25 Master Bathroom Ideas: New bathroom design styles and trends for 2021

You might not know it, but the modern version of the shower we enjoy today has only been around for the last century. That said, bathroom tiles and shower wall materials date back to ancient Greece and Rome.

A master bathroom can be as unique as you are. Don’t be afraid to let your personality and style be reflected in your bathroom decor. With so many modern and contemporary shower and bathroom designs to look forward to in 2021, the possibilities are endless. You might even find yourself revisiting some old favorites, like elegant marble and other amazing bathroom designs.

If you're looking to freshen up the master bathroom with a bold new color choice you can use exciting new color schemes and palettes, all inspired by the latest trends in bathroom color design. Perhaps you want to break away from the clinical look of an all-white bathroom and make it a colorful New Year? There's nothing better than a splash of color to make you smile.

Sometimes it's the small things that bring you joy. New faucets, more bathroom storage space. Don't underestimate what adding new pieces of decor can do to your bathroom. How about something as simple as changing your mirror? Alter your bathroom's entire look and feel with a mirror that makes a statement.

If you're ready to make a start on a New Year’s look then the following ideas and inspiration will help you build your dream bathroom for 2021.

Gatsby-inspired elegance with Art Deco design

Gatsby inspired glamourous bathroom with art deco style bronze faucets and double mirrors

Roaring ’20s here we come! One 2021 design trend that is inspired by the elegance of a bygone era is Art Deco. Who wouldn’t want to be reminded of the opulence and style of the 1920s, with its clean, straight, elegant lines and geometric design. You can bring Gatsby-inspired glamor to your bathroom with easy style swaps or take your bathroom to the next level and remodel with some Art Deco color schemes.

Matte-black hexagonal bathroom floor tiles create patterns that play against the straight, clean lines of the beautiful and seamless Napoli bathroom wall. Muted golds and brushed metal are the perfect finishes to any bathroom mirrors. For a new bathtub look, go with the recessed Art Deco lines of the Quartz bathtub.

Romantic style of French provincial

A French Provincial styled bathroom with two white basins sitting on a rustic table and wicker basket below

With its simple beauty and rustic style, the French provincial look brings understated elegance to any bathroom. Hints of mauve, subtle browns and greys characterize the classic French country cottage look. If you want that softer touch, then this is the bathroom design for you.

Elegant faucets that are beautiful to look at and touch, sit on top of large, white, country-sized washbasins. The playful layout of the Rimini bathroom wall brings a relaxed look to any bathroom and lets you add rustic decor like country-style shelving and cabinets.

Inspired globetrotter

Green tiled splash back with double mirrors and salmon colored wash basins

Although 2020 put the brakes on your love of travel, that won't stop you from adding an travel- inspired style to your bathroom. Mix ideas from some of your favorite trips abroad or include some from places you've always dreamed of travelling to.

Remind yourself of that trip to Italy with a Milano wall pattern or bamboo touches from travels through Asia. Revisit that spa weekend with a Quartz tub. The global traveler look, with its eclectic style, allows you to use materials that normally wouldn't be seen together — concrete basins combined with wooden backsplashes. Take the best from your favorite vacations.

Simple Zen approach

A minimal and stylish bathroom with slate black walls displaying a simple zen approach to bathroom design

If everything around you is a bit too hectic, the bathroom is always the best place to relax and wind down. Zen-influenced design in the bathroom is often praised for its unique simplicity and minimalist approach. It heeds the idea of “less is more.” This doesn't mean to get rid of all your bathroom accessories, just a few Zen-inspired style swaps to help bring a calmer mood to your space.

Zen-inspired color schemes include combinations of black, brown or grey for bathroom furniture, walls and ceiling. White walls with red paneling and black hardware also give the feel of calm, cleanliness and purity. Complete your design with a Japanese soaking tub or some trendy pebble floor tiling.

Down-to-earth rustic look

A vintage bathroom with mosaic tile floor, wooden ceiling and turkish towels

Old and weathered may seem contrary to the new and modern look that some people want in a bathroom design, but it doesn't have to be. Using aged materials from the country can add a welcoming feel of relaxation and comfort.

Try adding strong and striking decor choices that contrast with white, textured walls. Mirror with an old wood-grain frame. Reclaimed wood can work great for countertops. Other elements, like natural stone or even exposed brick, can also give your bathroom some extra character.

Material trends for your master bathroom in 2021

The heart of any bathroom redesign is in its choice of materials: A new wall or floor using natural, soft materials can inspire you to complete the rest of the bathroom with similar decor and stylistic touches. Contemporary looks and luxurious design are reflected in the materials you will choose, so here are a few examples of materials expected to trend in 2021.

