Close your eyes and picture your dream bathroom; the one that meets all your needs and best aligns with your personal preferences. If a modern bathroom is what you had in mind, and you’d really enjoy undertaking such a short- to medium-term project, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll detail all the most important notions to keep in mind to achieve this type of project. From the toilet to the bathtub, with furniture, light fixtures, plumbing, and tiles in between, we’ll cover all the main elements to consider. 

A Modern Bathroom Design: What You Need to Know

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What characterizes a modern bathroom? In addition to the architectural style of the room, the décor, furniture, and lighting, there are also technological items that serve to make everyday life easier. 

Toilet

What about a cutting-edge toilet? If you’ve set aside a substantial portion of your budget to invest in a toilet, exploring Japanese models could be worthwhile. In fact, you could purchase one of those renowned multifunctional toilets made in Japan. 

These are equipped with a remote control that allows you to activate a seat warmer, bidet and, for some, music to cover any discomfiting noises that may occur while using it. While these models are the norm in Japan, they’re rather rare here, so your bathroom would definitely be unique!

Here’s a video showing the functioning of a Japanese toilet:

Naturally, if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on your toilet, you can still find a modern-looking one that you’ll like. When it comes to modern designs, we often see one-piece toilets, toilets with a wall-mounted flush button, and dual-flush toilets. These models are typically more water-efficient, while also embracing a refined design. In some cases, we also see non-white toilets, which give off a very one-of-a-kind look. 

Installing a bidet?

Just a few years ago, seeing bidets in North American homes was a rarity. Nowadays, this cleansing feature is increasingly sought-after, especially in modern architectural designs. If the room itself is big, you can obviously fit an individual bidet that will be fitted right next to the toilet. Otherwise, there are bidet models that are fitted right onto the toilet seat, as well as hybrid models like Japanese toilets. 

• How to Install a Bidet at Home

Bathtub

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The good ol’ tub hasn’t seen much change over the years. Essentially, it’s a large plumbing-equipped vessel, in which we soak our bodies to either clean or relax ourselves. Modern bathtubs often showcase a refined design, made with very straight or curved lines, based on preferences. The accompanying plumbing is often black, gold, or silver, and is devoid of any embellishment. 

As far as the use of bathtub-related technology, if you’re all about gadgets, you can equip your tub with embedded lighting and smart buttons to change the water temperature. 

The bathtub/shower combo is always a popular option for smaller-sized bathrooms. It allows for efficient space management, while still conforming to each and every family’s preferences. 

However, if space isn’t what you’re missing, note that separate tubs and showers are more sought-after in modern designs. 

• 10 Bathtub Models

Shower

The newer shower models are heavily reliant on technology to render the user’s experience all the more enjoyable. You can adjust the temperature of the water, but also the jet pressure, which also allows you to save water. Also, some showers are equipped with speakers, which allows you to listen to music whilst showering. 

• How to Choose Your Shower

Sink

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The current bathroom sink trends are very much centred around a practical, aesthetic, and low-maintenance design. 

Here are a few models that are often showcased in such an area with a modern décor:

• Wall-mounted sink;

• Round, oval, or rectangular vessel;

• Double vessel;

• Countertop integrated sink;

• One-piece pedestal sink.

Faucets, pipes, and plumbing accessories

The most-seen trend in modern décors is choosing a plumbing finish and using it all around, from the shower to the bathtub, with the sink in between. This means that if you’ve chosen to go with a black tub spout, you should also choose a faucet and showerhead of the same colour. 

Storage

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Lack of storage in a bathroom can really complicate things for its users. Unless there’s access to a nearby spot to store hygiene products, towels, and other bathroom-related items, you should really think about adding storage features and cabinets in said area.

For an especially modern look, you can add built-in storage. It’s the perfect solution to a minimalist and trendy décor. 

However, built-in features don’t always fit within the layout due to a lack of space or resources. As such, you can figure out which furniture pieces and shelves would be more practical within the allocated space. 

Here’s a list of furniture pieces that are most often seen in bathrooms and can help storage-wise:

• Vanity;

• Shelf;

• Cabinet;

• Cart.

Here’s an article with helpful bathroom storage tips:

• The Guide to Bathroom Storage

Lighting

Example of a modern bathroom with good recessed ceiling lights and a wall sconce. 

Don’t overlook the lighting in your bathroom, especially if you’re hoping to create a modern aesthetic. In fact, with this type of décor, natural and artificial light sources are very much part of creating an enjoyable setting. 

With the help of an interior designer, you can choose to install different light fixtures. Typically, it’s advised to have a ceiling fixture, and lights around the mirror, and in every zone you may need good lighting. 

