room feels permanently “ready.” Because in the end, true luxury isn’t just seen — it’s felt in the ease and order of everyday living.

Built-in cabinetry: design that belongs to the architecture. The most successful storage doesn’t look like storage at all.

Built-in joinery, designed from the start rather than added later, becomes part of the room’s architecture. A wall of cabinetry can conceal everything from towels to cleaning products, yet read as an elegant panelled wall or mirrored surface. In small spaces, shallow cabinets recessed into stud walls make use of otherwise wasted depth.

In most bathroom we aim to recess mirror-fronted cupboards above the basin fitted with LED and shaver sockets inside – they serve dual purposes — reflecting light while concealing essentials. A run of full-height joinery finished in timber veneer or lacquer can bring warmth and vertical rhythm, turning functional storage into a sculptural statement. Personally I am obsessed with storage so I will always try and future proof designs for more accumulation of products. In my own house I designed an entire little ensuite room of cabinetry to the master bathroom for various tasks: pull out laundry collection baskets, drawers for spare toiletry products for the entire household, a large medicine apothecary cabinetry wall plus deep storage for linen and towels.

Think vertically and use the full height of the room. Often, the upper sections of a bathroom wall go unused — the perfect place for concealed cabinetry or shelving for infrequently used items. If your ceilings are high, consider a laddered or stepped design so storage feels balanced and intentional, not top-heavy.

Smart storage around the vanity. Drawers are generally more efficient than cupboards; they allow you to see and reach everything without rummaging. Use internal dividers to keep smaller items ordered, and line drawers in leather, felt, or textured laminate for a quiet sense of luxury. If space allows, create double-tiered vanities: the upper for daily essentials and the lower for spare towels or baskets. An open shelf beneath a floating vanity can display neatly folded linens or curated objects — grounding the design while keeping it functional.

Hidden versus displayed. Not everything needs to be hidden. A few visible, well-considered elements can make the space feel lived in and personal. Stack soft towels by tone, decant everyday items into glass jars, or display a beautiful candle and natural sponge beside the bath. These touches soften the geometry of the space and signal quiet luxury.

In one playful coastal project, we rolled up bright bikinis and stored them on open shelving beside the shower — it added colour, personality, and a sense of joy to an otherwise minimal space. In another, a collection of vintage perfume bottles displayed on a marble ledge brought a sense of nostalgia and femininity to a contemporary suite.

Multifunctional and concealed storage solutions. In family homes or apartments with limited utility space, bathrooms often have to multitask. We’ve designed guest cloakrooms that cleverly hide a washer-dryer behind pocket doors, with custom joinery that matches the rest of the cabinetry so nothing feels compromised.

BUT – now comes the big but: not everything needs to be hidden. A few thoughtfully arranged items – like handmade soaps, a face cloth, or a tub of bath salts – can add a personal and inviting touch. 

6. Ventilation: Preserving Beauty Over Time 

Good ventilation is often overlooked until problems arise. Without it, moisture can quietly undo all the beauty you’ve created — warping timber, lifting paint, and encouraging mould.

I always install a high-quality extractor fan sized to the space, and consider models with humidity sensors or silent operation to preserve tranquillity. I try and fit them inside the shower where they work at the source of the moisture creation, sometimes even adding a second one for a larger space.

If possible, incorporate operable windows. Natural ventilation and daylight are unmatched in maintaining freshness and longevity.

7. Fixtures: The Jewellery of the Bathroom

Fixtures are the details that complete a bathroom — the jewellery that defines its personality. They are the elements you touch every single day, so they must not only look beautiful but feel exceptional. This is where craftsmanship and precision truly matter. A well-chosen tap, handle, or shower fitting can completely shift the tone of a space. It’s remarkable how the same vanity can read entirely differently depending on whether it’s paired with polished nickel, brushed brass, or matte black. Fixtures may be small in scale, but their impact on the overall design is enormous — they set the rhythm, the tactility, and the sense of refinement in the room.

Material and finish. When selecting fixtures, consistency matters, but uniformity doesn’t. I will mix finishes subtly in the scheme to create depth and individuality, but I like to keep all sanitaryware including the towel rails in the same finish – my preferred finishes are nickel, chrome , plated bronze or plated real solid brass. If I use untreated brass, which ages, I will warn clients as this will change in look considerably and have a higher maintenance. I can then mix other finishes such as handles, knobs, switches, light fittings with other metal colours. Nickel has a softer color than chrome, sometimes I will use stainless steel depending on the ambiance of the bathroom. Quality is the most important consideration more than the color of the sanitaryware!

