The basement bathroom is a functional space that is frequently overlooked. Frequently devoid of natural light and tucked away from the main part of the house, it’s easy to overlook. However, enthusiastic home renovators and interior designers are increasingly viewing this space as a decorating opportunity. Whether you’re considering adding an additional bathroom to your finished basement or renovating or redecorating a basement powder room as part of a basement remodel, there’s no reason why this functional space cannot be a well-designed destination in and of itself.
As with a well-designed basement kitchenette, a basement bathroom provides an opportunity to experiment with design and to be more daring than you might in a more visible part of the house. At the very least, your basement bathroom’s interior design deserves the same level of care and attention as the rest of the house.
Consider these bathroom ideas in a variety of styles and sizes that demonstrate some affection for this frequently neglected space.
Bold Florals
Using dramatic wallpaper is a tried-and-true method for infusing a powder room with style, and this basement bathroom from husband-and-wife team Jamie and Morgan Molitor of Construction 2 Style is no exception. On one wall, they used Benjamin Moore’s Hunter Green paint, while a bold accent wall covered in dark floral wallpaper from Rebel Walls adds style without overwhelming the small, low-ceilinged room. The floor is covered in black penny tiles, and the bright white trim adds contrast.
Understated Elegance
This lovely basement bathroom was designed by Brandt and Chelsea Kaemingk of Kaemingk Design and features a small window that allows for some natural light to enter the shower area. The designers used a prominent ceiling-mounted shower head and a drapery-style shower curtain mounted flush with the ceiling to create an airy feel throughout. Creamy natural stone and tile throughout, a rich walnut vanity, vintage brass sconces, and a vase of cherry blossoms all contribute to the space’s understated elegance and organic feel, elevating the concept of a basement bathroom to inspiring effect.
Graphic Tile
Quinn from Quinn’s Place completely renovated her 1912 home’s dingy, out-of-date 1970s-style basement bathroom to create an updated and functional space. Following a do-it-yourself gut renovation, she transformed it with bright white paint, classic white subway tiles with graphic dark grout, black penny tiles on the floor and shower pan, and a clear sliding glass shower door to maintain clear sightlines and create a sense of space in the snug room. It’s a straightforward, neutral, and aesthetically pleasing design that looks just as good as any other bathroom in the house.
Beachy Guest Bathroom
Rachael from This Is Our Bliss wasn’t deterred by the bathroom’s basement location from creating a breezy, beachy look. She elevated the simple white space by adding a bright white vanity to compensate for the lack of natural light. She added color and coastal-inspired vibes on a budget by using black, blue, gray, and gold accent colors and framing a blown-up beach photo from a trip to Maui.
DIY Makeover
Erin from Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry transformed a dated basement bathroom for less than $100 by repurposing materials and doing some DIY. Spare pale gray paint was used on the wall; she repainted the vanity a smart navy blue; created some DIY wall art; and stenciled the floor in an homage to cement tiles for only $40.
Earthy Tile
Megan Gilger of Fresh Exchange in Northern Michigan transformed a blank slate into a relaxing and functional basement bathroom by utilizing an abundance of Fireclay Tile, black hardware, and a wash of pale pink wall paint. “Because the rest of our house was inspired by the landscape surrounding us here in Leelanau County, we wanted to maintain that theme to tie everything together,” she writes on her blog. “Additionally, we desired warmer tones in this area due to the fact that it was a basement. Our main floor was devoted to greens, specifically the land, because that is the level at which it is located, while the upstairs was devoted to sky and water. We wanted the basement, on the other hand, to evoke the sensation of the earth and its layers within the landscape.”
Bright and Contemporary
Jennifer Allwood Home’s basement bathroom remodel is bright and contemporary, with cool grays, whites, and a pop of turquoise blue to reference the pool area beyond the sliding glass doors. With its graphic black iron grid-patterned door, this spacious shower steals the show. The space is illuminated by bright white paint on the walls and can lighting in the ceiling. Over the sink, an extra-wide mirror doubles the space. With a laundry room conveniently located nearby, the basement bathroom ensures that wet bathing suits and towels never make their way upstairs.
Mixed Marble
Sarah Richardson Design’s clean modern bathroom combines marble, metal, and glass to create a streamlined, elevated feel despite its basement location. She used marble on one wall of the shower and continued the theme with a custom marble vanity. She fashioned a custom sconce out of salvaged lighting and spray-painted it a cool pale gray.
Basement Dog Shower
Who says your basement bathroom must be human-only? This stylish basement shower room is designed to keep dogs clean and is dressed to please dog owners. “Many of our clients have adorable puppies who influence our design decisions,” says Tiffany Leigh of Tiffany Leigh Design, adding that dog shower requests are “becoming the norm” among her clientele. “I believe it is safe to say that dogs rule the design world, but that does not mean sacrificing style.”
