Best of the Week: 38 Black-and-White Bathrooms Worldwide
It's one of the most enduring looks for a bathroom, for good reason. Let these monochrome marvels inspire you
Vanessa Walker
7 June 2018
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
From plain to pretty, linear to lush with detail, the range of effects you can achieve using only black and white in a bathroom is incredible. Add concrete tiles for tonal variation, stick to symmetry for impact, or add tile patterns for prettiness – the choice is yours. And you’re safe in the knowledge that you can’t go wrong with this winning combination.
1. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: It’s the very picture of an elegant contemporary bathroom that, due to its black bath skirt and wall tiles, draws you towards the bathtub and windows beyond. A beautiful use of directional focus.
Why we love it: It’s the very picture of an elegant contemporary bathroom that, due to its black bath skirt and wall tiles, draws you towards the bathtub and windows beyond. A beautiful use of directional focus.
2. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: Because not everyone is after elegance in the bathroom. Sometimes you need a little verve, a lit-up-nightclub-steps approach to the bath.
Why we love it: Because not everyone is after elegance in the bathroom. Sometimes you need a little verve, a lit-up-nightclub-steps approach to the bath.
3. Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Why we love it: It’s definitely the serious side of a black-and-white approach, with the curtains providing a softening element in the space.
Why we love it: It’s definitely the serious side of a black-and-white approach, with the curtains providing a softening element in the space.
4. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: At the other end of the spectrum, we see Bauhaus-style shower doors with period fittings, an industrial-style basin and decorative tiles. The combined effect is dazzling.
Why we love it: At the other end of the spectrum, we see Bauhaus-style shower doors with period fittings, an industrial-style basin and decorative tiles. The combined effect is dazzling.
5. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Subway tiles laid in brick pattern combined with tessellated tiles is a combination that can work wonders in Australia’s period homes.
Why we love it: Subway tiles laid in brick pattern combined with tessellated tiles is a combination that can work wonders in Australia’s period homes.
6. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: This is the inverse – black subway tiles in a brick pattern with white grout. We love how this evokes posh English hotels without overdoing it.
Why we love it: This is the inverse – black subway tiles in a brick pattern with white grout. We love how this evokes posh English hotels without overdoing it.
7. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: Dark and dangerous.
Why we love it: Dark and dangerous.
8. Location: Ballarat, Victoria
Why we love it: This is a fabulous look at how timber elements, a view to nature, and organic shapes can take the edge off a strongly contrasting bathroom.
Why we love it: This is a fabulous look at how timber elements, a view to nature, and organic shapes can take the edge off a strongly contrasting bathroom.
9. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: This is a great example of a small monochrome bathroom done well. Taking the tiles halfway up the wall is always a good cost-cutting option in a bathroom, and the black adds a defining element that takes it out of the ordinary.
Why we love it: This is a great example of a small monochrome bathroom done well. Taking the tiles halfway up the wall is always a good cost-cutting option in a bathroom, and the black adds a defining element that takes it out of the ordinary.
10. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Marble on marble works so well in this renovated Georgian property. We love how the black frame is picked out in the scheme and the dark interior of the vanity shelf adds a grounding element.
Why we love it: Marble on marble works so well in this renovated Georgian property. We love how the black frame is picked out in the scheme and the dark interior of the vanity shelf adds a grounding element.
11. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Because black isn’t just for modern bathrooms. Paired with period hardware, it lends gravitas to more traditional schemes.
Why we love it: Because black isn’t just for modern bathrooms. Paired with period hardware, it lends gravitas to more traditional schemes.
12. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: A monochrome scheme is a great way to reinforce a more graphic style in a bathroom. This 2017 renovation is fearless in embracing lines and contrasts. A masterclass for those who love straight lines.
Why we love it: A monochrome scheme is a great way to reinforce a more graphic style in a bathroom. This 2017 renovation is fearless in embracing lines and contrasts. A masterclass for those who love straight lines.
13. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: This bathroom strikes a great balance between light and dark, grounding and elevating, interest and practicality.