Texture and touch. Fixtures are where you experience the craftsmanship of the room through your hands. The turn of a handle, the weight of a tap lever, the precision of a mixer — these are details you notice subconsciously every day. This is why I always invest in brands with impeccable engineering, I often tell clients: you’ll forget what your tiles cost long before you forget what your taps feel like. Quality fixtures are the daily reminder of craftsmanship. just to name a few brands we typically specify:

• Fantini – sculptural Italian minimalism with impeccable precision.

• Vola – timeless Danish design, pared back yet distinctive.

• Dornbracht – the benchmark for German luxury; solid, architectural, and enduring.

• Studio Ore , Lefroy Brooks, Samuel Heath – beautiful British-made fixtures with a handcrafted tactility with classic and modern styles.

• Grohe – reliable and refined, ideal for well-engineered contemporary schemes.

Consider ergonomics and proportion. The best fixtures don’t just look right; they fit right. When choosing taps and spouts, consider the proportions of your basin or bath. A spout that’s too short or tall can ruin the user experience, no matter how beautiful the design. Wall-mounted taps feel clean and modern, freeing up counter space and giving visual lightness — but they require precise planning of plumbing depth. In freestanding baths, tall floor-mounted mixers add drama but should be positioned carefully to avoid awkward reach and beware of dripping on floors.

Hidden engineering, visible beauty. Behind every elegant tap or shower lies a complex network of valves, mixers, and water pressure considerations. Working with these technical details early ensures the design remains rewarding. In my luxury projects, we conceal controls behind panels, in stud walls or integrate them into joinery so that the focus remains on the clean architectural lines. It is very important to discuss the chosen appliances with the contractor to ensure eveyrthing can be fitted smootly.

Maintenance and longevity. A truly refined bathroom ages gracefully. I choose finishes that will perform reliably over time — and if I specify materials that do change such as marble or unlacquered brass, I will warn my clients to pay attention to the cleaning and maintenance. Personally I have made the mistake of buying sanitaryware designs purely on aestetics, that were so beautiful but hard to operate or to keep clean that it frstrated me to the point of changing the fittings, an expensive mistake that I aim to avoid for my clients!

8. The Vanity: A Statement of Style

The vanity is often the centrepiece of the bathroom. Beyond its functional role, it is an opportunity to express your style.

Reclaimed Furniture: Character with a Story. Repurposing vintage or reclaimed furniture within a bathroom is one of the most effective ways to bring soul into a space that can otherwise feel overly new or sterile. I have done this numerous time, it bridges past and present — craftsmanship meeting modern functionality — and introduces a warmth that no factory-fresh vanity can replicate. I look for pieces with strong form and beautiful proportions: an antique chest of drawers, a mid-century sideboard, or even a console table with elegant legs and generous depth. These pieces often have richer materials — walnut, oak, rosewood — and tactile finishes that add a layer of refinement and narrative. When adapted with care, they can become stunning focal points.

In London Victorian townhouse, a 1950s teak credenza became a double vanity with integrated basins. Its clean lines and patinated surface gave the bathroom a grounded, timeless feel that contrasted beautifully with the crispness of the stone and mirror. The client loved that it didn’t feel “newly installed,” but rather collected. I then designed further bespoke pieces in the same mid century look which were made new but instantly gained gravitas from sitting with the real deal.

Practical considerations are essential, of course. When adapting antique or vintage furniture for wet areas, you must properly seal and reinforce the piece to protect against moisture. Always fit a stone, quartz, or microcement top to withstand water exposure, and finish the timber with a marine-grade or oil-based varnish for resilience. Drawer interiors can be lined with laminate or lacquer to add another layer of protection while keeping the look authentic.

Sustainability is another reason I love working this way. Reusing furniture not only reduces waste but celebrates the artistry of traditional craftsmanship — dovetail joints, solid wood construction, and the kind of detail rarely seen in mass-produced furniture today. Clients increasingly appreciate the uniqueness and integrity this brings to their homes.

And beyond aesthetics, a reclaimed vanity anchors a bathroom emotionally. It introduces texture, story, and patina — a sense of lived beauty that balances the smooth perfection of new materials like marble or porcelain. It’s a reminder that true luxury is not about perfection, but about layers, history, and longevity. When sourcing a vintage piece, I always check height and depth. Traditional furniture was not built to accommodate modern basin dimensions, so you may need to adjust legs or tops for ergonomics. Incorporating reclaimed furniture is more than a design choice — it’s an act of storytelling. It connects the space to a sense of heritage, individuality, and quiet sustainability — all qualities that define a truly sophisticated home.

