Stylish and functional, an apartment bathroom is designed to cope with limited space and busy living. Choose simple shapes and smooth, shiny surfaces for a modern look.

Creating a stylish, easy-care bathroom in a small space is a common problem for many people, and particularly for city dwellers where space is at a premium. The newest bathroom designs are completely focused on using the most up-to-date technology to meet these needs, with high-tech steel appliances, streamlined ceramics, and strong, durable surfaces. Decorative details are an unnecessary luxury, texture is more important… accentuating the differences between matt and glossy, rough and smooth surfaces. Contrasts of steel, granite, wood, tile, and glass create just enough interest, paired with rugged industrial materials like concrete, glass bricks, and studded rubber flooring.

The apartment bathroom is a good place to experiment with color, as the areas to be covered are never very large and are usually only seen for short periods. Try unusual color combinations used in flat blocks instead of decorative patterns; or keep cool, clinical white and steel, with small pools of concentrated color provided by towels and accessories.

creating the look

Aim for a simple, functional look, with sharp, straight edges contrasting with streamlined curves. If you’re starting from scratch, plan your layout carefully to get maximum space. You can even consider doing without a bath in favor of a spacious shower area with a folding seat.

Door and window frames are ideally simple and square, with a flush door and elegant accessories. If you have a window, consider installing frosted glass to avoid the need for any other window treatments.

Walls are best tiled or painted with a flat vinyl latex or eggshell finish. White or colored ceramic tiles are inexpensive and fit the look perfectly, as do small mosaics. For a bolder look, use plain tiles in an unusual color, perhaps lilac or lemon. Tiles of granite, marble, sandstone, or slate have an apartment-style look and make satisfying contrasts against gleaming steel and fluffy towels.

For a seriously industrial look, cover the tub panel or cabinet doors with galvanized tin or aluminum; Or experiment with metallic paint on wood for a similar look—a bronze, bronze, or silver color would change the look of louvered built-in cabinets or an existing powder room.

For the floor, choose ceramic tile, sealed wood slats, or cork for a warmer feel when walking barefoot; Smooth or marbled effect linoleum or vinyl would suit the look, or investigate hard-wearing rubber-studded flooring, which is available in a wide range of colours.

style pointers

WALLS

Neutral or strong: latex paint in flat colors, whether subtle stone, rich white or bold combinations.

Wallpapers: faux stone, paint look or strong contemporary designs in limited areas.

Tiles: smooth, white or strong colored glazed ceramic tiles; ceramic or glass tile mosaics; granite, sandstone, slate; sealed cork.

WINDOWS

Frosted Glass – Replace plain glass with milky white, cane, or other effects.

Blinds: narrow metal or wooden Venetian blinds; simple roller, roman or pleated blinds; single grommet panel.

FLOOR

Smooth: pale wood slat; large, smooth, white or black tiles, stone tiles; linoleum, vinyl or rubber in smooth or semi-smooth designs.

Rugs: short pile cotton bath rug, wooden slat bath rug.

PLUMBING FITTINGS

Contemporary: simple sculpted forms in white ceramic or steel; Bathtub with granite or wood frame and tiled panel, flush wood or veneer.

Faucets: space age, chrome, nickel plated gold.

FURNITURE

Metal or wood: thin metal chair or small stool; tub-shaped stool that doubles as a laundry basket, with a reinforced lid you can sit on.

TURNING ON

High-tech: recessed spotlights in the ceiling or simple modern central luminaire; plaster or metal wall flares; Halogen lights in holes.

ACCESSORIES

Modern: gleaming, shiny or satin steel for towel rails, toilet roll holders and toothbrush holders; glass, metal or elegant light wood shelves; Single Mirror, Frameless Gold with Steel/Wood Frame; plain white or colored towels.