41 Master Bathroom Ideas March 5, 2023 – Posted in: Design, Lifestyle – Tags: ,

The master bathroom or primary bathroom is the most significant bathroom in the home, a functional space that does double duty as a place to escape the business in other areas in the house and offer a spa-like sanctuary. An ensuite master bathroom should work in connection with the master bedroom and possess something unique that the other bathrooms in the home don’t have; whether that means a luxurious soaker tub, a makeup vanity, a stunning chandelier, his and her showers, bold patterned tile, or whatever else makes it feel unique, stylish, and elegant to you.

Take a look at these design-worthy master bathrooms created to fit a range of styles and tastes. We hope that these will inspire you with some ideas about how to tackle your own master bathroom refresh or renovation.

Bright White with a Bit of Grey

A gray and white-toned bathroom is a lovely choice when you have hardwood flooring. The all-white sink design emphasizes an excellent gray color with the cabinets. You can take things a degree further with a beautiful mirror that matches the sink, adding more layers of brilliance to the room. The use of white towels within the cabinet shelves aids in this look, along with the white planter on the sink. With that hint of green, the room is given yet another layer that glows.

grey bathroom cabinetry with hardwood floor walk in shower folded white towels in open cabinetry
Photo Credit: Tracy Lynn Studio
Stunning bathroom features separate gray washstands topped with carrera marble under Global Views Governor's Palace Mirrors flanking gray storage cabinets. Grey master bathroom boasts a marble clad tub next to a seamless glass shower.
Photo Credit: River Spencer

Add the Farmhouse Touch

Give farmhouse style an extraordinary twist with a unique master bathroom design. With the bathtub design, wooden ceiling, and dark floor layout, farmhouse tastes are undoubtedly alive and well here.  However, an industrial edge is also thrown in with the double vanity. Exposed pipes give this master bathroom a more unique vibe that farmhouse doesn’t usually have. This is a great way to combine styles, making something with a more distinguished character in the end. Using mirrors as a way to fill up some blank wall space is excellent, too, as the mirrors don’t detract from the rest of the décor.

farmhouse style master bathroom with free standing tub rustic mat pedestal chrome his and her sinks with mirrors
Photo Credit: Home Adore

Country Serenity

This pretty setup will bring a freewheeling and traditional country touch to your master bathroom. The bathroom is positively clean and appealing to look at. The use of white throughout is an ideal way to bring the theme together, largely thanks to the windows that add in some enchanting natural lighting. Plus, even the windows welcome the country style. The easy addition of the lone flower adds a nice pop of color to the room without going overboard.

country white bathroom master cabinetry with double vanity and large window
Photo Credit: HGTV

Add a Touch of Masculinity

In this modernly styled master bathroom, civilization speaks volumes. This leans darker in terms of tone in an unexpected fashion, giving the whole room a more masculine vibe. This bathroom has a chicness that will impress anyone with dark blue walls, contrasting wood cabinets, and lighter floors. Meanwhile, the modern light fixtures capture attention, including the contrasting rug and even the little pops of green with the greenery.

Brown and blue master bath features a L shaped dual washstand in brown veneer accented with a black quartz waterfall edge on a blue wall.
Photo Credit: Krista and Home

Get Creative with Art

If you love art, create yourself a creatively designed master bathroom. These sinks and countertops are unique with a contemporary touch. Everything looks bright and clean as well, from the light wooden cabinets to the uncomplicated gray-toned countertops. They bounce nicely off the white walls, and all of it is drawn together with a pair of gorgeous paintings hanging on the wall in the center. Nothing else is needed outside the charming little greenery on the sink used as extra décor.

modern art in master bathroom with wood vanities stool to sit on white walls and marble countertops
Photo Credit: Heather Bullard

Spa Like Atmosphere

When you walk into a master bathroom, you are going to want that feeling of being transported to a serene spa — a place of ultimate peace and relaxation, so give yourself a space that says and feels just that. Light grays and whites are always a classic choice for a master bath, and you really can’t go wrong with a soft natural color scheme.