Bespoke dreams. If vintage is not your goal then I will typically design a bespoke vanity and every such unit begins with proportion. The dimensions should always feel balanced within the architecture of the room. In tall, narrow bathrooms, a long linear vanity draws the eye horizontally and creates visual calm. In larger suites, twin basins can be framed within a single sculptural counter, giving a sense of luxury and symmetry without unnecessary bulk.

Freestanding vanities introduce presence — a furniture piece that feels collected rather than built-in — while floating vanities work beautifully in smaller or contemporary spaces, giving the illusion of space by revealing more of the floor. A subtle shadow gap beneath can be backlit for a soft, floating effect. Depending on the bathroom scheme , look and feel I might add curves or a breakfront design where the sides step back. In chalets we use reclaimed or dark timber and often add an open shelf which sits on feet and gives access to towels. I get very inspired by hotel ideas and historical pieces of furniture and ideas I pick up on my travels. I might use a brass metal bowl or a vintage stone trough as a surface mounted bowl. Of course the undermounted ceramic sink is the most classic and a durable hardwearing choice and this is how I have designed my own bathrooms mostly.

For chalet bathrooms we recently designed vanities where the surface and sink are cast in one continous material often using corian (or similar) but you must ensure the bowls are properly dimensioned, deep enough and have no hard edges, the bowl must be entirely curvy to avoid water sitting in kinks.

In terms of the vanity constuction, I might recommend any of the following options depending on your specified theme or style: the entire mood changes with these materials,

• • Stone cladded front for elegance and permanence — marble, travertine, or quartzite with mitred edges and integrated basins for a monolithic look.

  • Timber for warmth and tactility — oak, walnut, or ash, stained or oiled to complement the rest of the palette. Grain direction matters; vertical lines elongate, while horizontal grains emphasise width.

  • Lacquer or microcement for a modern, or rustic but seamless aesthetic that feels tailored and architectural.

  • Metal detailing — brushed brass, bronze, or stainless trims — can outline drawers or handles like fine jewellery.

9. Repaint and Refresh: The Transformative Power of Colour 

Colour is one of the most powerful design tools at our disposal. It changes mood, reshapes perception, and even alters the way light behaves in a space. In bathrooms, where materials and surfaces are often hard and reflective, colour is what softens and humanises the experience. It can turn the most practical room into something truly atmospheric.

Start with light. Before choosing any shade, understand how natural and artificial light move through the space. A bathroom with north-facing light benefits from warmer tones — creams, soft taupes, or blush neutrals that offset cooler light. South-facing rooms can take bolder hues, as the sunlight will naturally lift them. If your bathroom has little to no natural light, lean into it. Deep tones like charcoal, forest green, or navy can create an intimate, cocooning effect when balanced with warm lighting and metallic accents. Pale colours in dark rooms often feel flat; richness brings depth.

Timeless neutrals for calm. Soft neutrals — whites, beiges, stones, and warm greys — are enduring for good reason. They reflect light beautifully and serve as a quiet canvas for other materials like marble, wood, or brass. But “neutral” doesn’t mean bland; the secret is layering tone and texture. I will always first try to pick out accents from the natural stone  (or the porcelain) when you look closely you will be amazed how many shades are in a piece of stone. For the children’s bathrooms in my home which are all clad with a dramatic vein cut travertine, I picked out a dark shade of petrol blue and used this for the plastered wall sections, it has created such a stunning contrast with the beige stone cladding. In my own marble clad bathroom I leaned into a soft shade of watery green to give the space a tranquil dreamy atmosphere.

There are time tested classic combinations. Chalky off-white walls with pale limestone floors and walnut joinery creates harmony through contrast — subtle shifts in temperature and depth. You can also bring variation through finishes: matte walls against glossy tiles, honed stone beside brushed metal.

Dramatic tones for impact.  Darker colours work beautifully in bathrooms, especially when balanced with the right materials and lighting. In one of my guest bathrooms clad in a rich marble, I picked oiut the deep charcoal navy of the veins for the painted wall sections which really pops against the predominantly white marble, I used nickel fittings but you could smarten this with antique brass fittings which feels more sophisticated.  I am also very fond of all shades of green in bathrooms. Both in the tiles, stones and then paints. From watery seafoam to rich Emerald green – I love all green schemes, they can be directed to be classic or modern. Another safe choice is Smoky taupe with soft grey stones, this feels serene and elevated. If you’re unsure how to commit to a bold shade, start by painting just the lower half of the wall or a panelled section. It adds depth without overwhelming the space.

