Decorating Ideas For Master Bathroom

Keep it Comfortable

Credit: Photo by Nancy Nolan

Bath décor doesn't have to be all about function—beautiful form is actually the difference between a ho-hum room and a relaxing retreat. Save space with sliding doors or add light with glass ones; consider heated floors and cool pallets, a soaking tub and a spa shower, historic details and clean, modern lines. Keep a large master bedroom bath fresh and airy with neutrals or ramp up the style in a small one with pattern and color. With a little imagination, you can transform a sideboard into a dual-sink vanity; turn a vintage cabinet into a compact linen closet; or hide plumbing and add storage with well-placed cabinetry. So explore our favorite bathroom decorating ideas, and let us inspire you to dream up a few of your own. Creative bath décor will absolutely change the way you think of this key area of your home, whether you're building, remodeling, or just dreaming.

Go for Pattern

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Patterned wallpaper brings style to small spaces. This bath gets its pretty palette from a medallion-print wallpaper.

Let in Light

Credit: Photo Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Matthew Gleason

This trio of windows, set a little higher than usual, lets in lots of light while still allowing for privacy.

Tour this Louisiana Gulf Home

Open Up the Space

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn and Robbie Caponetto

Give your master suite flow with French doors and glass walls. Instead of a basic doorway between this master bedroom and bath, architects visually opened up this master suite by designing a glass wall as a divider, with grommeted curtain panels that can be pulled for privacy. This look is both beautiful and versatile.

Tour this Coastal Texas Home

Hide the Plumbing

Credit: Photo Laurey W. Glenn

Required plumbing parts don't have to ruin your under-sink open shelf look. Open cubbies below these two bowl sinks have removable panels in the back to allow access to pipes.

See this Master Bath Makeover

Design a Modern Tub Surround

Credit: Photo John O'Hagan / Styling Alan Henderson

Need a crisp and sophisticated tub surround? Enclose a bathtub with wood for an innovative, freestanding option. A sturdy, low wooden box was designed for housing this tub.

Tour this Georgia Home

Use Local Accents

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto

Keep your master bath from feeling too generic by including local materials. A shell-encrusted mirror adds softness to the sleek marble bath and clean, white walls of this coastal bath.

Tour this Coastal Texas Home

Choose Calming Colors

Credit: Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Soft blues are good options when you're aiming for a relaxing atmosphere. Give your master suite a cohesive look by painting the bath walls just one shade lighter than the bedroom walls.

Save Money with Beaded Board

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Beaded-board walls cost less than tile. To ease installation, use 4- x 8-foot plywood sheets. The vertical lines of the beaded board make this master bath look taller.

Tour this Lilac Master Suite

Include a Linen Closet

It's unlikely that you'll ever hear someone complain about having too much storage. Here, plentiful linen and toiletry storage is integrated into a large wall in the master bath.

Learn More About Bath Organization

Look for International Inspiration

Credit: Charles Walton IV

There's a never-ending wealth of ways to bring your travels home in your decor. Like Japanese shoji screens, these glass doors separate the tub and shower stall from the dressing area.

Tour this Modern Master Suite

Save Space with a Sliding Door

Credit: Photo Laurey W. Glenn and Robbie Caponetto / Styling Matthew Gleason

A standard swinging door can take a lot of floor space in your bath, but a sliding door is convenient and compact. A modern barn door slides along a track to close off this bath. The bright saffron color ties in with the saffron-and-gray bedding and updates the look.

Tour this Coastal Texas Home

Accent with Color

Bring color into a neutral bath by painting your vanity in an accent hue.

Add Drama with Contrast

Credit: Charles Walton IV

Up the contrast in your master bath by pairing rich, dark wood with lighter neutrals. A dark vanity and tub surround play off the white and gray finishes and fixtures in this master bath.

Divide and Conquer

Credit: Photo Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey

Two vanities and a divided walk-in closet keep morning and evening routines running smoothly. Here the vanities are split by the tub keeping the plumbing lines grouped together.

Choose a Signature Color

Credit: Charles Walton IV

Be bold in your color choice. The vibrant aqua wall color in this master bath is picked up in the accent tile and accessories.

Include a Place To Sit

Sure, you can apply your makeup while standing, but it's always nice to have a place to sit while you get ready. Here, the makeup area is integrated into the his-and-hers vanity unit. Always be sure to include a couple of electrical outlets close by.

See our Editor's Favorite Bathrooms

Make Your Escape

Credit: Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett

Bring the relaxation home with a spa-inspired master bath. The master bath mixes crisp, polished pieces with textured grass cloth wall coverings and curtains to give it a warm spa-like feeling.

Take a Tour of this Georgia Home

Try Texture

Color isn't the only way to add pizzazz to your space. This bath has a monochromatic color scheme, but the textures of the materials keep it interesting.

