Make It Modern: Elements to Create a Beautiful Modern Bathroom
Modern bathrooms have become a popular choice for homeowners looking to create a sophisticated and sleek space. In modern bathroom design, the emphasis is on simplicity, functionality, and a sense of timeless elegance. This aesthetic typically features clean lines, geometric shapes, and a neutral color palette, creating a serene and minimalist-inspired environment. Modern bathrooms often incorporate high-quality materials, such as glass, porcelain, and natural stone, to achieve a polished and sophisticated look. In this blog post, we’ll discover the key design elements of modern bathrooms and a few popular Modern design trends that you can incorporate in your space.
What is Modern design?
Modern interior design typically refers to styles and trends from the mid-20th century -- more specifically, from the 1920s to the 1950s. This period is often associated with the modernist movement, which emerged as a response to the ornate and heavily embellished styles of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern interior design sought to embrace simplicity, functionality, and a focus on just the essentials. Influential design movements during this time included Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, each contributing unique elements to the overall Modern design aesthetic that we know and love today.
It's important to note that the term "modern" can also be used more broadly to describe contemporary design, which draws inspiration from these mid-20th-century styles and beyond the designated time period. Contemporary bathroom design refers to the current design trends and styles of the present time. It allows for more flexibility and embraces a mix of influences, ranging from modern to traditional, industrial to eclectic. While Modern design follows a specific historical period and maintains a more consistent set of principles, contemporary design is more fluid and adaptable, reflecting the ever-changing preferences and styles of the time.
What elements create a Modern bathroom?
Modern bathrooms offer a harmonious balance between style and functionality. With these two pieces in mind, there are a few elements to consider when designing the Modern bathroom of your dreams.
Minimalism
Embracing simplicity and minimalism is essential when creating a Modern space. This intentional reduction of unnecessary elements can sometimes give the feeling of a cold and unwelcoming space, but with the right accents and design details, minimalism gives a sophisticated, high-end ambience. Clean lines on furniture and fixtures, rectangular sinks and tubs, as well as smooth and polished finishes are the foundations of good Modern design.
Neutral Color Palette
A neutral color palette is a hallmark of Modern bathroom design. These colors -- such as whites, grays, beiges, and muted earth tones -- are used to create a calm and timeless atmosphere. They become a true backdrop, allowing other design elements to stand out, while also providing versatility for future updates or changes. The key to a neutral palette is finding complimentary hues that allow your space to feel cohesive and inviting.
Luxurious Finishes
Modern bathrooms often incorporate luxurious finishes to create a sense of indulgence. High-quality materials like natural stone, polished metals and glass are commonly used to elevate the look and feel of the space. For example, a Modern bathroom might feature a sleek marble vanity countertop, a glass-enclosed shower with chrome fixtures, or a freestanding bathtub with a glossy finish. These luxurious finishes add a touch of sophistication and refinement to the space.
Spa-Like Features
Using design elements that capture the popular “spa vibes” are great ways to bring a Modern ambiance to the bathroom. Floating vanities with plenty of storage for plush linens, mirrors with LED lighting for the perfect skincare routine and makeup application, and glass touches to make the space feel even bigger are perfect for creating the Modern bathroom of your dreams.
Incorporating Modern with Other Design Styles
For some homeowners, Modern bathrooms may feel slightly over-the-top or sophisticated for their space. To help create a unique interior aesthetic, popular trends tend to merge – which is how Contemporary design comes into play.
For example, one of the most popular interior designs is Modern Farmhouse, which blends traditional elements of classic Americana or rural living with the sleek and updated feel of Modern design. Both elements have their own place, but when you mix them together, you get a unique display of furniture-style pieces with luxurious touches and neutral tones. It adds an inviting touch to clean, minimalist spaces and an elegant appeal to the rugged foundation of the respective design schemes.
Reflecting on a classic Modern style, Mid-Century Modern design played a major influence on the aesthetic that we know and love today. In fact, the retro style we refer to still has its place in Modern interiors. This era of design focused on warmer wood tones and organic forms, as well as the functionality of pieces with a “less-is-more” approach. Blending this aesthetic with today’s trends, Modern Mid-Century Modern interior design is a contemporary interpretation and incorporation of the iconic style. With vintage-inspired elements and sleek luxurious finishes, this contemporary influence adds the perfect touch of nostalgia to your space.
If you’re looking to fuse a specific style with your Modern bathroom design, start with a few pieces to upgrade classic aesthetics easily. Updating your lighting and fixtures to a sleeker, more polished look is an easy way to add Modern elements to your bathroom. Also consider adding a statement mirror, or if your budget allows, update tiles to a sophisticated stone.
What We’re Loving for Modern Bathrooms
Glossy White Finish
Our Glossy White Finish pulls together several Modern bathroom elements, all in one option. The bright white hue creates a clean, fresh feel while the smooth, shiny surface elevates the space. Take a look at our products that feature Glossy White.
LED Mirrors
Adding light inside of the mirror adds instant luxury to your bathroom. These mirrors create a spa-inspired feel – and with anti-fog technology, you can enjoy your selfcare routine without steam blocking your view! Shop our LED Mirrors here.
Carrara Marble
Nothing beats the classic elegance of marble countertops. The natural veining and polished surface is a favorite of homeowners everywhere. Add this top option to your vanity before checkout!
FAQs
What are the key elements of modern bathroom design?
Largely based on the popular trends from the 1920s to the 1950s, modern bathroom designs blend sophistication and elegance with functionality. Both the Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern design movements influenced the Modern aesthetic. Some elements of the Modern bathroom design include minimalism, neutral colors, luxury style finishes, and “spa-like” features.
How can I incorporate minimalism into my modern bathroom?
A prominent influence in modern design, minimalism embraces simplicity by limiting nonessential elements. Minimalistic-inspired spaces exude ambiance using clean lines, rectangular surfaces, and smooth finishes to achieve a tranquil and orderly feel. Those planning a modern bathroom remodel should peruse our Hudson and Chianti collections, which showcase minimalist designs.
What are some luxurious finishes for a modern bathroom?
A luxurious modern bathroom is a refined and indulgent space that uses materials such as marble or stone surfaces, glossy finishes, chrome accents, polished metal frames, and glass-enclosed showers. Our Celeste collection is unique because it combines modern luxury with minimalistic elements.
How can I create a spa-like atmosphere in my modern bathroom?
Creating a “spa-like” bathroom environment in your home may involve soft colors, glass, a floating modern bathroom vanity, and illuminated mirrors. Our Marcello collection represents spa-like designs, including a Chestnut finish, champagne brass hardware, and floating shelves.
Can I blend modern design with other styles in my bathroom?
Yes. Integrating other styles into your modern bathroom design adds character and uniqueness. In fact, most styles have some fundamental similarities that blend well.
Our Columbia collection demonstrates today’s contemporary style with clean lines and stainless-steel bases. Reflected in our Breckenridge collection, the Modern Farmhouse style also blends well by presenting classic Americana and rural elements that subtly complement sleek Modern characteristics.
Often described as iconic, retro, or nostalgic, the Mid-Century Modern design also works well with Modern styles. Visit our Chicago collection to see Mid-Century Modern styles such as White Zeus Quartz tops and floating vanity configurations.