A master bathroom is often seen as the crown jewel of a home – a luxurious and relaxing space to start and end each day. When designing a master bath, it’s essential to select an elegant and refined color palette that exudes sophistication. By blending rich neutrals with pops of color in high-end finishes, you can create a spa-like retreat with an educated design aesthetic.
Choosing a Neutral Backdrop
When selecting a color scheme for a master bathroom, it’s smart to begin with a neutral backdrop. Neutral hues like white, beige and gray act as a blank canvas that allows the other elements of the space to shine. Consider the following soothing neutrals for your master bath:
Crisp White
An all-white color scheme may be the most popular choice for today’s luxury bathrooms. Stark white has a clean, bright and contemporary feel – perfect for those desiring a spa-like vibe. White tile, fixtures, cabinetry and accessories provide a seamless look. Add visual interest by combining matte and glossy white finishes.
Warm Beige and Greige
For a more inviting feel than crisp white, consider beige or “greige” – a blend of gray and beige. Warmer than white and softer than gray, these understated neutrals add a refined elegance. Matte beige stones and tiles have an earthy charm, while polished greige marbles offer subtle glamour. Paint vanities and walls in a beige or greige tone.
Cool Gray
While bright white bathrooms are trending, cool grays offer an alternative sophisticated look. Go for a pale shade like fog gray to retain a light and airy ambiance. Charcoal gray makes a dramatic statement, especially when used on cabinetry or tile. Consider gray washes and layered finishes to add dimension to your neutral gray palette.
Adding Pops of Color
Once you’ve selected a neutral foundation, include splashes of color in finishes, fixtures and accessories to bring your master bathroom to life. Vibrant shades inject energy and personality into the space. Consider hues like these to liven up your elegant color scheme:
Soothing Blue
From sky blue to navy, shades of blue have a universally appealing and relaxing effect. Use aqua, teal or cobalt glass tile as an accent in a walk-in shower. Add nautical charm with navy blue cabinets or walls. Blue-green glass vessel sinks make a stunning style statement.
Vibrant Green
Deep green instantly creates a luxurious feel, reminiscent of a high-end spa. Forest, sage and emerald green work beautifully in a master bath. Try glass subway tiles in shiny emerald, or opt for an earthy palette of matte moss and stone. Paint vanities or walls forest green for a bold pop of color.
Rich Gold
Metallic gold infuses any space with elegance. In a master bathroom, use it sparingly to add a glamorous feel. Brass and gold hardware, faucets and shower fixtures will elevate the look of any neutral palette. Add gilded framed mirrors and sconces for a touch of glitz. Gold geometric or ornate tiles makes a stunning accent wall.
Selecting High-End Fixtures and Finishes
The materials, textures and sheen you select will enhance your educated master bathroom palette. Consider upgrading these elements for a look of pure luxury:
Marble Tile
Marble tile instantly dresses up a bathroom, adding a polished Old World feel. The soft veining provides beautiful visual interest to neutral backdrops. Use marble on walls, floors and shower enclosures for a seamless appearance. Opt for larger format tiles to convey elegance.
Natural Stone
Slate, travertine and sandstone tiles in earthy hues bring a sense of zen tranquility, perfect for a retreat-like master bath. For a relaxed feel, opt for tumbled or textured stone tiles to contrast smooth countertops and walls. Add luxury with exotic stone varieties.
Metallic Accents
Punctuate your palette with glints of metallics to add striking shine. Brushed bronze, pewter and nickel fixtures and finishes have an air of sophistication. Add drama with bold ornate gold mirrors or antique chandeliers. For a clean modern look, incorporate stainless steel or chrome accents.
Freestanding Tub
A freestanding soaking tub serves as a sculptural centerpiece in any master bathroom. Choose an elegant silhouette that aligns with your design aesthetic – curvaceous and vintage inspired or sleekly modern. Situate in front of a view or by a large window to create a soothing sanctuary.
Creating a Spa Experience
To transform your master bathroom into a truly relaxing oasis, incorporate elements that pamper and rejuvenate. Design choices like these will help you achieve a luxurious spa vibe:
His and Hers Sinks
With two sinks, you and your partner can get ready in tandem without interfering with each other’s space. Opt for vessel sinks or a double vanity in an elegant finish like marble. Include mirror space above each sink and plenty of storage below.