Luxurious master bathroom features a marble hexagon floor tiles leading towards a a light gray built-in window seat topped with a white cushion. The windows seat is flanked by light gray his and hers washstands.
Photo Credit: Erin Gates

Treat Yourself to a Free Standing Tub

There’s nothing like immersing yourself in a relaxing bath at the end of a long day so make sure that your master bathroom is equipped with a comfy yet elegant tub. Free-standing tubs are great additions to master bathrooms. Free-standing tubs are easily placed in the room because you don’t need to rely on a wall.

Contemporary master bathroom designed with a bow window bathtub nook tiled with blue glass and a polished nickel tub filler.
Photo Credit: MMI Design
Gold lattice drum pendant above a vintage oval tub fitted with a polished nickel gooseneck faucet on a white and gray marble floor.
Photo Credit: Mindy Gayer

If you have a big window in your master bath, don’t be afraid to perch your free-standing tub right in front. You can soak your worries away and let all that natural light pour in.

Freestanding oval tub under arched windows in a transitional master bathroom boasting a bathtub bench atop marble floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Landmark Building

There are a lot of possibilities for free-standing tubs, and you can either choose one to fit your style or one to style your master bathroom renovation around. Traditional clawfoot tubs with a conventional faucet look great in traditional or country-style bathrooms, while contemporary designs can make a modern bathroom look like a million bucks.

Free-Standing-Tub-Black-39304
Photo Credit: Jessica Helgerson Design

There are a few elements about freestanding tubs you have to be ready to commit to. For starters, they’re extremely heavy. Free-standing tubs are much heavier than built-in ones, so keep that in mind during installation, and when you fill it up with water — you may need to reinforce the floor. Also, there are no shelves for storage in a freestanding tub, so you’ll either have to find a tub tray or bring your soap with you every time.

A lucite and brass chandelier lights a black and white cast iron bathtub placed on black and white hexagon floor tiles and paired with a floor mount chrome tub filler. The tub filler is mounted in front of black framed windows, while stacked feather art in black frames is hung behind the bathtub.
Photo Credit: Hendel Homes

Related: Design For The Romantic: Bathtubs In The Bedroom

Don’t Forget About Doors

When decorating and designing, we tend to focus so much on what’s inside that we forget about the outside. Don’t waste an opportunity to get creative with the master bath and do something really unique and adventurous with your doors. Because the master bathroom is inside your bedroom, you have more freedom to play with different styles and types of doors — doors that you normally wouldn’t use on a guest bathroom or main floor bath.

These antique bi-fold doors are a bold and rustic choice, but they totally make this master bath a stunning vintage masterpiece. They complement so nicely with the chandelier.

Antique bi-fold doors open to a master bathroom boasting a modern gray cast iron bathtub placed against a shiplap shower wall and lit by a chandelier hung from a white plank barrel ceiling.
Photo Credit: Marie Flanigan

Sliding barn doors are an excellent choice for a master bathroom and add a lovely display of farmhouse character.

A blue mullion door on rails opens to an en suite master bathroom.
Photo Credit: Brandon Architects
Bi-fold white doors on rails open to a master bathroom lit by a Chandelier hung over an elegant freestanding bathtub placed on white herringbone pattern floor tiles beside accent table and beneath a window.
Photo Credit: Pineapple Palms

These rustic salvaged wood doors add a lovely natural, earthy contrast to the entrance of this master bathroom from the rest of the bedroom. These might just be my favorite!

Master bath features salvaged wood doors on rails off a bedroom with a gray bed and tan and white bedding.
Photo Credit: Kelsey Leigh Design Co

Get Cozy with a Fireplace

I know a fireplace is not something you would typically think of in a bathroom, but it can warm up your bathroom space and bring some serious cozy vibes. Fireplaces are grand for the winter when you want to kick back and relax in the warm glow of a fire, and there’s nothing like relaxing in the bathroom after a long day — plus, adding a fireplace to the bathroom brings in a ton of character and charm.