The look and feel of classic marble

Modern bathroom vanities with marble wall and gold faucets and mirror

The return to marble will be a feature in all 2021 trends for bathroom materials. This beautiful and natural material can add a touch of elegance and glamor to any bathroom setting. It also creates a purely unique environment, since no two marble design patterns are alike.

The warmth of wood

A nice bathroom with wooden floor and vanity, a white bathtub and caramel colored walls

Wood is one of the most tactile materials to use in a bathroom. It radiates warmth and familiarity. Beautiful wood grain, when used as a countertop or for cupboards and storage, lends its own unique characteristics and will to last for years to come.

The timeless luxury of gold

Nothing says luxury like gold. This bathroom material will never go out of style. In 2021 gold accents will be a popular choice for adding that extra hint of opulence and glamor. Bathroom faucets or cabinet handles are simple swaps. Bonus: Gold complements other bathroom materials like marble, ceramic and stone.

Add space and light with glass

White bathroom with lots of natural light and an all white shower featuring glass door and shower shelves

Everyone's dream bathroom will include the words “light and airy.” A great way to get this look, no matter your budget, is to swap out heavy opaque pieces with some glass accents. Add more visual space to your bathroom by changing over shower curtains with easy-to-clean glass panelling and doors.

Mix it up and combine your favorites

The best master bathroom style is one that feels 100% true to you. Have fun combining a variety of materials to create completely new and unique design styles that highlight the features and reflect your personality. How about a bleached wood combined with stone tiling? Or gold and marble? If you prefer a clean and modern look you can use stainless steel for feature-wall paneling and glass as dividers. The choices are endless!

Fresh color schemes for your master bathroom in 2021

Bathroom with blue walls and white wainscoting featuring a white bathtub with subway tile walls and a glass door

Naturalistic touch of green

2021 is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf, so it’s no surprise that bathroom color palettes this year are ready to ring in the new year with some freshness and color. Draw inspiration from the great outdoors with the full palette of greens. From sage and olive to jungle and forest green, these soothing hues are a perfect way to complement bathroom plant decor.

Chic and neutral matte black

There's nothing more bold than the use of black as a feature accent. And in 2021 black will add a new texture to its repertoire. Introducing: matte black. Not only does it create an atmospheric feel, but the touch of matte black adds an extra textural feel to bathroom design. Matte black can be used in tilework and is best when contrasted with lighter colors.

Luxurious gold, nickel and bronze

Navy blue bathroom vanity with bronze faucets and a bronze framed mirror

Often used as materials for faucets and handles, gold, nickel and bronze sustains the look and feel of luxury throughout your whole bathroom design. Go bold and add some bronze-colored faucets. Highlight edges with streaks of gold tiling. Add brushed nickel lighting or towel holders. You can never go wrong with these timeless metallic colors.

Japanese-style red, pink and yellow

The Japanese style of bathroom design is all about a soft, warm and natural feel. For example, you can channel colors that are reminiscent of a cherry orchard in full bloom: red and pinks, accented with touches of a sunny yellow. Combine these for a color scheme that will leave you feeling content and calm. Add natural accents like a bamboo-print feature wall to pay homage to the beauty of Japan’s forests.

Vibrant yellow and grey

Pantone’s 2021 colors Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Grey will be a major trend focus for the year. When incorporating these colors into your design you can use yellow to add brightness and grey to provide a touch of drama. Wall panels and bathroom tiles are the most popular choice for yellow bathroom decor but you can test the waters with a vase, painting or even a shower curtain to see how you feel about this bold, bright color. Grey accents can come in the form of fluffy Turkish towels, a bath mat or, if you’re feeling bold, a high-impact floor tile. Whether or not you want to participate in this year’s color trend is completely up to you.

Accessories to enhance your master bathroom in 2021

Plants on a shelf in a white tiled bathroom with countertop basin on a green cupboard

If you're not looking to do a complete bathroom renovation in 2021 then the next best thing to help add a new look is to update some of your bathroom decor. Perhaps swap out a few tired, old pieces with something a bit more contemporary, something that puts a smile on your face and adds to your bathroom style. Read on for even more 2021 bathroom accessory ideas.

Cabinets and space-saving shelves

Nothing makes a bathroom look cleaner than having everything in its own place. Bathroom storage can now be added to every area: traditional closed floor cabinets, floating and hanging shelving, corner cabinets and open shelving. Get creative by introducing upcycled shelving ideas or repurpose old kitchen cupboards.

