When I was young, my family and I lived in a heritage house with a dark green bathroom. I remember with fondness the original claw foot tub I spent so much time splashing around in. My parents had created a vanity out of a burled walnut antique sideboard and capped off the charming look with a gold gilded mirror. It wasn’t a huge bathroom, but it had character. Maybe that’s why I enjoy creating bathrooms that have a personality and that are both stylish and practical.
Throughout my 25-plus years as a designer, I have seen many bathroom-decor mistakes in homes. I’m talking everything from carpet in bathrooms (this should have NEVER been allowed!), dark oak country vanities and monster-sized decks for soaker jet tubs, to super tiny kit showers. Renovating bathrooms has been a constant in my career and I have found it’s easy for this busy room to have a positive impact on our daily life if we make sure it is organized, has natural light, a fun personality, and exudes a level of luxury.
Here are a few simple steps to keep in mind if you want to have a bathroom with “personality”:
1| Use every inch of space. Storage is the key to keeping a busy bathroom tidy, so be sure to map out your room to maximize each zone.
2| Invest in lighting. Good lighting in a bathroom goes a really long way. Generally, I install vanity lights, pot lights and sconces to ensure the space is illuminated well.
3| Experiment with colour or wallpaper. I am a fan of keeping tile classic but consider amping up your bathroom with a bright wall colour, some patterned paper or even a bold custom shower curtain to make the room feel luxurious.