What Makes a Bathroom Feel Luxe?
Bathroom designs are more than just functional spaces where we shower, brush teeth, and get ready for the day. They are rooms where we go to relax and unwind, engage in a pampering beauty routine, or perhaps provide a welcome respite for guests. They also provide an opportunity to enhance your home with beautiful materials, premium fixtures, and thoughtful design details, creating a luxury space that fits your home’s style.
Creating a luxe bathroom design does not necessarily mean expensive. A bathroom remodel with a luxurious feel focuses on key design details to bring cohesion, comfort, and durability to your home. We see a rise in spa-like bathroom designs that seek to achieve this aesthetic, particularly in master bathrooms. However, any bathroom design, regardless of size or purpose, can have a luxurious feel.
From spacious primary suites to compact powder rooms, the right design, materials, and accessories will help you create a bathroom design that feels high-end and enhances everyday life. Let’s explore some of the top ideas for creating a luxe bathroom in your home!
Rethinking the Layout for Daily Luxury
The layout is the foundation of any bathroom design. It should be your starting point for creating a bathroom that meets your space requirements and your family’s needs, while providing opportunities to include features that enhance your lifestyle.
Primary Bath and Larger Bath Design Layout Considerations
Larger bathrooms offer more options for creating a layout that offers everything you want in a primary bath. If your existing master bath is not big enough, consider whether you can expand by adding on or moving a wall to create a larger layout. With a spacious bathroom layout, you can include key features, such as:
- Separate wet and dry zones with room for more than one person to get ready comfortably at the same time.
- A double vanity area and a makeup vanity with a seat for getting ready.
- A large walk-in shower and a freestanding tub as dual focal points that give you options for bathing and relaxing.
- A toilet compartment separated by a pocket door that elevates the space and offers privacy while more than one person uses the bathroom.
Powder Room or Hall Bathroom Layouts
Smaller bathrooms may be more limited in space, but they can still accommodate everything you need for a sophisticated, stylish bathroom. Whether you are designing a half bath or a hall bathroom, here are a few ideas for creating a layout that works for you:
- Pocket doors let you reclaim space taken up by a swinging door and are ideal for small spaces.
- A wall-hung vanity and toilet give a small bathroom a sleek look and free up visual floor space.
- A curbless shower and frameless glass enhance continuity and improve accessibility in a smaller space.
Luxe Materials That Set the Tone
The materials you choose for your bathroom design must be as durable as they are aesthetically pleasing, particularly in these moisture-prone rooms. When creating a bathroom with a luxe style, carefully selected materials should also elevate your space, giving it an elegant edge.
Surfaces
Choose natural stone, such as marble, granite, or quartzite, for walls, flooring, and countertops. Alternatively, engineered quartz is a top choice for bathroom vanity tops, which mimics natural surfaces in a highly durable material. Large-format porcelain tile gives your space a seamless visual, creates a spa vibe, and is low maintenance. Wood or fluted stone features introduce texture and shape for tactile interest and can be used in feature walls or recessed niches.
Vanity Cabinet Materials
Furniture-grade cabinetry with integrated storage is a practical and stylish feature for a luxe bathroom upgrade. Choose rich wood tones in walnut, rift oak, or matte painted finishes.
Metals and Finishes
Coordinated warm metal palettes, such as brushed brass, soft gold, or champagne, are ideal choices for a luxurious feel. Satin nickel or matte black gives any bathroom design a modern, luxe minimalism vibe. Choose metallic finishes that coordinate with cabinetry, walls, and more.
Fixtures and Features That Deliver Daily Indulgence
Bathroom fixtures, such as showers, tubs, sinks, and faucets, accent your bathroom’s style and enhance functionality. The right fixtures introduce luxe features to your bathroom that transform it into a sanctuary, such as soaking tubs or a steam shower.
Showers and Bathtubs
Go for multi-functional shower systems with a combination of showerheads like rainfall, body sprays, and a handheld showerhead to promote relaxation. Or, choose a steam shower system for the ultimate spa-style shower. Linear drains are practical and introduce clean, modern lines.
Smart shower controls are another option that make it easier to get the perfect shower temperature and pressure every time. They often let you save personal preferences for different family members.
Deep soaking or sculptural freestanding tubs serve as visual art and as a space to relax. Luxe bathtubs make an ideal, stylish focal point for a sophisticated bathroom design.
Sinks and Faucets
Include a double vanity in a master or hall bathroom, where space allows, to provide ample storage and space for more than one person to get ready. Choose a large, trough sink or dual sinks. Up your style game with a unique material and finish like metal or stone, or go for a vessel sink to create a stylish focal point. Touchless faucets, either motion-activated or voice-controlled, are a convenient and hygienic option that gives your bathroom a high-end feel. Choose a faucet style that fits your design aesthetic, from ornate traditional to sleek contemporary.