Mirrors

Man looking at himself through a round bathroom mirror

Mirrors are essential to any bathroom. The most common shapes are square or rectangular although that shouldn't stop you from trying something different. A circular mirror can give your bathroom the right feel. Nautical or tropical styles work well with circles. New mirror technology also will be a major trend for 2021. Combine mirrors and lighting. New back-lit mirrors not only add to the overall light ambience but are a design feature in themselves.

Showers

Corner shower with glass door in a blue bathroom

A shower or bath is often central to a bathroom’s design and both are available in myriad styles. Walk-in showers provide great accessibility. New glass showers doors come in a variety of sizes and styles. Even older-style curtain showers have an amazing array of chromed rods to choose from. Fixed and hand-held showerheads are also available in every style and shape imaginable. If you want to keep things simple, you can simply update your shower curtain. What a difference it can make. Amazing!

Sinks & faucets

Clean-lined contemporary bathroom wash sink with modern faucets

Ceramic sinks are the most common basin type, but that doesn't mean there aren't any alternatives. Stainless steel is fast becoming a new trend in bathroom design. It’s a material that needs a bit more care in cleaning, but gives your bathroom a striking, modern look. Faucets are also available in a variety of materials, with brushed metal being one of the more popular modern finishes. Water-saving features will also be popular in 2021 as we try to reduce our environmental impact.

Bathtubs

Opened door leading to bright white bathtub

For plain decadence, nothing beats soaking in a tub. Give yourself time to relax and upgrade your bathtub to the latest in design and technology. In fact, you can even design your own tub to fit your space and style.

Lighting trends

Modern bathroom with wooden walls and flooring, marble walls and backlit mirrors

The best way to create a mood for your bathroom is by finding the right lighting. Ambient lighting helps you control the overall feel of the room. Maybe you want it nice and bright to refresh you in the morning. Dimmer lighting in the evening helps you unwind. You can also highlight features with some spot lighting: Create a bright area for your vanity and mirror or use recessed light fixtures to illuminate the shower or bounce light off the ceiling. Why not go all out and hang a chandelier above the bathtub for the ultimate in “treat yourself” decadence?

Bring the outdoors inside with plants

Bathroom vanity with house plant in white pot

Bathroom plants are one of the more popular trends for 2021. Plants can be used as feature pieces or added as accents, placed in baskets or hung from the ceiling. Choose a plant, however, that thrives in hot, humid conditions. Some ideas include ferns, orchids, aloe, Calatheas or Chinese evergreens.

2021 bathroom wall & floor trends

Blue themed bathroom with linear patterned wallpaper and brown vanities

With so many possibilities and varieties now available, tiles may just be the big thing in bathroom styling for 2021. Original designs, brilliant colors, tactile textures and irregular shapes make for endless possibilities and a fresh new look. When used on floors, ceramic tiles can also create the ideal base note to your bathroom style.

Wall-tile ideas: Colorful patterns and geometry

White bathroom with black vanity, tile shower walls and tile floor

If you're after the look of wood but still want the clean surface of tiles then wood-look tiles are for you. Maybe you like the look and symmetry of geometric tile patterns. Tiles now come in every imaginable color and pattern from the classic metro look to jungle-inspired plant-pattern themes.

New flooring trends

Modern white bathroom with wooden floor and white lightning below the bath

It wasn't long ago that tiles seemed to be your only choice for bathroom flooring. Today there is a range of new options available. You can choose from a variety of waterproof material: vinyl, laminate, engineered hardwood and even carpet! Maybe if you like the feel of the outdoors, try natural stone flooring. If you want that extra warmth in your bathroom, you can't go past installing underfloor heating. It’s a warm, cozy luxury.

Wallpapers & Wall art

Vintage bathroom wallpaper pattern in a modern wood floor,white brick and gray tile wall bathroom design

The easiest way to create an impact statement in your bathroom is wall art. Large, colorful designs put the finishing touch on your theme. For a nautical look add the tentacles of the Kraken, or elegant palm leaf details for a more outdoor feel.

What’s ahead for 2021 in master bathroom design?

2021 might well be the year you plan to create a fresh, new look for your bathroom. Maybe you  simply want to update the decor. Design themes to look for include the eclectic globetrotter-inspired themes of past holidays. For material trends, try revisiting old friends like marble, but also look to newer bathroom material technologies and printing processes. Tile design trends for 2021 will include touches of matte black to contrast with luxurious gold finishes. Custom-designed baths and more eco-inspired products will also be popular. Brighter color palettes will bring the beauty of nature indoors and inspire a fresh and hopeful 2021.

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