Walk-In Shower
A spacious walk-in shower with luxurious details is a hallmark of any high-end master bath. Include spa-like features like dual shower heads, a built-in bench, and a rain shower fixture. Surround with beautiful tile, natural stone or glass for a look of pure luxury.
Soaking Tub
For the ultimate relaxation, incorporate a deep soaking tub in your master bath design. Free-standing tubs make a dramatic statement and provide an indulgent place to unwind. Built-in tubs surrounded by tile or stone create a seamless look. Include air jets for therapeutic relief.
Heated Floors
Heated floors might seem like a luxury, but they provide ambiance and comfort on chilly mornings. Radiant heated floors work best under tile, stone or wood surfaces. Invest in a smart programmable system to control the floors’ temperature.
High-End Hardware
Elevate your master bathroom’s aesthetic with high-quality hardware in finishes like unlacquered brass or oiled bronze. Drawer pulls, faucets, towel bars and shower fixtures in elegant metals and natural materials bring sophistication.
Best Paint Colors for Master Bathroom
Paint is an easy way to completely transform the look and feel of a master bathroom. Choose hues that promote tranquility and align with your elegant color palette. Here are the best paint colors to consider:
Airy White
Crisp white is a fail-safe choice that instantly lightens up a space. For a bright and welcoming ambiance, coat walls, trim, doors and ceiling in the same brilliant white. Add visual interest by pairing matte and high-gloss finishes.
Dove Gray
Soft, pale shades of gray evoke a relaxing, zen-like vibe perfect for a master retreat. Specifically, dove gray is light enough to feel soothing but has more character than plain white. Use it on vanities, walls or cabinetry for an instant style upgrade.
Spa Blue
Aquas, teals and light blues are inherently relaxing and remind us of the serenity of water. Try a blue-green hue called Spa on walls or vanities paired with crisp white trim and ceiling for a luxurious but tranquil feel.
Sea Salt
With a hint of green, this soft gray-blue resembles the ocean and pairs perfectly with marble, wood and white. Use it on vanities, trim or an accent wall to add subtle color without overpowering a neutral palette. Its versatility allows other elements to take center stage.
Eggshell
Slightly warmer than white, eggshell has a creamy, organic look. It provides a clean, elegant backdrop that works with any style from traditional to modern. Use it on walls and ceilings to bounce light around the room and make a small space feel more expansive.
Master Bathroom by Room and Style
The layout, size and architectural style of your master bathroom will inform many design decisions like color palette, materials and layout. Choose colors and finishes that complement your existing space.
Small Master Bathroom
In a small master bath, leverage light colors like white and soft gray to visually expand the space. Include mirrors and reflective surfaces to add depth. Opt for smaller tile with thin grout lines to make rooms feel larger. Focus on functionality and avoid clutter.
Large Master Bathroom
A large master bathroom gives you more flexibility in the design. You can incorporate rich colors like navy blue, emerald green and sapphire glass tiles without overwhelming the space. Floating vanities and minimalist fixtures will keep it from feeling crowded.
Contemporary Master Bathroom
Contemporary spaces demand sleek, simple elements like large-format neutral tiles, stone slab surfaces, frameless glass shower enclosures, and stainless steel or chrome fixtures. Stick to a minimal, refined color palette of white, beige, gray, black and wood tones.
Transitional Master Bathroom
For transitional style that blends traditional and contemporary elements, include marble counters, ornate gold mirrors, vintage-style lighting and tub, and neutral Roman or subway tiles. Use an elegant mix of black, white, beige, gray and blue-green.
Traditional Master Bathroom
Traditional master bathroom designs often feature bright white wainscoting, trim and ceilings contrasted with painted vanities in deeper hues like navy blue. Opt for marble counters, polished nickel or brass hardware and ornate vintage lighting. Stick to classic colors and materials.
Design Ideas for Master Bathrooms
There are endless possibilities when designing an elegant, spa-like master bathroom. Consider these beautiful design ideas to create your ideal relaxation zone:
Double Vanity
For spacious his-and-her sinks, try a double-wide vanity with two mirrors and abundant drawer storage. Choose a streamlined floating style or ornate furniture-like piece. Include small touches like sconces, art and flowers.