Layered and Intentional Lighting for Luxury
Lighting is key to any room’s design. It sets the mood for your space, highlights key design features, and serves as a decorative accessory, all while providing essential illumination for key tasks. Include a thoughtfully planned, layered lighting design that meets your need for key lighting elements.
Task Lighting
Light key areas where you need to see clearly, such as around the vanity and in the shower, to perform grooming tasks like shaving and applying makeup. Go for sconces at eye level for flattering light, ideal for getting ready without creating glare or shadow. Backlit mirrors are another top option that provide essential lighting and give your room a softer glow.
Accent Lighting
Accent lights serve to highlight a design feature, such as an architectural detail, a feature wall, or decorative storage. Include spotlights that can be directed toward a stylish feature or light up a recessed niche to highlight wall materials or niche contents.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting provides a more diffused light source for your room and serves as your bathroom’s primary light source. It should be designed to give your room a warm and inviting atmosphere. This could include ceiling recessed lights, a ceiling-mounted chandelier, or a pendant. LED toe-kick lighting adds drama and helps with navigating the bathroom at night.
Compact Bathroom Lighting Strategy
In a compact bathroom design, choose one standout decorative fixture that creates a focal point plus an integrated backlit mirror. This saves on space and focuses on light sources that balance functional and style needs. Replace vanity bar lights with vertical sconces to enhance visual height and give your bathroom a more polished look. Include a large mirror that reflects light and makes your room feel larger.
Smart and Functional Upgrades That Feel Elevated
Go for smart extras that elevate your luxury bathroom design, making it feel like a visit to your favorite spa or luxury hotel. A few options include:
- Radiant underfloor heating and towel warmers that immediately make your bathroom feel more luxurious.
- Smart toilets with bidet, self-cleaning, and nightlight features.
- Anti-fog, lit mirrors, with smart features like built-in Wi-Fi and visual displays.
- Built-in charging, hidden outlets, and grooming station drawers with customized storage and space to plug in styling tools.
- Smart glass shower enclosures that provide privacy on demand.
Storage Done the Luxe Way
Storage is essential in any bathroom design, and must be planned carefully at the design stage to make sure your bathroom remains clutter-free. A sophisticated, luxe bathroom requires ample storage to make sure your chosen design features take center stage.
Larger Bathrooms and Master Suites
In spacious bathrooms, you have room to create multiple storage options that fit everything from toiletries to linens. Include a range of storage features, such as custom linen cabinetry and hamper pullouts. Include a large vanity with specialized pullouts, drawers with dividers, and adjustable shelves for styling tools, toiletries, and medications. Create a built-in makeup station with organizers and lighting, plus seating to get ready comfortably.
Smaller Bathroom Designs
In smaller bathrooms, smart storage choices are key to creating a bathroom design that fits your family’s needs. Work with your available space and your design professional to create a customized storage plan. Include recessed medicine cabinets and niches to provide storage without intruding on limited floorspace. Go for tower cabinets, over toilet cabinets, and floating shelves that use vertical space to enhance storage options.
Luxe Accessories and Details
Stylish details are the perfect way to add luxurious touches to any bathroom design, giving your space a personal touch. Some ideas to inspire your luxe bathroom accessories include:
- Luxurious textiles like fluffy cotton towels, robes, and bathmats.
- Robe hooks and towel bars that accent your style and provide convenient space to hang towels and robes.
- Bath trays to organize makeup and toiletries that you use daily.
- Aromatherapy diffusers and candles to enhance your bathroom experience.
- Spa-vibe storage baskets are practical and beautiful.
- Artful décor to accent your style and give it a personal touch.
- Plants that improve air quality and provide a connection to nature.
- A sculptural stool, antique cocktail table, or another unique piece of furniture near a freestanding tub that offers space to place a drink or book while soaking in the tub.
- Bold details, such as an accent wall with patterned wallpaper, a striking tile design, or shiplap paneling.
- Oversized decorative mirrors that make your space feel larger and create an instant focal point.
Work with an Experienced Design Team to Bring Luxury to Your Bath Design!
Are you ready to transform your bathroom design? Why not create a space that does more than offer space to brush teeth and shower? A luxe bathroom offers a sanctuary and elevates your home’s style, resulting in a space that will become your favorite room. From beautiful materials to elegant and smart fixtures, choose features that improve your everyday life.
Seeking professional design expertise makes all the difference when creating your ideal bathroom design. By working with a trusted professional, you will get the most out of your space, choose the ideal materials, and find ways to create luxe touches while staying within your budget. Work with our design team to create your perfect, luxe bathroom. Contact us today or visit our showroom to get started.