11 Simple Bathroom Ideas to Steal from 2019’s Houzz Tours
Get some insider tips and tricks by finding out how professionals have added a designer touch to these washspaces
Amanda Pollard
9 January 2020
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
It’s a professional’s attention to detail that can turn an ordinary room into something special. Take a look at these ideas from last year’s tours to find some designer tips and tricks for your bathroom.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Turn the tables
It’s possible to cut costs and add interest to a bathroom, as Nick Scott of WN Interiors showed in this space. He chose affordable metro tiles, but laid them in a vertical brick bond pattern to elevate the look.
The shower area has dark grey tiles, which zone the space and give even more of a designer feel. The grout on the white tiles is grey, which helps to tie the two surfaces together.
See how small space solutions made this flat open and sociable.
It’s possible to cut costs and add interest to a bathroom, as Nick Scott of WN Interiors showed in this space. He chose affordable metro tiles, but laid them in a vertical brick bond pattern to elevate the look.
The shower area has dark grey tiles, which zone the space and give even more of a designer feel. The grout on the white tiles is grey, which helps to tie the two surfaces together.
See how small space solutions made this flat open and sociable.
Give it an edge
This beautiful bathroom has a pared-back aesthetic, but the simple look is given a luxurious feel with brass additions.
As well as the fittings and towel rail, Emma Merry has added an extra touch that really finishes off the space: the crisp white tiles are topped with a brushed brass edging.
Discover how simple hues and pattern are key in this airy bathroom.
This beautiful bathroom has a pared-back aesthetic, but the simple look is given a luxurious feel with brass additions.
As well as the fittings and towel rail, Emma Merry has added an extra touch that really finishes off the space: the crisp white tiles are topped with a brushed brass edging.
Discover how simple hues and pattern are key in this airy bathroom.
Ditch the frame
Sometimes it pays to leave the edges unfinished, as Shanade McAllister-Fisher found out in this washspace.
The mosaic tiles on the splashback are laid in a geometric pattern. “Originally, we were going to add a trim down the side,” Shanade says. However, when she saw the wall before the tiler added the edging, she realised the splashback looked more interesting unframed.
Tour this apartment livened up by colour and texture.
Sometimes it pays to leave the edges unfinished, as Shanade McAllister-Fisher found out in this washspace.
The mosaic tiles on the splashback are laid in a geometric pattern. “Originally, we were going to add a trim down the side,” Shanade says. However, when she saw the wall before the tiler added the edging, she realised the splashback looked more interesting unframed.
Tour this apartment livened up by colour and texture.
Protect and perfect
You might assume you can’t hang wall coverings in your bathroom, but Michelle Johnson of Michelle Shakallis Interiors did just that.
This mural is hung directly above the shower and goes up like wallpaper. To protect it from humidity and splashes, she simply painted on a layer of decorator’s varnish.
Tour more of this monochrome washspace with natural touches.
You might assume you can’t hang wall coverings in your bathroom, but Michelle Johnson of Michelle Shakallis Interiors did just that.
This mural is hung directly above the shower and goes up like wallpaper. To protect it from humidity and splashes, she simply painted on a layer of decorator’s varnish.
Tour more of this monochrome washspace with natural touches.
Take controls
If you like to get the temperature right before stepping into the shower, this idea will appeal. To make life simple for the owners of this bathroom, designer Georgie Wykeham simply installed the shower controls at the opposite end of the bath.
“It’s much easier having the taps there, and it means you needn’t reach around the shower screen,” she says.
See the rest of this cleverly redesigned small bathroom.
If you like to get the temperature right before stepping into the shower, this idea will appeal. To make life simple for the owners of this bathroom, designer Georgie Wykeham simply installed the shower controls at the opposite end of the bath.
“It’s much easier having the taps there, and it means you needn’t reach around the shower screen,” she says.
See the rest of this cleverly redesigned small bathroom.
Tuck in
Here’s another tip to make showering easier. This time it’s in a bathroom designed by Karen Knox of Making Spaces.
The handheld attachment (seen on the left of the niche) would usually click into a wall bracket, but Karen had a better idea. She designed a slot in the niche with a container below that then runs into the drain. The shower hose can be tucked into here rather than dangling in the bath, giving the owners a clutter-free washing area.
