Design Trend: Going Bold in the Bathroom

May 23, 2022

You shouldn't have to be feeling brave to express yourself in your own home, but we get it, renovations can be nerve-wracking, especially when you are considering something a little on the daring side.

Our top tip to take the plunge is to ease into it with a smaller room, like a powder room or a mudroom. Minimum space, maximum impact. Depending on how dramatic and permanent you want, there are a few ways to go bold in the bathroom:

Wallpaper it up

If you are looking to jazz up a bathroom without any construction, then wallpaper is a great approach. There are a huge variety of exciting designs out there, from floral, to abstract, and everything in between. There are some really interesting options, like this one from Lucy McCormick Design, which is speckled with flecks of gold to add a bit of glamour to any space.

With many wallpaper companies now offering peel and stick versions of their favourite prints, you can ‘go-bold-for-a-little-while’ if you decide it's not for you.

Photo Credit: Nicole Franzen, Design: Tamara Magel Design, Styling: Katja Greeff

Photo Credit: Mariko Reed, Design: Carley Page Summers

Photo Credit: Studio McGee

Colour drenching

We did say bold, and this one sure is that - it’s exactly as it sounds; covering multiple surfaces with one colour. It’s a pretty fearless approach, but one that is relatively easy to achieve, especially in a smaller space. Colour drenching doesn't even have to be bright to make an impact, the impact is the full emersion colour.

If you are going to really commit to a colour, you should check out our previous blog posts on colour theory, and tips on adding other colours to create a colour palette.

We love this moody look, achieved by combining a dramatic marbled slab with dark walls from Lisa Staton Design:

Photo Credit: Lisa Staton Design

Photo Credit: Chase Daniel, Design: Jenna Barton Interior Design

Photo Credit: Christopher Stark, Design: Lindsay Gerber Interiors

Stack that Tile

Another option to add colour or pattern is with tile - this can be the whole powder room, just one wall, or even a small backsplash area. If you are just upgrading your backsplash, try combining with a coordinating paint colour for big impact.

We love this more subtle tile, where the texture is doing all the work:

Photo Credit: Emily Del Bello Interiors

Photo Credit: Patrick Biller, Design: Tiffany Leigh Design

Photo Credit: West of Main Design

Photo Credit: Haris Kenjar, Design: Heidi Caillier Design

Level up from the white basin

There are some show-stopping basins available out there. UK-based company, Kast, set their own concrete sinks in a variety of colours and designs that they have paired beautifully with complimentary faucets. Kast has showrooms across North America, but Ontario-based, Mudd, make a similar product, and are designed and made here in Canada.

This bathroom from Kast has it all going on, in the best way possible.

Photo Credit: Bert & May Tiles and Interiors

Photo Credit: William Abranowicz, Design: Clements Design

Credit Photo: Shade Degges Photography, Design: Amber Interiors

If you have been thinking about it, this is your sign to do something brave in the bathroom or small office nook. We are sure that your only regret will be that it's tucked away in your home and not on display for everyone to see. 

Tag us if you try any of these ways to go bold in the bathroom. If you need a little encouragement or want a second opinion before taking the plunge with colour, we are here to help. You can book your design consultation here.