What to consider when planning?

Bathroom design begins with determining the initial data:

  • Combined bathroom. Assumes the installation of a toilet and a shower cabin or a bathtub in one room. But designers advise zoning the space, separating the toilet area from the rest.
  • Separate rooms. The bathroom interior necessarily includes a bathtub or shower, a sink and a storage area. In the toilet, they put a toilet, a bidet or a special bidet mixer for the toilet, a small washbasin.

combined bathroom with shower

The photo shows a bathroom combined with a toilet

corner shower storage in the bathroom

No less important is the size:

  • Small bathroom. Every centimeter should be used wisely: for this, modern designers offer a lot of compact functional solutions. The advantage of small spaces is saving on finishing, so it is recommended to use more expensive and practical materials.
  • Spacious bathroom. A large bathroom, unlike a small one, has enough space to accommodate a large storage area, a freestanding bowl, a double sink, a bidet and other fashionable plumbing fixtures.

diagonal hog tile

The photo shows a small combined bathroom with a shower finished with a hog tile

bathroom accents black tile in the bathroom

The ways to visually change the geometry of space in 2021 have not changed – for example, a narrow room is expanded using the contrast of dark, light tones, mirrors, geometric patterns.

washing machine in the bathroom blue bathroom

What color scheme is relevant in 2021?

Bathroom color ideas originate from the desire for comfort, rest, relaxation. That’s why neutral shades are trendy: sand, coffee, earth, light gray, white.

white faucets in the bathroom

The photo shows a white freestanding bathtub

black walls in the bathroom gray tiles for the walls in the bathroom

If you think this range looks boring, play with materials and textures: popular terrazzo tiles, unlike imitation marble, are at their peak today.

Dark matte tiles look no less impressive: the main thing to keep in mind during renovation is that they are more difficult to care for than glossy light tiles.

bathroom in colors 2021

The photo shows bathroom walls in current colors 2021

a combination of turquoise and red pastel shades for the bathroom

For the most daring, color blocking will be the ideal solution: muted colored shades repeat the clear geometric shapes of furniture and plumbing. Black accessories will help to reconcile them: lamps, mirrors, fittings, faucets.

color blocking furniture

The photo shows an example of color blocking

black and turquoise bathroom

What finishing materials are best to use?

The choice of materials for the bathroom interior is the most important step in its arrangement. It is clear that the finish should be waterproof, durable, but stylish. What fits all 3 points in the 2021 season?

Floor

Proven floor coverings: porcelain stoneware, PVC tiles, cork. But what is more important is not the choice of the material itself, but its tone: if the walls are made predominantly neutral, then the floor can be bright, even flashy.

A similar effect can be achieved using multi-colored tiles with an oriental pattern. A more discreet option is dark quartz vinyl imitating natural stone.

combination of tiles and paint white bathroom

Walls

Covering an entire large or small room with tiles is no longer in trend! Modern style involves a symbiosis of practical tiles in the wet area (shower, above the bathtub, in the sink area, bidet) and no less practical washable paint on the other walls.

Another option is wallpaper, only hot stamping vinyl will do. Tropical and plant motifs are preferable as an idea this year.

Check out ideas for combining tiles and paint in the bathroom.

tropical print in the bathroom

The photo shows the implementation of tropical motifs in wall decoration

red tiles in the bathroom

The photo shows the accent wall behind the sink

walls and floor in the bathroom, finished with the same tiles combined wall finishing with a pig 3D wall tiles

Ceiling

Everything is as simple as pie here: white color, minimalistic finishing will suit both large, so small bathroom.

See more recommendations for choosing a ceiling for the bathroom.

wallpaper in the bathroom white ceiling in the bathroom

Completeness and arrangement

Shower cabins are increasingly common in modern bathrooms: while a small bathroom may only have a shower, a large one may have a shower and a bathtub.

