A mini blog series we dedicated to tips and tricks to design a better bathroom, in both attractiveness and functionality.
Whether renovating or building from the ground up, DIY-ing or working with a designer; we have some tips on designing a remarkable bathroom and avoiding some design disasters. Our goal is to expand your thinking and imagination on what could be your dream loo. We will break up the content into three main categories: colors, materials, and function. This week, let’s talk about color.
Our advice is not one-size-fits-all. These “tips and tricks” are a great place to start thinking about how you can pull away from the mundane, start thinking outside the box, and show off your beloved home.
First, ask yourself a handful of questions:
What colors do I look good in?
- If you dislike the color on you, you won’t love it around you.
- This doesn’t mean you should paint every wall blue because it makes your eyes pop. The advice here is to pay close attention to the undertones of the colors you choose; then, maybe, you can add some blue.
What is the space going to be used for and who will be using it?
- Really, this is a question about whether this is a Powder Room, Master Bathroom, Guest or Kid’s Bathroom or a Jack & Jill.
What will I be doing in this space?
- Is this where you are primarily getting ready, where you rinse off from the beach, where you wash your hands after getting home? Seriously, it matters!
How do I want to feel in this space?
- This is most likely the place where you begin and end your day. Do you want to feel energized and confident, calm and at peace, bold, brilliant, trendy, clean? Your designs will influence this!
CHAPTER ONE - COLOR
Image by Chase Daniel via The Effortless Chic
Designers: @mrslaurendaniel + @thevuvobandit | Tile: @fireclaytile
Personality + Paint
Think of your bathroom design like a baby. What do you do with a newborn? You give her a name! And the first thing you should do with your bathroom is give her a personality. Not two or three personalities, a personality. Maybe you have a specific style in mind, or all you know is that you just really want to impress your guests. Either way, like any of your favorite people, your bathroom needs to have a personality. If you’re not a fan of someone with little or no personality, you won’t love a bathroom without one either.
All this talk about personality does not give you the right to switch up your personality on us. If your home is mid-century modern, contemporary, modern farmhouse, etc; keep your bathroom that way, whether you want to tone it down or really show it off! If you have a beachy, coastal home; your bathroom should be an onward expression of it. Whatever your theme/style is, keep it harmonious in the bathroom.
Image by Lindye Galloway
Design: @lindyegalloway | Photo: @chadmellon
When it comes to paint, choosing the right color is only half the battle and not always the best place to start. Don’t be afraid to work around a tile selection or a statement piece such as a vintage vanity, a floating cast-iron sink, or whatever you have in mind. Color should add, never take away, and never be the focal piece.
I’m thinking about all of those white bathrooms that blends where the walls begin and end. Add some natural woods, natural stones, and/or interesting tile selections for contrast! Key word here: contrast. Incorporating contrast when designing your bathroom is critical. And while we love a well-designed, neutral bathroom, it can be easy for it to feel bland without the right contrast to supplement its innate simplicity.
Flatter Me!
Designing a flattering bathroom will depend on several factors, such as the size of your bathroom, the amount of natural light entering the bathroom, and the temperature of artificial light in it. Keep in mind your bathroom specifications as this next section influences your design ideas.
Image by JLV Creative via Zia Tile
Design: @jlv_creative | Photo: @margaret.wright | Tile: @zia_tile
When deciding on a paint color, it is best to choose a color that looks flattering on you and your guests. If you have decided to paint your walls a natural color, the tints and undertones that are inspired by skin tones are going to be your best bet. Generally, stay away from yellow and green undertones to avoid a sickly glow.
While on the topic of yellow and green undertones: we’re not saying to stay away from yellows and greens in every case! Small doses of yellow can energize and evoke feelings of confidence and happiness; while greens can induce feelings of balance, restoration, comfort, and togetherness. That doesn’t sound so bad does it? Don’t mistake this for pairing a yellow hand towel with a matching rug – you can do better than that. Dream big. Design a kids’ bathroom with Moroccan zellige with bursting yellows or glossy greens. If it flows with the personality you gave to your bathroom, we can’t tell you it’s wrong.
Image by Doherty Design Studio
Design: @dohertydesignstudio | Photo: @ashlynsavannah
Not all greens are created equally. It is also important to note that there are plenty, and we mean plenty, of greens you not only can use but should. Plants are the obvious go-to, but you can also warmly welcome in those dark, cooler greens in your paint or tile selections for a more dramatic, earthy look. Tile, especially in the shower, is typically the easiest place to welcome a pop of color!
The takeaway: pay attention to the undertones of your paint color – will it compliment your skin tone or will you avoid the mirror at every visit? It is important to run with the personality of your home, and to keep in mind the primary use of your bathroom.
Image by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Design & Photo by: @sarahshermansamuel
White Bathrooms – here to stay or going away?
The classic white, minimal bathrooms are here to stay, but are not the only option! White is classic, it’s clean, it looks effortless but impressive nonetheless, but don’t let it keep you from incorporating black. Whether it is a black framed glass shower door or a painted black bathroom; we are all for it. 2020 bathrooms are going to be showing a lot more black, especially more than gray.
Black is bold, it is clean and simple, and it evokes feeling of calmness and even creativity – if you do it correctly. Balance is key for any color you decide on.
Image by Christy Allen Designs
Design: @callendesign | Wallpaper: @osbourneandlittle
small spaces
A white-painted bathroom tends to be the go-to for smaller bathrooms, usually because white can trick the eye into thinking a space looks and feels larger than it actually is. But who are you really fooling? I’m talking about those Powder Rooms or even full Bathrooms that are just big enough to fit what you need. You don’t have to be ashamed of a tiny bathroom, in fact, we recommend using your creativity and take advantage of the limited square footage! Some of our favorite small bathrooms are ones painted dark, moody colors like a deep emerald green, ones that have decorative wallpaper, or ones with bold floor or wall tiles! A tighter space has the potential for a richer personality – if you let it.
Some Final Thoughts…
If you walk away with anything, we hope it is this: whatever color you choose, choose it because it inspires the personality you have given your bathroom. Go through those first four questions at the beginning if you need help thinking through exactly what that is. What we love about design is that it is constantly evolving, inspiring, and showing up everywhere – even the loo.
Stay on the lookout for our next blog about materials to use in a better bathroom. In the meantime, check out our Pinterest board with plenty more photos for inspiration!