Bathroom

10 Beautiful Bathroom Decor Ideas

Published on May 30, 2022
Revised on March 24, 2023
7 min read

Lily Mitchell

Writer

bathroom blue wall tiles and freestanding tub with interior tree

Your bathroom is your sanctuary. It’s where you go to take a moment for yourself, whether it be a calming breath in the middle of a busy day or a good soak at the end of it. Bathroom accessories play a big role in creating your ideal atmosphere. Calm and cozy, functional and chic… whatever vibe you’re going for, you’ll be able to achieve it with a few key decor pieces. If you’re looking to remodel but don’t know where to start, we can help. Here are 10 bathroom decor ideas that’ll get you on the right track.

How do you start decorating a bathroom?

A great way to start any decorating project is to collect ideas and make a plan. Social media is full of interesting and inventive designs, so take some time to sift through images, narrow down what overall style you like, and view more specific options from there. It can also be helpful to view images of bathrooms with a similar layout or size to yours. For example, if you’re working with a small bathroom, they can give you an idea of how best to use the space you have.

Once you have a general idea of the direction you want to go in, you can start planning your new design. You can do this yourself, or with the help of a professional. There are some wonderful designers and decorators out there who would love nothing more than to help you with your project; however, it does help if you have an idea of what you like and what you want. The examples shown here are a great starting point for discovering what you like and what ideas and trends might work for you and your home.

1. Bathroom murals

Have a large wall in your bathroom that looks a little bland? A mural may be just what you need to bring your bathroom from drab to fab. Murals can be more abstract, creating a sense of calm through colour and shape, or, if you have the room for it, a beautiful landscape to transport you to a calm retreat while you soak away your cares in a nice warm bubble bath. This works especially well for walls behind freestanding tubs that could otherwise be tricky to decorate.

bold bathroom with colourful mural design

creative bathroom designs with large murals

Photo Source: Pinterest

2. Paint that makes a bold statement

Paint can have a huge impact on a space. Choosing the right colour can be one of the more difficult parts of any decorating project, and many people experience hesitancy when it comes to bold colours. This is entirely natural, but it should not stop you from choosing the colour of your dreams for your bathroom. A bold colour can work well for bathrooms, especially when used to contrast light tiles and simple fixtures. Just remember to be careful when choosing your fittings, as ones that are too flashy may cause confusion about whether the focal point is your paint or your accessories.

bright and vibrant bathroom decor with yellow blue and pink

bold bathroom decor with pops of colours

interesting bathroom decor with bold and dark colours

Photo Source: Pinterest

3. Tiles all around

Bathroom tiles do not have to be limited to the shower area. With all the shapes, colours, and materials available, there are bound to be options that you can fall in love with for some of the other walls. Bold tiles with visually heavy colours or patterns can transform your bathroom as part of an accent wall. If you find a tile you absolutely adore – and are feeling brave – you can always use it on all your walls. Tile works well either for the full wall or a partial wall with a complementary paint colour.

floor to ceiling tiles in bold bathroom designs

retro all tiled bathroom design with bright colours

interesting bathroom designs with tile backsplash

Photo Source: Pinterest

4. Whimsical wallpaper

The word “wallpaper” can evoke frightful images of outdated flower patterns or gaudy stripes, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Wallpaper has evolved in recent years, with new and trendy designs emerging, including abstract, organic, and geometric patterns. Options such as a beautiful palm leaf or cherry blossom pattern could help in creating your ideal bathroom oasis. There are also solid colour designs that bring some texture to your space. Whether it’s for an accent wall or the whole room, if you’re seeking bathroom decor ideas, this is a fantastic option to add interest and whimsy to your space without it looking dated.

