Interiors

How To Design A Bathroom With Just The Right Amount Of Character

Bathrooms are among those spaces in the home where your design choices feel a bit more ‘permanent’.

This isn’t to say you can’t change them up later on — that is always an option — but rather, they’re not as straightforward to ‘switch up’ as, say, rearranging the furniture in the lounge.

Striking the perfect balance between timelessness and a space that feels undeniably ‘you’ is therefore all the more important.

Someone who effortlessly achieves this in her projects is interior designer Shelby Lenehan. Above, she’s created a moodboard for a warm, character-filled bathroom, and below, she shares her top tips for re-creating this vibe at home with some of her top picks from our Design Directory.

Written
by
Shelby Lenehan
Writer
Shelby Lenehan
12th of March 2026

Bathrooms are some of my favourite spaces to design. Below, I share the five styling tips I always return to when creating these rooms.

Be confident with your ‘bold’ feature. Once the space is complete, you will regret the things you did to play it ‘safe’. This could be as simple as a stand-out bathroom vanity bench top in a beautiful finish like Artedomus’ Travertine Cruvera.

Design your space for you. Everything dates eventually and a space that feels unique to you will last much longer than an all-white-home designed to suit the masses.

Choose warm hues. Homes should feel calm, inviting and cosy, it shouldn’t feel like a dental clinic (unless that is the feeling you are going for). I love colours like At the Drive In and Dawn Patrol by Tint — neutrals with a bit more character.

Find the piece (or pieces) that you feel an emotional connection to, and design the space around that. It could be an artwork, a favourite tile, or a beautiful hook for your towels — inspiration can come from anywhere!

Find the character moments and maintain them. Character creates charm in our communities and tells a story, stripping that away is slowly creating mundane cities.

Additional moodboard credits (from left): Towel by Baina. Bulbosa Pedestal by Szilvassy. Art by Loom by Rose.Trim Mirror by ELLISON STUDIOS. Ferm Living Cairn Hooks from Design Stuff

Want to see more? Visit The Design Directory to discover our top picks in flooring, furniture, lighting, tiles, paint and more!

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