Decorating
How to Give Your Bathroom Personality
Let these 10 characterful bathrooms inspire you to ditch the all-white look
Bathrooms can so easily end up looking sterile and purely functional but, as a place of sanctuary in a busy house, don’t they deserve a little more love than just white three-piece-suites and chrome fittings?
Whether you’re decorating from scratch or livening up an ultra-plain space you’ve grown out of or inherited, a bathroom often provides a neutral canvas to work with. There’s plenty of scope to think creatively, whether that’s being playful or adventurous with eclectic décor, or simply treating it as another room you love, rather than furnishing purely with function in mind.
Whether you’re decorating from scratch or livening up an ultra-plain space you’ve grown out of or inherited, a bathroom often provides a neutral canvas to work with. There’s plenty of scope to think creatively, whether that’s being playful or adventurous with eclectic décor, or simply treating it as another room you love, rather than furnishing purely with function in mind.
Perk up vintage pieces
If you’ve managed to get your hands on an amazing reclaimed piece, such as this trough sink, give it an unexpected update with a lick of bright paint on the underside, and then pepper your bathroom with playful vintage accessories and lighting to accentuate your star feature.
Discover more quirky, eclectic bathrooms.
If you’ve managed to get your hands on an amazing reclaimed piece, such as this trough sink, give it an unexpected update with a lick of bright paint on the underside, and then pepper your bathroom with playful vintage accessories and lighting to accentuate your star feature.
Discover more quirky, eclectic bathrooms.
Introduce colour with pattern
A bathroom should still be a relaxing space, so replacing the bathroom flooring with mismatched mosaic tiles could be all the colour a classic bathroom like this needs. If you’re embracing the eclectic theme, add a few other touches in muted tones that won’t overwhelm the space, such as this grey-and-white printed chair and a pastel striped blind.
Find more inspiration for patterned floors
A bathroom should still be a relaxing space, so replacing the bathroom flooring with mismatched mosaic tiles could be all the colour a classic bathroom like this needs. If you’re embracing the eclectic theme, add a few other touches in muted tones that won’t overwhelm the space, such as this grey-and-white printed chair and a pastel striped blind.
Find more inspiration for patterned floors
Give white tiles a twist
There’s nothing wrong with the classic white bathroom tile, but I’m all for mixing things up. A printed white tile retains the pristine appeal of the original, while bringing some whimsy into an otherwise plain space.
There’s nothing wrong with the classic white bathroom tile, but I’m all for mixing things up. A printed white tile retains the pristine appeal of the original, while bringing some whimsy into an otherwise plain space.
Get creative with a classic
Achieve a unique look by combining contrasting and clashing features. This bathroom takes the classic combination of black and white, throws in some pink florals and suddenly a classic has an eclectic edge.
Discover ways to make monochrome work in your kitchen, too
Achieve a unique look by combining contrasting and clashing features. This bathroom takes the classic combination of black and white, throws in some pink florals and suddenly a classic has an eclectic edge.
Discover ways to make monochrome work in your kitchen, too
Pick a single statement
One object with a major ‘wow’ factor can be enough to give a bathroom a unique edge. The neutral tones of this cool and pristine bathroom are necessary to offset the wholly unexpected large-scale artwork that steals the show.
One object with a major ‘wow’ factor can be enough to give a bathroom a unique edge. The neutral tones of this cool and pristine bathroom are necessary to offset the wholly unexpected large-scale artwork that steals the show.
Make the most of surface area
Small spaces that don’t have a ton of room for décor can’t withstand too much in the way of accessories. To add impact in a small bathroom, turn your attention to the walls or floors. Wallpaper offers an abundance of options for those who want a more personal look; this London landmark design certainly makes a statement.
Small spaces that don’t have a ton of room for décor can’t withstand too much in the way of accessories. To add impact in a small bathroom, turn your attention to the walls or floors. Wallpaper offers an abundance of options for those who want a more personal look; this London landmark design certainly makes a statement.
Sneak in some sparkle
A sleek, contemporary bathroom such as this one gets a surprising spin with gleaming glass chandeliers and an oversized postage-stamp motif. The chandeliers keep the overall look polished, while the vivid hues and plush texture of the stool add welcome brightness and a sense of fun to the restrained space.
A sleek, contemporary bathroom such as this one gets a surprising spin with gleaming glass chandeliers and an oversized postage-stamp motif. The chandeliers keep the overall look polished, while the vivid hues and plush texture of the stool add welcome brightness and a sense of fun to the restrained space.
Mix your styles
Who said cobbled flooring, a space-age-style light fitting and a classic, claw-footed bath don’t belong in the same room? Juxtaposing influences is a key principle of eclectic décor, and tying disparate elements together using a common thread can make anything work. In this quirky en suite, plenty of white – including the painted original fireplace – keeps the space feeling suitably clean and fresh… with just enough of the black and red accents to add some drama.
Inspired by this red bathroom? Find more by browsing these photos.
Who said cobbled flooring, a space-age-style light fitting and a classic, claw-footed bath don’t belong in the same room? Juxtaposing influences is a key principle of eclectic décor, and tying disparate elements together using a common thread can make anything work. In this quirky en suite, plenty of white – including the painted original fireplace – keeps the space feeling suitably clean and fresh… with just enough of the black and red accents to add some drama.
Inspired by this red bathroom? Find more by browsing these photos.
Make it quick
Creating a characterful, eclectic bathroom doesn’t have to involve a complete renovation. Here, one key striking detail leads the way – and this vivid window shutter could equally be replaced by a blind or fabulous piece of fabric turned into curtains. All manageable jobs for a weekend.
Lively accessories – that bold chair, the yellow towels and the kitsch birds on the vase – have been added in to build a personality-filled space. And in another weekend, the whole lot could easily be whisked out, leaving you with a plain neutral bathroom again, should you so desire it.
TELL US…
Does your bathroom have personality – if so, what tricks have you used to create it? Let us know in the Comments below.
Creating a characterful, eclectic bathroom doesn’t have to involve a complete renovation. Here, one key striking detail leads the way – and this vivid window shutter could equally be replaced by a blind or fabulous piece of fabric turned into curtains. All manageable jobs for a weekend.
Lively accessories – that bold chair, the yellow towels and the kitsch birds on the vase – have been added in to build a personality-filled space. And in another weekend, the whole lot could easily be whisked out, leaving you with a plain neutral bathroom again, should you so desire it.
TELL US…
Does your bathroom have personality – if so, what tricks have you used to create it? Let us know in the Comments below.
One of the most pleasing characteristics of eclectic style is the ‘story’ it can create, as collected pieces come together over years; the downside is that too much stuff can end up looking cluttered. So make your collections useful ones – these pretty vintage mirrors are functional and decorative too. Another idea is to use antiques or unusual furniture finds for bathroom storage. In this bathroom, a multi-drawer wooden chest doubles up as a shelf for the basins as well as a storage unit, keeping clutter out of sight, but leaving heaps of character on show. Even the plant is tidy and contained under a Victorian-style glass dome.