interesting bathroom decor with bold wallpaper

Photo Source: Pinterest

5. Playful patterns

When choosing flooring for your bathroom, don’t be afraid to be bold. Bathroom decor doesn’t have to be bland. While maintaining more uniform floors can be beneficial in other areas of your home, your bathroom can be a place to play around. Most people won’t spend nearly as much time in their bathrooms as other rooms in their home, and even if you decide to have a long soak, it’s very unlikely you’ll be seeing much of your floor while you’re in the tub. Since there’s little risk of disrupting your zen, the floor is a fabulous place to be playful, especially for a powder room or kids’ bathroom. Try some unique tile shapes, mix different colours, or choose a bold patterned tile. This is your chance to get creative with your space.

beautiful bathroom flooring with pink and peach colours

bold floor design in unique bathroom remodel

interesting and unique bathroom floors with patterns

Photo Source: Pinterest

6. Build a gallery

It may not be the first place you might think of, but your bathroom is a great place to create your own little gallery. You can use personal photos or even some of your favourite works of art to make an interesting and inviting space. You can also arrange items of the same size in a row to create rhythm, or play around with the placement of pieces of varying sizes to create some visual interest. However you choose to display your gallery, hanging family photos or your choice of artwork brings more of your personality to your bathroom decor.

framed pictures and art in bathroom designs

creative bathroom designs with gallery wall

Photo Source: Pinterest

7. Wood panelling

When looking for bathroom decor ideas, be sure to consider natural materials like wood. Panelling in a bathroom can add some often-needed texture to the room, helping balance out the smoothness of the sink, tile, and fixtures. Wood panelling can be used purely for decoration or it can serve a practical purpose. It is a wonderful option if the room requires a little more separation in some areas, such as around the shower or between the toilet and the sink, without completely cutting it off. This makes it possible to maintain more of an open space while still feeling like you have the privacy you want and need.

interesting bathroom decor with wooden design

bathroom designs with wood pannels for a rustic look

Photo Source: Pinterest

8. Light it up

Lighting is an element in a space that can completely change the look and feel. There are many unique options for bathroom lighting, and changing your fixtures is a quick and easy way to make your room feel brand new. Play around with shape and colour to find what works for you. Whether you want something new and edgy or classic and soft, there is bound to be a fixture that will fit your taste and budget. Don’t forget to play around with the light bulbs, too! Sometimes switching the brightness or hue of your bulbs can liven up your existing bathroom accessories.

modern bathroom lighting for visual interest

bright bathroom designs with interesting lights

contemporary bathroom designs with accent lighting

Photo Source: Pinterest

9. Add a personal touch

Your bathroom accessories should be a reflection of you and your personality. Don’t be afraid to bring in items that have meaning for you. That can be things you own, like little souvenirs that remind you of a relaxing vacation or family photos. It can also be new things that reflect the things you love, like a place for your cup of tea (or something stronger) and your favourite bath time book to rest while you settle in for some you time. It’s important to remember that this is your space, and your comfort is what will make or break a design.

unique bathroom designs with ecclectic decor and personality

bathroom designs with bright colours and unique elements

bathroom decor with personal style and statement pieces

Photo Source: Pinterest

10. A touch of spring

One of this year’s big trends for bathroom decor ideas is bringing nature indoors. In terms of bathroom decor ideas, there are a few ways to go about bringing plant life into your space. Bouquets of flowers, or even one flower on its own, can add some colour to the room and be changed out for other options as often as you would like. A more permanent plant option would be a potted variety that thrives with humidity. You could also add eucalyptus to your shower. The warmth and humidity will release the calming smell, making your bathroom feel like a spa.

bright bathroom designs with lots of potted plants

unique bathroom designs with natural decor and plants

Photo Source: Pinterest

Create your own relaxation haven

Decorating your bathroom should not be a daunting task. Adding personal photos, belongings, and plant life are just some of the ways you can make a big difference with bathroom accessories. You can also go big with wood panelling or wallpaper, or browse popular styles of the year to find a design you love and create the bathroom of your dreams. If you’re ready to move forward with your project, check out up-to-date average renovation costs and learn how to find the best professionals to help you with your home projects.

Lily Mitchell is a part time author and full time student. Writing about her passions, like design, has always come naturally and she is exceptionally excited to be part of our team. Lily is currently studying Interior Decorating at Algonquin College.