Unique Bathroom Design Ideas You Shouldn't Overlook, According To Experts

A bathroom needs to be functional, but a beautiful space can do a lot to enhance your day-to-day life. It's worth investing in this room you use morning to night, from getting ready before work to brushing your teeth before bed. Whether you're planning for a new build or a renovation, you might as well make the space more elegant. But if you don't want to go with the typical trending designs, there are some alternative ideas. House Digest spoke exclusively to some home and design experts to round up their unique bathroom design ideas to inspire your space.

These ideas range from adding eye-catching pieces of artwork to making statement structural changes. So anyone from renters to designers can find a useful idea on this list. If you're looking for even more inspiration, explore these creative bathroom ideas, and you'll be on track to design your dream bathroom. 

A good piece of art can make any room look nicer, including the bathroom. It might not be the first room you think of decorating with paintings or statues, but according to Ryan Fitzgerald, owner of Raleigh Realty, it's something you should consider. Speaking exclusively to House Digest, he tells us, "Some bathrooms now look more like art galleries. People are adding bold statement pieces — maybe a sculpture or a striking piece of art above a freestanding tub. It's not about adding a lot, just one or two elements that transform the space into something personal and unexpected."

Doable for pretty much anyone, this idea doesn't require any renovating but can make a huge difference in your bathroom's appearance. There's nothing wrong with adding a lot, either. You can install anything from a full gallery wall to just one or two well-placed pieces that speak to your style. Even better, this idea is renter-friendly too. You can use damage-free options like Command Picture Hanging Strips. You can also place pieces on existing shelves, or bring in a side table for a small bust or statue. It's also an idea you can execute on a budget by using thrift store finds or open-access art (check out these museums and organizations you can browse for free wall art). Just make sure any pieces you choose can stand up to the conditions of the bathroom. If it's typically very humid, you can protect your artwork with a product like SnapeZo Weather-Resistant Frames.

In the era of smart homes, it's no surprise that there are bathroom-specific products to make it more luxurious to go to the loo. Fitzgerald shared some ideas, saying, "Technology is everywhere, and bathrooms are no exception. Heated floors, mirrors that double as screens, and showers you can control with an app are becoming more common. These features add convenience and make everyday routines easier."

You can also consider touchless toilets, voice-activated tech like smart faucets, or smart tubs that you can set to your preferred temperature. More substantial products (like heated floors, smart showers, and the like) require professional installation, so consider practical options within your budget. Personalizable smart lights and smart mirrors are among the easiest high-tech products to install. This DIY option can make a big impact on your bathroom experience. Swap out regular bulbs for smart options, which you can control through your phone. A smart mirror like the Artforma Smart Mirror can include a mounting kit, and it doubles as a screen, speakers, and soft lighting, all disguised as a bathroom mirror.

Curved fixtures can make a bathroom feel bigger and are an antidote to the straight and sleek lines in modern bathrooms. If you want to soften the look of your space, consider curves in your cabinetry, fixtures, and accessories. We spoke to Josh Qian, COO and co-founder of Best Online Cabinets, for an exclusive interview with House Digest. He shares that, "Rounded vanities, soft-edged mirrors, and curved shower enclosures are becoming more popular, providing a softer aesthetic that contrasts with the sharp lines often seen in modern design. These organic shapes can create a more inviting atmosphere, promoting relaxation in what is often a personal retreat."

If you're doing a full renovation, there are plenty of ways to incorporate curved elements into a bathroom. Curved walls, circular windows, arched entries, and rounded bathtubs can all contribute to a serene design. If you're just revamping a current bathroom, you have some options too. You can replace your faucet with a curved version like the Delta Nicoli Bathroom Faucet. An arched or circular mirror is also easy to install and makes the shape a focal point in the space. The Brightify Arched Mirror comes in a range of sizes to choose from. Lastly, if installing something new just isn't an option, you can find shapely countertop accessories, like the Bloomingville Wave Double Taper Holder, which is lovely for holding taper candles while you soak in the bath.

A freestanding tub is a popular pick for a bathroom. With wide-ranging designs available, it's also possible to find one that fits most bathroom styles. But to make your freestanding tub stand out, Qian suggests shopping options in less common materials, saying, "Another trend is the use of freestanding bathtubs in unexpected materials, such as stone or even concrete. These tubs not only serve as stunning focal points but also bring a sculptural quality to the bathroom, elevating it to a spa-like sanctuary. Homeowners are increasingly drawn to these distinctive shapes and textures, which offer a refreshing alternative to traditional porcelain."

