Brash colors and bold wallpaper? No, thanks. These classical bathroom designs feel more like a relaxing spa given their elegant hues and luxurious touches. Just add cucumber slices for instant stress relief.
To mimic the ocean outside this Laguna Beach bathroom, designers Heidi Bonesteel and Michele Trout added a border of turquoise blue tile. The walls are finished with one-foot square tiles, which give the room a clean look because there are fewer grout lines.
Classic Bathroom Design
"The master bath is truly feminine: a serene and pretty oasis," says designer Christine Murphy about the bathroom in this colorful New York City apartment. Pale pink walls match the undertones of the marble tile.
Creating an idyllic bath for a Long Island home, designer DD Allen chose a blue palette but did not limit herself to one shade. The custom teal color of the polished Venetian plaster walls picks up the blue in the floor tiles.
In an antique-filled Victorian house in Illinois, designer Annie Brahler chose the master bath's rich brown paint to play up the brilliant whites of the tub, curtains, and tiles. The crystal light fixture is a 1980s update of old-school glamour.
Back in the 18th-century when this Massachusetts farmhouse was built, there was no such thing as a master bath. So architect Michael T. Gray and interior designer Hattie Holland carved one out of a hallway and added wainscoting and window casings to create a sense of the past. The color "has a historic feeling with that gray cast," Holland says.
"I love a glamorous bathroom," designer Marshall Watson says. He turned the master bath in a Florida house into a open-air oasis with floor-to-ceiling windows, cast-iron tub, custom vanity, and crystal chandelier.
Traditional style bathrooms are classic in design, feeling more like a soothing spa oasis, with an aesthetic of elegant hues and super luxurious touches. Traditional bathroom designs typically take their cue from what is currently trending in the design world, with materials and decor that are respective of their historical periods, such as Victorian, colonial, or Georgian styles. These styles are timeless, clean-lined, cool, and very classic, creating a beautiful aesthetic that you will enjoy for years to come.
As far as furnishing your traditional style bathroom, draw on more natural materials for inspiration. High-end wood is typically used for base cabinets, benches, or even chairs. If you are going with a more Colonial style, which is typically found in homes in the Northeastern United States, then common wood selections would be cherry, oak, and maple.
Now we move on to traditional style bathroom sinks, which are typically comprised of materials with a historic lineage, such as stone or porcelain. The most commonly used sink types are pedestal, console, and basin. If you opt to put a bathtub in your bathroom, freestanding, built-in, and of course the classic porcelain clawfoot tub is still a popular selection; you can also find these classic tubs in a wide variety of materials to mimic the look of porcelain such as cast iron or acrylic. You can also create a wood-paneled tub such as the one in the image above, or have a look at some eye-catching metal tubs ranging from bronze to copper.
The final tip we can leave you with for your traditional style bathroom design is in regards to your linen selection and accessories. Keep them clean and simple, you could consider monogramming for your towels and bath mats, select crisp shower curtains (unless you opt for glass), and simple window shades. Select varying shades of common color selections for both accessories and overall design schemes, such as whites, browns, and traditional reds, blues, and greens.
Photo Sources: 1. Ashley Whittaker Design, 2. AFK Flooring & Kitchens, 3. Interior Therapy, 4. Heather Garrett Design, 5. Clay Construction Inc., 6. Artistic Tile & Stone, 7. Highmark Builders, 8. Justine Sterling Design, 9. REFINED LLC, 10. The Spotted Frog Designs, 11. CG&S Design-Build, 12. Milestone Building, 13. The Inman Company, 14. Chalet Development, 15. Studio KB, 16. Mark Williams Design Associates, 17. Daniel Contelmo Architects, 18. Laura Hammett Ltd, 19. Gast Architects, 20. Hanson Fine Building, 21. Frances Herrera Interior Design, 22. RLH Studio, 23. Julie Williams Design, 24. Tiffany Eastman Interiors, 25. LDa Architecture & Interiors, 26. Andrea Schumacher Interiors, 27. Carl Mattison Design, 28. Lisette Voute Designs, 29. Hamilton-Gray Design, 30. Verner Architects, 31. Marker Girl Home, 32. DeGraw & DeHaan Architects, 33. Diana Bier Interiors, 34. Arizona Designs Kitchens and Baths, 35. Jaffa Group Design Build, 36. Highmark Builders, 37. Archia Homes, 38. Blake Shaw Homes, 39. TR Building & Remodeling, 40. Arch Studio, 41. Scott Davis Photography, 42. Traditional Home, 43. Anne Hepfer Designs, 44. Synthesis Design Inc., 45. Jan Gleysteen Architects, 46. Hendel Homes, 47. Tres McKinney Design, 48. Traditional Home, 49. Mary Prince Photography, 50. 1 plus 1 design, 51. New Tradition Homes, 52. JCA Architects, 53. Peterssen/Keller Architecture 54. Cindy Smetana Interiors
Your bathroom is a sanctuary, and these traditional bathroom ideas will help you to create your dream space, where you can shut off from the rest of the world. From color schemes and flooring to furnishings and sanitaryware, every element must work together to create a harmonious scheme.
