White Bathroom Ideas & How to Pull It Off

A bathroom is a lot of things, but at its core, it is a space where we go to reset, either to prepare for life outside of our homes first thing in the morning or wash away the day in the evenings. Our bathrooms are a private sanctuary where we have a few small moments to gather our thoughts, decompress and hopefully indulge in some self-care — so, why wouldn’t we make these little moments count and bring spa-like comfort into the everyday with thoughtful, curated spaces? 

Who doesn’t love a sparkling clean white bathroom? There’s just something about a white, airy space that screams fresh, spacious and tidy. While a white-on-white bathroom isn’t exactly a new concept, there's a good reason why every time we are met with a hotel bathroom, it is dazzling white, providing a new and unused appeal. 

These enviable hotel bathroom experiences don’t have to occur only on staycations and trips abroad. Instead, you can create an all-white bathroom moment in the comfort of your own home. Follow along to discover how to incorporate white bathroom design ideas into your space. With so many white bathroom styles to choose from, let’s find out the perfect fit for you. 

Lighting: Setting the mood

Selecting the proper lighting is essential for pulling off an all-white bathroom. Lighting is a functional addition that allows you the perfect setting for eyebrow plucking and getting ready for a girl's night out, but it also helps to create a welcoming and relaxing environment. Soft, warm lights can create a cosy atmosphere, ideal for winding down after a long day. On the other hand, bright, cool lights can provide an energetic feeling to the space, making them a great option for morning routines. 

Our top advice is to add versatility to the bathroom, ensuring that your lighting can serve multiple purposes. Layer your lighting with overhead options, vanity lights and even accent lighting that highlights any architectural features in your space.

Texture: Serenity meets style

In a space where colour takes a step back, texture is given a newfound sense of importance. Texture is crucial for creating a stylish white-on-white bathroom; in fact, without it, your bathroom may have a flat, dull appearance. Don’t worry—bringing texture into your space is easy, and we have plenty of textural white bathroom ideas for you to try out. 
Let’s start with the basics —incorporating elements such as plush white bathmats and fluffy white towels can add a layer of texture to your space if you want to stick to an all-white theme. Alternatively, an all-white bathroom is the ideal blank canvas that can be brought to life with seasonal elements such as colourful towels and dispensers. This way, you can embrace a bathroom refresh every time your towels are due for a wash. 

Another insider tip: textured white tiles add a feeling of depth to your space—our Newport collection or Noosa range are excellent choices if we do say so ourselves. To play with textures further, you can mix matte and glossy surfaces for a visually appealing style. More on that in just a moment…

Tiles: Gloss vs. matte

Ahhh, the age-old tile debate: gloss vs. matte. We are here to tell you there’s no need to choose one! To add textural appeal to your all-white bathroom, we suggest mixing it up and incorporating both. While gloss tiles reflect light, often making a bathroom feel more open and spacious, matte tiles are more toned-down and laid-back, offering subtle but clean aesthetic appeal. Combining both creates an eye-catching look, but don’t just take our word for it — take a look at the result of a recent renovation by Three Birds using our Newport tiles. 

Matte tiles are slip resistant, so you will want to opt for these on your floor, while gloss tiles are ideal for walls and feature placement, bouncing the light around your room. By bringing both styles into your space, you can add depth to your all-white bathroom. If you would like to read more about matt vs. gloss tiles, we have an in-depth blog post to help you discover your choices.

Accessories: Simple touches that make all the difference

When it comes to modern white bathroom ideas, accessories have to be one of the most accessible ways to enhance both functionality and visual appeal. While other rooms in the house can benefit from extensive decorating, our top advice is to keep things simple in the bathroom and opt for usable decor for a streamlined experience. Functional decor will also ensure your bathroom stays clean by providing a home for all your must-haves. 

Bathroom accessories offer you the perfect opportunity to add some colour and personality to your space. With a sparkling clean blank canvas, even subtle tones can bring a refreshing new energy. Consider playing with patterns with your floor mats and hand towels or adding a secondary colour to your theme to complement your all-white bathroom. For example, gold is an eye-catching secondary shade that can be used for fixtures, matching dispensers and towel hooks. For more white bathroom decor ideas, check out our ‘Must-have bathroom styling products’ blog.

Fixtures: Feature tapware and accent finishes

If you are still in the renovation phase of your bathroom or are looking for simple and easy ways to elevate it, you cannot go wrong with allowing your tapware to be the feature. Selecting the right tapware and fixtures, such as handles or hooks, can make a huge difference in your finished bathroom, creating a cohesive look and feel. 

To add a touch of warmth to your space, we recommend Antique Brass, Warm Brushed Nickel, and Brushed Brass finishes. On the other hand, to create a darker contrast, we recommend choosing Gunmetal or Matte Black. 

Tile lay patterns: Subtle creative touches

One of our favourite modern white bathroom ideas to dramatically transform your space is playing with tile lay patterns (psst, no bias here). The way you choose to lay your tiles can send a message about your space. For example, if you are seeking a traditional look, then a straight lay or classic subway pattern in a gloss white tile will serve this purpose. If, on the other hand, you want to add a little creativity to the space, a herringbone or basketweave lay provides more movement and dynamic interest. 

Different tile patterns can make different statements. To learn more about the different tile laying options available to you, head over and check out our ‘Tile patterns guide’ blog.

Sustainability: Eco practices in the bathroom

With growing public awareness in the sustainability space (yay!), we wanted to add a little section on how to take steps towards a more sustainable bathroom. Sustainable features in the bathroom have a two-fold benefit — they are both environmentally and economically beneficial, saving you money in the long run. 

By opting for low-flow faucets and toilets, you can reduce your bathroom water usage without compromising functionality. Furthermore, LED lighting options are energy-efficient, providing bright lighting while significantly reducing power consumption. If you are still in the renovation phase, you can also opt for recycled or sustainably sourced materials for countertops, cabinets, and flooring to assemble a truly eco-friendly design.

Smart features: For a bathroom that works for you

We are continuing to see leaps and bounds forward in the technology industry, with AI slowly making its way into everyday life and the product ranges that accompany this advancement continuing to surprise us. Smart technology is one of these advancements that can help you embrace the way of the future with integrative features.

If you want to incorporate smart technology in your home, we recommend checking out smart mirrors, automated soap dispensers, and smart lighting options that adjust based on the time of day. All of this cutting-edge technology can help make your space all the more streamlined and relaxing. 

That’s a wrap! We hope you have found some of our white bathroom decor ideas helpful for your bathroom journey. If you are still seeking more bathroom inspiration, please check out our prior blog, ‘How to replicate Pinterest-worthy bathrooms’.