In artisan homes, bathroom design is a pivotal component of creating an indulgent living space that perfectly blends craftsmanship and luxury.
“Luxury bathrooms have emerged as essential sanctuaries for relaxation and rejuvenation in today’s fast-paced lifestyles, second only to kitchens in importance within the home,” remarks Summer Kath, executive vice president of design at Cambria. “Careful planning and attention to both functionality and aesthetics are essential to crafting a space that fulfills the homeowner’s desires for comfort and luxury.”
While luxury bathroom design ultimately comes down to homeowner preferences, there are some design hallmarks that can elevate bathrooms of all sizes into spa-like retreats.
Cohesive Color Schemes
Creating a unified color palette is essential in luxury bathroom design, as it sets the tone for the entire space. The careful selection of tiles, countertops, and fixtures contributes to a cohesive color scheme that ensures every element contributes to a harmonious and visually pleasing design.
As for popular color combinations, Kath suggests combining warm whites, honey tones, chocolate browns, and copper hues with accents of black and brass fixtures. These rich and inviting colors coordinate seamlessly, adding warmth and depth while evoking a sense of opulence.
Diverse Shapes & Textures
Using different shapes and textures can make a significant impact on a luxury bathroom’s overall design. Organic shapes and varied textures, such as fluted tiles and curved edges, add dimension to the space. Tiles with a handcrafted look have become quite popular for this reason. “These tiles have an artisanal quality with surface undulation, irregular edges, and shade variation,” notes Kirsty Froelich, director of design at The Tile Shop.
Whether it’s through the use of sculptural tiles, natural stone surfaces, or custom fixtures, embracing diverse shapes and textures creates a sensory experience that elevates the bathroom from functional to extraordinary.
Quartz Surfaces
With its durability and timeless elegance, quartz is a natural choice for those seeking a bathroom that boasts both luxury and longevity. Full-panel quartz slabs have become a go-to for creating a show-stopping shower design or feature wall and, as Kath points out, offer homeowners an additional benefit beyond aesthetics. “The absence of grout translates to minimal maintenance, a contemporary luxury highly valued in bathrooms.”
Although the mind naturally gravitates to countertops and shower walls when thinking of quartz, Kath explains that its versatility extends far beyond these areas. “Options include floor tiles customized to various shapes, as well as quartz-clad benches in showers and full tub surrounds, all contributing to a luxurious, spa-inspired ambiance.”
Custom Lighting
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood and creating a spa-like atmosphere. Nancy Verhey, president at ClearMirror, emphasizes the importance of lighting for both practicality and design. “Using LEDs allows flexible options for placing lighting in different areas, including the shower and shower mirrors.”
To achieve a well-balanced lighting scheme, consider incorporating all three types of light: ambient for overall visibility, task for functional areas like the vanity or shower, and accent lighting to add depth and highlight architectural features, decorative elements, and focal points.
Functional Accessories
“Homeowners are seeking functional accessories that are unique and elevate their bathroom to more of a spa atmosphere,” says Verhey. Fog-free mirrors in the shower and vanity provide practicality and convenience even in the midst of steamy showers, while a flush-mount design ensures you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics. Heated towel rails, radiant floor heating, and smart technology like motion-sensor faucets and programmable shower systems further enhance the comfort and functionality of the space.
Final Thoughts: Customization is the Ultimate Luxury
At the end of the day, customization is at the heart of luxury bathroom design. “The ultimate luxury is getting exactly what you want,” says Froelich. From selecting the perfect tile pattern to choosing bespoke fixtures, customization allows homeowners to tailor their bathroom to their lifestyle and preferences. That said, Froelich has some advice to add longevity to the design: “Use classic, timeless pieces as the foundation of your design and incorporate trendy pieces in moderation.”
With the right combination of features, finishes, and custom touches, any bathroom can be a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation.
