Our 34 Best Bathroom Ideas for a Relaxing Retreat

Patterned wallpaper brings style to small spaces. This bath gets its pretty palette from a medallion-print wallpaper above wainscotting. Add in a porcelain console sink for extra cottage charm.

A trio of windows, set a little higher than usual, lets in lots of light while still allowing for privacy. The chandelier and marble floors make the bath feel like a luxe retreat in this home on the Louisiana Gulf. The patterned wallpaper adds personality, but with those cool colors, soaking in the tub would be serene.

The shower is a small and defined space where you can afford a little splurge, whether it's on amazing shower-heads or sensational tile. The light blue hue of this Carrara marble floor and shower will make you feel as if you are showering in the ocean. Brass fixtures emphasize the blues in this spa-like room.

Give your main suite flow by installing French doors and glass walls. Instead of a basic doorway between this main bedroom and bath, architects visually opened up the bedroom suite by designing a glass wall as a divider, with grommeted curtain panels that can be pulled for privacy. This look is both beautiful and versatile.

A hand-painted, marble-topped sink base looks more like antique furniture rather than a standard built-in bath cabinet. A distressed chair, vintage-style light figures, and wall cladding add even more charm. Using furniture in the bath makes it feel cozy and lived in.

Beaded-board walls cost less than tile, and a semi-gloss paint makes it easy to clean, too. To ease installation, use 4- x 8-foot plywood sheets. The vertical lines of the beaded board make this bath look taller.

Floor-to-ceiling linen draperies can create a relaxed atmosphere and add softness, privacy, and light filtration to your main bath. Draperies can be used to hide the unattractive or to frame a dramatic, breath-taking view. Here, a chandelier also draws attention to the vaulted ceiling.

Dress up your room with a sophisticated tub surround by enclosing a freestanding bathtub with wood. The sturdy, low wooden box that was designed to house this tub has the feel of a sauna. Wood cabinets and warm tiles blend seamlessly with the star feature of this room.

The homeowner relocated the tub and tucked it into a cozy surround that includes a pair of glass-shelved hanging cabinets and an inset beveled mirror. The mirror adds sparkle and enlarges the space, while the rows of open shelving give the room lots of storage and a vintage-apothecary feel. There's a lot going on in this tiny room, but the classic black-and-white palette with brass accents keeps things from looking chaotic. The millwork's lacquered finish adds depth and polish, and the traditional pattern of the marble hex floor tile is a nod toward the house's 1930s roots.

Keep your bath from feeling too generic by including local materials. A shell-encrusted mirror adds softness to the sleek marble bath and clean, white walls of this coastal bath. The wood-paneled ceiling is another special touch.

Gray tilework on the floors, along the walls, and as the tub surround unifies the area. A modern console sink adds to the streamlined look, while a series of frosted glass panels provides a unique privacy screen for the bath.

It's unlikely that you'll ever hear someone complain about having too much storage. Here, plentiful linen and toiletry storage is integrated into a large wall in the bath. But this room is so much more than just a spot to store towels—mosaic tiles and a flower arrangement make this space special.

A standard swinging door can take a lot of floor space in your bath, but a sliding door is convenient and compact. A modern barn door slides along a track to close off this bath. The bright saffron color ties in with the saffron-and-gray bedding for a more updated look.

Bring the relaxation home with a spa-inspired main bath. The  textured grass cloth wall coverings and curtains paired with dramatically dark flooring make this bath feel like a resort. Provide candles to light whenever you'd like a romantic soak.

There's no need to paint all of your surfaces. Use stain-grade natural wood to give a depth of color and tone to your space. The honey-colored cabinetry, flooring, and trim featured in this room take center stage when accented by the deep red linens and rug.

There are thousands of amazing tile options available, but some staples will always be classics. Created from unused attic space, this bath glistens with classic white subway and reproduction hexagonal floor tile. Pedestal sinks and medicine cabinets  emphasize the historic character of this bath.

Painted black, the window frame extends the eye outward. The completely enclosed courtyard esures this bath is totally private—no window treatments required! Go floor to ceiling for ultimate visual impact.

If you have open shelves, use large baskets to corral small toiletries and accessories. Here, each sink has its own dedicated bin to keep his-and-hers from getting jumbled together. A pair of mirrors hangs over the double sinks.

Dual overhead showerheads and hand-held sprayer options are the stars of this large and luxurious shower space. A long shelf lets you grab the scrub brush no matter which side you choose. Bright white tiles and a glass surround keep this ample shower from swallowing up the room.

There is a lot happening in this bathroom, but the window trim and built-ins are painted a pale green to unify the room. Preserving original features like an old fireplace or a wood-cladded ceiling makes a bath truly unique. The tile border on the floor echoes the look of trim.

Storage always seems to be in short supply. Cabinets under these windows conceal the tub's plumbing lines, provide storage for towels and bath products, and create a display space for plants and artwork. A set of short curtains covering the bottom half of the windows allows for privacy when you take a soak.

Double-louvered doors keep the washer and dryer neatly tucked away in a separate tiny room when they are not in use. Keeping the bath and laundry spaces the same color creates cohesiveness and allows them to function as one room.

For a personal touch, add storage and style with an antique cabinet. This homeowner stores towels and toiletries in a green vintage dental cabinet. Fabric bins and baskets stow away small items you don't want to see.

Don't feel hemmed in by one particular style. Unexpected combinations lend an eclectic sensibility to your bath. Luxurious materials, like marble, are juxtaposed with rough beams and concrete floors in this space.

Don't overlook small ways to incorporate convenient storage. A decorative tiled alcove next to the tub in this bath is a great place for soaps and other toiletries. The deep blue hue makes it a feature instead of just practical.

Make as many elements adjustable as possible. Mirrors hung on a pivot point are versatile and user-friendly, and allow multiple people to make use of the powder room. A built-in bench provides a spot to sit and additional storage.

Instead of purchasing a standard vanity, repurpose a vintage piece of case furniture with a new top and plumbing fixtures. This black-lacquered sideboard makes a perfect double sink with a few modifications. A striking wallpaper and rug further tailor the space.

For a contemporary look, use furnishings and materials with crisp, straight lines and unadorned surfaces. The clean doors and drawers of this vanity are echoed in the floor tile. Rectangular sink bowls add to the modern feel.

Instantly bring architectural character by using classic structural shapes in your furniture and accessories. The gothic arch in the vanity cabinet doors is repeated in the mirror. Candelabra light fixtures make the space even more reminiscent of an old villa.

Put a twist on your bedroom color scheme to unify your main suite. This patterned wallpaper coordinates with the minty green walls in the bedroom. The floral pattern and delicate cage of a chandelier add a feminine touch.

Exaggerate the height of your backsplash for a luxurious look that isn't arbitrary. Lining it up with the window mullions and mirror tops create a clean, unbroken horizontal line around the room.

Don't just allow for plumbing parts in your tub surround. This wood tub surround has enough depth to do double duty as a bench. It's the perfect place to sit while you add scented salts to your bath.

"Laid out in a pattern, this Ann Sacks tile gives the same graphic punch as a painted floor but is much more practical for a bath," says designer Phoebe Howard. A light wall color allows the large, geometric pattern to take center stage.

Get the look of French doors without losing privacy. Substitute mirrors for clear glass window panels. The mirrored doors also enlarge the room in a way that's tres chic.