Design a Bathroom That Transports You

The bathroom is at once one of the most utilitarian spaces in the home and one of the most personal. Whether you’re looking to redo your powder room or transform your kids’ or your own primary bath, selecting the right details in the design of your bathroom can create a space that will transport you to a world away just for a few minutes, where you can recharge after a long day or gear up for whatever the day may hold. From a jungle oasis to an under-the-sea sanctuary, we’ve rounded up a few transformative ideas and some professional advice from the pros.

Rainforest Respite

“In conceptualizing the design for this pool house bathroom [in East Hampton, NY], the client wanted to feel transported into a far-away paradise,” says Marina Hanisch, principal at Marina Hanisch Interiors in Greenwich, CT. “With this in mind we created a little oasis that differed from the other design concept that we employed throughout the home.” While the main house takes a minimalist approach, this bathroom is all about natural textures and bold colors. Drawing inspiration from the tropical rainforests, Hanisch immediately thought of the iconic Martinique banana leaf-print wallpaper as her starting point. From there, she introduced bright yellow, fresh white, cool blue, and some rainbow linens to complete the look. A suspended vanity mirror with rope detailing, rope and brass paper and towel holders and white-washed floors in a geometric pattern elevated the look to have a very custom feel. “The design is characterized by whimsy, liveliness and a touch of tropical charm,” says Hanisch, who roots each project in the belief that it should narrate a story and evoke emotion. “I love incorporating a touch of playfulness,” she adds, “whether it be through color or visually captivating elements.”

Seaside Sanctuary

Karen Wolf’s clients had a home literally on the beach, so when she heard their daughter loved all things mermaid her decision for this little girl’s bathroom was easy. “We wanted to imbue the mermaid vibe without being too literal,” says Wolf, principal designer at K+Co. Living in Short Hills, NJ. Carefully chosen shower tiles in a seafoam green hand-fired scallop evoke fish scales, while a ceiling light in frosted glass and gold recalls fishing nets. A princess of the sea needs a few of life’s luxuries, so a rose quartzite countertop and gold accent hardware and mirror add a touch of elegance and draw from nature’s color palette to reflect an under-the-sea paradise without any mermaid imagery at all. “Lean into materials and color,” advises Wolf. “I love décor accents, but I find that the wrong décor accents can make a room feel themey versus inspiring. Instead, look to create an established sense of whimsy that can transport you to another world through elements like tile, flooring, paint, materials, lighting and other details.” 

Countryside escape

A guest room can be tricky. You want it to be practical, so your guests are comfortable, but also offer a little something extra, so they feel special and spoiled. The clients wanted to maintain the charming tub and original brass faucets, and the dormer style window had to stay, so Jennifer McCabe, founder of Duck Egg Blue Interior Design in Scarsdale, NY, had a few things to work around to design the space accordingly. She didn’t mind. In fact, challenging bathrooms are becoming her favorite spaces to design. “The more awkward the better!” says McCabe. “We aim to create timeless and beautiful spaces brimming with character.” For a traditional bathroom, wallpaper and wainscoting “are a match made in heaven,” says McCabe. She chose a countryside toile for the wallpaper. “Toile lends a timeless charm to any space,” she says. “Toile de Jouy is a personal favorite…Originating in France, its ability to transport us to serene countryside settings and simpler times is a large part of its appeal.” Since the bathroom was intended for guests and primarily would be used by adults, she wanted the vibe to be serene and soft. Rounded fixtures help break up all the straight lines here, and an oversized mirror helps to open up the small space. 

Spa Setting

You can almost hear the meditation music when you walk into this coastal primary bathroom in East Haven, CT. The homeowner wanted a space that felt light and airy, despite the room having no windows. “She wanted this room to be a sanctuary for her with plenty of light and storage,” says designer Michelle Moran, interior designer at Design by the Jonathans, LLC, in New Haven, CT. She installed cabinetry with a full-height cabinet and lots of counter space to conceal everyday personal items, reducing clutter and keeping the space serene. With no windows to let in natural light, Moran focused on strategically placed sconces and recessed lighting, then chose materials for the shower and floor that would reflect that light. A glossy Italian ceramic wall tile in the shower in aquamarine has an undulated surface that shimmers. On the floor, large-format porcelain tile with a Carrara marble look brightens from below. Moran likes to include some elements of nature in all her designs when possible.“Time spent in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, lower stress, help your immune system and calm your nerves,” says Moran. “By bringing nature into your space, you can cultivate some of these benefits in the comfort of your own home.” In this space, natural wood tone cabinets and accessories are warm and inviting, while light walls keep the room bright. The dark gray marble tumbled stone mosaic, used for the shower floor and accents, is continued around the stand-alone tub. Kohler fixtures from Bender are from the Purist collection in a brushed nickel and reflect the homeowners’ “transitional-modern” taste. “The combination of natural tones and materials mixes together very well with the simple yet sleek fixtures to create a relaxed and natural feel without having it feel too sterile,” says Moran.

GET THE LOOK

Each of our bathroom looks bring in elements from nature to transport you to a world away from the everyday. Try one of these details to make your bathroom feel like a sanctuary.