Guest Picks: Style Mesh for the Bathroom: Forest + Beach
Restoration Hardware offers candles inspired by nature. A bright blue or green would bring in a bit of color and look great against a rustic wooden backdrop. Plus, it’s functional — it makes bath time more relaxing!
While we all love to think of our bathrooms as the place for relaxation and lingering soaks, it’s truly a functional space. Keeping a clock close by is great for making sure that we get to work on time. I’d proudly display this cute vintage-inspired piece from Pottery Barn on my vanity top or that stump side table.
This natural wood stump from West Elm literally brings the forest into your space. It’s an ecofriendly alternative to a typical accent table and is a great place for stacking books or displaying fancy bath soaps. It’s vertical, slender shape takes up little space, so it’s perfect for the bathroom.
Sometimes you just need to offset all of the white or natural wood in the bathroom. These charcoal towels are chunky and offer great texture. They also look super plush and comfortable.
If you’re lucky enough to have a great bathtub, this caddy is perfectly rustic and beachy. Its natural look won’t be negatively impacted by water, and it offers plenty of space for soap, a book and a glass of wine.
While towel bars are certainly very functional, I feel they take up a lot of precious wall space. Whenever possible, I opt for hooks because they save room, still keep towels off the floor and also give me an extra chance to display a decorative item. These ones remind me of sand dollars, and the distressed paint finish feels somewhat rustic.
These recycled glass jugs from West Elm are amazingly beautiful. They remind me of sea glass that has been washed upon shore. These beauties come in white, blue and green, and all shades are perfect for a beach- and forest-inspired bathroom space.
Collecting sea shells from my travels is one of my favorite pastimes, and I love to display them throughout my home. Showing off these little treasures is a great way to bring a sense of the beach into a bathroom space. It’s also fun to see mementos of your travels displayed rather than stored in a box.
We all know Kenton Nelson’s famous painting “Swim Party,” as it can be seen on the sets of many movies, including Something’s Gotta Give. This particular piece, though, is unexpected and offers a bright splash of color. The swimsuit and diving board are obviously beachy, while the trees in the background keep consistent with a more forest-y look.
I love white penny tile. It serves as the perfect backdrop for woodwork and is a natural approach to decor. Imagine a rustic vanity or bath cabinet resting on this beautiful flooring. It’s sure to brighten up any space, and it offers a slightly vintage feel and feels airy and light.
Perfect for hiding towels, washcloths, children’s bath toys, makeup and other accouterments, this bath cabinet makes organization a breeze while offering major style.
This is my dream bathroom vanity: It’s earthy, it’s clean and it’s natural-looking. It looks classy without feeling too polished. It’s perfect. Not everyone (including myself) has the space for a vanity of this size, but Restoration Hardware does offer many in smaller sizes. If nothing else, let the natural wood look serve as inspiration for refinishing an old dresser and creating your own custom (and ecofriendly because it’s reused) bathroom vanity.
So far, I’ve been working away on adding a beach vibe to the bathroom space, but I can’t forget the forest element! Ferns do a great job of decorating a bathroom space, and they love the moisture from the shower. I hung a potted fern right outside my shower next to a small window. The combination of humidity mixed with a little light keeps him very happy.
I feel that bathroom mirrors are often forgotten as a design opportunity, but they’re a great way to add in a little extra style. Rather than keep the standard large rectangular mirrors without any framework, why not opt to make a statement? I love this wood-washed mirror. It offers a nautical, port-hole feel and seems like it has been soaking in water for ages. Best of all, with a piece that’s already distressed looking, you don’t have to worry about moisture hurting the wooden frame.
Reclaimed wood feels both very beach and forest-cabin like. These beautiful frames decorate just about every room in my house. In fact, two hang in my bathroom right above my towel bar. They offer a natural, rustic feel to the room while showcasing my favorite photographs.
Organic cotton towels offer an eco-conscious alternative to standard towels. The super soft fabric is warm and inviting when stepping out of a hot bath or shower. I opt for towels in lighter shades like white or ivory, as they keep the room light and airy and just feel clean!
I’m not a fan of shower curtains — I prefer glass doors — but when the space or my budget doesn’t allow, I opt for pieces that resemble true curtain panels. This linen one is great. It’s earthy but has a light, beachy flair to it. It’s also pesticide free, making it a greener choice.
I can’t get enough of this beautifully rustic sconce. The clear glass offers a somewhat industrial feel because the lightbulb is visible. How great would an Edison bulb look in there? I think this fixture would look amazing hovering above any mirror, but it’s perfect for a serene beachy or forest-inspired bathroom.
Sometimes you just need a surface to display your candles, seashells or perfume bottles that isn’t your vanity top. Not only does this provide a protective layer between your knickknacks and your counter, but it also brings emphasis and a focal point to your items. I came across a natural wood cutting board that was around 6 inches wide (similar to this one’s size), and I set a large candle and a few sand dollars on it. The look adds an outdoor feel to the room.
The natural wood grain in this bath mat is perfect for an outdoor, nature-inspired look. Its open construction is light, airy and reminiscent of the beach, yet it is still highly functional. It will be a welcome spot for your feet when stepping out from the bath.
Who says stag heads are only for hanging above fireplaces? This would look fantastic centered above a towel bar or above a claw-foot bathtub. It speaks to a forest theme, but the material feels beachy and relaxed. Plus, it could act as an extra towel hook!Next: Warm Up Your Bathroom With Heated Floors
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