Modern & Classic NYC Bathroom Design Ideas
Is there anything more indulgent than a beautifully designed bathroom? Whether you take a simple approach to personal hygiene or you are the type of person who enjoys primping and preening, your bathroom is an essential space in your home and it can truly set the tone for your day.
With any bathroom design, we like to start by considering who will be using it — the number of people, as well as their age(s) and needs — and how often they will be using it. A primary bathroom will likely see much more use than a guest bathroom, so we take that into account when planning the design. We also look at how many pieces it will be — full, half, or three-quarter — and what kind of storage will be needed. After all, you can’t have a modern bathroom with a cluttered countertop, it simply won’t do.
For this reason, we love to design custom vanities based on the storage needs of each client. The same goes for niches throughout the space — in the shower, in place of a linen closet, near the toilet (for hiding those unsightly toilet brushes, of course). Clients are constantly amazed at our ability to design custom, hidden storage and eliminate visual clutter. We’ve created hidden medicine cabinets positioned on the side of sinks and we love to source mirrors with integrated lighting and outlets. At first glance, these designs look impossibly neat, but our clients know exactly where to find everything they need.
Aesthetically speaking, our clients prefer modern and classic bathroom designs. This means minimalist shapes, clean lines, and simple accents. Natural materials ensure a sense of timelessness, so we incorporate them into every project.
Even the toilets we source are modern. Smart toilets from top brands like Toto, DXV and Kohler offer attractive, high-tech options like heated seats and self-cleaning features. They also have sensors that determine exactly how much water is needed for each flush, which can save up to a gallon of water every time you use the unit.
For lighting, we love using integrated LEDs throughout the space — in the ceiling, coves, showers, under the vanity, wherever it makes sense. We typically use sconces or medicine cabinets with integrated LED, but never both lest it look too bright and sterile.
Modern and Classic New York City Spa Bathrooms
We’ve seen an increasing number of clients embracing the concept of the spa-bath. This warms our design-loving hearts, as our clean, classic and modern aesthetic translates beautifully to these stunning sanctuaries.
One spa-inspired New York City bath we designed features a soaker tub overlooking Central Park West. Everything our client could possibly need for a relaxing soak is neatly tucked away and yet still within reach thanks to a built-in niche featuring white oak drawers and marble open shelves.
Using stone, tile or slab from floor to ceiling, like we did in this primary bathroom in Quogue, creates a spa-like, holistic feeling. The spectacular stone slab on the walls and floor envelopes you as you enter the space. A palette of white, earthy grays, and chrome finishes are the epitome of modern and classic bathroom design.
There are a handful of spa elements that we like to incorporate into our bathroom designs that may not be immediately visible to the naked eye. Steam units — we favor brands like Mr. Steam and Steamist that have sleek, touch screens control and scent features — under-floor heating and chromatherapy lighting can all add to a more relaxing, spa-like bathroom experience.
Pretty Powder Rooms & Dramatic Jewel Boxes
Half baths are a great opportunity to express different aspects of our clients’ style, which makes them a lot of fun to design! We like to use patterned or textured wallpapers — like the Phillip Jeffries herringbone wallpaper you see here— to add a bit of drama.
Other ways we make these spaces feel like tiny jewel boxes include art, decorative mirrors, and statement light fixtures. Selecting toiletries with graphic or elegantly designed labels — like Compagnie de Provence or Diptyque — adds an extra pop of personality.
A beautiful bathroom is a gift to yourself and all who enter your home. If you’re ready to reimagine your space, we’d love to hear from you.
