Dark Bathroom Ideas for a Moody Aesthetic
Within many homes, light and airy bathrooms are what most people will opt for as this is generally accepted as ‘the norm’ to promote a fresh, clean and hygienic-looking environment. However, light and airy isn’t a preference for everyone and there is something about a dark bathroom that encourages understated luxury.
If you want to embrace the dark side and opt for a bathroom that has versatility alongside uniqueness, our dark bathroom ideas have you covered. From vintage aesthetics to a balanced combination of classic and contemporary, keep reading for design inspiration for creating a moody bathroom aesthetic.
Why choose a dark bathroom?
If you’re tired of bathrooms that dance around colour and you’re looking for something more unique, dark bathrooms are the perfect choice for curating a dramatic yet ambient appeal. Dark bathroom designs can also be extremely sophisticated and emit modernity with feelings of tranquillity whilst staying very versatile. Whilst grey has been appearing in a lot of different interior design schemes, this is not your only option, you can create refined looks with black, navy, and green hues amongst other colours. These dark colour palettes also make it easy to create a sense of cohesion, whilst injecting your bathroom with character and personality.
Dark bathroom ideas by style
There are no set rules when it comes to designing your bathroom but to help give you some clear-cut inspiration, we’ve selected a few different styles that suit the dark aesthetic particularly well. These are listed below, but you can use this inspiration as a guide to inform your own personal design choices.
Gothic dark bathroom
Dark colours can help to emphasise any space, and gothic interior design does not shy away from using these dark shades. To avoid overwhelming your space, it’s best not to opt for one solid colour of black but rather, mix shades across walls and incorporate accents and textures. One way to do this would be to use the large black marble shower panel which is ideal for a gothic interior. This finish can help to soften the space while adding a more luxurious feel and preventing the bathroom from becoming too cold. Pair these with gold or silver accents, and gothic style ornaments to complete your look.
Large Black Marble Shower Panel
Art deco dark bathroom
If the gothic style is perhaps a little too dark for you, an Art Deco style may be more appropriate. The key colours of an art deco style are brown, gold and red hues, but silvers and greys can also be incorporated. With that in mind, what really brings an art deco style to life is the use of geometric shapes and motifs. As such, our large hexagonal grey panel makes for an ideal choice. A guaranteed way to add an exuberant designer touch to your bathroom, these panels have a grey hue as a base which is finished with lighter accents to add more depth. Pair this with things like an art deco console table, gold or black taps and light fixtures to balance the overall look.
Premium Large Hexagonal Grey Panel
Natural style dark bathroom
For something more adaptable and open to incorporating different style elements, a natural style bathroom could be what you need. Normally, natural usually means that you’re opting for light or earthy colours however, you can still curate a dark bathroom by using texture. There are two options for doing this, the first is by using a wooden theme and the second is to use stone. If you prefer a warmer look, opt for wood using something such as the Charcoal Water Resistant Slat Wall Panel which creates a 3D slat effect with a matte black finish. This panel is best used on walls that are not directly exposed to water, such as behind the toilet or on the wall behind the sink.
Charcoal Water Resistant Slat Wall Panel
If you want something that feels even more natural, a stone finish is an excellent way to incorporate texture and depth. The large natural stone anthracite panel provides an authentic look without the hassle of caring for real stone. This panel can be paired with other natural elements such as wood, or with plants for furnishings as seen in the picture below to incorporate a more earthy style without using the traditional light colours.
Premium Large Natural Stone Anthracite
Vintage inspired dark bathroom
Another interior design scheme that is increasingly popular is the vintage-inspired aesthetic. There is something soothing yet refined about a dark vintage interior and a perfectly balanced combination of classic and contemporary can be just the thing to curate something wonderfully unique. For this look, we particularly like the Dumawall Plus Vinta which features an intentionally slightly worn and old-time tile look.
To complete the vintage look, pair these panels with items such as candlesticks, ceramics, vintage mirrors, and wicker baskets for storing supplies like extra toilet rolls, towels, and cleaning supplies.
Small dark bathroom ideas
If you have a smaller bathroom, it isn’t recommended that you opt for a completely dark colour scheme as this can make your bathroom look smaller. Instead, opt for a contrasting colour palette by using white, off-white, or light shades of grey. If you have a windowless bathroom, make sure you include mirrors to reflect the light colours and create the illusion of more space. Additionally, for your darker colours we’d recommend using wall panels with vertical slats or designs such as the charcoal panel mentioned above, this will make the ceilings appear taller and your bathroom more spacious.
Create your dream dark bathroom with The Panel Company
Dark bathrooms present the perfect opportunity to experiment with new designs, colours, and textures. Whether you prefer a monochromatic black and white colour palette, or you’re looking for something with a little more vibrancy such as deep purples and forest greens with lustre, you can create a bathroom with ambience and aesthetic appeal. Explore the full range of bathroom safe panels at the Panel Company to get started