Fancy and functional? Yes, please.
Whether we live on many acres or in a shoebox, one thing’s for sure: We all deserve to celebrate life’s little luxuries in our home. And where better to do so than the bathroom? You don’t need to have a penchant for skincare or spend hours soaking in a tub to appreciate a well-appointed, modern bathroom. In fact, the right touches can make something as mundane as brushing your teeth feel like an elevated experience. Larger primary bathrooms might have ample opportunities for modern elements, but make no mistake that smaller spaces can’t make a stylish splash, too. Need proof? The 50 modern bathroom ideas below embrace the lap of luxury, regardless of their size. So kick back, rinse off, and scroll through the spaces that deliver an instant ahh.... Plywood Bathroom Vanity
Painting your bathroom walls in white (in this case, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove), as ELLE DECOR A-Lister Richard Mishaan did here, makes for a sublime and moving bathing experience. The tub is by Duravit, and the antique mirrors are Italian.
In a bathroom this minimal, let the lips do the talking. The tile Eva Bradley chose is from Porcelanosa, the tub is LaCava, the marble side table is from Anthem, and the linens are from Room & Board. The artwork includes five Lips by Angela Blehm.
For a couple of maximalist makeup magnates, ELLE DECOR A-Lister Mary McDonald opted for a dramatic marble archway to frame the vanity. The bathroom also has a custom counter and mirror by Urban Archaeology and a faucet by Waterworks. The stool is from Carl Moore Antiques, the sconces are by Ralph Lauren Home, and the pendant is by the Urban Electric Co.
If you make the semicircular brick arch, veined orb pendant, and wall of subway tiles white, then a black tub is compulsory. The tub, fittings, and tiles in this bathroom by ELLE DECOR A-Listers Ashe Leandro are all by Waterworks, and the vintage light fixture is from JF Chen.
Ever get the feeling that you’re not being watched? Jewelry designer Matthew Harris shows us that there’s an easy fix for that: In his primary bathroom, hand-painted Portuguese tiles depict a man in 18th-century garb. The bathtub, rain shower, and fixtures are by Roca.
In the bathroom of a TriBeCa bachelor pad designed by Cochineal Design, custom millwork by RJ Millworkers commands our attention. The tile is from Stone Source, and the sconces are by Peter Bristol from D. Shop.
For the last time: no! The pendant will not bite your hand off when it’s hungry. This neutral-toned bathroom is punctuated by a Strike Malibu vanity in Danby marble (by Chad Dorsey) and a pivot mirror by KGBL. The bronze pendant light is from Fuse Lighting, and the plumbing fitting is by Samuel Heath.
Seeing double? This Malibu, California, bathroom from Standard Architecture and Martha Mulholland is packed with dual doors and vanities, bringing some visual appeal to this soothing space.
Just because you have limited square footage doesn’t mean you have to skimp on decadence. Jett Projects employed Dedar moiré wallpaper and a FontanaArte mirror (reflection not guaranteed) to add some oomph to this Brooklyn bathroom.
As far as we’re concerned, floor-to-ceiling marble is a cornerstone of luxury. (Just be sure to have a mop handy in case of splashing.) In this San Francisco home, Nicole Hollis paired the Arabescato Corchia marble with Waterworks fixtures and a sculptural pendant, courtesy of Vincenzo De Cotiis.
If you’re looking to tile your bathroom, switch things up by forgoing white for a fun wall-to-wall color. This charming children’s bathroom, in the New Orleans home of Michelle R. Smith, features custom light blue tiles, which cover the walls, floor, and tub.
Whoever thinks the lounging needs to stop after some time in the tub needs to take a look at this Southern California sanctuary from Studio Shamshiri. Here, the Bartok Design tub is placed right next to a Carl Malmsten couch. Now that’s what we call luxury.
Anne McDonald gave this luxurious lake house bathroom a little bit of rustic style with shiplap walls, a vintage Murano glass chandelier, and herringbone zellige floor tiles from Clé.
If you want to bring a little bit of maximalism to your luxurious bathroom, take a cue from this Palm Beach paradise, which was designed by Caroline Rafferty. Though the brass hardware offers plenty of zing, the leafy chandelier from Anthropologie is the space’s exclamation point.
Dramatic Cassiopea marble covered walls and floor take your eyes on a gorgeous adventure in this Richard Mishaan–designed home. The stark white bathtub looks out onto New York City.
Another way to wow with gold? Pair brass accents with black and white elements just as designer Carlos David did in this Manhattan apartment.
Tobias Petri gave this mountainside mansion a spalike aesthetic with wooden walls, vessel sink, and Italian mosaics by Sicis. And if he needs to cool down from a midday steam, Petri’s bathroom has access to a small balcony.
Neutral color palettes don’t have to be lackluster—just take a look at this bathroom Workspace/APD designed near Pebble Beach, California. Between the Artistic Tile walls, travertine countertops, and pale cabinetry, this textured space makes beige anything but boring.
“I really wanted it to be a place where you didn’t want to leave,” designer Sara Oswalt says of this Lake Tahoe retreat. With a power coupling of timber and concrete, this bathroom accomplished that mission in style.
Is there anything more luxurious than sitting in a soaking tub and glancing out toward a striking view? For this desert home, Kovac Design Studio offset the Agape tub and Axor fittings with the lush, organic landscape outside.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
Charles Curkin is ELLE Decor's Articles Editor, covering everything related to luxury watches, design, and travel, and has previously written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Paris Review.
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