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Design: Katie Hodges Design, Photo: Amy Bartlam
Contemporary style can mean different things to different dwellers, but generally speaking, modern design incorporates of-the-moment materials and up-to-date design trends. If you can find it all over your Instagram feed and flooding your Pinterest boards as of late, chances are it's current, aka contemporary.
As if creating a space that's worthy of posting isn't renovation motivation enough, opting for a modern bathroom design aesthetic—think sleek lines, natural materials, a neutral color palette, gilded finishes, and minimalist undertones—is the best way to balance today's trends with elements you'll love for years to come. And the best part is the look is one that suits spaces and budgets, both large and small.
Whether you're planning a total overhaul or you just want to update your bathroom on a limited budget and schedule, these modern bathroom design ideas inspire your next makeover.
Use Black Fixtures
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Design: Emily Henderson, PhotoL Sara-Ligorria-Tramp
A bathroom doesn't need to be completely gutted and renovated from floor to ceiling to make an impact. Something as simple and swapping all the fixtures in your white bathroom to black hardware is an easy, but visually striking contemporary update.
Get Creative With Tile Layouts
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Design: Emily Henderson Design, Photo: SaraLigorria-Tramp
We're huge fans of the subway-tile look lately, but this bathroom displays a new way to lay the classic porcelain look. Installing them in a basketweave layout (mixing vertical and horizontal application) looks fresh and new.
Try Floor-To-Ceiling Tile
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Design: Emily Henderson Design, Photo: SaraLigorria-Tramp
Aside from your kitchen, there are few rooms in your home that can handle a floor-to-ceiling tile installation. When's the last time you saw tiled walls in a living room? Do yourself a favor and use that to your advantage. The end result will look so expensive and totally polished.
When In Doubt, Choose Marble
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Design: Julia Alexander, Photo: Chris Snook
It's no secret, marble is the material of the moment. While expensive, this floor-to-ceiling install is one-way ticket to the contemporary bathroom of your dreams. If the budget allows, you can add a contrasting black marble to the floors for a design that will impress guests for decades to come.
Keep Things Minimal
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Design: GreyHunt Interiors, Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Whether you're working with a ton of square footage or a small powder room, keeping things minimal will instantly modernize a space. This achromatic space with a tidy setup is all the inspiration you need for a simple weekend refresh.
Let Your Textures Do The Talking
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Design: Pulp Design Studios, Photo: Stephen Karlisch
You don't need a ton of color to give your space the visual interest you're seeking. If you're sticking with shades of white and grey, choose your textures wisely. The vertical subway tile, paired with woodgrain floors and shiny glass shower doors do the trick, without the need for loud hues.