Aspire Commission, Eaton Park

Your bathroom can be more than just a functional room. 

Just because it serves a practical purpose, doesn’t mean you should give luxury the cold shoulder. The two can coexist, and with the right balance of ornate trimmings and practical solutions, you can turn a moody or minimalist bathroom into an opulent, palatial space that’ll leave you feeling refreshed with every visit. 

 

The key features of luxury bathrooms

1. Space, flow, & aesthetics

If you have a large, open space to work with, you’re off to a head start. If you can, upsize everything, from the bath and the shower to the windows and mirrors. But if you aren’t working with a huge area as is, larger windows and reflective surfaces will also give the illusion of space.

When designing your bathroom, think about how you will flow through it. What do you want the centrepiece to be? What’s your focus in the bathroom? Consider, for example, putting your bath on a higher level for a sense of regality, or pushing it into the floor for a cosier feel. Or, opt for a steam room and oversized shower with body jets with one-way glass overlooking the garden. True luxury is the ability to choose – so lean into it!

Too often, bathroom design is left as an afterthought, and it ends up looking generic. So when it comes to decor, be brave — the bathroom is actually the perfect place to explore colour, light, and varying materials. Think about what will create a relaxing atmosphere. Could it be wooden panelling and pastel marble? Or perhaps dark green tiles with gold features?

As for ‘accessorising’, there truly is no better place for humidity-loving plants than the bathroom. Think bamboo, ferns, and orchids to add natural accents and pops of colour to your space.

2. High-quality products & materials

The materials in your bathroom can make or break your pursuit of luxury. Stone, limestone, and Italian marble are three of the most popular materials used in luxury bathroom design. 

High quality suppliers will make a world of difference. For modern faucets that make a statement, think contemporary bathroom brand, Gessi; they have a range of styles and finishes to suit you, including brass and brushed gold. 

If you’re after a more traditional feel, opt for classic products from Drummonds that are handmade to order. Choose baths made of hammered cast iron, shower sets in polished nickel with classic ceramic features, and gorgeous double vanities for a his-and-hers setup.

Aspire Commission, Kings Oak

When it comes to your bathroom – which is, let’s face it, a room that takes a lot of knocks, splashes, and cleaning – you simply can’t compromise on quality. Opt for original, bespoke, crafted bathroom pieces over generic, low-quality sets.

3. Automation & ease of use

Unique, high-quality technology is one of the most effective ways to build a luxurious space. So, why not use it in your bathroom? 

Automated systems, such as those by Control 4, can give you access to features such as: 

• Smart Lighting – Choose your desired lighting setting directly from your phone 
• Climate Control – Control the temperature of your environment from your phone, or build your own custom climate settings such as ‘relax,’ which will automatically dim the lighting, alter the temperature of your bathroom, and play music to complement your space
• Automated Shades – Control the blinds in your bathroom with the touch of a button or even a voice command. 

Electric toilets, voice-activated locks and shades, and smart taps that fill your bath for you — it’s these elements that will really bring your bathroom up to the height of luxury.

Make it a sensory haven

Your bathroom is the place you often go to unwind and to pamper yourself. Why should it be any different to a spa?

As you create your design, think about catering to each one of your senses.

Touch

Your bathroom should be filled with things that simply feel good. One of the most crucial features in a luxury bathroom, then, is heated surfaces.

You can make not only your floor heated, but also the pampering surfaces, towel rails, and even mirrors. 

Do it right with towels made from plush, ultra-absorbent Egyptian cotton, drawers with assisted soft-close features, and sensor-activated lighting. You should be able to positively glide through your bathroom, enabling you to truly enjoy your time there.

Sound

While a large bathroom with stone floors is appealing, that alone can cause sound to reverberate uncomfortably. Again, this is where those soft materials come in — shelving with thick towels and large bath mats made from sheeps’ wool will absorb sound.  

Even paintings and potted plants that bring character to your bathroom will help prevent echoing. 

To bring sound into the bathroom – perhaps you like to listen to birdsong, meditative music, or your favourite band while you relax – consider adding concealed Bluetooth speakers to the design.

Sight

Choosing the right lighting is paramount. When used correctly, lighting can accentuate the ambience you want to create in your bathroom.

It should be flexible, with dimmable settings, so that you can choose an indulgent bath in low light at the end of a long day or bright light in the morning when you need to get ready for a meeting.

Another key thing to consider here is, of course, mirrors. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors can be the icing on the cake in your luxury bathroom – and if not floor-to-ceiling, why not on the ceiling? When it comes to cabinetry, make your life easier with illuminated anti-fog mirror cabinets.

Of course, it’s just as much about what you can’t see as what you can see. This is where good storage is key – hide away those cleaning products and make-up bags until you need them.

Build your dream bathroom

Most luxury modern bathroom designs use these features to accentuate their space and existing structures. Building a luxury bathroom is about more than just throwing in some decorative designs (although that helps, too). 

Explore how you can make each corner of your bathroom stand out, and focus on maximising space to build the luxury bathroom of your dreams. 

Aspire Commission, Kings Chase

For some inspiration, take a look at our completed luxury home commissions here.