Alternative materials include stone, concrete, cast iron, copper, and other metals. These more distinctive bathtubs also tend to come with a higher price tag (one major benefit of acrylic tubs is that they're affordable), but they truly are beautiful. For example, the Pottery Barn Holas Handcrafted Freestanding Concrete Bathtub starts at almost $10,000. However, Wayfair offers Vanity Art's Resin Soaking Tub, featuring a concrete look at a much lower price point. Along with the costs, keep in mind that some of these materials may be very heavy (especially an option like cast iron), so you may need to consult with an installation professional to make sure it will be safe in your space.

Carrying a single color scheme throughout a space makes it look very cohesive. And Michelle Woolley Sauter, principal designer and owner of One Coast Design, thinks color drenching has a place in bathrooms. She suggested this striking idea, explaining, "This bold approach involves painting the walls (flat), trim (semi-gloss), and ceiling (flat) all in the same color. The result? An immersive, cocoon-like space that feels both dramatic and serene. This technique allows you to play with more profound, more saturated hues for a moody elegance or softer shades for a dreamy ambiance."

When you choose a subtle, eye-pleasing shade, like a warm beige, it can be extremely elegant. Matching the wall and ceiling colors with the floor color can intensify the immersive feel even further. Or, if you want a bathroom that really stands out, choose a bold color. A bright or pastel color-drenched space makes for a cheerful bathroom, while a darker hue creates a moodier look. And as Sauter suggests, don't forget to consider the paint sheen (it's a common mistake to avoid when painting interiors). 

If color drenching with paint doesn't quite strike your fancy, there's another option. You can get a similar effect with tile instead. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Camilla Masi, interior designer at Otto Tiles & Design, shares with us, "We're seeing a development of the color drenching trend using plain-colored tiles for a floor-to-ceiling look. It's quite a statement look and encompasses cladding the bathroom floor, sides of your bath, or shower enclosure and walls in the same tile. It suits a smaller scale bathroom in my opinion, and I think for the mainstream market, could suit a guest suite."

This is one way to make a bold statement in a small bathroom, and it will cost less to tile smaller spaces if budget is a concern. Just like color drenching with paint, you have a number of tile colors to choose from, ranging from marbled white to turquoise green. And even better, there are tons of shape and design options to browse, too. You can select from square, rectangular, hexagonal, and even more intricate fish-scale or other mosaic tile shapes (for example, this Carrara Lantern Arabesque Mosaic Tile). Patterned tiles can add an explosion of color and intricate detail to your bathroom. Work with your tile installer to choose a suitable pick, keeping in mind that textured, slip-resistant, or smaller tiles are recommended for bathroom and shower floors as you need traction to prevent slips and falls.

Shower curtains can look outdated, but they don't have to be! While modern glass enclosures are popular, you can make your shower look just as stylish with the right curtain. Sauter suggested this renter-friendly update that can transform the look of the bathroom, saying, "Lean away from traditional glass enclosures and experiment with custom water-repellent fabrics for shower curtains. Selecting fabrics with fun patterns and textures, complete with drapery tiebacks, adds a touch of bespoke, practical, and captivating luxury. These curtains can echo the room's overall design, tying together colors and motifs for a cohesive yet individualistic touch."

This is a design idea that anyone can try, including renters who want to update the look of their bathroom without risking any damage. If you want a truly custom shower curtain, you can work with a local seamstress to create one from scratch. Otherwise, there are some companies that sell shower curtains you can customize by choosing from a wide range of prints and finishing touches. Pepper Home's custom shower curtains are available in an array of trendy fabrics and trim options like tassels and pom poms. Close to Custom Linens also has a variety of fabric choices, plus the option to completely customize orders. For added texture and dimension, you can use something like Zenna Home's Double Shower Curtain Rod to hang multiple curtains, creating layers of fabric. Once installed, add a curtain tieback (or two) for a luxurious finishing touch.

Archways never really go out of style. Even when they're not trending, the curved structure harkens back to Roman times and brings a sense of regalness and elegance. And there are so many ways to incorporate the shape in a bathroom, one of which is tiled archways. As Masi tells us, "Arches have been dominating interior architecture for a while now and it's something customers are very interested to explore. We have been designing tiled arched shower enclosures, which I think will be a trend that trickles down to the home decorator as it's a very simple idea that is quite transformative."