Modern oval tub in front of a black fireplace surrounded by a board and batten wall in a master bathroom design.
Photo Credit: Kaite Campbell Interiors
Elegant master bathroom is fitted with a fireplace boasting a gray marble surround framed by a whtie mantel fixed beneath a small TV. The TV is fixed to a wainscot wall facing a cherrywood bath vanity donning vintage hardware and a honed marble countertop
Photo Credit: M and M Interior Design

Pop of Color

Don’t forget to add a pop of color if you want to add some personality and charm to your master bathroom space. This bright blue totally warms up this space and makes it bright, cheery, and all-around fun while still keeping a classy and elegant look.

White and blue cottage bathroom boasts a blue dual washstand placed on charcoal gray herringbone floor tiles and fitted with shelves holding woven bins. The washstand is accented with polished nickel cup pulls and polished nickel faucets fixed beneath curved nickel mirrors. The mirror are hung over white staggered backsplash tiles and mounted to white shiplap under glass and nickel conical sconces.
Photo Credit: Marea Clark Interiors

While light bathrooms have been long been the traditional choice for bathrooms, you may want your master bathroom to have a little more personality, character, color, or contrast. There are many ways to make this look work and establish on your taste; you could put together a truly remarkable combination.

Bathroom features a Serena and Lily Montara mirror mounted on colorful floral wallpaper over a reclaimed wood floating washstand.
Photo Credit: Digs Design Company

 You can add color through wallpaper, paint, your bathroom elements such as vanities and cupboards, or even just small little pops of color through decor accents and mirrors.

Use Mirrors to Maximize the Space

If you want your master bathroom to appear larger than life, enlist the help of some mirrors. By adding in large mirrors, you can make any space appear larger than it is, and in this bathroom here, we can see the designer opted for large mirror panels to cover a ton of square footage. The mirrors bounce the light around, which helps with the bathroom’s overall feel and creates an optical illusion.

Glam white master bathroom featuring pops of pink for soft accents invites a chic appeal. Off white double washstand with a white quartz countertop and a paneled vanity mirror completed with a gray marble hexagon floor creates a well designed and timless space.
Photo Credit: Amanda Reynal Interiors

Designated Makeup Spot

The best spot for a place to do makeup is in the master bathroom so if you have room for it, make sure you lay out a spot specifically to apply your makeup. It will be the best decision you’ll ever make!

Elegant white master bathroom boasts light taupe wainscot walls and an animal print vanity stool placed at a marble top drop-down makeup vanity flanked by white washstands with marble countertops.
Photo Credit: Lee Owens Design

Add the Chic

A uniquely created contemporary master bathroom can benefit from some relaxed chic thrown in. The bathtub is bold and encased with the modern brick style around it. This gives it its own little area while still keeping it centered in the bathroom. It all leads effortlessly into the shower area, further highlighting the relaxed brick style. Utilizing the dark gray tones is practical as well since this provides some good flow along with the darker wooden floors and lighter-colored walls.

large master bathroom with dark grey subway tile surround walk in shower free standing tub
Photo Credit: HGTV

Cottage Chic

When it comes to master bathroom design ideas, the cottage style is always a lovely way to go if you want something that’s comfortable and restful. This design is plenty brilliant, thanks to the use of white throughout. The all-white sink, offset slightly with the hardware, proudly stands out. Along with that, the white mirrors have some beautiful weathering applied to them that tips more into the cottage-like theme.

cottage style bathroom with navy shiplap farmhouse lights double vanity
Photo Credit: Seabrooks Style

Formal Style

You can’t go wrong with the black and white style for a more formal and traditional approach to your master bathroom design. Black mirrors for the vanities provide a more daring look, while the black hardware stands out against the white cabinets. With that said, the marble applied to the countertop effortlessly connects the black and white style. You can follow up with all this by adding in some cute black or white accent pieces on the countertop and placing practical décor that animates the space more.

