14 Modern & Trendy Bathroom Renovation Ideas in 2023
A home renovation is an exciting endeavour that you look forward to no matter how big or small your house is. In most cases, bathrooms are usually small, and the general consensus is that there are not a lot of design options for such a small space.
Most people tend to overlook the bathroom during the renovation process or leave it right till the end. On the contrary, there exist many different ways, ideas, and tricks that you can employ to give your bathroom a fresh new look, making it look stylish and modern. Some of them do not even take up much renovation cost, or at all! We share some of our bathroom renovation ideas and hope to inspire you to create your own dream bathroom with the following ideas.
Scandinavian-Themed Bathroom Design
Scandinavian design can be considered one of the trending design options for bathrooms, regardless of their size, in recent years. Since a Scandinavian design translates to a simple and decluttered environment that is focused on practical form and function, it is well suited for a bathroom interior.
In such a configuration, the whole design must be simplistic yet aesthetically pleasing; with clean lines, curves and a mix of colours that enhances the textures and details of the furnishings. Without any unnecessary decorations, extra things are kept tucked away in the storage cabinets so that there are minimum elements visible on the surface for any distraction.
The colours used in the bathroom are usually light, wood, pastel, and cool shades – you can choose to be bolder and go for greys and black for a dose of drama. White goes extremely well with warm wooden tones and textures, as well as black accessories or brassware for stunning contrast and a modern edge.
Mirrors and glass partitions can be used to enhance and create a light and airy bathroom design. They help to reflect light, making the space feel brighter and larger than it actually is, which work especially well for smaller HDB bathrooms with limited space.
Such a design has been implemented in the following image of a bathroom renovated by us at Swiss Interior. The colours used in the design are white, beige, and more organic tones, perfect for creating a spa-like ambience. Space is kept decluttered by utilizing the storage area underneath the sink. The overall outlook is that of a clean, stylish, and elegant bathroom.
A Scandinavian Themed Bathroom at BLK 167C Simei Lane
Adding Mid-Century Modern Style
For a classical and architectural feel of the mid-nineteenth century, the Mid-Century Modern interior style can be integrated into your bathroom for a unique, chic, and trendy aesthetic. This interior design style is very flexible and easy to personalize with various decorative accents, which is why it is chosen as the interior design style for many modern homes today.
Vintage yet modern, it can be simple or complex, depicted through the usage of geometric shapes, clean lines, natural light, and patterns that were trending during that era. There is no excessive ornamentation and decoration in the Mid-Century Modern style, with the focus placed on balance and function. A distinct trait of this design style is an open floor plan, where spaciousness and mobility are encouraged. This is especially beneficial for smaller homes that have limited space, like HDBs and Condos, as the open layout makes the bathroom interior look much larger than it is. It also allows the different areas of the home to blend seamlessly with each other.
You can experiment with colours and complement your preferred palettes but avoid being overly lively with your selections as you may lose the style. Opting for off-white and peach colours along with flooring that offers a wooden outlook allows you to accentuate the mid-century feel. White subway tiling with simple geometric outlines is a popular choice that goes well with wooden cabinetry for a stylish pairing.
You can even look for the style of sinks, bathtubs, faucets, uniquely framed mirrors and bathroom light fixtures from that era and incorporate them in your bathroom. These include pendant lights, chandeliers, wall sconces and lamps that fit well with the theme. The windows should allow the maximum amount of natural light to flow into the house to perfect the Mid-Century look. You can add a few modern accessories and furnishings of varying heights to add a sense of depth to this design style.
Transit Road, 1 Bedder Condominium
A Little Modern Industrial Flavour
Have you ever taken notice of those pesky HDB sewage pipes in your bathrooms? They can be a very unsightly element in any bathroom and an unattractive presence that makes or breaks your dream toilet! While they cannot be removed, fret not because clever planning of carpentry or even paint can solve your problem!
If you fancy Industrial Design for your home, you can incorporate the design into your bathroom. Alternatively, if your bathroom is a little old and you have all kinds of exposed pipes showing up on the walls, then an Industrial Design theme is for you.
With only some alteration, you can transform your bathroom to give it the ruggedness and sophistication of a Modern Industrial look. Paint the pipes in matte black colour to achieve this effect. A dark paint job would partially conceal the sewage pipes and make it more seamless with the entire design! On the other hand, if you are going for a more minimalistic outlook, do consider boxing these pipes up with carpentry for that clean, flushed look.
