Renowned Canadian designers are sharing practical tips that shape modern bathroom design, from material choices to lighting strategies.
Material and Color Choices Create Cohesion
Designer Susan Jomha of Distinct Interior Design emphasizes treating bathrooms like any other living space, allowing bold finishes such as wallpaper paired with bead board or shiplap paneling. In a recent master suite, she selected a soft off‑white and greige palette, warmed by brushed brass fixtures, to achieve an understated sense of luxury.
Another project by Negar Reihani of Space Harmony showcases a single‑material approach. The parents’ ensuite on an upper level uses blue penny tiles throughout, a decision that draws the eye upward and highlights a sloped ceiling. She notes that the antique‑style bronze vanity legs provide a subtle reference to the home’s history.
The basement suite designed for teenage occupants pairs a deep‑blue vanity with brushed gold hardware and navy subway tiles. The result feels both polished and practical, proving that strong color statements can work even in less conventional locations.
Lighting and Fixtures Balance Function and Mood
Layered lighting appears in each showcase. In Jomha’s master suite, concealed shower lights, cove lighting above the tub, and backlit mirrors combine to create a spa‑like ambiance.
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Statement lighting, whether over the tub or as sconces beside the mirror, remains a must‑have element, according to designer Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating.
Reihani’s projects also feature strategic illumination. The glass shower in the upper‑level ensuite includes a bench by the window, allowing natural light to enhance the space. In the basement bathroom, recessed lighting accentuates the patterned floor and navy tiles, ensuring the room feels bright despite its location.
These design choices reflect a broader trend toward integrating functional lighting with aesthetic goals, moving beyond simple task illumination.
Beyond aesthetics, practical storage solutions appear throughout. The upstairs bathroom incorporates recessed medicine cabinets and wall‑to‑wall cabinetry tucked into the low end of the sloped ceiling, maximizing usable space without compromising the airy feel.
Similarly, the master suite’s vanity includes fluted detailing, adding depth while providing ample storage. The combination of sleek hardware and thoughtful organization highlights the importance of balancing form and function.
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Designers also stress the value of customizing fixtures to match the overall theme. Brushed brass, gold, and bronze finishes are selected to complement the surrounding color schemes, creating a cohesive visual language.
Each project treats bathrooms as integral parts of a home’s interior narrative, rather than isolated utility rooms.
For homeowners, a bathroom can reflect personal taste as fully as a living room or bedroom.
A well‑lit, thoughtfully stored bathroom not only enhances daily routines but also adds lasting value to the property.
All three designers highlight that attention to detail—from tile selection to fixture finish—can raise a bathroom from ordinary to distinctive, aligning with modern living expectations.