Marble Subway Tile
For a classic look with visual texture, install 3×6 or 4×12 white marble subway tile on the shower walls and tub surround. Contrast with gray or beige stone floors and glossy marble counters for a beautifully coordinated look.
Textured Painted Ceiling
Make a statement by painting the ceiling in a textured plaster finish like Venetian plaster. Opt for tone-on-tone like glossy white on white or incorporate a contrasting color like light blue. Add a chandelier or sconces for drama.
Spa Shower
Design your shower as a private home spa with premium features like dual-shower heads, a built-in bench, and space for two. Select marble, travertine or pebble tiles. Include windows and live plants to connect with nature.
Geometric Tile Accent
For contemporary flair, use geometric tiles in glossy green, blue or gold as an accent wall or shower backsplash. Choose varying shades of tiles in the same color family to add depth and interest. Surround with classic white and neutral tile.
Vintage Elements
Add Old World elegance and a touch of glamour with black framed mirrors, art deco sconces and chandeliers, and vintage styled plumbing fixtures in polished nickel or brass. Paint walls a dramatic jewel tone like emerald green or sapphire to complement.
Spa Tub
Install an oval standalone soaking tub as a focal point. Situate by a window or with a view of the bedroom for true indulgence. Opt for premium features like air jets. If space allows, place towels and candles nearby to enhance the experience.
Tips for Selecting Tile, Paint Colors and Finishes
The aesthetic details of your master bathroom all work together to create a cohesive, luxurious feel. Keep these tips in mind as you select tile, color schemes, lighting and finishes:
- When choosing paint colors, opt for soothing hues like white, beige, gray blue and pale green that promote tranquility. Incorporate deeper shades like navy blue and emerald green sparingly.
- Select tile in neutral hues like white marble or beige travertine as a backdrop. Use smaller tiles like subway style on walls and larger format tiles on floors.
- Add pops of color and visual interest with glass, stone or ceramic accent tiles in bold shades of blue, green and gold. Use sparingly.
- Mix finishes like matte and gloss for depth. Try combining stone with glass mosaic tiles. Use metallics to add glamour.
- Choose lighting fixtures in elegant finishes like brushed gold, antique brass or polished nickel to align with your overall aesthetic.
- Pick high-quality hardware and fixtures in metals like bronze, nickel and unlacquered brass for a refined look that will last.
- Infuse luxury with premium surfaces like marble counters, exotic woods, and natural stone feature walls surrounding tubs or showers.
Common Questions about Designing a Master Bathroom
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about creating a beautifully elegant master bathroom:
What paint color goes well with marble?
Soothing neutral hues like white, light gray and beige beautifully complement marble finishes. Crisp white painted walls and trim allow marble tiles to take center stage.
How do I choose paint colors for a relaxing bathroom?
Stick to tranquil hues like white, light gray, beige and soft blue-green that evoke relaxation. Monochromatic color schemes are also soothing. Include warm metallics like brass for interest.
What is the most popular tile for master bathroom?
Classic white marble tile is currently the most sought-after material for master bathroom walls and floors. Subway tile and large format styles are trending. Travertine and limestone are also elegant, neutral options.
How do I make a small bathroom look luxurious?
In a small master bath, limit color palette to two complementary neutrals like white and gray to visually expand space. Install rectangular subway tiles vertically to add height. Include sleek vessel sinks, frameless shower enclosures, and minimalist linear fixtures. Add a freestanding soaking tub as a focal point.
Should you put tile in a master bathroom?
Tile is highly recommended in master bathrooms, especially in wet areas like showers and tub surrounds. Use large format tiles on floors and smaller subway style on walls. Marble, travertine, porcelain and ceramic tiles suit master bathrooms. Arrange creatively to suit your design aesthetic.
Conclusion
Creating a spa-like oasis in your master bathroom is all about the details. By selecting an elegant and refined color palette of soothing neutrals and pops of color in high-end finishes, you can design a luxurious personal retreat. Focus on quality over quantity by investing in premium materials like marble, natural stone, and metallic accents. Don’t forget the lighting fixtures and hardware that pull the look together. Add personal touches and consider the paint, color schemes, tiles, and finishes that align with your overall aesthetic vision. With thoughtful attention to each design element, your master bathroom will become a truly indulgent space.