See More of this Master Suite

Splurge in the Shower

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The shower is a small and defined space where you can afford a little splurge, whether it's on amazing shower-heads or sensational tile. The light blue hue of this Carrara marble floor and shower may make you feel as if you are showering in the ocean.

Tour this Louisiana Gulf Home

Keep Toes Toasty

Sometimes it's the unseen elements that make the biggest difference in your master bath design. An electric heating mat was installed under the travertine tile of this master bath.

See this Master Bath Makeover

Visually Divide the Space with a Sink

Visual cues and dividers can be used to separate the bathing area from the rest of the master bath. This vanity is centrally located, dividing the different areas of the bath, but the see-through glass countertop and vessel sink bowl help keep the room visually open.

See More of this Master Bath Makeover

Give Natural Wood a Starring Role

There's no need to paint all of your surfaces. Use stain-grade natural wood to give a depth of color and tone to your space. The honey-colored cabinetry, flooring, and trim featured in this room take center stage when paired with a limited color palette.

Add Historic Character with Classic Materials

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn / Styling: Anne Turner Carroll

There are thousands of amazing tile options available, but some staples will always be classics. Created from unused attic space, this master bath glistens with classic white subway and reproduction hexagonal floor tile.

Tour this Restored 19th Century Farmhouse

Hide Clutter with Baskets

Credit: Photo Robbie Caponetto and Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett

If you have open shelves, use large baskets to corral small toiletries and accessories. Here, each sink has its own dedicated bin to keep his-and-hers from getting jumbled together.

Take a Virtual Tour of this Mississippi Home

Use Art as Inspiration

Sometimes design inspiration is no further away than your favorite painting or print. A beautiful poppy print inspires the rustic green finish found on the vanity and medicine cabinet in this master bath.

Mix Your Neutrals

Credit: Photo John O'Hagan / Styling Lisa Powell

Play with whites, beiges, and grays in the same space. Cut-stone tile covers the floor, and limestone accents the countertops. Hexagonal tiles, in variegated natural hues, act as a border for the tub surround, wrap around the shower, and adorn the sinks' backsplash.

Add Character with Architectural Details

Credit: Photo Ralph Anderson / Styling Alan Henderson

Interesting architectural elements are a thoughtful way to make your master bath unique. An arch-topped shower adds architectural character to this master bath.

Multiply Shower Fixtures

Dual overhead showerheads and hand-held sprayer options are the stars of this large and luxurious shower space.

Decorate with Trim & Molding

Large expanses of wallspace are always hard to decorate. A combination of flat boards and trim enhance this area.

Add Built-Ins

Credit: Photo Tria Giovan, Styling Olga Naiman

Storage always seems to be in short supply. Cabinets under these windows conceal the tub's plumbing lines, provide storage for towels and bath products, and create a display space for plants and artwork.

Tour this Georgia Home

Try an Island in a Large Space

Credit: Photo Ralph Anderson and Mary Margaret Chambliss / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

No longer just for kitchens, islands can be major assets in baths, too. This built-in adds six more drawers for storage.

Camouflage a Laundry Room

Credit: Photo: Laurey Glenn

Double-louvered doors keep the washer and dryer neatly tucked away in a separate tiny room when they are not in use. Keeping the bath and laundry spaces the same color creates cohesiveness and allows them to function as one room.

Organize with Vintage Pieces

Credit: Photo: Erica George Dines

If built-ins aren't possible, add storage and style with an antique cabinet. This homeowner stores towels and toiletries in a green vintage dental cabinet.

See More of this Vintage-Style Home

Mix Materials

Don't feel hemmed in by one particular style. Unexpected combinations lend an eclectic sensibility to your master bath. Luxurious materials, like marble, are juxtaposed with rough beams and concrete floors in this space.

Seem More of this Luxury Loft

Include an Alcove

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Scott Martin

Don't overlook small ways to incorporate convenient storage. A decorative tiled alcove next to the tub in this master bath is a great place for soaps and other toiletries.

See this Innovative South Carolina Home

Try User-Friendly Design

Make as many elements adjustable as possible. Mirrors hung on a pivot point are versatile and user-friendly.

Use a Nonstandard Vanity

Use a Non-Standard Vanity

Instead of purchasing a standard vanity, repurpose a vintage piece of case furniture with a new top and plumbing fixtures. This black-lacquered sideboard makes a perfect double sink with a few modifications.

Use a Mixture of Lighting Types

General, accent, and task lighting are all important in your bath. Natural light reduces the need for electric lights and cuts energy costs. The frosted glass doors allow the natural light to spill into the rest of the suite.

Separate the Space

Separate the toilet and vanity with a half wall to preserve a little privacy. This homeowner took advantage of the extra wallspace and hung a black-and-white print.

Use History as Inspiration

Be mindful of your home's historic style in the bath too. The natural wood finishes paired with stained glass, pottery, and a craftsman-style mirror give this bath a distinctly Arts and Crafts feel.

