Inspiration: Using color in the bathroom

If you need a little change in your decor, the bathroom is a small, less intimidating space to start.  Sometimes I get my fix just by changing out my shower curtain and bath mat. Or, you could brighten up your bathroom with some color. Since most bathrooms are the least amount of square footage in a home, it's an easy weekend makeover that won't leave you regretting the time you spend.


via designsponge

There are so many way's you can liven up a room. Paint, tile, curtains, rugs, wall art, and accessories are some options you can start with!


via decorchick

You can start small with a spot of color by painting your cabinets and accessorizing to match! Or simply choose one wall to paint if you are afraid it might be to overwhelming to paint the whole room a bright color.  I can't decide if I like this peach or not - I'd have to see the rest of the room.  I love the rug though!


via prepaganda

Go wild with a wallpaper, stencil design, or maybe even stripes! Pick a color that makes you smile every time you walk in the room.


via bhg

Can't choose one color? Find two that work great together and keep it simple with the rest of the accessories. Let the paint color be the decor..

Gray and yellow are two of my favorites.


via Elle Decor

Nervous about a big change? Stick with the accessories! You can still brighten up your bathroom and your day with a little accessorizing.

Attractive flooring options when it's all about budget

First I'm amazed by carpet tiles - now I'm looking at vinyl tiles!? Now before you say "yuck vinyl" (because that was my first reaction) take a second look at some of the pictures below. Did you know there is such a thing as luxury vinyl tiles? I did not.

via Houzz

Believe it or not those gorgeous wood floors are tiled vinyl! My mind is officially blown! These water resistant floors are making a huge hit these days because they are so resilient and gorgeous at the same time. Durability is something everyone is looking for and these floors are just that.

via manningtonfloors

We have vinyl in our home that I am ready to tear up the second we get a chance but replacing it with luxury vinyl tile flooring was something I hadn't considered before now.

via sasinteriors

These may be more of the vinyl tile look that you are familiar but there's an added surprise to this one above. They are grouted vinyl tile! This makes it even harder to tell apart from the real thing.

via BHG

If you aren't a traditional floor person don't worry - they have some pretty cool designs, colors, and styles available for you to choose from. They are also stain resistant and don't fade so you won't have to worry about losing their color.

via flooringstudio

If you aren't falling in love with the vinyl flooring like I am, you  just might after you check out their prices! They are really budget friendly, which makes it hard not to add into my must haves for my home.  I would have to see and feel them in person first, before making a decision, and learn about their VOC outgassing, but they definitely look good!  Does anyone have any experience with these?

via Houzz

this post was in partnership with carpetright.co.uk

Glamorous bathroom eye candy

I have a million deadlines looming and I'm in desperate need of a little escape.  One escape I indulge in a lot, especially during the winter, is a nice, hot bath. So, I thought I'd find some dreamy ones and share them with you.

Onyx makes me swoon.
via Pinterest via Interiors Digital

via Pinterest via Miss Design

I love the wall cladding in this picture. It really looks luxurious! If you are not a tile person or want to avoid grouting, cladding is definitely the way to go.

via Pinterest via 2.bp.blogspot

via Decor Pad

I would probably live in this bathroom if it were mine.

via Decor Pad

this post was in partnership with decorcladdingcentre.co.uk

Unique and personalized bathrooms

From feature walls to quirky accessories from personalised wall art to family photo frames, there are so many ways to showcase your individuality in your home. It is easier to do this in some rooms than others; for example personalising a bedroom might be perceived as a more manageable feat than making your bathroom stand out. The fact is, you can bestow a personal twist in any room and make your entire home beautifully unique.

Personalise your bathroom furniture

With so many different types and styles of bathroom furniture to choose from, there are plenty of opportunities to branch out and create something that is one of a kind.

 Love how the furniture in this room looks like real furniture - not bathroom furniture.

Give me some chocolate and a book and I would spend winter here.

Starting with the larger fixtures, you can make a dramatic design statement with a bath. Rather than opting for a bath that sits against the wall and blends into the overall décor, why not opt for a stunning freestanding bath? You could even place it in the centre of the room so that it stands out even more.

You could also decorate your bathroom with a vanity unit that is slightly out of the ordinary. For instance, a vanity unit crafted from solid oak with a sparkling white circular basin on top is more likely to make your bathroom stand out from the crowd than if you went for a standard sink and pedestal.

If you want to add a unique twist to your bathroom on a smaller scale, then rest assured it is often the little things that have the greatest impact on a room. From door handles to plinths and cornices, there are plenty of opportunities to make your bathroom completely exclusive.

Quirky cabinets and funky floors

Bathroom cabinets are not only useful for storing all those lotions and potions, but can also be a design statement. You can either blend these into the décor of your bathroom, creating a consistent design theme and letting the unit speak for itself, or intentionally choose furniture so that it creates a colour contrast, giving the room a focal point of interest.

A living seagrass corner four drawer unit is a far cry from the standard white and chrome bathroom cabinets that garnish the majority of bathrooms. Likewise, straying from the single or double mirrored cabinet by opting for a triple mirrored cabinet can make your bathroom stand out. This will also bounce more light around the room, making your bathroom appear more airy and spacious. You could even use border tiles on the walls and floor to draw attention to certain accessories.

Decorating your home is not just about making do with the essentials and letting functionality cast a shadow over style. A home should be practical, stylish and distinctive to those living under its roof. Your home is your most valuable possession, so it should exude your unique personality wherever possible.

This is an article provided by Homebase. As a leading provider of home and garden furniture, our extensive product range will work perfectly with these inspirational ideas on how to create a seamless indoor/outdoor living divide.

all images via Houzz

Colour baths

Well, I'm recouping from Alaska and have for you one last (but not least), guest post. This one is super fun and comes to you from Trudi of The Deco Detective - who really helped me out and supported me by spreading the word about my fund raising and marathon training. Thanks Trudi! And I'm with you - I would've loved the turquoise bathroom!

Hi, I'm Trudi aka The Deco Detective! I'm here today to help Ashley out while she's away running the marathon to cure lymphoma. I'm so honoured to be asked to do a guest post at Decorology, but most of all, I'm very impressed with Ashley. I think she's really brave to sign up for a marathon!

After running marathons, I can imagine that a beautiful, luxurious bathroom will feel like heaven to sore feet and beaten muscles. To relieve things a little for her, I've picked seven bathrooms for Ashley to choose between when she's finished running. There's one bathroom for each colour of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, indigo and violet:

I hope you find (at least) one bathroom you like, Ashley. I'm curious to know which one you'll choose! And Decorology readers: which one would you pick after running a marathon? I think I'd prefer the turquoise one to cool myself off - although me running a marathon would be a purely hypothetical situation...





Ashley - good luck with your running! We'll all cheer you on from the sidelines, even if we're not there in person.

Orange, yellow and green bathroom found at My Home Ideas

Turquoise bathroom found at House of Turquoise

Red, blue, indigo and violet bathroom found at Living Etc