Navy bathroom design ideas for a timeless look

Planning a bathroom renovation but don’t know which shade to pick for your redesign? Breathe life back into your space with sumptuous navy…

Dark and dramatic, navy oozes charm and sophistication making it ideal for elevating your bathroom. This shade of blue suits both classic and contemporary interiors, and with the help of a couple of design tricks you can achieve a timeless scheme you will love for years. But if you’re not sure where to start decorating with this hue, we’ve asked the experts for the best ways to welcome it into your space…

How to design a navy bathroom

“Navy bathrooms are rich and timeless but need a balance to avoid feeling too dark or closed in,” says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds. So, start by introducing navy as an accent colour through statement shower tiles or a painted tub.

Shamila Iqbal, director at Bathroom Mountain, explains further: “If you’re unsure of using navy blue as a dominant colour in the bathroom then you can introduce it through strategic accenting. For example, a navy basin splashback, cabinetry, a mirror frame, or even navy accessories like soap dispensers and artwork. This will ensure the space remains balanced while still enjoying the richness of the colourway.”

Shower area with statement herringbone tiles in a navy colour.
Zone your bathroom and introduce a pop of navy through statement tiles. The Dalby surface-mounted shower, straight arm £3168; Dalby hand shower and on-off control £1170; Shower rose 300mm, £492; The Naver China vanity basin, £3192; The Mull Classic bridge mixer tap, £1608; Rectangular tilt mirror, £1290; The Single Derwent light with fluted shade, £708. All in unlacquered brass, Drummonds. Interior design by Harriet Hughes.

Light, neutral colours and metallic finishes are ideal for balancing navy’s dark allure. “Bright polished brassware, white enamel, and lighter marble can add contrast and depth around the shower, bathtub or vanity basin,” says James.

And, speaking of brassware, consider finishes such as gold, brass, or chrome, which all pair well with navy. “Infusing these accents through fixtures such as taps and lighting can elevate the aesthetic whilst adding a touch of luxury to the bathroom,” advises Jorge Hernandez, head of product design at Crosswater.

“To add an extra layer of depth, opt for furniture with various textured finishes. For example, navy-patterned tiles or textured vanity units with a matt finish can infuse sophistication and comfort into the space,” adds Jorge.

Modern scheme with fluted vanity unit, LED mirrors and patterned mirrors.
Add interest to your scheme with the help of fluted furniture. Crete fluted navy blue wall-hung double basin drawer vanity 1200mm, £699.99, Bathroom Mountain.

Lighting is another key consideration when designing a navy bathroom. “Layered lighting can make a huge difference to a bathroom, softening bold colours, and giving depth and texture to neutrals. Statement lighting can also make a space feel welcoming and effortlessly luxe,” says James.

Shamila agrees and adds: “Ensure you have plenty of different light sources and opt for warm rather than cool white so as to prevent the space from feeling too dark.”

Modern guest bathroom with fitted bath, ambient lighting and navy wall paint.
Layer different lighting solutions to enhance your room’s practicality. Bathroom design by Kelling Design.

However, if you are feeling daring, embrace the colour drenching trend in your bathroom by splashing it on everything from the walls and floors to the sanitaryware.

“For a particularly striking, yet cosy and cocooning feel, try colour drenching your bathroom, painting walls and ceiling with the same colour. This draws even more attention to the focal points, such as a freestanding bath or vanity unit, spotlighting them as the main features within the space,” recommends Mike Whitfield, interiors expert at Lusso.

So, do you dare to go bold? To get your inspiration going, check out these fabulous ideas…

Bathroom drenched in a navy colour with a curved shower, a tiny basin and LED mirror.
Drench your bathroom in navy for a dark and dramatic look. Wall-mounted shower mixer in Warm Brass, with handles in Bleached Deck, from £1260, Varied Forms.
Modern bathroom design with white sanitaryware, fluted wall panelling and a walk-in shower.
Achieve a modern scheme with sleek sanitaryware, gunmetal brassware, terrazzo flooring and fluted wall panelling. Britton Bathrooms Trim basin with semi-pedestal, from £204.99, Drench.
Contemporary space with marble tiles and fitted furniture.
Maximise storage in your bathroom with sleek navy furniture solutions. Aston fitted range in Muted Blue, £363 for the WC unit 500 Slimline, Veldeau.
Neutral scheme with stone-inspired tiles, a painted tub, and a tray with accessories next to it.
Make a colourful tub the focal point of your design and decorate your walls and floors with neutral stone tiles. Brighton freestanding bath, Fired Earth.
Classic scheme with navy fitted furniture and a matching painted tub.
Opt for natural materials, such as wood, and textured finishes to complement your navy bathroom. Novara range in Indigo Blue, from £1192, Symphony.
Dark navy bathroom with a fluted wood vanity unit, terrazzo flooring and a resin bath.
“A tiled floor, using a finish like terrazzo, can add character and points of difference to the room,” says Mike Whitfield, interiors expert at Lusso. Regent oak curved vanity unit, £1397; Regent oval mirror, £397; Picasso freestanding stone bath, from £1397, and Urban Brushed Gold floorstanding bath shower mixer tap, £897, all Lusso.
Navy drenched bathroom with white fluted furniture, a walk-in shower and a painted bath with a gold bath filler.
Add warmth into your dark blue scheme with polished gold finishes. Ledro bath in Azure Blue (RAL 5009), from £2832, Victoria + Albert Baths, with Armstrong freestanding bath shower mixer in Gold, £3807, Perrin & Rowe.
Small space with dark blue furniture, white sanitaryware, charcoal paint on the walls and hexagon tiles on the floor.
Balance is key when designing a navy bathroom – especially if the space is limited. Dark blue furniture, a fresh lick of paint, or carefully curated accessories are great ways to introduce depth and drama to your scheme. Alo cloakroom unit 400 with stone resin basin in Deep Indigo Blue, Crosswater.
Timeless design with a double vanity unit, matching mirrors, and taps.
Create an aesthetically pleasing and functional bathroom with high-quality storage solutions, practical worksurfaces and durable brassware. Constantine IV vanity unit in Brolly Blue by Humphrey Munson. Bathrooms by Humphrey Munson start from £10,000.
Navy and terrazzo bathroom design with a white tub and a dark walk-in shower.
Design a contemporary sanctuary by mixing pops of dark colours with crisp white sanitaryware and terrazzo tiles. Add a spa-like feeling with house plants and aromatherapy. Divita bath, £3371, and brassware by BC Designs. Rialto San Polo tiles, £195 per sq m, and Proper Good paint in Delphine’s Ink, £52 for 2.5 litres, Ca’ Pietra.
Closeup of a vanity area with bevelled tiles, a countertop basin, a chunky mirror and industrial tap.
If you love metro tiles, put a fun twist on the classic style by choosing a modern alternative such as the Pickett bevelled navy tiles, £41.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors – a cross between brick-shaped and hexagonal tiles.

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