Creating warmth + Coziness in bathroom design

Creating warmth and coziness in a bathroom can feel like a tall order, but can certainly be done with careful practice and consideration. Designing a bathroom that doesn’t feel cold and sterile is a very common concern with clients we work with. We design our bathrooms, whether it’s a primary, secondary, or powder room, as an extension of the home and exuding warmth with a welcoming feel is our goal.

But how do you create warmth in a bathroom when it’s made of cool, solid surfaces? Here are a few things we include in our bathroom designs to create a good balance.

Add natural wood tones

Wood is naturally cozy, warm, and inviting so we try to incorporate it on some level in all of our bathroom designs. This could be in form of a vanity finish, shelving, accessories such as mirrors, stools or vases, or in window coverings. Balance is key when incorporating any new element to a space so we like to subtly repeat wood tones throughout our spaces.

Add plants

Plants have so many benefits to a space: they clean the air, add color, texture, shape, and they create a natural freshness that brings in warmth and coziness. We always like to add at least one plant in a bathroom for all of these reasons. They just give life to a space, the bathroom is no exception.

Add textiles

A space without intentional textiles can feel very sterile. Primary bathrooms with open showers or shower glass walls leave few places to add the softness of textiles, so we must be strategic. In addition to coordinating towels that are both stylish and functional, we like to incorporate softness in area rugs and window treatments when designing bathrooms. This is also a great way to introduce color and pattern.

Mixed metals

Mixing metals is one of our favorite ways to bring balance and warmth to a space. There is an abundance of metal in bathrooms: lighting, plumbing fixtures on the vanity, tub, and in the shower, hardware on the cabinetry, wall mounted accessories, etc. When all one metal is used, it can feel overwhelming but also feels overly metallic bringing a cold feeling to the space. By mixing metals, we bring balance and warmth to bathrooms. We practice this in other spaces throughout the home as well. Mixing metals is not to be done without careful thought however. Among other considerations, I typically match metals for all plumbing fixtures and sometimes contrast with a different cabinet hardware or light fixture picking no more than two per bathroom. The location of where those metals are as well as the type of metals play a large part in this decision process as well.

Heated floors

Heated floors are an obvious way to bring warmth to a bathroom, but so many times an afterthought. If actual heat is a concern in your space, we recommend taking a look at heated floor options prior to installation.

Want help on your next renovation project? Contact us to start the discussion!