Why we love it: This bathroom strikes a great balance between light and dark, grounding and elevating, interest and practicality.
14. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: A decorative monochrome floor paired with a textured dark wall has such well-balanced appeal. Plus, natural-fibre baskets always work well in a black-and-white space.
Why we love it: A decorative monochrome floor paired with a textured dark wall has such well-balanced appeal. Plus, natural-fibre baskets always work well in a black-and-white space.
15. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: A lovely way to broach the modern-heritage divide.
Why we love it: A lovely way to broach the modern-heritage divide.
16. Location: Auckland, NZ
Why we love it: This Mangawhai holiday home is the ultimate in pared-back luxury. Here, fittings are also kept plain, with detail coming from the hexagonal tiles, reflected in the hexagonal mirror. Also note the polished concrete floor and how it works nicely in this scheme.
Why we love it: This Mangawhai holiday home is the ultimate in pared-back luxury. Here, fittings are also kept plain, with detail coming from the hexagonal tiles, reflected in the hexagonal mirror. Also note the polished concrete floor and how it works nicely in this scheme.
17. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: Owners of small bathrooms take note: this tiny space could have been so utilitarian, but picking out elements to highlight in black and white adds intimacy and interest.
Why we love it: Owners of small bathrooms take note: this tiny space could have been so utilitarian, but picking out elements to highlight in black and white adds intimacy and interest.
19. Location: Washington, USA
Why we love it: Notice how the combination of round and linear forms alongside black and white essentially draws attention away from the fact that this is a relatively modest space?
Why we love it: Notice how the combination of round and linear forms alongside black and white essentially draws attention away from the fact that this is a relatively modest space?
20. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: This is just a delightful space. From the shiplap joinery to the tactile tiles, the black radiator to the red showerhead, this loft conversion bathroom is full of confidence and fun. A beautiful and unique approach.
Why we love it: This is just a delightful space. From the shiplap joinery to the tactile tiles, the black radiator to the red showerhead, this loft conversion bathroom is full of confidence and fun. A beautiful and unique approach.
21. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Period hardware works in black-and-white schemes too.
Why we love it: Period hardware works in black-and-white schemes too.
22. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: This is a good example of how monochromatic decorative tiles can do all the heavy lifting in a scheme. These beautiful floor tiles lift this otherwise very straight space.
Why we love it: This is a good example of how monochromatic decorative tiles can do all the heavy lifting in a scheme. These beautiful floor tiles lift this otherwise very straight space.
23. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: Here’s another example of using these colours in one application; this time it’s about keeping the floor plain and making contrasting wall tiles the star of the show.
Why we love it: Here’s another example of using these colours in one application; this time it’s about keeping the floor plain and making contrasting wall tiles the star of the show.
24. Location: Toulouse, France
Why we love it: Black, white and copper pipes. Need we say more?
Why we love it: Black, white and copper pipes. Need we say more?
25. Location: Nuremberg, Germany
Why we love it: An ongoing trend in bathrooms is to choose furniture-style fixtures for this space. This encourages a more sanctuary-like atmosphere and helps to carry through the style from the rest of the home. We think it’s been executed brilliantly here.
Why we love it: An ongoing trend in bathrooms is to choose furniture-style fixtures for this space. This encourages a more sanctuary-like atmosphere and helps to carry through the style from the rest of the home. We think it’s been executed brilliantly here.
26. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Black and white doesn’t have to mean stark. Streamlined basins pair well with ornate inclusions such as mirrors or, as seen here, pretty decorative wallpaper. There are some ideas here if you’re brave enough to stand out from the crowd.
Why we love it: Black and white doesn’t have to mean stark. Streamlined basins pair well with ornate inclusions such as mirrors or, as seen here, pretty decorative wallpaper. There are some ideas here if you’re brave enough to stand out from the crowd.
27. Location: Singapore
Why we love it: This black-and-white bathroom is the icing on the cake of an entirely monochrome apartment in Singapore. We think it works a treat – from the energetic floor-and-wall tiles to the opposing black walls. Confident and cool.
