How To Design A Luxury Bathroom: Tips From Our Designers

Specifying your bathroom taps in a premium finish is one of the simplest yet most impactful luxury upgrades. “Whilst chrome remains a classical choice for many, I tend to shy away from this finish in favour of brushed nickel, polished gold, or even aged brass – all of which work wonderfully in both traditional and contemporary schemes,” explains Yousef.

Our Tap Buying Guide is an excellent place to learn about the various tap fittings required in a bathroom, with further details on our available tap finishes as well as information on what to consider when buying a bathroom tap.

Featured: C.P. Hart exclusive Original 3 Piece Basin Mixer with Low Spout in Unlacquered Brass.

Brushed Nickel vs Chrome

Brushed nickel is an excellent choice for those seeking understated luxury. Its matt finish offers a sophisticated alternative to the high sheen of chrome, creating a softer, more refined look.

Gold Taps

“Gold taps continue to grow in popularity in bathroom design,” says Yousef. “Polished and brushed gold brassware is an excellent choice for those seeking a more striking aesthetic, creating a bold statement reminiscent of high-end hotels.”

Brass Taps

“Complementing a variety of colour palettes and materials, brass taps are a versatile option for any scheme,” says Yousef. “Particularly impactful in traditional bathrooms, antique brass bathroom taps will gradually develop a characterful patina, adding to the bathroom’s charm.”

Featured: C.P. Hart exclusive Original Floor-Mounted Bath and Shower Mixer in Unlacquered Brass.

In addition to brassware finishes, the materials you choose for other elements of your bathroom play a crucial role in achieving a luxurious feel. “When designing a luxury bathroom, I like to incorporate natural stone, high-quality ceramics, and wood,” says Yousef.

Natural Stone

Natural stone, such as marble or granite, exudes luxury in interior design, favoured for its durability and distinctive patterning. “Using natural stone in the bathroom can instantly give it a more premium feel,” says Yousef. “Hardwearing and scratch resistant, many clients choose to inject natural marble into their bathrooms through a marble bath, a marble countertop, or marble bathroom accessories.”

“Marble bathroom tiles remain a highly sought-after choice, however, when it comes to wall and floor tiling in a wet environment, I recommend opting for our premium marble and stone-effect tiles as an alternative to natural marble. Crafted in Italy from rectified porcelain and showcasing exceptional texture, colour, and depth, these tiles are lightweight and non-porous, thus easier to install and less susceptible to staining and damage.”

Please read our Tile Buying Guide to explore our many collections.

Featured: Cosmopolitan Arabescato Oro marble-effect tiles.

Quality Ceramics

Investing in high quality bathroom ceramics ensures the durability and longevity of your bathroom, significantly reducing the likelihood of scratches or chips. “I love specifying our exclusive Kali collection,” says Yousef. “Crafted from premium ceramic with ultra-smooth surface-coating technology, our Kali basins and toilets are far superior to that of standard porcelain. Available in Gloss or Matt White, these ceramics suit all luxury bathroom designs.”

Wood In Bathrooms

“Many of our clients ask, ‘can you put wood in the bathroom’, and, whilst a fully wooden bathroom may be less practical, there are certainly areas where wood can create a truly luxurious and spa-like space,” says Yousef.

“Incorporating wooden elements, such as a wooden bathroom vanity, a fluted wooden feature panel, or wooden bathroom shelves, brings a natural, organic feel to the space. Opt for woods with rich grains and finishes, such as the bathroom vanities from our Grove collection, crafted from solid timber and available in 18 paint shades, purposefully formulated to reveal the wood's natural grain beneath.”

Featured: Cielo WC and Washbowl in Talco, IdeaGroup Cubik Vanity Unit, and Nero Marquina Tiles.

“There’s no right or wrong way to approach bathroom lighting,”says Yousef. “When considering your bathroom light fixtures, more is often more. Opt for a combination of primary and spot lighting to create a layered and dynamic effect – just ensure that your lights are installed on separate circuits for individual control.”

Spot Lighting

Spot lighting and LED lighting are excellent for brightening functional areas and creating ambience. Whilst backlit mirrors or LED mirror cabinets provide additional light for the daily routine, strip LED lighting or small spotlights in niches offer a softer glow for relaxation. “More of our clients are specifying dimmable, low-mounted LED lights, concealed beneath the vanity unit or wall panelling. Ambience aside, these bathroom lights also serve as attractive night lights.”

Featured: Astro Tacoma Twin light, Luminous Lume tiles in 'White' and 'Green'.

“The best home sauna depends on your personal preferences and the space you have available,” comments Yousef. “Effe, the leading creator of home spas, offers smaller home saunas, such as the Natural Sauna, to larger indoor saunas, such as the Yoku sauna, that feature both a sauna and steam shower, also known as a hammam.

Outdoor Spa

Our outdoor showers are perfect for those wanting to create an outdoor spa at home. Offering both wall-mounted and freestanding designs, these contemporary showers boast various styles and finishes, including marble shower stands and the trending Agave Green shower rails.

Our expert sales consultants will be pleased to discuss the outdoor sauna and steam options available. Please submit an enquiry here.

Featured: Effe Inside Camouflage Steam Generator.

“There’s no better feeling than completing your dream bathroom and curating it with the perfect finishing touches,” says Yousef. “For me, this means investing in quality bathroom accessories, from toilet roll holders to towel rings and robe hooks, better still when specified in the same finish as your brassware for a sense of cohesion.”

“For textiles, think luxurious, high-thread-count towels and robes. I’m also seeing more of my clients opt for a bathroom rug, great for softening the interior whilst visually filling any ‘empty space’. Finally, choose some bathroom plants and display your favourite candles, reed diffusers, and bottles.”

Featured: C.P. Hart Original Towel Ring.