20 looks for a gorgeous contemporary design

We could drool over modern bathroom ideas all day. They are just so clean and crisp and neat and gorgeous and everything we want in a bathroom design. So, of course, we had to put all that drooling time to good use and round up  loads of stunning contemporary bathrooms to give you endless inspiration.

 Whether you want to give your bathroom design a chic overhaul with statement additions, or if you’re searching for some simple decorating ideas, we’ve got plenty of stylish tips and stunning modern bathroom looks for you to recreate below.

Keep scrolling for modern bathrooms aplenty and for loads more fabulous looks, head to our bathroom ideas page.  

• If it’s bathroom renovation tips you are after we have a dedicated feature for inspiration too. 

1. Experiment with texture

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(Image credit: Tikamoon)

While a sleek, fuss-free scheme is a great starting point for a modern bathroom, you’ll want to consider experimenting with texture and visual effects to create a unique space. Despite its characteristically minimalist feel, this bathroom is given its own personality with a statement house plant. For more house plant display ideas, check out our gallery. 

2. Opt for modern bathroom tile designs

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(Image credit: Carpetright)

Looking for modern bathroom ideas that still incorporate some pattern and interest? An on trend, geometric bathroom tile scheme makes a striking feature in a modern bathroom. Consider opting for a monochrome version if you want a muted finish, but team it with brass fittings to add a warming note. Small bathroom? Find out how to choose the right size tiles to make your bathroom feel bigger and brighter.

• If you’re designing a bathroom from scratch, be sure to check out our feature for all the advice you need.

3. Build a focal point into your modern bathroom design

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(Image credit: DelightFULL)

An intricate monochrome wall mural in this small modern bathroom creates a stunning focal point, drawing the eye and creating the illusion of a longer space – a great trick if you’re looking for small bathroom design ideas.

Paired with a stylish, matt black freestanding bath and statement light fitting, this bathroom is a great example of a successful contemporary space.

4. Add colour to a contemporary bathroom with accent features

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(Image credit: Waters Baths)

With grey and monochrome schemes often favoured for more contemporary bathrooms, going for an accent feature is a great modern bathroom idea as it adds both colour and interest to the room. Mustard yellow or blush pink are on trend additions to a grey scheme. 

See more bathroom paint ideas in our gallery.

5. Incorporate natural materials for an easy modern twist

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(Image credit: GSG Ceramic Design)

If you’re after modern bathroom ideas that are contemporary but also warm and welcoming, bringing natural materials is key. Adding wooden accents into a sleek, cool-toned scheme is a brilliant way to add texture and interest to a modern bathroom without compromising its minimalist feel. 

We love this combination of a dark wood freestanding unit and streamlined sanitaryware from GSG Ceramic Design.

6. Design an open space 

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(Image credit: Walls and Floors)

When you’re designing a modern bathroom, prioritise creating an open and spacious feel. A walk-in wet room is a good way to go as it helps keep the layout as streamlined as possible. Zones can still be distinguished within it without detracting from the open feel. 

Natural Slate Effect Tiles are a stylish solution for a contemporary bathroom or wet room. If you love the idea of transforming your bathroom into a wet room, check out our guide to creating a wet room for all the tips and tricks. 

7. Create a design feature using house plants

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(Image credit: Nest )

The easiest modern bathroom idea going, is to add loads of house plants. Whether you’re looking to make a design feature with a statement species – we love the addition of a slightly unruly house plant to an otherwise streamlined space – or prefer something a little more understated, our house plants guide will tell you everything you need to know about house plants, so that you can choose a species that suits. 

8. Add personality in a modern bathroom with a gallery wall

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(Image credit: Waters Baths)

Avoid a clinical feel and inject personality into a modern bathroom with the addition of a gallery wall. Start by reading our guide to displaying photos and pictures before selecting images that suit your style – we’’d recommend an eclectic combination of tasteful photographs and prints. 

9. Opt for atmospheric lighting 

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(Image credit: Davey Lighting)

Lighting is key if you’re designing a bathroom with relaxation in mind. Avoid bright, overpowering illumination, and instead opt for something with a warmer light and more understated feel. Industrial-style designs make the perfect addition to a contemporary bathroom. For more on how to choose bathroom lighting go and have a read of our expert guide. 

Find this Hex Box Pendant Lighting at Original BTC.

10. Choose sleek, but statement sanitaryware 

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(Image credit: Water Baths)

Smooth edges and simple silhouettes make for stylish sanitaryware in a modern bathroom. Positioned in the centre of a bathroom (if yours is large enough) a freestanding bath can create a striking focal point, just check out these amazing freestanding baths.