White glass and brass sconces are mounted flanking a black French vanity mirror hung over a white bath vanity fitted with a slatted shelf, brass hardware, and an aged brass faucet kit. The washstand sits on taupe and black geometric floor tiles beside a white porcelain toilet fixed under a black and white art piece.
Photo Credit: Blakely Interior Design

Enhance Light with Glass Shower Doors

There are a number of ways that glass shower doors enhance master bathroom designs. The highly reflective nature of a glass panel can make the room feel much brighter. If your master bathroom suffers from being too dark, glass shower doors are a great choice to fill the space with a bit of extra reflected light. Also, they make the shower feel like part of the room without being cordoned off by a shower curtain.

Spacious marble bathroom features his and hers robe hooks over a woven basket on gray marble tiles and a walk in shower with clear partition.
Photo Credit: Croma Design
Bathroom features a marble walk in shower with a marble and teak accent table and honed marble hexagon shower floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Alison Giese Interiors
Bathroom features a marble shower with his and hers shower heads, a clear partition and a vintage radiator.
Photo Credit: LC Interiors

Related: 43 Walk-In Shower Ideas To Upgrade Your Bathroom

Go Big with a Large Master Bath Shower

Along with glass shower doors, large master bathroom showers are a fashionable trend that has been around for a few years. Lots of glass and tile, multiple showerheads, and built-in benches are favored features of these large showers.

Modern bathroom design features a black marble walk in shower with his and hers shower heads, an antique brass towel warmer and black hexagon floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Ashe Leandro

It’s essential that your master bathroom shower looks like a trendy and stylish space and not like a football locker room shower. It’s best to avoid plain white tile and nickel fixtures. Consider using floor inlays, premium light fixtures, and a high-end glass shower surround. Channeling a sophisticated look from another country can also improve the look of your master bathroom. This bathroom here has gone with a Morrocan look and feel, giving it distinct character and style. 

Moroccan style master bathroom features an open shower clad in ivory and cream tiles framing marble mosaic accent tiles and flanked by Moroccan style doors.
Photo Credit: Brooks and Falotico
arch window walk in shower with large chandelier and tub in front
Photo Credit: The Studio Entourage

Incorporate Light Marble

There’s no element in a master bath that can go as far or be used in more ways than light marble. It’s been trendy for so long, and we don’t see it disappearing any time soon. It can be used on the floor to create a stunning, clean area. It can also find itself sitting atop a dark sink vanity to create a smooth surface that reflects light and is uncomplicated to maintain. If finances allow, marble tile on the walls makes a fantastic impression, making your master bathroom feel like a five-star spa.

Frosted glass double doors open to an en suite master bathroom boasting a marble tiled floor and a brass cigar table placed beside a catty corner freestanding bathtub.
Photo Credit: Casey Howard Design

Unlike some other stones or ceramic tiles, marble has a more delicate, softer touch, so it’s fantastic for the showers, sinks, and surfaces you’ll touch frequently. Marble will feel relaxing and inviting instead of cold and harsh.

You can use marble in so many ways — inlays, mosaics, and large format tiles, all of which can bring light, style, and texture to a master bathroom. Take a few styling cues from some of the master bathroom ideas that appeal to you and try to include them in your bathroom renovation.

Placed on a marble floor and matched with an antique brass wall mount tub filler, a freestanding bathtub is located in front of a marble wainscot wall lined with a marble chair rail. A styled marble floating shelf is fixed above the bathtub.
Photo Credit: Anne Chessin Designs
Master bath features gold, black and gray bookmatched marble on a wall placed over a matching marble clad bathtub illuminated by an atom chandelier.
Photo Credit: Krista Home
Master bathroom bay windows are partially framed by a gray marble slab backsplash and are positioned over an oval freestanding bathtub with a polsihed nickel floor mount tub filler fixed against marble hexagon floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Melanie Morris Design

Contemporary Designs Create for a Bathroom You’ll Love

If you prefer neat, straight lines, matte surfaces, and a minimalist color palette for your master bathroomcontemporary is your style. These bathrooms are positively functional but straightforward in design. Cabinet doors are generally flat-paneled, surfaces are typically solid in color, and any moldings and trim work are held to a minimum.

