From kaleidoscopic cloakrooms with vivid tiling to colour-drenched ensuites, we reveal seven real bathroom projects packed with style and serotonin.

If you are planning a bathroom renovation and love a bit of colour and pattern, I’ve selected seven bathroom design ideas and asked the experts for their top tips on introducing the wow factor. Read on to steal some style inspiration…

Candy wrapper

With the ‘primary play’ trend still going strong, homeowners keep looking for ways to make their bathrooms a little brighter, opting for a more childlike, whimsical aesthetic. Take inspiration from Millie Mackintosh’s girls’ bathroom which could easily serve as an adults’ peaceful sanctuary. Baby pink takes over the room, while all the different types of tiles from Ca’ Pietra help to define zones and add layers.

“Colour in bathrooms is increasingly being used to build atmosphere and define character, and this space shows how tiles can be central to that,” says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra. “Rather than relying on paint or wallpaper, this design uses tonal variation within the tiles themselves to add depth. The large-format onyx-effect tiles in the shower and along the walls have a soft pink and sandy veining that introduces movement and warmth, without the intensity of a flat colour.

“On the floor, a checkerboard layout in muted pink and taupe brings structure and contrast, grounding the space while still working within a narrow colour palette. What’s clever here is the way the tiles do the work of both texture and tone. It’s a strong example of how colour through stone and stone-effect surfaces can be used to great effect, particularly in bathrooms where moisture resistance and longevity matter.”

Cheerful retro

With yellow continuing to be the colour of the hour, try colour-drenching your bathroom in a sunny shade to give it a happy spin. This works particularly well in retro-looking (think ‘70s-inspired or Memphis) schemes. To complete the look and interrupt the intense splash of colour, choose vibrant floor tiles in complementary shades and lively patterns, like in this project by Studio Tashima, featuring Otto Tiles & Design.

“This is a great example of how colour can be soft yet impactful,” says Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design. “The golden yellow palette wraps the space in warmth, while our Petra tile, with its darker, more grounded tones, introduces a statement pattern underfoot. With a subtle Victorian feel, Petra works beautifully with the space’s period features to create a timeless, characterful, and bold bathroom space.”

Colourful minimalism

If you’re a minimalist but wish to infuse a tranquil palette with a bit of character, paint one of the walls in an accent shade, add subtle patterns here and there, and keep the rest of the scheme looking simple. “Focus on using colour and pattern in a controlled way,” says interior designer Emma Gurner, who created this space as part of R2 Bathrooms’ Interior Design Challenge – the brand invited three designers to create a stunning bathroom using their Platform furniture range.

“Stick to a cohesive colour palette and add just one or two accent shades for interest,” continues Emma. “Choose patterns that will add depth without overwhelming the space – using a patterned tile layout, like I’ve done, is an excellent way to introduce an eye-catching focal point.

“Keep the overall look clean by ensuring plenty of negative space, choosing sleek, uncluttered fittings, and limiting decorative elements to a few carefully chosen pieces. This way, colour and pattern add character without disrupting the serene, minimalist feel.”

Energetic colours

Blue interiors are gaining ground, with homeowners increasingly choosing the elegant hue for their bathrooms. To avoid being left with a dark, moody scheme, choose a lighter blue, paired with lighthearted, floral patterns. The owner of this home, table linen designer and creative consultant Rosanna Falconer, wanted her bathroom to “feel inspired by the vibrant blues we’ve loved on family travels to India – full of joy and personality, but still practical for life with two energetic young daughters.”

She also needed a vanity top that would ground the bold scheme. “The Caesarstone surface does exactly that, its creamy base and delicate veining anchoring the space beautifully,” she says. “It brings balance, and its durability gives me peace of mind in a busy family home.”

Fun geometry

Incorporating bold shapes in all kinds of striking colours is an excellent way to introduce depth and interest into a compact powder room. Metro tiles, monochrome, geometric flooring, and fluted details will do the trick – pair them with a large-scale, patterned wallpaper, and you’re onto a winner. “The downstairs bathroom is always a great opportunity to be adventurous with your designs,” says Jenna Forsdyke, interior designer at Pfeiffer Design.

“This new-build property needed a big injection of personality and colour to meet the needs of the family’s busy everyday life. The owner specified modern, warm, and bright interiors with a contemporary twist and splashes of colour throughout.

“Playful yet sophisticated, bright and bold colours take centre stage, contrasting when together, but beautifully balanced. The coral painted door is the perfect partner to the floral wallpaper and fluted sink, while the green tiles help to ground the design, drawing the eye down to the monochrome tiled floor.”

Stripe drenching

How about colour-drenching your walls in wine red, and covering your entire shower enclosure in matching red-and-white stripes? The full-on stripey effect can even continue to the vanity, combined with a few delicate details to offset the boldness. Just like homeowner Chloe Griffiths (@herds__house) did when renovating her home. “The owners wanted to create a colourful ensuite that still felt calm and considered,” says Isabel Fernandez, director of Quorn Stone.

“They were drawn to deep red hues, and our Luella Claret Red Gloss Metro tiles offered the right intensity without feeling overpowering. Their rich burgundy tone brings an earthy, grounded feel, while the glazed, tonal surface adds a subtle sense of movement. This tile works wonderfully in an ensuite, especially when paired with soft neutrals or natural materials like wood and brushed brass.”

Farmhouse chic

Looking for a more traditional aesthetic but with a modern touch? Mix cottagecore with contemporary elements by using country-inspired features, such as checked curtains and panelling, alongside a variety of sleek textures and patterns, like zellige tiles and statement lighting. Just like in the Steep project by Vaughan Design & Development, where the owners wanted their home to feel “quintessentially English but with a twist”.

“We drew inspiration for the palette from the natural beauty that surrounds this property,” says Holly Vaughan, director of Vaughan Design & Development. “The sweet wallpaper from Soane set the scene for the design. We then installed striking zingy, green zellige tiles and brass sanitaryware for a bold contrast. The space was rounded off with pretty details such as the sink skirts.”

Enjoyed this post? Click here for tips on choosing a bathroom colour

About Post Author