In 2021, showers are made as open as possible: a tray made of floor tiles with a built-in drain, glass partitions instead of walls. Ideally, the shower should be located in a niche or corner.

sink, bathtub and shower wall-hung white cabinet in the bathroom open shower in the bathroom

Bath bowls, on the contrary, prefer freestanding ones: if you choose the most trendy shape, look for an oval cylinder with the sides adjoining at 90C. It is installed on special legs (usually included), complemented by a floor mixer.

Modern style moves away from glossy faience, preferring matte sinks, bathtubs made of natural stone. The same rule applies to countertops: chipboard is replaced with wood, concrete, stone.

bathroom with gold details hanging console under the sink olive bathroom

There is one simple rule for bathroom furniture in a modern style: everything that cannot be built-in must be suspended. This condition is especially relevant for small rooms – suspended furniture and plumbing visually lightens the space.

Modern technologies have not bypassed this part of the apartment: for example, special heated cabinets have recently appeared. Thanks to them, towels can be removed from the heated towel rails and dried directly in the drawer.

hanging furniture in the bathroom

The photo shows a modern hanging cabinet with an open towel storage system

niches in the bathroom wall as shelves fabric shower curtains

As the general trend is moving towards minimalism, the reduction of the number of things primarily concerns the decor. The decorative function is performed by stylish faucets, mirrors, live or artificial plants, textiles (rugs, curtains).

bright bathroom shower wall open shelves in the bathroom

What style is best for bathrooms?

Modern design is eclectic, it is quite difficult to single out several separate directions. But the basis is mainly 3 interior styles.

mirror cabinets in the bathroom glass piglet on the wall

Minimalism

Simple forms, clear lines, lack of unnecessary details. As a bathroom idea, minimalism is ideal – it is quite easy to maintain hygienic cleanliness in a space with free countertops and closed cabinets.

minimalist bathroom minimalist bathroom black bathroom spacious black and white bathroom

Japandi

All former fans of Scandinavian design today gravitate towards its mixture with its Japanese brother: the design is still as practical and functional as the usual Scandi. But it has become more restrained. Both trends advocate naturalness and simplicity, so the design is harmonious.

bathroom in Japandi style

The photo shows a bathroom in Japandi style

black and white bathroom with mosaic on the floor white bathroom in the center

Art Deco

Only the best elements have remained in the modern interpretation: symmetry, gilding, original mirrors, bright contrasts.

bathroom in art deco style bathroom in art deco style

What’s trending in lighting?

Linear light is in fashion! It replaced the spotlight, but has not yet completely replaced it: therefore, on the ceiling or in the washbasin area, there is still a choice: laconic spotlights, pendants, or invisible linear diode lamps.

countertop in the bathroom mirror in the slab mirror backlight

Ceiling linear lighting is often done along the contour, as if hiding in the ceiling structure. The effect looks futuristic, but it copes with its task at 5+.

Mirrors are not illuminated from above, as it was before, but from the sides or along the entire contour. In the first case, choose ceiling pendants or wall sconces. In the second, it is easier to buy a modern mirror with contour lighting.

glass shower curtain spacious shower floor lighting in the bathroom

Fashionable ideas for inspiration

To make your bathroom not only comfortable but also beautiful, use the advice of designers:

  • Replace chrome taps with gold, copper, black ones. They are also universal, but more aesthetic.
  • Add bright details. A red cabinet in a bright room – isn’t it a suitable accent in the interior?

black grout for white tiles blue sink in the interior colored bathroom

On photo combination of 3 types of tiles with 2 colors

wood in the bathroom bright furniture in the bathroom

  • Combine pastel shades. An entirely pink bathroom is boring. To make the interior sparkle with new colors, you should add a green cabinet to the delicate walls.
  • Combine more than 2 materials. One tile is usually used for the walls and another for the floor. But you can’t call such a renovation stylish: 3-5 elements (2 types of wall tiles, 2 paint colors, separate floor tiles) are a different story.
  • Consider the features. Why not leave bare brick walls in a brick house? Yes, the surface requires additional processing, but it looks much more impressive than the boring marble.

unusual bathroom design pastel colors in the interior brick in the bathroom bathroom with a large window

Not enough photos of bathrooms in the article? Scroll through the gallery, choose your option!

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