11. Strip back walls for an industrial feel

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(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)

Creating a feature wall with exposed brick walls is a sure-fire way to create a contemporary industrial look, especially if paired with factory-style light fittings, like these from Fritz Fryer. The downside to this pared-back look? The bathroom can feel a tad cool, so why not go for underfloor heating beneath the tiled floor plus plenty of fluffy towels to dry off with?

12. Undress the windows in a modern bathroom

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(Image credit: JD Williams)

One way to make modern bathrooms feel bigger is to choose bathroom window treatments that are minimalist – like this white Roman blind just peeking into shot. However, if your room is overlooked, you might like to add window film to allow in plenty of light while preserving your privacy.

Bear in mind, too, that if the window is undressed, the room might feel somewhat cold, so up the comfort factor with plenty of quality towels and pretty accessories to dress the room – these are from JD Williams.

13. Give a traditional bathroom a pop of modern 

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(Image credit: James Balston)

Want to combine modern bathroom ideas with a more traditional look? Part contemporary, part period style, and bang on trend, boho chic interiors are all about paring back a traditional scheme to the minimum and adding a couple of stand-out modern details. Here, it’s the artwork, but it could just as easily be a shapely roll top bath or contemporary flooring. Find more boho chic-inspired room schemes in our guide.

14. Create symmetry in a modern bathroom  

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(Image credit: Meir Australia )

Modern bathrooms really benefit from symmetry and structure. You can re-create this contemporary look easily by adding symmetry with mirrors, or even frames if you’re being edgy and leaving mirrors out of your modern bathroom design completely. Even if you haven’t been blessed with a double sink, hanging two oversized circular mirrors above a smaller sink or a vanity unit would be just as striking. For similar mirrors, check out these versions from Made – they come in loads of colours, too, if you want to make a move on from monochrome. 

15. Add softness to a modern bathroom 

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(Image credit: Carpetright)

Modern bathrooms don’t have to all be about the super sleek monochrome look. You can create a contemporary space with softer neutrals and natural materials too. We love how in this bathroom a single colour scheme has been kept but the interest comes with the mixture of textures – the granite, the wood and the polished plaster walls work perfectly to create a serene modern space. 

16. Choose built-in storage for a chic and tidy look 

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(Image credit: Darren Chung © Future)

If you want to create a really minimalist space, zero clutter (apart from a few strategically placed houseplants and accessories, of course), investing in built-in storage is going to be the best way to achieve that. Floor to ceiling cupboards with a simple design would work best for a contemporary space as they will just blend into the rest of the room. You could always use the cupboards to add some colour by painting them too – we love this dark green, looks gorgeous with the light wooden accents. 

17. Bring terrazzo finishes into a modern bathroom 

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(Image credit: Fiona Murray)

Terrazzo is a super stylish material that is going to bring a modern feel into any bathroom. We love this overall terrazzo look that you could achieve using tiles (check out these from Tiles Direct). But you could also bring in the material in more subtle ways– this terrazzo bathroom wall light from John Lewis would be ideal and they have loads of matching bathroom accessories too.  

18. Strip back a small bathroom for a contemporary look 

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(Image credit: Fired Earth)

Modern bathroom ideas work perfectly in a small bathroom because they are all about a clean, uncluttered look. Just keep everything to a minimum, the furnishings, the colours, the decorations and always opt for closed bathroom storage so you can hide away all the things that aren’t aesthetically pleasing and basically just have your Aesop bottles out that you just keep filling with whatever soap you pick up from the supermarket (oh don’t pretend you don’t do that too!). 

19. Go against traditional bathroom layouts

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(Image credit: Huit design/Chad Mellon photography)

We love how this modern bathroom has a really unusual layout. The bath and shower are almost one, with the shower being a walk-in design, right next to the bath. The slightly raised flooring keeps it in its own zone from the rest of the bathroom, but the wooden planters and the wooden flooring in the rest of the space keep it looking cohesive. Very cool, very spa. 

20. Add warm tones to a modern bathroom 

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(Image credit: Dunelm )

Cool tones are synonymous with modern bathrooms, greys, whites, blacks all work well to create a contemporary space. But that’s not to say you can’t throw in some warmer colours too. Check out this contemporary bathroom, it’s got plenty of grey going on but the orange towels, soft shower curtain and rattan accessories soften up the look. 

More bathroom inspiration? We think so…

Gallery: 29 things you never thought to clean — but should (The Active Times)