How to create interesting (but too bold) contrast in bathroom?

last year

last modified: last year

Dear all, thanks again for your help.

Here are some bathroom photos for a newly remodeled home near our house. I think it was trying to play safe to use all light/beige colors (and marble-look tiles) to make the bathroom feels bigger, but then it sort of plain and lack of interesting contrast.

How would you redesign this bathroom so that it has a better focal point and introduce some interesting contrast, while still maintain using lighter colors (and mirros) to make the bathroom looks bigger? Would using large format wood-look tiles in these two bathrooms be a good idea?Any thoughts or comments? Thanks!

Featured Answer

Kendrah

last year

I looked up the house. The whole home is about subtle, organic, airy space, and these bathrooms are consistent with that vibe.

The first bathroom you posted has intricate tile in the shower. I'd never want to clean it, but it is a nice subtle touch. There is art hanging across from the mirror, which could always be punched up to a more bold selection. Throw a Keith Herring in there and make it fun.

The second bathroom - clearly the view is the focal point. It is pretty great and they made the most of it, not just by framing it with a nice big window but also reflecting that view in the mirrors. And, the vanity has really strong balance and presence.

I don't think you have to have a pow moment in a room for it to have compelling design. In an organic space, the difference between marble and wood can be enough contrast. For elements that really leap out, you could easily replace all of the hardware with brass for contrast, and with bold towel and vanity accessory choices.

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Comments (14)

W C
Original Author
last year
BTW, I asked ChatGPT to redesign it for me with some interesting contrast, and here is the design. I don't know if I like it or not, but certainly that dark green is bold. Do you like it? Do you think that dark green made the room look smaller? Thanks!
chinacatpeekin
last year
I agree that dark green makes the room feel smaller. I prefer the first two photos you posted. I don’t think bold= serene and spa-like.
W C thanked chinacatpeekin
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cat_ky
last year
I think the first two pics are a bit on the boring side, and I wouldnt like them, however, I wouldnt like that dark green either. Looks way too dark, and closed in.
W C thanked cat_ky
W C
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@Kendrah Great comments! I love the idea of throwing in a Keith Haring there. That was a brilliant idea!! Thanks so much!

For those who might be interested to see more photos of this new construction house, here is the link (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/255-Gellert-Dr-San-Francisco-CA-94132/442595816_zpid/)

BTW for the 2nd bathroom, do you think it would be a better idea if they had used large format wood-look floor tiles (such as Ashford Monroe Bay Wood Look Matte Porcelain Tile or lighter oak-look tile such as MSI Benson Park 9x47), to create continuity between the bathroom and the hallway/bedrooms, plus warm it up a little bit? Thoughts? Thanks again!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
W C thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
RedRyder
last year
Get colored towels and an interesting rug for the sink area. It’s a serene, classic, pretty bathroom.
W C thanked RedRyder
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last year
last modified: last year
It appears the designer is afraid of color. What RedRyder said about adding colored textiles. The color shouldn’t be bold; try light muted colors like mauve, sage green, teal, or even salmon.
W C thanked littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
I will take boring simple every time add some nice color with towels and accessories change those when you feel like it no issues. Hand a piece of art tha makes you smile I hate the green that whole space is not attractive and the tile in the shower a very wrong choice . I do many bathrooms and always keep them as simple backdrops for the reasons I just said. BTW when asking we need to see your space please .The green has no context to the space choosing a color from a hat is never good
W C thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
JAN MOYER
last year
last modified: last year
You have eleven posts on this bath, going back to April 23, 2025.

None of your photos reflect the size or the condition of the bat/baths in your home.

Your questions range from tub/shower baths to grout, to floating vanities from Home Depot or other.

Get to a thread with the bath at hand, and the questions FOR that bath, which begins with layout.

I can't speak for others, I am totally confused as to exactly what you are looking for in advice.

The "new builds" in your area, have not one thing to do with the bath you HAVE.
W C thanked JAN MOYER
la_la Girl
last year
Give me a clean simple bath with lots of storage any day - love white and then some chrome for sparkle, plus it stands the test of time. Others may see boring but i see disciplined
W C thanked la_la Girl
Mrs Pete
last year
I think it was trying to play safe to use all light/beige colors (and marble-look tiles) to make the bathroom feels bigger, but then it sort of plain and lack of interesting contrast.

The picture you're sharing seems unfinished: Once you add curtains, floor mats, towels, and other accessories and artwork, the white will be a background /won't seem so overwhelming.

I don't know if I like it or not, but certainly that dark green is bold. Do you like it? Do you think that dark green made the room look smaller? Thanks!

No to dark green as you've shown it. It's too strong, too overwhelming. A more mild green (or a striped or floral green) would work great in this space.

Give me a clean simple bath with lots of storage any day - love white and then some chrome for sparkle, plus it stands the test of time.

I like this too.
RedRyder
last year
Here are towels that can add color without you painting one wall a dark green. Keep the colors soft.
RedRyder
last year
These would be pretty, too.