Mix Materials

Instead of using tiles that "match," select tiles that "coordinate" for big impact. This bath has a rich depth of texture created by a mix of finishes. Plain rectangular tiles and circle-patterned tiles pair nicely with dark wood and smooth porcelain finishes.

Use Clean Lines

For a contemporary look, use furnishings and materials with crisp, straight lines. The clean rectangular shape of this vanity is reflected in the tile.

Get Creative with Cabinets

Just because it's the standard way doesn't mean it's the best way for your home. Research different cabinet configurations to find the best layout for your master bath. Instead of a traditional upper cabinet with doors on the front, this configuration offers separate shelves for each vanity.

Integrate Your Accent Tile

Make your accent tile a unifying feature by using it in several places throughout the master bath. This backsplash tile is also used as an accent in the flooring, tying the room together.

Use Classical Shapes

Instantly bring implied architectural character by using classic structural shapes in your furniture and accessories. The gothic arch in the vanity cabinet doors is repeated in the mirror.

Coordinate Colors

Put a twist on your bedroom color scheme to unify your master suite. This patterned wallpaper coordinates with the color scheme used in the bedroom.

Play with Patterned Tile

Punch up your space with a pretty patterned-tile floor. In this master bath, the intricate tile floor takes center stage while the rest of the room remains fairly neutral.

Try a Tall Backsplash

Exaggerate the height of your backsplash for a luxurious look that isn't arbitrary. Lining it up with the window mullions and mirror tops create a clean, unbroken horizontal line around the room.

Look for Creative Ways To Add Seating

Look for Creative Ways to Add Seating

Don't just allow for plumbing parts in your tub surround. This wood tub surround has enough depth to do double duty as a bench.

Keep it Comfortable

Credit: Photo by Nancy Nolan

Floor-to-ceiling linen draperies can create a relaxed atmosphere and add softness, privacy, and light filtration to your master bath.

See more of this Nature-Inspired Lake House

Add a Little Sparkle

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

The homeowner relocated the tub and tucked it into a cozy surround that includes a pair of glass-shelved hanging cabinets and an inset beveled mirror. The mirror adds sparkle and enlarges the space, while the rows of open shelving give the room lots of storage and a vintage-apothecary feel. There's a lot going on in this tiny room, but the classic black-and-white palette with brass accents keeps things from looking chaotic. The millwork's lacquered finish adds depth and polish, and the traditional pattern of the marble hex floor tile is a nod toward the house's 1930s roots.

See more of this Colorful Home Remodel

Use Practical Materials

Use Practical Materialsr Bath

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

"Laid out in a pattern, this Ann Sacks tile gives the same graphic punch as a painted floor but is much more practical for a bath," says designer Phoebe Howard.

See more of the Nashville Idea House

Choose a Freestanding Vanity

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A hand-painted, marble-topped sink base feels like antique furniture rather than a standard built-in bath cabinet.

See more of the Farmhouse Restoration

Think Beyond the Bath

Credit: Photo by: Tria Giovan, Styling by: Matthew Gleason

Painted black, the window frame extends the eye outward. The completely enclosed courtyard esures this bath is totally private—no window treatments required!

See more of the 2011 Idea House at Escondido

Add Personality with Flea Market Finds

Use vintage pieces, like this antique Coke bottle crate, to store towels and toiletries.

Lighten Up

Get the benefit of natural light as well as privacy by installing a sky light in your bathroom.

Use Mirrors in Creative Ways

Get the look of French doors without losing privacy. Substitute mirrors for clear glass window panels.

Introduce History

Add storage with a vintage washstand. Here, the honey color of the washstand and marble countertop inspired the room's color palette.

Mix and Match Tile Materials

Mix neutral tiles with bright glass accent tiles. Here, vibrant green pops against clean white.

Try Hotel-Style Luxury

Credit: Photos by Jean Allsopp

Who says you have to leave home for luxury? Fine finishes, such as the granite countertops, tile, and elegantly distressed cabinetry, lend hotel appeal in this master bath.

Create the Look of Furniture

Credit: Photos by Jean Allsopp

It's the little details that polish your cabinet design. Furniture feet give the look of freestanding with the convenience of built-in. This vanity has a breakfront-inspired design.

Embrace Vintage Style

Credit: Photos by Jean Allsopp

Give your master bath a sense of history with antique-inspired elements. Custom-painted vanities mimic the look of washstands. A slipper tub and beaded-board walls reinforce vintage style.

Use Coordinating Tiles

Mix up the shapes and sizes of your tile, but keep them all the same color. The square floor tiles here are laid in a diagonal pattern, and rectangular tile surrounds the base of the tub. A harlequin design stretches above the tub between two tile chair rails.

Take a Virtual Tour of this Florida Home

Make Your Space Look Bigger

It's a simple, time-tested principle: Mirrors make a room feel bigger. A picturesque seascape adds to the spacious feeling and calm color scheme in this room.

Up Next