Complement it by installing metallic lighting fixtures, modern sinks, faucets, and toilet seats. The result will be a perfect amalgamation of a raw industrial look and a modern touch.
A similar design theme has been applied in the following bathroom of an HDB maisonette interior design project renovated by us. Notice how the black pipes beautifully complement the classy sink and toilet seat to produce a perfect balance between industrial and modern. The recessed lighting under the cabinet also adds a trendy and contemporary touch.
A View of a Bathroom at BLK 788 Woodlands Executive HDB Mansionette
Minimalism
For a crisp and streamlined outlook, you may choose to go for a minimalistic approach for your bathroom. Focusing on only the essentials, think of cool surfaces, clean lines and simple shapes for a timeless style that creates harmony in the interior. It means decluttering the space as much as possible with the use of cabinetry and shelving to achieve a clutter-free, sleek-lined look. Instead of toiletries being displayed on the surface, tuck them away in drawers and cabinets to reveal a clean and open space that is devoid of clutter.
White is the colour to go for any minimalist bathroom, big or small if you aim for elegance and beauty in the space. You can add white bathroom fixtures and white tiles for the walls or flooring. If you think that that would create too much of a white appearance, you can incorporate accents of different colours or textures for added dimension and contrast.
Choose simple tiles with geometric patterns and neutral colours to give an elegant projection. This gives a modern look to the bathroom and adds character to it. You can add a backsplash to the sink in light grey colours or tiles of different patterns. The floor tiles can also be of textured grey colour. Adding a couple of wooden elements such as a stool or a cabinet can add the perfect finishing touch to an otherwise crisp white bathroom design.
Black and White Theme
A black and white theme for the bathroom looks chic and classy, a universally appealing colour combination that will never go out of fashion. In terms of design and patterns, there are plenty of options depending on your preferences.
You can choose to go for a dominant white theme for your bathroom and add black accents to it, like utilizing black grout in the installation of white subway tiles to give the bathroom interior a crisp contrast. Adding monochromatic patterned tiles on the floor or on the walls creates a striking harmony of style that leaves a lasting impression. Black bathroom accessories and brassware contrast boldly against a white backdrop that turns the bathroom into a chic, urban interior.
A Bathroom at Tampines, 4 Room BTO Flat
Freestanding Bathtubs
For a touch of luxury and style to any bathroom, consider opting for a freestanding bathtub. A great source of relaxation, they work especially well if you have a bigger bathroom space, although bathtub models are now readily available in different shapes and sizes to suit your needs and preferences.
The freestanding bathtub can be of any shape. Traditionally they tend to be oval, but now you may choose to have a round or rectangular bathtub to match the style of your bathroom interior! This will further enhance the image of the bathroom while making it look more elegant and modern. When combined with dark-coloured floor tiles or wooden flooring, it adds that extra touch of exquisiteness and dimension to the design. You can place a small table or step ladder beside the bathtub and place towels and toiletries on it. Finish it off with a planter on the top to create a beautiful and elegant bathroom.
A Touch of Nature
One of the easiest ways in which you can transform the appearance of your bathroom is to add plants. Plants add a touch of freshness and excitement, uplifting the outlook of any room whether it is the living room, bedroom, or even the bathroom. Besides the decorative visual aspect, some plants even have air-purifying qualities. They add a natural vibrance and organic feel to the bathroom.
A flower pot or small planters help in meshing the indoors and outdoors in a beautiful harmony of balance and nature. Plant pots can be placed on the sink, in the shower area, on window sills, or in cabinets. You can even set a small stool or table in one corner of the bathroom and place a planter on it.
The next image shows a bathroom of a 4-room HDB interior design project renovated by us, planters have been hung on a wall behind the bathtub. Notice how the plants complete the look of the wooden textured wall together with white fixtures, they add a touch of excitement and visual interest to the bathroom. In the absence of the plants, the bathroom would have appeared quite clinical and dull.
Read more: 3-Room HDB Interior Design Ideas to Make Your Home Look Spacious
A Beautiful Bathroom at 115A Alkaff Crescent
Tiles, Textures and Patterns
Another way in which you can spice up your bathroom during your renovation is to use different coloured and patterned tiles for the walls of the bathroom. Although most designers advocate for simple tiles of light or neutral colours, dark and bold coloured tiles with patterns and textures are also trending these days.
Dark patterns on tiles help increase the depth of the bathroom thus making it appear bigger in size. You can use monochrome patterns on tiles or choose Spanish tiles with bright coloured patterns. Using tiles that offer continuous texture also helps in adding space to a small bedroom.
