How to improve your bathroom

Whether you’re tackling a bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designerarchitect or contractor, knowing which style resonates with you can be a big help. Read on for the need-to-know details about 10 popular bathroom styles, including color palettes and key features of each look. Click the links under each description to see additional pictures and more detailed information about each style.
1. Transitional

Transitional bathrooms gracefully walk the line between traditional and contemporary, with just enough detailing to please folks in both design camps. While elements of traditional and contemporary styles are both present, transitional bathrooms don’t veer far in either direction.

Key features of transitional-style bathrooms:
  • Shaker-style vanity
  • Light-hued stone counters, floors or wall treatments in materials such as marble and quartz
  • Undermount sink
  • Subway tile
  • Pedestal bathtub
  • Glass shower enclosure
  • Classic lighting such as drum pendants, updated chandeliers and sleek wall sconces.

Color palette: Whether you opt for cool or warm hues, the colors in a transitional bathroom tend to be soft and subtle. For a richer look, consider blue, brown, gray or wood tones.

Your Guide to a Transitional-Style Bathroom
2. Modern

Modern bathrooms are sleek and streamlined, emphasizing strong horizontal lines. Clean, flourish-free details keep the focus on the architecture.

Key features of modern-style bathrooms:
  • Floating vanity
  • Glass shower enclosure
  • Freestanding bathtub
  • Minimalist faucets
  • Streamlined lighting
  • Frameless mirrors

Color palette: The focus of a modern-style bathroom is on the architecture, which means the color palette tends toward crisp, clean white, subtle neutrals and black. Pops of color show up in the form of accessories such as bath towels and plants.

Your Guide to a Modern-Style Bathroom
2. Modern

Modern bathrooms are sleek and streamlined, emphasizing strong horizontal lines. Clean, flourish-free details keep the focus on the architecture.

Key features of modern-style bathrooms:
  • Floating vanity
  • Glass shower enclosure
  • Freestanding bathtub
  • Minimalist faucets
  • Streamlined lighting
  • Frameless mirrors

Color palette: The focus of a modern-style bathroom is on the architecture, which means the color palette tends toward crisp, clean white, subtle neutrals and black. Pops of color show up in the form of accessories such as bath towels and plants.

Your Guide to a Modern-Style Bathroom
2. Modern

Modern bathrooms are sleek and streamlined, emphasizing strong horizontal lines. Clean, flourish-free details keep the focus on the architecture.

Key features of modern-style bathrooms:
  • Floating vanity
  • Glass shower enclosure
  • Freestanding bathtub
  • Minimalist faucets
  • Streamlined lighting
  • Frameless mirrors

Color palette: The focus of a modern-style bathroom is on the architecture, which means the color palette tends toward crisp, clean white, subtle neutrals and black. Pops of color show up in the form of accessories such as bath towels and plants.

Your Guide to a Modern-Style Bathroom
3. Contemporary

Contemporary bathrooms fully embrace the latest in technology, materials and trends for an of-the-moment look with clean lines and minimal adornment. Contemporary bathrooms can (and do) break the rules, but as a whole they stay away from heavy embellishments and traditional shapes.

Key features of contemporary-style bathrooms:
  • Sleek vanity
  • Minimalist faucets
  • Glass shower enclosure
  • Statement tile
  • Slim-profile mirrors
  • The latest tech such as digital shower controls and smart mirrors

Color palette: A black-and-white palette is a popular choice in contemporary bathrooms, although any high-contrast color combination can work.

Your Guide to a Contemporary-Style Bathroom
4. Traditional

Traditional bathrooms are timeless, comfortable and refined, with gleaming surfaces and high-end materials. Unlike minimalist modern bathrooms or trend-conscious contemporary bathrooms, traditional bathrooms favor a healthy amount of decorative detail and classic elegance.

Key features of traditional-style bathrooms:
  • Furniture-style vanity
  • Elegant stone counters, floors or wall treatments
  • Antique-style lighting
  • Classic bathtub such as a claw-foot or pedestal style
  • Dressing table
  • Wainscoting, wallpaper and decorative molding

Color palette: The colors in traditional bathrooms tend to be soft and relaxing. Subtle neutrals and pale shades of blue and green work well, or consider deeper shades of blue, brown, gray and wood tones for a richer look.

Your Guide to a Traditional-Style Bathroom
5. Farmhouse

Farmhouse-style bathrooms balance the rustic appeal of regional, rural heritage with simplicity-loving modern sensibilities. And while farmhouse bathrooms today often incorporate modern elements, this isn’t the place to experiment with trends: Think simple, honest and homespun.

Key features of farmhouse-style bathrooms:
  • Shaker-style vanity
  • Barn lighting
  • Wall paneling
  • Claw-foot bathtub
  • Sliding barn doors
  • Trough sink

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