Look for direction. What I particularly love is to take a natural cut off point dictated by the architecture such as a kink in the wall in my attic conversions or chalets or taking the line of the window sill. I am a huge fan of stone window sills they are so luxurious and practical as longer lasting than painted surfaces. In my own properties I try to add stone window sills to the main rooms it adds character, class and luxury. In bathrooms it makes sense as you can then run the wall cladding half high and finish into the window sill, ensure your wall covering whether plaster, paint or wallpaper sits flush with the tiling.

Texture and finish. Another secret tip to change the atmosphere. Beyond colour, the paint finish defines the feeling of the room.

• Matte and eggshell finishes create softness and absorb light beautifully — perfect for a relaxed, spa-like environment.

• Satin or semi-gloss works best on panelling or cabinetry where a touch of reflectivity highlights craftsmanship.

• High-gloss finishes, when used sparingly, can be striking — for example, a lacquered vanity or ceiling that bounces light around a smaller space.

• Limewash or micro-plaster finishes to introduce subtle movement on the walls. These surfaces shift with the light throughout the day, giving the space a living, breathing quality.

Cohesion through colour. If your bathroom connects to a dressing room or bedroom, think of colour as a thread that ties the spaces together. Echo the tone of your bedroom wall colour in your bathroom’s joinery or tile undertones — it creates visual flow and a sense of considered continuity. In our Blackheath project, we carried the soft green and mushroom tones from the bedroom walls into the bathroom joinery and paired it with fossiled marble tiles. The transition felt seamless — different rooms, but the same story.

Small updates, big transformation. If a full renovation isn’t feasible, paint alone can deliver an extraordinary refresh. Repainting walls, regrouting tiles, or refinishing cabinetry instantly updates the space. Swap old handles for new metal hardware, replace tired mirrors with something architectural, and add a beautiful window dressing — especially consider window treatments, add a pretty  sheer linen roman blind or cafe curtain with pretty rod, it can transform the mood. Never underestimate what a fresh coat of paint can do. It’s the most cost-effective design tool there is, yet when used intelligently — with awareness of light, finish, and balance — it can make a bathroom feel entirely new.

If you want to dive deeper into choosing the perfect colours, be sure to check out my dedicated colour consultation article. 

10. Personal Touches: The Devil is in the Details

The final layer of design — the accents, textures, and thoughtful details — is what turns a well-designed bathroom into a truly personal space. Once the architecture and materials are resolved, these smaller gestures bring softness, personality, and emotional warmth to the room.

Add texture. Because bathrooms are dominated by hard surfaces, introducing texture is essential. Add softness through linen blinds, woven baskets, cotton waffle towels, or a small upholstered or rustic wood stool — details that bring a sense of ease and residential comfort. A handwoven rug or runner can instantly change the mood, breaking up expanses of tile and grounding the space.

Greenery always adds life. A potted fern, orchid, or a single sculptural stem in a vessel can bring an organic counterpoint to stone and metal. Natural elements are timeless — they balance the precision of the architecture with something quietly human.

Accents and art.  Art in the bathroom is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to bring character and emotion into the space. In my home every bathroom is fitted with art from luxurious oil to smart black an white photography, especially small cloakrooms need art , something to contemplate and amuse you. I choose from small framed prints, sketches, or photographs that can tolerate humidity, or display them behind glass. Soft abstract art above a freestanding bath creates a focal point, while a black-and-white photograph near the vanity adds sophistication without clutter. If you have a good size bathroom wall ensure to find a piece that works in the space, and this can be regularly updated.

Sculptural objects create interest. I am always looking for ceramic bowls,  stone trays, or nice candleholders — little pretty accents that add a softer dimension. The key is restraint: one or two considered pieces are enough to make the space feel curated rather than decorated. Where possible I create niches as part of the architectural design , add a tiny spot and then later source an object for display, in my own bathroom I placed a delicate plaster relief artwork in a recessed niche above a bath, subtly lit from above.

Scent also completes the experience. A candle, a diffuser, or even a small bowl of eucalyptus leaves adds an invisible layer of comfort. Fragrance doesn’t just smell luxurious — it feels like a moment of pause. And don’t be afraid of personality. A bathroom can still feel calm and refined with a few well-placed touches of life — a framed artwork, a small vase, a candle on the sill. These are the details that soften precision and remind you this space was designed for real living.

A beautifully designed bathroom is more than a functional space — it’s where calm, comfort, and craftsmanship meet. When proportions, light, and materials are balanced with care, the result is a room that restores as much as it impresses. Creating that harmony takes experience and an understanding of how people really live. It’s about designing spaces that feel effortless, timeless, and personal — where every detail, from the tap finish to the tone of light, works in quiet balance. Follow my stories and projects for new inspirations or get in touch to discuss your project.

Stay inspired, stay sophisticated