You can use bohemian patterned tiles, monochrome tiles, solid-coloured tiles, or even tiles that are not necessarily square-shaped. Of course, you do not want the tiles to overwhelm the bathroom and appear too overcrowded or loud. You can choose to have rows of textured or patterned tiles while keeping the remaining tiles simple. Another way is to choose to use patterned tiles for one wall and keep the other walls and flooring plain.
An example of such a design can be seen in the following photo of a bathroom renovation done by us at Swiss Interior. Notice in the image how hexagonal tiles of different colours, patterns, and designs have been used to cover the bathroom wall which makes the overall theme of the bathroom appear a mix of bohemian, contemporary, and trendy.
A Beautiful Bathroom Wall at Tampines Street 21
With so many different styles and types of tiles in the market these days, spice up your dream bathroom designs by mixing these choices up! For additional texture, you may want to go for Peranakan or mosaic tile fixtures.
These come in many different shapes and sizes, colours and designs and can be mixed and matched for even more contrast! Instead of the conventional subway tiles, you may consider using vinyl tiles to line your bathroom walls instead!
These come in wooden and natural shades and add a smooth natural element to your bathroom walls. While experimenting with different textures, it helps to adhere to colour contrast palettes to ensure that there is consistency in the overall design at the end of the day.
Swiss interior Blk 88 Jellicoe Road 2 Bedder Condo
Lighting
Lighting is another important aspect of interior design for bathrooms. Modern lighting helps to enhance the bathroom’s style and elegance when used together with the other elements of the bathroom design, bringing out the best features of the space.
You have to consider a lot of factors regarding lighting. For example, what kinds of lights to use, which light fixtures to use, the placement of the light fixtures in correspondence with the bathroom windows, and other factors. Skylights are a popular choice for bathrooms as they mimic the natural light and adds visual elegance to any bathroom.
Changing or modifying the lighting of a bathroom can immediately enhance its appearance. If you are short on budget and cannot afford to completely renovate the bathroom, you can choose to add some recessed, accent lightings and completely transform your bathroom interior.
Consider the following image of a bathroom in a 5-room HDB interior design project by Swiss Interior. Recessed lighting has been installed underneath the cabinet, which gives a completely royal and chic look to the bathroom.
A Bathroom at BLK 561 ANG MO KIO Ave 10, 5 Room HDB
Reduce your Storage Areas
Avoid the urge to add a lot of storage areas, compartments, or shelves in the bathroom. They will just congest the bathroom area which already is quite limited in space in most cases when it comes to HDB BTOs, Resale Flats or Condominiums. Under the sink shelves and overhead cabinets further make the appearance of a bathroom smaller.
You just need a small number of necessary items for the bathroom, so keeping a lot of cabinets is just a waste of space. Besides, if there are no cabinets, you can add stylish and modern floating sinks and cabinets. They will increase the visual appearance of the bathroom. It will look decluttered and much more spacious.
Separating your vanity – sink and tap, from the standard washing closet and shower area by moving it outside of your bathrooms are a possible structural change that can turn out to be more aesthetically pleasing. This opens the space in the toilets giving you extra room for that desired resort feel.
Instead of adding storage shelves and cabinets, focus on increasing the functionality aspects of the bathroom. You can fit your washer and dryer in one corner of the bathroom. You can specify a separate area of the bathroom vanity space. Alternatively, you can add two small sinks and their corresponding mirrors in the bathroom to make sharing much easier.
Twin Waterfalls, 3 Bedder Condominium
Glass Doors
Glass doors add elegance and beauty to any room. This is especially true in the case of a bathroom which often in times can be lacking in space. Using sleek and stylish glass doors can help increase the visual space of the bathroom, giving it a modern and chic makeover.
You can choose to use a glass screen to segregate the bath area from the rest of the bathroom interior while keeping visual connectivity. Apart from glass doors being seamless, durable, and easy to clean, they help to reduce splattering of water out of the shower area and all over the place!
You can even add a glass enclosure on top of the bathtub which also gives a trendy look. Some people even use glass doors and walls for bathrooms attached to the bedroom. The transparent nature of glass doors helps in making the bathroom look much more spacious but obviously compromises on privacy.
Grandeur Park, 2 Bedder Condominium
Wall Mounts
A current trend in modern bathrooms is the use of wall mounts for various bathroom elements instead of traditionally installing them on the floor. These consist of the toilet, sink, cabinetry, and shelving. When these elements are mounted on the walls, more floor space is made available which opens up the bathroom and make it appear more spacious and appealing. It becomes easier to clean underneath them as they are elevated from the floor. The incorporation of wall mounts gives a very fresh, clean, and contemporary appearance to the bathroom space, achieving a modern minimalist look.
