Your style guide for the perfect contemporary bathroom

If you’ve got an eye for design and detail, the thought of styling a bathroom is probably an exciting prospect for you!

Whether you’re constructing a new bathroom or just want to give your existing bathroom a bit of a makeover, the chance to style a bathroom opens up a range of possibilities for you to experiment with.

In this blog post, we take a look at some styling tips and advice to help you create the contemporary bathroom of your dreams.

First of all, what is “contemporary” style?

If you’ve ever wondered what exactly it takes to make a room “contemporary”, you’re not alone. Contemporary interior design is a very popular choice for bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and of course bathrooms. However, it can be difficult to explain in certain terms.

The word “contemporary” means “of the moment”. Therefore, contemporary design is an interior design style which is constantly evolving. This is because design trends are forever changing. Contemporary is all about what is in fashion in the here and now.

It’s a style that generally encompasses a range of different styles which were developed in the latter half of the 20th century. Ideally, a contemporary bathroom should feel clean, clutter-free and spa-like.

Here are a few design features that fall under the umbrella of contemporary styling:

• Refined lines - no overly ‘chunky’ or “square” furniture or fixtures 
• Light colours - particularly whites and greys
• Minimalism - less is more
• Greenery - lots of thriving indoor plants
• A light, airy feel to a room - this can be achieved through tall windows and high ceiling heights
• Statement lighting - such as pendant lights

These design features may seem a bit vague, but it’s because there are no hard and fast “rules” for contemporary styling, unlike other types of interior design styles such as Hamptons or Victorian.

But this lack of concrete must-haves opens the door wide to anyone wanting to experiment with lots of different and exciting ideas. There is so much design potential available!

Where should you start?

OK, so you have your heart set on a contemporary style bathroom. As we said above, it’s a style which is difficult to completely define. But the following tips will help you get an idea of how to get the basics right, then you can build on the overall design to suit your particular tastes.

Colours

The base colour for your contemporary bathroom should be neutral - so think whites, creams and greys. Then, you’ll need to decide which contrasting colours you want to pair with your base colour and whether these contrasting colours will be warm or cool.

Warm colours tend to incorporate yellows, oranges and reds. Whereas cool colours cover shades of blue, green and pink. Black can also be used to achieve a more monochromatic look. However, don’t go overboard trying to achieve a fully monochromatic look as this will mean you’ll be straying away from the vibes of a contemporary style.

You want to avoid having your contrasting colours featuring too prominently in your contemporary bathroom. They should act more as a “splash” of colour so as to not overwhelm your base colour. They just need to provide an intriguing visual point of interest. Use your contrasting colours on window trims or sections of the tiling to tie everything together neatly.

Materials

When planning your contemporary bathroom, you’ll need to consider what materials you’d like to use for the vanity, shelving and any other decorative accents.

Natural timber elements are quite often incorporated into contemporary designs. This could include having a timber vanity, paneling or cabinetry. For something truly stunning, pair an espresso-coloured timber vanity with a white marble vanity top and undermount basin.

The type of tiles you choose will also have a significant impact on the overall appearance of your bathroom. Ceramic tiles can add high visual impact to the space. Stone tiles are another good choice when paired with a rounded basin or a curved bathtub.

Glass is another material usually featured quite prominently in contemporary bathrooms, which is great because glass is easy to pair with just about any other material. Think oversized glass shower enclosures and sleek unframed mirrors to make the bathroom space feel much more open.

Fittings and Fixtures

When picking out fixtures for your contemporary bathroom, always keep the word “minimalist” in the back of your mind. You want to choose toilets, tapware and showers which are extremely streamlined. Here are a few examples to look for:

• Under counter basins
• Vessel basins with thin edges
• Wall hung toilets with in-wall cisterns and wall hung vanities - these help to free up visual space and create a cleaner look
• Recessed shaving cabinet
• Overhead shower heads
• Ceiling shower heads

Accessories

Sometimes it’s the small things that make all the difference to the overall appearance of a room, especially a bathroom.

When choosing accessories for your contemporary bathroom, you’ll want to look out for products which have soft edges and refined lines. Go with the “less is more” approach. Here are a few idea starters:

• Floating glass shelves for storage
• A wall hung soap dispenser
• Towel rails and toilet roll holders with thin, curved profiles
• Glass or timber canisters for storage on your vanity
• A timber bath caddy
• Indoor plants - try orchids or ferns in hanging baskets
• Side-mounted light sconces on either side of the mirror

Need help styling your contemporary bathroom? Talk to the team at arthaus

Whether you’re renovating a home bathroom or working on a commercial project, arthaus is here to help.

Our bathroom experts have all the right know-how to recommend the perfect products for your needs so that you can make that final decision with confidence.

Click here to get in touch with us today. We have a dedicated bathroom showroom in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley which is open to the public 6 days a week. 

Or give us a call on 07 3252 6111. We look forward to making your dream designs a reality.