Top Design Tips For Your Next Bathroom Renovation

While greiges are consistently a safe backdrop, here are five ways to add a pop of personality to your next bathroom renovation—making it feel more elevated and inviting!

Tapware & Accessories

When selecting tapware and accessories for your bathroom, consider factors such as style, functionality, and finish to help elevate your space.

Matte black is a popular finish that contrasts beautifully with cooler-toned grey tiles while also hiding fingerprints. Gunmetal, a dark metallic finish, is becoming an increasingly popular alternative. If you prefer something warmer and less striking, a brushed nickel finish is a great choice over classic chrome. For a touch of romance or softness, brushed brass finishes can add warmth and elegance to a space.

The design and shape of tapware can also influence your space. Whether you’re drawn to heritage-inspired elegance, bold sculptural pieces, or a sleek, minimalist vibe, the right tapware can make all the difference!

Pattern & Colour

Tiles are the backdrop to all bathrooms. While many appreciate the “blank canvas” they offer, they also provide an opportunity to bring real personality into your space. Subtle or bold, applied to a feature wall or select areas, the clever use of colour and pattern can help bring your bathroom to life.

Colour doesn’t just have to be applied through tiles, it can also be incorporated through cabinetry finishes, fun and funky towels or even basins.

Texture

Texture—whether it’s in the tiles, cabinetry, bath, basins, or glass—adds tactile touchpoints that bring depth to your space, making your renovation a more immersive, multi-sensory experience.

Cabinetry is a simple yet effective way to bring texture and interest to your bathroom. Whether it’s through a vanity, shaving cabinet, or a tall storage unit, there are plenty of finishes to choose from. Tiles can also add textured interest—mosaics, finger tiles, or textured surfaces help break up large walls and create focal points. For something a little different, a ribbed profile can add subtle detail and can be applied to shower screens, baths, basins, or vanities, giving your space a bit more character.

Lighting

Lighting sets the mood of your space and is a terrific way to add warmth into a cool room.

LED mirrors are a versatile option for brightening up your space, often inclusive of multiple colour/brightness settings. Alternatively, placing LED strip lighting under vanities, shaving cabinets, or in recesses can highlight the area while also creating a warm and inviting ambience. If you are after something a little more natural, an LED skylight can elevate and brighten your space, mimicking the effect of a traditional skylight without the hassle of installation. They are especially ideal for apartment living or darker spaces in need of extra light.

Nib Walls

Nib walls are partial walls that extend from a larger wall, adding both architectural interest and practical functionality to a space. They are useful in bathrooms, where they can create recessed shelving in showers, baths, and vanities, offering a sleek and space-saving storage solution. Beyond storage, nib walls also serve a structural purpose, making them ideal for mounting wall-hung toilets while discreetly concealing the cistern for a clean, modern look. In addition to their aesthetic and functional benefits, they can enhance privacy by acting as subtle dividers between toilet areas and showers, making them a stylish yet practical feature in contemporary bathroom design.

Green Wall

Bring the outdoors in with indoor plants.

Plants and greenery make spaces feel more homely and lived-in, they also provide a soft counterpoint to harder surfaces like tiles and cabinetry. A vertical green wall is a stunning feature that can act as a natural air purifier and absorb sound, creating a healthier, more peaceful environment. With customisable plants and configurations, you can design the perfect green wall for your bathroom. An automated timed watering system ensures your plants are cared for, eliminating the worry of over or under-watering.

If you’re feeling inspired and ready to bring style and personalisation into your bathroom and kitchen, call us today on 1300 662 838 or book a FREE in-home consultation with our award-winning designers to start your renovation journey with smarterBATHROOMS+ in 2025!