Brass and glass cylinder sconces mounted to a blue wall flank a brass framed inset medicine cabinet fixed above a blue washstand. The washstand dons aged brass knobs and an aged brass faucet fixed to a marble countertop under a marble shelf mounted against a marble backsplash.
Photo Credit: Amie Corley

If contemporary is your preferred design, you can figure out how to incorporate the look into your master bathroom by shopping at stores like IKEA for cabinetry, as many of their designs are distinctly contemporary and modern. You can use their pieces as is or tailor them with a DIY touch to suit other contemporary touches in your master bathroom. 

black wall vertical shiplap around a curved shower walk in with glass doors
Photo Credit: Heidi Caillier Design
square white tile in walk in shower gold shower kit with marble bench black frame window in shower black frame glass doors
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Dinkel Design
A gorgeous trestle ceiling accents a bathroom boasting a skylight located over a marble clad drop-in bathtub fixed to white and gray marble mosaic floor tiles against a marble tiled wall. A large niche is located about the tub.
Photo Credit: Cameron Design

Quick Tips for Adding Luxury

The master bath is a common place to add luxury and elegance. Creating a spa-like environment in the master bath is most homeowners’ common goal. Here are some quick tips to help you achieve that goal.

  1. Incorporate soft textiles

    Soft textiles such as luxurious towels and linens instantly elevate the room and give off a rich hotel vibe.

  2. Dim the lights

    If you can install a dimmer switch so that you can adjust lighting as the mood calls for it.

  3. Make it smell beautiful

    When luxury comes to mind, pleasant smells are part of that feeling. You can use oil diffusers, candles, or plug-in scents.

  4. Upgrade your shower head

    If your shower head is dated and tired, a new shower head can totally elevate the room and give you a spa-like experience at home.

  5. Add flowers and greenery

    Flowers and greenery are great decor fillers and can add some much need luxury.

  6. Gather toiletries on a tray

    Rather than just placing toiletries and accessories on the counter, place them on a high-end-looking tray. This will act as decor and give your countertop depth and luxury.

  7. Add seating

    Add luxury benches or chairs to your master bath if you have room.

  8. Use a tub tray

    A tub tray is an excellent piece of decor that can elevate your space and give off a serene spa-like vibe.

An art deco chandelier hangs from a gray coffered ceiling over a gray tufted ottoman placed in an elegant bathroom on marble parquet-style floor tiles. An art deco vanity mirror is mounted above a light gray washstand finished with a white and gray marble waterfall countertop lit by marble sconces. Ivory curtains hang from a window located over a marble rectangular bathtub.
Photo Credit: Chandos Interiors

FAQ’s

What is something that every master bathroom should have?

While there are no hard and fast rules regarding the master bathroom, an ultimate must is obviously hot and cold water — that is practically speaking, of course. Still, when it comes to design and style, elements like a double vanity are not only practical but a beautiful addition to a master bath. A walk-in shower and free-standing tub are also considered outstanding elements to include.

What do I do if I have a small master bath?

If you’re working with limited space, it’s ideal to have wall-mounted items in your bathroom to free up floor space and not bulk down the room. You can get wall-mounted vanities and even toilets to keep floor space free and make the room feel larger. Avoid painting your bathroom dark or bold colors so as not to confine the space.

What do luxury master bathrooms have?

If it’s luxury you’re after in the master bath, elements such as marble and granite always lean to the luxurious look and feel. Whether you use these finishes on walls, floors, or countertop’s, these two materials instantly add a rich touch of elegance and will withstand the test of time.

What is a decent size master bathroom?

A small master bathroom is 5×8 or 40 square feet, whereas the typical average is anywhere between 40 square feet-100 square feet. A large master bathroom can go upwards of 110-200 square feet and beyond.

Does a master bathroom have to have a bathtub?

To sum it up, you do not need a tub in your master bathroom. You can certainly install one if that is your preference, but it’s unnecessary. Just keep in mind that if you want to renovate before selling your home, it’s recommended that you have at least one bathtub.

For ideas and inspiration on your bathroom makeover, check out Denzilla’s items suh as the Mobel Oak collection, and the minimal Nordic collection

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