An arched shower enclosure is absolutely beautiful, but it's only one way to use this shape. You can also tile an arched nook and place a freestanding bathtub, bench, or storage unit within it. The tiles make the arch look cohesive with the rest of the bathroom, but you can opt for a painted or wallpapered surface if that's more your style. Lastly, if you're a renter and can't make any major changes, you can use an arched mirror or shelf. The BeautyPeak Arch Bathroom Mirror and Crofy Black Arched Frame Wall Shelf can get this eye-catching shape in your bathroom, without the need for a reno.

If you love the minimalist Scandi aesthetic but want to add a little more warmth, then the Japandi decor style is one to explore. This design style makes for a beautiful bathroom that's sleek but also has elements of coziness, incorporating wood and natural materials (with their inherent imperfections), characteristic of the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic. We spoke to Alanna Murray, an interior designer with Murray Craft Builders, for an exclusive interview. She explains, "The Japandi style is trending in bathrooms right now, and that is definitely influenced by luxury spas. Japandi is a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. We are installing vertical wood slat statement walls and Japanese soaking tubs." She says that clients are requesting textured walls using an ancient plastering technique as well as wooden and natural stone surfaces. 

If you like the look of minimalist modern bathrooms, but find them slightly cold or sterile, this is one alternative. It still has the sleek lines, unfussy finish, and clean and simple overall look, but with a feeling of warmth from natural touches, like a wood finish on cabinets or stone design elements. Earthy colors can also help bring an air of homeliness that all-white Scandinavian-style bathrooms can lack. If you're swapping out your vanity, a piece like the Ambra Bathroom Vanity in Nordic Oak by WS Bath Collections can give you this serene look. As for tile options, options like Bon Tile's Auburn Ribbon Wood Look Tile can help create this aesthetic while still providing the durability a bathroom demands.

This is one of the most luxurious and unique bathroom design ideas on this list. While saunas can look beautiful, this idea is also intended for comfort and wellness. Murray has noticed an uptick in sauna installations, explaining that they are working on two this year. She explains, "Our client in the West Village wants a small one for 1-2 people in their 3 bedroom apartment and we are building a much larger one for up to 6 people adjacent to a bathroom in a new pool house in upstate NY. For our NYC client, it is more about wellness and relaxation. For the upstate home, the priority is socialization and group wellness."

There's a lot to consider before installing a sauna in a bathroom. As Murray notes, first consider the desired use (is it a personal sauna for one or two people? Or a larger sauna for entertaining?), as well as the available space. Installation depends on your budget and renovation process, too. You can work with professionals to get a custom, built-in sauna. Or, you can order a sauna kit like the Dynamic Saunas Home Sauna to install as a freestanding structure in the bathroom. Consider if you want a glass door that allows natural light in, making it feel less closed-off. Also, think about placement. A sauna near your shower makes it easier to rinse off once you've had a good sweat.

A toilet closet provides an extra layer of privacy and is especially nice to have in busy, shared bathrooms. Murray outlines this growing trend and how they are implementing it. She explains, "We are seeing an increasing demand for separate toilet closets even outside the primary bathroom. For families who are sharing bathrooms, this is becoming a very important element for privacy and hygiene. We will typically try to install a pocket door to save space, sometimes with a frosted glass door to have privacy but still connect to the rest of the bathroom. Every project we are working on has at least one bathroom with a toilet closet."

With this type of bathroom design, someone can be using the toilet while another person uses the rest of the bathroom. Even when privacy isn't the issue, this is a nice way to hide the toilet from view. It can also be a positive for hygiene, keeping toilet smells and germs contained in one small room, separate from the rest of the bathroom. 

Choose between a more open, airy space or complete privacy at the flip of a switch with a smart glass partition. Smart glass looks like regular glass at first glance, but can be switched to a frosted tint with ease, using a switch, remote, or even a smartphone app. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Giovanni Scippo, Director at 3D Lines, recommends this distinctive and high-tech product. He says, "Smart glass partitions are changing how bathrooms look and function, making them a standout choice. With the ability to switch from clear to frosted at the press of a button, they're perfect for adding privacy when you need it while still keeping the space open and light. Unlike regular curtains or frosted glass, they offer a sleek, modern feel that blends into the room."

Smart glass is also easier to clean than textured glass or other furnishings like dividers or curtains. The product feels high-tech and is even possible to install in the shower, so you can have a modern clear glass shower, but with more privacy. A similar alternative is Smart Film. Unlike the glass, which comes as full panels that need to be installed, the film is designed to stick over existing glass panels. This is a more affordable alternative for those looking to retrofit the existing glass in their bathroom.