You can also choose recessed ceiling lights (or flush-mount lighting!), sconces near the sinks, and built-in LED lights around the mirrors. 

Technology (smart home)

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Home automation is equally effective in the bathroom! If you’re into techy stuff, you’ll have plenty of worthwhile options to add to this room. Here are a few examples: 

• Smart mirror (with a built-in TV, dimmable lighting, and alarm clock);

• Wi-Fi-connected tub-shower systems (water jets, water temperature, and steam);

• Automated (and remote-controlled) plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems.

Materials

You’ll also need to choose your flooring material, wall tiles, and vanity. 

There are a lot of different styles available on the market, but if you’re looking to focus your attention on more modern materials, centre your research around the following products:

• Ceramic or porcelain tiles: They’re resistant and low maintenance, especially should you choose oversized tiles. For a more modern look, opt for neutral-coloured shades, whites, and blacks. You can also go for brighter colours; however, when it comes to modern décors, these are most often accent colours. If you like something a little more original, you can always go for mosaic or hexagonal tiles.

• Marble: If you’re looking for a timeless material that’s perfectly suited to a contemporary style, marble’s your best bet. You can install marble on the walls, floors, and as the vanity’s countertop. Your budget doesn’t really allow for real marble? Ceramic and porcelain manufacturers often have very believable replicas at affordable prices. 

• Hardwood: Wood in a bathroom might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s possible and recommended, even! Indeed, there are wood materials on the market that are water- and moisture-resistant. Wood isn’t recommended as flooring, but can be used on the walls or as the vanity material. 

• Concrete: It’s favoured by brutalist architecture enthusiasts. You can install concrete on floors or the bathroom countertop. However, concrete floors aren’t recommended since this material is porous and can be hard to maintain. If you like the concrete look, feel free to replicate its visual aspect with matte porcelain tiles or paint. 

For flooring ideas, check out this article: 

• The Best Types of Flooring for Your Bathroom

Working with an Interior Designer for a Renovation Project

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Now that we’ve gone over the different elements this type of project includes, it’s also important to mention the value of working with an interior designer to achieve the desired results. Have you ever worked with a designer on a renovation project? If so, you probably already know just how valuable their point of view and professional experience may be when trying to design an interior space.

First time considering hiring an interior designer? Here’s what you need to know:

• Interior designers aren’t decorators. They’re authorized to draw up certain types of plans, and beyond decorating, they can guide you toward numerous layout concepts. You can ask them to create 2D or 3D plans, plumbing and electrical wiring plans, as well as choose material options. 

• If you don’t want to manage the project, the designer can do so. They’re used to overseeing each step of the project to ensure everything is going according to plan, and they can also be responsible for finding contractors. This will be expensive, but it’s worth it if you don’t have much time to allocate the project.

• You can choose the designer you’d like to work with by perusing portfolios beforehand. Almost always, designers are quite versatile in their skills and can adapt to a client’s preferences. However, they often do have a signature style. By looking through their portfolio, you’ll be able to ascertain whether you like their work!

Decorating a Bathroom with a Modern-Inspired Style

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After picking out all the basic elements of the room, now’s the time to focus on the decorative aspects! If you haven’t already done so, now’s your chance to choose colours, patterns, and types of accessories you’d like. 

Choose colours and patterns

As previously mentioned, modern aesthetics are often reminiscent of neutrals, whites, and blacks. Patterns used also tend to be rather solemn, allowing for clean and refined lines to take over. 

On the other hand, if you love bright colours, feel free to include some in your décor! In a modern bathroom, bright shades are often used as accent colours. As such, we often choose a single colour that will serve for a rather big piece or for small-scale items. 

As for patterns, mosaics, terrazzo, and geometrical shapes—they all give off a great visual appeal to the space in question.

Can’t seem to land on colours, patterns, and decorative items for your bathroom? Don’t hesitate to ask an expert in the field like a decorator and/or interior designer. 

Types of vanities

As a rule, the most important piece of furniture will be the vanity. Make sure to choose one that fits the available space, both in terms of size and design. 

In this article, we’ll find useful information about bathroom vanities:

• Bathroom Vanity: How to Choose Your Sink Countertop

Modern bathroom vanities are often wall-mounted, vessel sink vanities, or integrated sink vanities. Click here for more information about bathroom furnishings.

Your Step-by-Step Project Guide

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Now that you have plenty of information on hand for this transformation project, it’s time to move on to the next phase. Oh, but wait a minute! How exactly does a bathroom renovation project unfold? How long does it take? How can the costs be calculated? We’ve all the answers to these questions and much more in this article:

• The Bathroom Renovation Checklist