Irina

How to make a plain white bathroom more interesting

Posted on 27th February 2025

Do you want a white bathroom but are afraid it will feel cold and clinical? With the right design ideas and styling tricks, you can achieve a warm, welcoming space that oozes sophistication.

Whether your style is classic, contemporary, farmhouse chic or Scandi, white is the perfect canvas for bringing your dream design to life. We’ve rounded up some clever ways to help you create a timeless bathroom that is practical and has plenty of visual appeal, too. Read on…

Marbled bathroom with white sanitaryware and gold brassware. — This glamorous bathroom features marble-effect tiles by Tile Mountain and crisp white sanitaryware including this pedestal basin and a freestanding bath by BC Designs.

Bright scheme with a glass roof. — The Ashburn small cast iron bathtub with ball and claw feet, £8040; The Mull bath and shower mixer with floor-standing legs, £2988, and 3-bar wall-mounted towel rail, £3066, all Drummonds. Design by Alison Henry. Photography: Rodrigo Moreno Masey.

Materials, shapes and textures

The materials you choose when designing your white bathroom can completely transform the look and feel of your space. Natural materials are a timeless choice, which will also add an extra layer of interest to your space through their unique finishes. For example, wood bathroom furniture, such as shelving and vanity units, is ideal for a classic aesthetic, says Kerry Hale, bathroom expert at shower brand Mira Showers.

Modern white bathroom with a wood vanity unit and marble worktop. — Fusion Wow Light Quartzite, from £550 per sq m, Cullifords.

Stone and stone-effect surfaces, such as flooring, panelling, worktops and splashbacks are another great way of elevating a plain white bathroom. Alternatively, zellige tiles are bound to add visual interest to your design while enhancing the tactile experience thanks to their rustic, perfectly imperfect finish.

As for shapes, curves and organic forms are incredibly popular in bathroom design at the moment – perfect for that spa-like look. Think oval basins, pebble mirrors, and arched shower enclosures. “When it comes to white bathrooms, homeowners are gravitating towards luxurious, tactile finishes such as warm, natural woodgrain textures and gentle, rounded lines in furniture design,” says Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Woodstock Trading Co.

White bathroom design with soft curves. — Residential project by Jeudi Studio Architecture, featuring the M.E. Collection by Graff Designs, from £432.

Brassware

If you are looking for an easy and effective way to elevate your bathroom, choose statement brassware and matching hardware across your scheme. “White is the perfect canvas for both minimalism and maximalism, where bolder design choices of metallic fittings and fixtures can be utilised for a statement contrast,” says Patrick Speck, leader at LIXIL Global Design EMENA and Grohe.

Brass is sure to add warmth to your bathroom while darker finishes such as gunmetal and even matt black are ideal for modern and industrial-style designs. “If you’re after something contemporary, cool and stylish, give monochrome a go. If your bathroom is predominantly white, use black to break it up, whether that’s through accessories, furniture, wall features or fixtures like black showers,” adds Kerry.

Marble tiles in a shower with gold brassware. — Berrittini Carrara marble-effect metro tiles, £52 per sq m, Quorn Stone, complemented by a brass shower and matching enclosure frame.

All white bathroom with double basins and matching black taps. — Wall-mounted basin tap in Dark Bronze with handles in White Carrara by Varied Forms.

Lighting

Lighting has the power to make a space feel cold or cocooning. Opt for warm solutions and consider a range of options to create a layered scheme. Picture LED strips in shower alcoves and under storage units, spotlights around your bath zone and wall sconces next to your vanity for extra practicality.

Marble surfaces with bath and shower areas which include illuminated niches. — Le Chic by Silestone in Versailles Ivory, from £300 per sq m, Cosentino.

Soft furnishings and finishing touches

Take your white bathroom to the next level with the help of sculptural side tables for keeping bathing essentials on hand, and upholstered armchairs or footstools for that lived-in feel. Off-white curtains will ensure privacy, and to soften the look of your design, opt for matching luxurious towels and robes.

Oakley Street project by K’Arte Design. Architecture by Pike and Partners. Photography: Nick Smith.

Japandi white bathroom with textured tiles, a freestanding tub and house plants. — Paradigm single-ended slipper freestanding bath, £1600, Roper Rhodes.

And, for an element of surprise, don’t shy away from subtle pops of colour, be it through bathroom accessories, house plants, or lighting fixtures. “If opting for a more minimal aesthetic, the neutral tone of white allows room for materiality to be incorporated through textures and accent colour details to be support in creating a stylish, inviting finish,” adds Patrick.

Happy decorating!