The 10 golden rules for bathrooms interior designers swear by – 'they're the principles to a timeless space'

It's a given that the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home, and so it deserves all the attention and thought in its design. Deciding on the ideal bathroom plan can be an incredibly rewarding experience, particularly if you have a clean slate or are conceptualizing the room from scratch.

'Bathroom trends aside, it's best to research the products used for functional longevity, and craftsmanship,' says Gustave Carlson, founder of Gustave Carlson Design. 'I specify sustainable products that create a custom timeless design approach – one that will feel warm and inviting for many years.'

If you want a modern bathroom that lasts you years, then take a look at these essential principles to guide you right.

1. Pick an ergonomic layout

(Image credit: Swatt Miers Architects. Studio credit Russell Abraham)

'For a durable, long-lasting bathroom, try to bring a timeless aesthetic together with natural materials that will age well overtime,' says Antonin Hautefort, founder of Atelier Pendhapa. 'Consider an ergonomic layout as this will be the first step for a successful bathroom that you enjoy staying in.' 

'For instance, we always underestimate the necessity of a window to make the bathroom more than a functional place,' Antonin adds. 'Good ventilation is something essential for a bathroom. It should feel like a place we enjoy going to read a book and retreat from the rest of the house. It is the most intimate space.'

Also, consider the smaller details to make your bathroom as practical as it is beautiful. Think about the height of the sinks and the mirrors, where the WC is located, the height of the showerhead and more.

2. Choose the right mirror lighting

(Image credit: Bess Friday. Studio credit K Interiors)

The bathroom mirror lighting is another thing that designers spend time thinking about, as it's something you'll always notice in a bathroom if it's not right. 

'Choosing the right mirror lighting depends on tasks that will need to be done in the space,' says Kristen Pena, founder of K Interiors. 'If you’re putting on makeup, you need a very different lighting plan than if you are just creating a vibe in a bathroom for relaxing in. In this particular space, a makeup vanity lives in a different location, so we could use lighting to create a mood. There is LED strip lighting behind the mirror to create a fun light play with the wall tile, and the cans above illuminate the space, while the pendants dispense soft illumination and create the mood.'

A great option for mirror lighting is choosing illuminated mirrors instead of installing fixtures around them. This allows you to enjoy the flexibility of practical and ambient light within the product itself.

3. Include plenty of storage

(Image credit: Gustave Carlson Design)

Bathroom storage is one of the biggest elements to consider for a practical, timeless design. It can be tempting to buy lots of accessories and bath products but the clutter can undo all of your good work in creating a calm space. Utilize your vanity to include multiple drawers and insert an organizer within to make sure everything is placed neatly.

'Ample storage has been accommodated for in this bathroom by using deep drawers under the sink with dividers placed inside the drawers to create compartments for daily use items,' says designer Gustave Carlson. 'On the opposite wall, as seen through the mirror, the bathroom has tall storage cabinets that have pull-out drawers designed for taller storage of bath products and towels.'

4. Consider marble or porcelain for flooring

(Image credit: Paige Rumore. Design: Brad Ramsey Interiors)

When it comes to deciding the best bathroom flooring, you should consider materials that are anti-slip or don't show dirt quickly. 

'The best materials to use for the floor are large format tiles for the floor and designed textures for walls,' says Bea Pernia, founder of Bea Interior Design. 'I designed a hotel in Tulum where we used concrete and stone as the main flooring elements given the space and concept of the hotel. In general, the best materials to use for the bathroom floor are marble and porcelain. They will provide a soft texture and natural pattern that will make the bathroom look elegant and clean always.'

Also, another way to ensure your flooring doesn't get wet quickly and often is to enclose the shower area with a glass screen or shower curtain.

5. Opt for a layered lighting scheme

(Image credit: Barbara Corsico Photography. Studio credit Kingston Lafferty Design)

As with any room, bathroom lighting also requires a combination of task and ambient lighting. These help provide focused and general illumination so you can apply your makeup and have a nice, diffused light filling up the space. 'Layered lighting is the most important feature in any space,' says Lauren Lerner, CEO and founder of Living with Lolo.

'To create a bathroom with lighting that serves both practical and aesthetic purposes, pick from an array of fixtures,' says Lauren. 'In general, we love using both ceiling and wall lighting in conjunction with can lighting in our projects. This allows us to meet functional needs with can lights and aesthetic needs, as well as directional lighting, with pendants and other decorative lights.'