Why we love it: This black-and-white bathroom is the icing on the cake of an entirely monochrome apartment in Singapore. We think it works a treat – from the energetic floor-and-wall tiles to the opposing black walls. Confident and cool.
28. Location: Geelong, Victoria
Why we love it: Matt, concrete-look tiles are a great way to add tonal variety to a monochrome scheme so it becomes a subtle rather than a contrasty space.
Why we love it: Matt, concrete-look tiles are a great way to add tonal variety to a monochrome scheme so it becomes a subtle rather than a contrasty space.
29. Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Some people love all-white homes. If that sounds like you, here’s an example of a beautifully rendered all-white bathroom with just the tiniest defining features highlighted in black to relieve the eye.
Why we love it: Some people love all-white homes. If that sounds like you, here’s an example of a beautifully rendered all-white bathroom with just the tiniest defining features highlighted in black to relieve the eye.
30. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: White tiles on a bathroom floor mean a tonne of mopping. If you do want to use a monochrome scheme but don’t know where to put black and where to put white, listen up: put black on the floor.
Why we love it: White tiles on a bathroom floor mean a tonne of mopping. If you do want to use a monochrome scheme but don’t know where to put black and where to put white, listen up: put black on the floor.
31. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Hexagonal mosaics are popular for a reason; they add a layer of texture and interest to a splashback, meaning you can stay very plain with the big-ticket items. It’s a beautiful and ultimately very sensible way to go.
Why we love it: Hexagonal mosaics are popular for a reason; they add a layer of texture and interest to a splashback, meaning you can stay very plain with the big-ticket items. It’s a beautiful and ultimately very sensible way to go.
32. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: With such lovely architectural details as the curved window and sloping wall, this loft-like space is grounded by black foundations, and lightened by the white elements.
Why we love it: With such lovely architectural details as the curved window and sloping wall, this loft-like space is grounded by black foundations, and lightened by the white elements.
33. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: This is quintessential modern-Australian with its base use of black and white (practical, timeless), a touch of Scandi in the vanity (modernising), and marble (to add a layer of luxury). It’s everything a contemporary, light-filled bathroom should be.
Why we love it: This is quintessential modern-Australian with its base use of black and white (practical, timeless), a touch of Scandi in the vanity (modernising), and marble (to add a layer of luxury). It’s everything a contemporary, light-filled bathroom should be.
34. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: When you restrict your colour scheme you can afford to choose more expressive forms, such as the bath seen here. This is a great example of a unique bathroom that has come up looking gorgeous.
Why we love it: When you restrict your colour scheme you can afford to choose more expressive forms, such as the bath seen here. This is a great example of a unique bathroom that has come up looking gorgeous.
35. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Because a powder room is a fantastic place to go a bit wild.
Why we love it: Because a powder room is a fantastic place to go a bit wild.
36. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: There’s a great idea right there. Picking out particular details in black – in this case the niche, tapware and bottle trap, functional towel rack and pendant light – turns this otherwise plain bathroom into a pretty and considered space.
Why we love it: There’s a great idea right there. Picking out particular details in black – in this case the niche, tapware and bottle trap, functional towel rack and pendant light – turns this otherwise plain bathroom into a pretty and considered space.
37. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Because black and white have been used for centuries; it’s not just a modern phenomenon.
Why we love it: Because black and white have been used for centuries; it’s not just a modern phenomenon.
38. Location: San Francisco, USA
Why we love it: It is a singularly stunning space.
Tell us
Which is your favourite of these bathrooms? Tell us in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Want more? Take a look at last week’s Best of the Week: 30 Light-Bringing Voids and Atriums
Why we love it: It is a singularly stunning space.
Tell us
Which is your favourite of these bathrooms? Tell us in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Want more? Take a look at last week’s Best of the Week: 30 Light-Bringing Voids and Atriums
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All of these black and white bathroom are completely timeless!
I love a black and white bathroom you really can't go wrong with this design.
Try steel doors. I believe that doors like these are made in Victoria and Western Australia. You might be able to get a copy made out of black aluminium, which could be more suitable for a shower.
so nice interior designسایت ساز