Take a peek around this Scandi-style bathroom with a clever layout.
Here’s another tip to make showering easier. This time it’s in a bathroom designed by Karen Knox of Making Spaces.
The handheld attachment (seen on the left of the niche) would usually click into a wall bracket, but Karen had a better idea. She designed a slot in the niche with a container below that then runs into the drain. The shower hose can be tucked into here rather than dangling in the bath, giving the owners a clutter-free washing area.
Take a peek around this Scandi-style bathroom with a clever layout.
Glow up and down
Many homeowners install LED lighting below their bathroom cabinet to illuminate the basin, but Emilie Mauran of EMR Architecture has added another strip along the top, too.
The simple addition gives the space an ambient glow, which is perfect for a relaxing evening bath.
Many homeowners install LED lighting below their bathroom cabinet to illuminate the basin, but Emilie Mauran of EMR Architecture has added another strip along the top, too.
The simple addition gives the space an ambient glow, which is perfect for a relaxing evening bath.
Access all areas
In the same house, Emilie made use of an awkward area. The end of the bath is positioned beneath the eaves. A tiled surface adds a stylish detail and useful surface, while a door at the side allows access to hidden storage in this otherwise dead space.
Take a peek around this beautiful family home that combines style and function.
In the same house, Emilie made use of an awkward area. The end of the bath is positioned beneath the eaves. A tiled surface adds a stylish detail and useful surface, while a door at the side allows access to hidden storage in this otherwise dead space.
Take a peek around this beautiful family home that combines style and function.
Go natural
If you want to add some warmth to your bathroom, a woven rush mat is ideal, according to designer Garry Meakins. “These mats love moisture,” he says. “In fact, if you don’t have them in a bathroom, you’re advised to water them lightly to keep them in good condition.”
In this room, a textured rush mat complements the muted tones and leafy outlook.
Find out how this grand Edwardian house became an inviting home.
If you want to add some warmth to your bathroom, a woven rush mat is ideal, according to designer Garry Meakins. “These mats love moisture,” he says. “In fact, if you don’t have them in a bathroom, you’re advised to water them lightly to keep them in good condition.”
In this room, a textured rush mat complements the muted tones and leafy outlook.
Find out how this grand Edwardian house became an inviting home.
Keep concealed
In this listed building, Stephen Nash of ALL & NXTHING was limited when it came to adding plumbing and pipework. “We could run the pipes from the front to the back of the house, but we couldn’t cut through the joists to run them horizontally,” he explains.
The solution was to run pipework around the walls and use panelling to conceal it. So these traditional panels are not only beautiful, they provide a valuable function, too.
See more of this elegant en suite and bedroom.
In this listed building, Stephen Nash of ALL & NXTHING was limited when it came to adding plumbing and pipework. “We could run the pipes from the front to the back of the house, but we couldn’t cut through the joists to run them horizontally,” he explains.
The solution was to run pipework around the walls and use panelling to conceal it. So these traditional panels are not only beautiful, they provide a valuable function, too.
See more of this elegant en suite and bedroom.
Find a repurpose
If you want to add some character alongside your clean white sanitaryware, some upcycling can work wonders. Here, Mel Massey went with an alternative idea to the usual towel radiator.
She used a vivid yellow coat stand and painted the legs of the room’s vanity unit in the same colour. The towels have somewhere to live and the room has personality.
Visit this Victorian home with a family feel.
Tell us…
Have you gleaned any valuable tips from our Houzz Tours? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
If you want to add some character alongside your clean white sanitaryware, some upcycling can work wonders. Here, Mel Massey went with an alternative idea to the usual towel radiator.
She used a vivid yellow coat stand and painted the legs of the room’s vanity unit in the same colour. The towels have somewhere to live and the room has personality.
Visit this Victorian home with a family feel.
Tell us…
Have you gleaned any valuable tips from our Houzz Tours? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
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upcycle - kitchen unit for bathroom storage/vanity unit
Who sells Ondine ON108 -bronze Ceramic soap dispenser in UK please
Lovely. So different and yet all of them are amazing.