Decorating with traditional bathroom ideas doesn't mean your bathroom needs to be dated. Instead, traditional bathroom ideas are about uniting modern bathroom ideas, technology and amenities with the elegant and timeless shapes and patterns of traditional decor.
'When designing a traditional style bathroom, select interesting pieces that incorporate a feeling of timelessness to the space, and avoid items that are considered sleek and modern. The idea is to add character and charm to the design through details that can be pulled from different design eras of the past,' says Anna Franklin, interior designer and founder of Stone House Collective (opens in new tab). 'A signature feature in a traditional bathroom is a standalone claw-foot tub, accented with faucets in a brass or bronze tone (try to avoid chrome hardware wherever possible). Consider adding floral-printed wallpaper or wood paneling to the walls to create visual interest and design depth.'
Whether you are redecorating the family bathroom or creating a classically inspired ensuite bathroom idea, it is important that your bathroom is a place that you love. After all, it is one of the few spaces where you can lock the door and give yourself some much needed 'me time'.
From freestanding tubs and elegant shower enclosures to eye-catching fittings and statement walls, there are countless ways to create a space that really works for you and chimes with your own taste and styles. Draw on classic decorating ideas to inspire your design while also being aware of the unique challenges of the bathroom environment.
'Curved items such as oval freestanding bathtubs, sink faucets with rounded soft edges, round shower heads and trim, provide a more traditional look,' recommends Jil Sonia, interior designer and founder of Jil Sonia Interior Designs (opens in new tab).
In any room, color schemes play a vital role in curating the space. When it comes to the bathroom, there are plenty of different bathroom color ideas from which to choose. However, for a classic look keep your palette to a minimum. Pair one bold hero color with softer neutrals such as whites, creams, or beiges to create balance.
When painting a bathroom, paint finishes are another essential consideration. Opt for a formula that is dedicated to the bathroom as it will be able to withstand the moist environment. Also consider a mould resistant formula to keep your bathroom looking elegant without the maintenance requirements of a standard paint.
With us all having busy lives, the shower has become a staple part of the morning routine. For many households, it is a non-negotiable addition. However, there are myriad bathroom shower ideas from which to choose. Whether a compact cubicle, dedicated wet room or a complete over-bath system, it can be challenging to know which option is the best fit for your home and lifestyle.
'When creating a traditional style bathroom there are a couple features to focus on to make sure you hit the mark,' says Megan Dufresne (opens in new tab), principal designer at MC Design. 'The details are where any design comes to life. I like to make sure the finishes tie the whole design together. In traditional bathrooms, brass or chrome are popular metal finishes and can be incorporated with just about any color scheme. Overall, the traditional style is a bit more elaborate and decorative so we want all the features to work in harmony.'
As its name suggests, traditional style is one that is born from history. Therefore, the best way to embody traditional bathroom ideas in your home is to incorporate vintage or antique pieces into your design.
This could be achieved by celebrating original beams or plasterwork and making them a standout feature. Or, if you are not lucky enough to have original architectural features in your bathroom, then you can supplement the look by introducing antique accessories and furniture into the scheme. Picking a few statement antiques such as bathroom mirror ideas, glassware or cabinetry will instantly imbue your home with heritage charm.
The easiest way to add a shower into your bathroom is to install a shower enclosure. Simply, this self-contained unit removes the need for waterproof tiling, additional waterproofing and adding screens around your bathtub. This elegant design from Drummonds would make a showstopping centrepiece to a large bathroom or would look equally stunning against a wall.
While your focus will naturally be on the larger features of your bathroom design such as baths, brassware, flooring and tiling, smaller details must not be overlooked. 'Accessories in traditional bathrooms are a must,' says Jil Sonia. 'Cut flowers in silver vases, Polished nickel hardware or Silver-plated brushes & hand mirrors can be picked up from vintage resellers, they truly personalize your bathroom!' 2ff7e9595c