6. Think about the details

(Image credit: Rauch Architecture)

While making your bathroom practical, do remember to include certain decorative details as well. Think of interesting bathroom tiles within the shower area, around the vanity, or even behind the WC, where the tiling stops halfway up a wall. These tiny additions will elevate the look of your space and always make it look stylish.

'These tiles are handmade ceramics from Fireclay (based in California),' says Mathew Rauch, founder of Rauch Architecture. 'The pattern is called Paseo and the color is 'Caspian Sea'. Because we were working in an iconic historic townhouse with beautiful details, we wanted to find a pattern that felt both traditional and contemporary at the same time. The pattern was geometric and vaguely familiar, but also new and unique at the same time. We thought it was the perfect fit for the space.'

'The rich indigo color was chosen for a few reasons,' says Mathew. 'The bathroom was designed to be a spa-style retreat for the owners who have very busy jobs, so we thought the color was very calming and relaxing. We also loved how the blue complemented the rich dark oak wood tones that were already in the space and contrasted with the white mosaic and marble accents we planned on adding.'

7. Give it a hero

(Image credit: Tom Ferguson Photography. Studio credit Luke Moloney Architecture)

Every bathroom needs one winning piece that draws the eyes immediately and gives the room a sophisticated feel. Think of a bathroom chandelier that can be the main source of illumination while also being the focal point of the room. 'In fact, a carefully selected chandelier adds luxury to the bathroom, creating an expansive feeling,' advise Sachin Gupta and Neha Gupta, interior designer duo and founders, Beyond Designs.

'Huge decorative pendant lights too, add character and a sense of excitement and interest to any bathroom,' says interior architect Cormac Lynch. 'E.g. A huge fabric Chinese lantern or very sizeable sandblasted glass ball, or even a very large hand-painted glass ball.'

8. Avoid clutter

(Image credit: Le Atelier)

Usually, bathrooms are small spaces and it can be tempting to cram in several things here, including towels, bath products, decorative elements like candles and diffusers, vases, baskets, and more. But for a calm, relaxing bathroom you need to give your space a break.

'The number one thing to do for a practical design is to edit, edit, edit,' says Laura Cattano, founder of Organizational Design. 'One way of doing this is by writing out your bathroom routine, and then taking out things you never use, along with those that are old, expired, tried, and not liked.'

Clear the clutter and carefully organize all other elements in drawers, trays, and cabinets to create a spa bathroom feel. Your bathroom should be a place in which you can unwind, so avoid making it chock-full of things.

9. Choose the right window treatment

(Image credit: Sean Fennessy. Studio credit Chelsea Hing )

Daylight can be the most wonderful magnifier of space and, can lift the mood in the room. In the bathroom especially, sunlight plays a big role in not only illuminating the space but also helping it dry out. But this light or rather the windows need to be considered carefully. You want a bathroom window treatment that is flexible, to allow light in the day and privacy at night.

One of the most popular window treatments are the roller shades that are either synthetic or plantation shutters. 'Natural fiber shades too are ideal for privacy, but allow filtered light,' says Emilie Munroe, founder of Studio Munroe. 'These also add a lovely, nuanced texture to the room.'

10. Bring in a plant

(Image credit: Martha Mulholland Interior Design)

While this is not a rigid rule, if you do have space in the bathroom and want to add freshness, then consider the best plants for bathrooms that will not only purify the air but also add a touch of color to the room. Some great candidates are Peace Lily, Boston Fern, Snake Plant, Kentia Palm, and Golden Pothos.

'The glass doors behind the tub fold back into the walls to reveal a private bamboo grove with an outdoor shower, unifying the interior and exterior spaces at this Malibu compound,' says Martha Mulholland, principal at Martha Mulholland Interior Design. 'To further enforce this connection, we raised the ceilings in the bathroom as high as we could and added a specimen Ficus Audrey next to the tub, so one green space flows seamlessly into the other.'

Keep in mind that plants that originate from arid regions, such as cacti and succulents, are not the best types to bring into this space. These do not do well in extremely moisture-ridden environments. However, ones that are native to the tropics and rainforests, such as ferns and palms will thrive in the bathroom.

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