10 Design Takeaways From the Bathrooms You Loved Most This Year

There’s no shortage of tile moments.
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They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but we must politely disagree. As we looked back through the most-liked photos on our Instagram feed from the past 12 months, we couldn’t help but notice a trend toward a smaller—but just as frequented—room. Maybe it’s because you had mini renovations on the mind, or perhaps you all just got really into self-care in 2019. Either way, we heard you loud and clear: Domino readers craved bathroom design ideas this year. 

If we had to guess why, we’d say it was because tiles were extravagant and even the smallest of powder rooms makes a big impression. Another revelation worth noting: You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a big glass box—simply hanging a few plants in the shower can make any space feel spa-worthy. Here are the top-10 bathrooms you loved the most this year.

Make a Statement With Zellige 

Reason number one we love this glossy Moroccan tile: You don’t have to cover every surface in it to make an impact. And don’t worry about trying to match its shade to anything else. Studio DIY reminded us that you can achieve contrast with the most playful colors.

Set the Mood With a Dark Vanity

What’s more serene than a paint color meant to “inspire thoughts of overgrown ivy”? Essex Green by Benjamin Moore (the paint color Mackenzie Craven chose for her cabinets) instantly relaxes us. 

Take Tile Up to the Ceiling

In this kids’ bathroom, designer Lindsay Salazar opted for a waterfall-like effect by continuing the starburst tiles overhead, too. In order to achieve the “trickle” illusion near the showerhead, each hexagon had to be hand-cut to perfectly align with the subway shape. 

Create Architectural Character Where There Is None

Archways are common in other areas of a home, but finally, Beatriz Rose found a chic way to bring the idea in the shower, too. The best part is that this feature doesn’t require a ton of construction. 

Brighten Things Up With Rose Gold

Au revoir, brass: This walk-in shower, designed by Australian firm Decus Interiors, took us by surprise with its rose gold–lined partition and fixtures. Underneath the skylight, the blush room shimmers.

Hook Up Your Greenery 

 

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We’ll just leave this here for you. You’re welcome. Photo and design by @thejoshuatreehouse #SOdomino

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If Rich and Sara Combs can bring the tropics to the desert, then you can pretty much do it anywhere. The only thing you’ll need to pull it off? A troop of trailing plants (and a few fan palm leaves come bath time). 

Frame Your Perspective 

For modern farmhouse inspiration, look no further than this space, designed by Chango & Co. Between the steel enclosure and the wood ceiling beams, it embodies that sought-after industrial-rustic aesthetic. 

Invest in Something Custom 

 

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@thesteinitz and his husband @march9923 purchased and renovated a 100-year-old home that had previously been flipped—for the worse. The pair restored the structure back to its original glory while adding in bold, colorful designs, which leads us to the coolest room of the home: the bathroom. Steinitz said, “The master shower is my favorite spot in our whole home. We wanted to add brightness to our morning routine with a powerful, energetic design, and we were inspired by patterned tiles from our travels to Marrakech two years ago. Anyone who knows me will tell you that patience is not my strong suit, but I can confidently say that the cement tiles, custom-made in Morocco by @pophamdesign, proved to me that the right details can be worth the wait.” Head to the link in our bio for more. Photo by @alexandraribar #SOdomino

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It’s easy to understand why designer Jonathan Steinitz says the master shower is his favorite spot in his whole house: The punchy Goa tiles by Popham Design in the shower remind him of his many travels to Marrakech, where the cement slabs just happen to be made to order. 

Keep It Classic in the Powder Room 

Black and white polka dots can skew kitschy, so to modernize this bathroom, Casey Keasler, the founder of Portland, Oregon–based studio Casework, chose this wallpaper design by Kelly Wearstler that features squares (not circles). 

Be a Square

It’s about time we retire the rectangle. Beatriz Rose thought outside the box again with a fresh take on subway tile: a square shape. Because the room is north facing, and thus receives the least amount of light, she chose bright green as her accent color. Good things come in small packages. 

See more stories like this:  This Is What a Dream Home Looked Like in 2019, According to Domino Readers The Best (Small) Bathroom Ideas Ever! This Once-Popular Bathroom Design Feature Is Gaining Momentum Again

Lydia Geisel Avatar

Lydia Geisel

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.