Luxury Bathroom Inspiration
A luxury bathroom needs to have a certain level of opulence and elegance. It is not just about the fittings and fixtures, but also about the design elements that make it stand out. The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It’s a place where you can escape from the world and relax, unwind, and prepare for the day ahead. So it’s worth spending time and money on designing a bathroom that is just as luxurious as the rest of your home but suited to your personal needs.
So, what makes a luxury bathroom?
I will take you on a tour of a principal bathroom remodel we just completed. This is not an overly large space yet it has everything a luxury bathroom should have. Starting with the tile which creates a design element, custom storage components for the cabinets, luxurious fittings, and fixtures including a chromotherapy tub and a steam shower, and of course great lighting.
Designed by Sharon L Sherman Thyme & Place Design
Ideas: What should you consider when designing your luxury bathroom?
Designing a luxury bathroom is not just about adding a spa-like atmosphere. A luxurious bathroom has to be designed with the needs of the user in mind. Here are some things you should consider when designing your luxury bathroom:
What do you want to wake up to every morning?
The first thing that you need to do is decide on the overall look and feel of the space. This will help you determine the type of tiles, cabinets, countertops, and lighting that you need to use. Once you have decided on these aspects, choosing other features like faucets, shower heads, or bathtubs will be much easier. For this bathroom, my client knew they wanted a light, bright, and airy room but they were not afraid to add some color. We took a cue from the featured tile behind the vanity when selecting the beautiful shade of lilac on the walls.
What is the best size for a luxury bathroom?
The next thing that you need to think about when designing your bathroom is its size. You want the space to be large enough for everything that you need, but not so large that it will feel like a waste of space. Not every luxury bathroom needs to be the size of a grand ballroom. Although our Carriage Lane bathroom project is only 123 square feet, we did not sacrifice anything in this design. There is ample storage which you will see in a moment as well as an air soaking tub and several amenities such as a bidet toilet and a heated towel bar. In another project, I created an award-winning bathroom with all the luxury my client asked for in less than 60 square feet. Don’t feel limited by the size of your space.
Which fittings and fixtures would suit your space?
Due to an addition on the first floor, a bump-out area provided the perfect spot for an air tub, a must-have for this bathroom. Generally speaking, not every principal bathroom needs to have a tub, however, you should take advantage of every inch of the room you are working in. There are many options and sizes of tubs if you have your heart set on indulging in a warm bath. Invest in good fittings, (anything that delivers water) as inexpensive faucets and shower valves will lead to leaks and unwanted repairs.
Air tub, freestanding tub filler, and towel warmer
Faucets add glamour to vanities and showers. Here we selected the Virage collection from Brizo for the sink faucets as well as the floor-mounted tub filler and the shower set. Regardless of the bath, I always include a handheld shower. They are perfect for directing water flow on tired shoulders, great for reaching all the walls when cleaning, and particularly convenient when you don’t want to get your hair wet. Here we included an oversized main shower head which is also water conserving.
Custom shower complete with steam. Designed by Sharon L Sherman
Bidet toilets have found new popularity for all generations and all rooms—reduced paper use, better cleanliness, and are more hygienic than standard toilets.
How to create an elegant and peaceful ambiance in your bathroom
Cabinetry
Regardless of how lovely the tile work is or what fittings and fixtures you have selected, if you do not have a place for everything and everything in its place, you will not feel organized and calm. For this bathroom, we selected my favorite shade of blue, Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. Each cabinet has a special feature designed to maximize storage and minimize clutter on the counters.
Herringbone patterned tile adds texture to the vanity wall. Designed by Sharon L Sherman ASID CKD
A pull-out for my client’s hair dryer and brushes makes morning *get-ready-for-work* routines much easier. An additional pull-out outfitted with see-through bins holds all other personal small essentials. A pull-out hamper keeps the floors clear of laundry and drawers under the sinks provide additional easy-to-reach storage. Above the vanity, concealed behind mirrors, are recessed medicine cabinets complete with outlets for razors and toothbrushes.
Built-in hamper. Designed by Thyme & Place Design
Hair dryer and curling iron storage. Designed by Thyme & Place Design
Lighting
An added bit of elegance comes from the light fixtures. Never one to shy away from mixing materials or metals, we chose warm honey bronze sconces which blend beautifully with the polished chrome faucets. A true touch of luxury can be found in a warm robe and towels courtesy of a thermostatically controlled towel warmer. The shower also features a steam shower which was a surprise for my client from her husband. Wellness is always an important component of my design work. I was also fortunate to find a perfectly placed skylight that bathes the room in beautiful natural light – another facet of designing for health and wellness.
Tile
Because I love creating style with tile, I was so happy when my clients agreed to the herringbone tile pattern above the vanity. The varying shades of pale grey, blue and soft lavender add the perfect touch of color and texture. Although we selected oversized white tile for the shower and walls surrounding the tub, there is still the perfect amount of style in the materials. The shower floor used a flat-cut natural marble pebble. It feels so good on your feet like a bit of reflexology. Relaxing in the warmth of the steam at the end of a day of work is priceless.
Decorative accessories and flowers add beauty to any bath.
Just a few more tips to add some luxury to your bathroom
- Luxury bathrooms are not just about having the latest fixtures and fittings, they are also about creating a space that reflects your personality and is an enjoyable place to be.
- Invest in a high-quality toilet and bathtub. This will give your bathroom an expensive appearance while also providing you with the best possible experience when using them.
- Add luxury bathroom accessories: There are many different types of luxury bathroom accessories that you could consider adding to your space. For example, you could invest in some scented candles, essential oil diffusers, a towel warmer, or even just a bath mat for added comfort when getting out of the tub or shower.
- Always purchase high-quality bath linens. There is nothing like wrapping yourself in a luxurious towel after your shower or bath.
- Install dimmers on your lights to change the lighting levels for instant ambiance.
I hope you enjoyed the tour of our Carriage Lane bathroom remodel and learned a few tips to add luxury to your bathroom.
Thank you!
Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, CKD
ABOUT SHARON
Sharon is the founder of Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She’s been practicing kitchen and bath design for the past 40 years and is a Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers – New Jersey chapter. She is a current member of the editorial board of KB&B Magazine, the official magazine of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, The Best of Bergen, Savvy Living, The Vue, The Record, The Star-Ledger, and Aspire as well as several books.
Her blog “Tips from the Trade” appears in digital form on DesignNJ.com and KBBonline.com. She has also appeared on HGTV’s My Big Amazing Renovation and episodes of House Smarts with Lou Manfredini. In 2022, she was a featured *Voices From The Industry* speaker at the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s international convention and is available for further speaking engagements nationwide on all topics related to running a successful kitchen and bath design business.
