Your Guide to a Contemporary-Style Bathroom
Get the sleek, clean look in your bath with these fixtures, features, palettes and finishing touches
Laura Gaskill
22 August 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Whether you’re tackling a bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designer, an architect or a contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love an uncluttered, of-the-moment look with clean lines and minimal adornment, contemporary style may hit your decorating sweet spot. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular bathroom style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Contemporary-Style Bathrooms at a Glance
Contemporary bathrooms are sleek and current, with smooth surfaces and clean lines. Look for the latest tech and cutting-edge designs, from heated floors to stunning stone and tile. Here are some common elements to look for:
Contemporary bathrooms are sleek and current, with smooth surfaces and clean lines. Look for the latest tech and cutting-edge designs, from heated floors to stunning stone and tile. Here are some common elements to look for:
- Freestanding bathtub
- Floating vanities with flat-panel doors and drawers
- Minimalist faucets and hardware
- Glass shower enclosures
- The latest in tech, fixtures and finishes
What You Won’t Find in Contemporary Bathrooms
Contemporary bathrooms can (and do) break the rules, but as a whole they stay away from heavy embellishments and traditional shapes. Here’s what you won’t see:
Contemporary bathrooms can (and do) break the rules, but as a whole they stay away from heavy embellishments and traditional shapes. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Carved door faces or ornate knobs
- Elaborate molding or wainscoting
- Cluttered surfaces
- Heavy or ornate mirrors and lighting
High-Contrast Color
A black-and-white palette is a popular choice in contemporary bathrooms, although any high-contrast color combination can work.
Colors for contemporary bathrooms:
A black-and-white palette is a popular choice in contemporary bathrooms, although any high-contrast color combination can work.
Colors for contemporary bathrooms:
- High-contrast. White, black, charcoal
- Sophisticated neutrals. Dove gray, taupe, mushroom, ivory
- Bold accent hues. Teal, navy, fire engine red, yellow, gold
Sleek Vanity
Contemporary bathrooms favor simple, streamlined vanities with no ornamental accents. Look for wall-mounted “floating” vanities paired with undermount sinks; marble, quartz or solid-surface counters; and minimalist bar pulls or integrated C-channel hardware.
Contemporary bathrooms favor simple, streamlined vanities with no ornamental accents. Look for wall-mounted “floating” vanities paired with undermount sinks; marble, quartz or solid-surface counters; and minimalist bar pulls or integrated C-channel hardware.
Design Detail: Minimalist Faucets
Wall-mounted or single-handle faucets with slender, minimalist profiles fit contemporary bathrooms beautifully. Look for updated and high-tech designs for the whole bath, including shower panels, smart controls and touch-free faucets.
Shop for contemporary bathroom faucets on Houzz
Wall-mounted or single-handle faucets with slender, minimalist profiles fit contemporary bathrooms beautifully. Look for updated and high-tech designs for the whole bath, including shower panels, smart controls and touch-free faucets.
Shop for contemporary bathroom faucets on Houzz
Freestanding Bathtub
Claw-foot and pedestal-style tubs are too elaborate for contemporary bathrooms. Instead, look for a clean-lined, sculptural modern tub that can become the focal point of the space. If you like the look of a freestanding bathtub but want to increase accessibility or make cleaning easier, consider choosing a partially freestanding tub instead.
Find contemporary freestanding bathtubs in the Houzz Shop
Claw-foot and pedestal-style tubs are too elaborate for contemporary bathrooms. Instead, look for a clean-lined, sculptural modern tub that can become the focal point of the space. If you like the look of a freestanding bathtub but want to increase accessibility or make cleaning easier, consider choosing a partially freestanding tub instead.
Find contemporary freestanding bathtubs in the Houzz Shop
Glass Shower Enclosure
Simple, elegant glass shower enclosures are a good choice for contemporary bathrooms. Enclosures can be complete, with hinged or sliding doors; or they can be made up of glass panels with a doorless opening. For increased privacy, customize the shower enclosure with textured, colorful or frosted glass or a partial wall.
Simple, elegant glass shower enclosures are a good choice for contemporary bathrooms. Enclosures can be complete, with hinged or sliding doors; or they can be made up of glass panels with a doorless opening. For increased privacy, customize the shower enclosure with textured, colorful or frosted glass or a partial wall.
Design Detail: Statement Tile
Tile in contemporary bathrooms can run the gamut from neutral to boldly colorful — but wherever your taste lies on the color spectrum, tile is a wonderful way to customize your bathroom design. Neutral tile in an arresting shape or full-blown colorful and patterned tile? The choice is yours.
See more of this warm contemporary bathroom
Tile in contemporary bathrooms can run the gamut from neutral to boldly colorful — but wherever your taste lies on the color spectrum, tile is a wonderful way to customize your bathroom design. Neutral tile in an arresting shape or full-blown colorful and patterned tile? The choice is yours.
See more of this warm contemporary bathroom
Design Detail: Slim-Profile Mirrors
Mirrors in contemporary bathrooms tend to either be frameless or feature a slim, minimalist frame. The clean lines and light-enhancing qualities of the mirror itself — whether round, rectangular or another shape — are more important than the frame. Also look for mirrors with integral lighting and hidden storage.
Browse contemporary frameless bathroom mirrors
Mirrors in contemporary bathrooms tend to either be frameless or feature a slim, minimalist frame. The clean lines and light-enhancing qualities of the mirror itself — whether round, rectangular or another shape — are more important than the frame. Also look for mirrors with integral lighting and hidden storage.
Browse contemporary frameless bathroom mirrors
Finishing Touches
Simplicity is key in a contemporary bathroom. Finish the space with just a few streamlined, spa-like details — pristine towels, a fluffy rug, a modern stool and tidy bath accessories.
Simplicity is key in a contemporary bathroom. Finish the space with just a few streamlined, spa-like details — pristine towels, a fluffy rug, a modern stool and tidy bath accessories.
Your turn: Are you a fan of contemporary style? Describe or show us your favorite contemporary-style bathroom in the Comments!
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Contemporary Style
Browse photos of contemporary-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for contemporary bathroom products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Contemporary Style
Browse photos of contemporary-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for contemporary bathroom products
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@franella thank you!
@judygilpin: actually, you can do a contemporary remodel with a low budget too! choose basic tiles (standard large formats are best, white/gray), basic vanities (even only shelves), inexpensive mirror if you want, simple lines.. But: do invest in good quality faucets and lighting. Those details make or kill the room, and quality in the details brings a lot of elegance and chic to an otherwise low-cost remodelling.
I'd add one more comment to the choice of colours: there's no contemporary look without natural textures of colors like wood (in all tones), stone, and cotton/linen towels and accessories.
Excellent advice, @MinAmsterdam!