Jalan Hari Raya, 2 Storey Terrace House
Simple Decor
It’s all about the small minor details, they can make a whole lot of difference and give an instant elevation to your bathroom space. Adding simple and small decor items will improve the overall look of your bathroom interior. Start with your common toiletries like toothbrush holders, soap dispensers and even cotton pads, transferring them from their original packaging into minimal or aesthetic containers will make the bathroom more polished and put-together. A fun way to incorporate texture and colour is adding an area rug or bathmat on the floor.
Wooden or concrete elements give an earthly appeal to any interior. Avoid using bright or bold coloured accessories or towels if you are unsure. Go for light or neutral colours such as white, beige, or grey. Place small flowerpots or plants on the counters or shelving to bring the outdoors in and give an organic feel to the bathroom space.
Pasir Ris HDB Executive Resale Flat
Mirrors
Mirrors are a focal point of any bathroom interior. Choosing the right mirror and playing them strategically can drastically change its appearance and give an illusion of a bigger space even in a small bathroom.
Using full-length mirrors in the place of walls in the bathroom will give the visual appearance of a bathroom almost double in size than the actual space, creating a grand visual impact and a real wow factor. A sense of drama and visual interest is incorporated as you go bigger with mirrors. It also adds convenience to your daily preparations, it allows you to view your whole body before heading outside.
A round mirror can create a trendy yet timeless finish to your bathroom design. Performing such a major structural change, however, treads thinly along regulatory guidelines. Should you be interested in doing so, do consult your design professionals for their advice and guidance.
If you don’t want full wall-sized mirrors, you can add smaller mirrors on various portions of the bathroom walls to achieve a similar illusion. No matter the style or size of the bathroom, mirrors amplify the brightness of the room through the reflection of light and enhance the interior when placed strategically. There is an endless array of options when it comes to selecting mirrors due to their many different shapes and sizes, it all comes down to your personal tastes and preference to see how they work for your bathroom.
607A Edgefield Plains 4 Room Resale Flat
Floor Traps
Floor traps and pesky drain covers have had a much-needed facelift over recent years. With increased functionality and timely design upgrades, say goodbye to unsightly and outdated floor traps.
Not only do these designer floor traps add that much-needed aesthetic upgrade to conventional floor traps, but these designs also keep out insects and foul smells from your bathroom! Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
If you are one that appreciates minimalism and does not seek to have too many fixtures within your bathroom, then this next idea might be for you!
Creating Recessed Walls Within Your Shower
Best described as having a wall built into your shower wall, recessed walls are becoming increasingly popular in home renovations these days. You would often find such recessed walls at your holiday resort or even at your local swimming pool shower. Why? Just because they make so much sense!
Not only do these recessed areas provide additional storage for soap and shampoo bottles, but they also add that much-needed design flair, leaving a seamless finish in your shower without having to purchase additional storage racks. If you are adventurous in design, you may also choose to try out different tile textures to add contrast to your walls.
Experiment with Peranakan tiles or even those with solid finishes. Some may even choose to go with mosaic tiles if they want even more complexity in their designs. Recessed walls are a clever play with light, with the nooks hidden from direct light contact, these result in a shadow being cast exuding a mysterious yet elegant design.
Swiss Interior is one of the best interior design firms in Singapore that excels in carrying out spectacular renovations according to your requirements. Through various design options, we can carry out customised renovations that are bound to impress you. Feel free to check out our HDB renovation and condo interior design services as well.
About Swiss Interior
Swiss Interior is a leading interior design company in Singapore since 2012. Led by founders Jason and Ronnie, the Swiss team serves customers from all walks of life, delivering bespoke and dream interior design and renovation services to all homeowners in Singapore.
Accreditations & Awards:
- Singapore outstanding enterprise award (2013)
- HomeRenoGuru Most Trusted ID (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- First ID firm to win 1 Week Kitchen Challenge by HomeRenoGuru (2019)
- Featured in NOC RenoKing (2020)
- HomeRenoGuru Top 10 ID Firm (2020, 2021)
- Featured in CNA Lifestyle Making Room (2021)
- Qanvast SuperTrust (2021, 2022)
- Featured in HomeStyle Magazine Year End Cover Page (2021)
- Featured in Sheikh Haikel & Anna Belle Francis DreamHome (2022)
- Sidac Accreditation (2022)