4 Designer Secrets to a Luxurious Bathroom Look
Give your bathroom a finished feel with a few splurges and budget-stretching moves
If you’ve ever looked at a beautiful bathroom and wondered what takes its design to the next level, you’re not alone. Many homeowners want to know how some bathrooms get that mysterious designer je ne sais quoi. I’ll let you in on a few secrets. Because the overall material costs are low in a small space like a bathroom, it’s a great place to splurge a little on a few features. But it also helps to know where to spend and where to save. Here are a few of my favorite tricks for getting a nicely finished look for a lower cost.
Also consider running one type of tile across the floor and one or more walls for a strong, singular statement. Leave the remaining walls white to make the veining the star of the show.
What’s New in Tile for 2026
What’s New in Tile for 2026
If you’re looking to tile all the walls without breaking the bank, especially if your layout doesn’t leave any walls safe from splashes and splatters, consider classic subway tile. To create a little drama, choose a contrasting grout color or use a modern pattern like a stacked layout.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
2. Go With a Large Mirror
A large mirror has so much power. It cuts down on tile costs by filling much of a wall (while reflecting the material you invest in) and can virtually double the size of the room, making it feel like a vast personal oasis.
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A large mirror has so much power. It cuts down on tile costs by filling much of a wall (while reflecting the material you invest in) and can virtually double the size of the room, making it feel like a vast personal oasis.
8 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa
Consider taking a mirror from wall to wall, even in a smaller space. Here, for example, the reflection in the mirror makes the wall above the vanity feel fully tiled.
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3. Choose a Glass Shower Enclosure
A glass panel is a worthwhile upgrade from a shower curtain for creating a sense of modernity and openness that gives a bathroom that sought-after spa appeal.
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A glass panel is a worthwhile upgrade from a shower curtain for creating a sense of modernity and openness that gives a bathroom that sought-after spa appeal.
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4. Select a Streamlined Vanity
This small bathroom has several of these features in a small space. The simple floating vanity keeps the focus on the standout surfaces and helps the room feel more open.
Tell us: Did you splurge on a special touch for your bathroom? Post your pictures and descriptions in the Comments.
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This small bathroom has several of these features in a small space. The simple floating vanity keeps the focus on the standout surfaces and helps the room feel more open.
Tell us: Did you splurge on a special touch for your bathroom? Post your pictures and descriptions in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos for ideas
Find a bathroom remodeler
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Taking tile from floor to ceiling is important in making a traditional or modern space feel high end.
But that doesn’t mean you have to spend at the high end. Rather than tiling a whole room partway up, consider tiling just one or two walls top to bottom in a statement stone. You’ll still get that finished look without paying to tile the whole space.
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