Contemporary design is all about simplicity – minimalist lines, streamlined fixtures, and uncluttered spaces – and one of the easiest ways to get the look is to think big. Traditional design is all about fine, intricate details and small, compartmentalized spaces, but a good contemporary decor throws all that out, opting for large, unbroken surfaces and near-invisible lines. Because your eye isn’t getting bogged down in the details, rooms with sleek, seamless features and fixtures feel larger and more open… and it’s a lot easier to pull off than you might think.
High contrast color schemes and large format tile are two hallmarks of a modern design, and this bathroom combines the two beautifully (by Quadrant Design Architects)Why It Works: This bathroom by Quadrant Design Architects looks effortlessly simple, but as with all things that seem easy, there’s a lot of thought and skill behind it that helps bring the look together. The large format tile is the star of the space, making the floor feel expansive (but with enough color variation from one tile to the next to keep it from looking like a solid slab), but contrasting it with tile in the same material but a different size, shape, and grout width is what really makes the look come together, keeping the dark slate from feeling monolithic. The bathroom also beautifully contrasts light and dark, with two adjacent walls and the floor/ceiling giving the room an asymmetrical but balanced look. The bathroom vanity also has minimalist seams and little ornamentation, helping it blend into the white wall, and the frameless shower enclosure is so perfectly transparent that it doesn’t interrupt the visual balance of the space. I also love the way the shape of the bathtub echoes the shape of the skylight (which incidentally adds plenty of natural light to the space by day and beautifully balances out the symmetry of the room by night!).
Get The Look: A lot of thought went into building this bathroom, but copying the style is much simpler. Just pair this large format Marbore tile with the same tile in a smaller size, add a modern white Ripley vanity, a white drop-in tub, and a nice shower system tucked behind either a single glass pane or a frameless shower enclosure, depending on how much you want to close off your shower.
Contemporary design is simple but not easy. When there isn’t much to distract the eye, every element matters, small details make a huge difference, and without ornamentation or accents, basic fixtures and features have to really pull their weight in terms of style. So if you’re considering a minimalist bathroom style, keep in mind that you might have fewer design choices to make, but each one will have a much bigger impact on your space.
