Natural Selection: 14 Tranquil Bathrooms Inspired by Mother Nature
These bathrooms have brought the best of the great outdoors inside to create truly serene sanctuaries
There’s just something about being close to nature that instantly invites feelings of calmness, tranquility and serenity. Whether it’s walking through the woods, strolling along the beach or paddling down a river, it’s quite common to just feel our stresses melting away. So, what if you can bring those same feelings into your home and, more specifically, into one of your main relaxation zones – your bathroom? Take inspiration from these soaking sanctuaries that have all consulted Mother Nature in their design, and see how introducing a few elements from the great outdoors could boost the serenity of your bathroom.
2. Outside inside
This Sydney bathroom has been inspired by those dreamy outdoor showers you see in tropical resorts in Bali or the Maldives. The combination of natural elements – pebbles underfoot, stone tiles and warm wood – all combine to create a tranquil, tropical resort feel, so you could be forgiven for thinking that if you opened that door you’d be greeted by palm trees and a sandy beach.
More: Bathroom Inspiration: 20 Utterly Relaxing Spa-Style Sanctuaries
This Sydney bathroom has been inspired by those dreamy outdoor showers you see in tropical resorts in Bali or the Maldives. The combination of natural elements – pebbles underfoot, stone tiles and warm wood – all combine to create a tranquil, tropical resort feel, so you could be forgiven for thinking that if you opened that door you’d be greeted by palm trees and a sandy beach.
More: Bathroom Inspiration: 20 Utterly Relaxing Spa-Style Sanctuaries
3. Soak up the view
What better place to admire this stunningly tranquil view than from the tub? This beautiful Sydney home, located within an isolated settlement near Ku-ring-gai National Park, faces a shallow bay and weathered sandstone escarpments. The small cream tiles and wooden trim keep the look of the bathroom minimal yet warm (and reminiscent of Japanese tatami mats) and allow that stunning view to take centrestage.
What better place to admire this stunningly tranquil view than from the tub? This beautiful Sydney home, located within an isolated settlement near Ku-ring-gai National Park, faces a shallow bay and weathered sandstone escarpments. The small cream tiles and wooden trim keep the look of the bathroom minimal yet warm (and reminiscent of Japanese tatami mats) and allow that stunning view to take centrestage.
4. Rock star
No view, no worries. This Neutral Bay house on Sydney’s Lower North Shore has framed the natural sandstone rock face, and its golden hue and craggy, weatherworn texture add real earthy appeal to this otherwise modern and streamlined bathroom.
No view, no worries. This Neutral Bay house on Sydney’s Lower North Shore has framed the natural sandstone rock face, and its golden hue and craggy, weatherworn texture add real earthy appeal to this otherwise modern and streamlined bathroom.
5. Twist of slate
Not everyone has a sandstone wall at their disposal to frame, of course. But the addition of slate tiles here has a similar effect. Any natural material with a tactile quality will create the feeling of being closer to nature. The bamboo ladder used as a towel rack adds another natural material that also serves to soften the grey of the bathroom.
Not everyone has a sandstone wall at their disposal to frame, of course. But the addition of slate tiles here has a similar effect. Any natural material with a tactile quality will create the feeling of being closer to nature. The bamboo ladder used as a towel rack adds another natural material that also serves to soften the grey of the bathroom.
6. Into the woods
This birch-patterned wallpaper in a soft grey and white tone transports you away from the hustle and bustle of life and into the soothing quietness of the forest. It’s all the more charming when paired with the tree-branch-studded mirror, too.
This birch-patterned wallpaper in a soft grey and white tone transports you away from the hustle and bustle of life and into the soothing quietness of the forest. It’s all the more charming when paired with the tree-branch-studded mirror, too.
7. Silhouette splash
Of course, wallpaper isn’t always the best choice in wet areas of the bathroom. Here, the owners have framed the tub with a glass splashback complete with gum tree decal that almost looks like a real silhouette. The waterfall-like showerhead just adds that extra dose of Mother Nature-inspired design.
Of course, wallpaper isn’t always the best choice in wet areas of the bathroom. Here, the owners have framed the tub with a glass splashback complete with gum tree decal that almost looks like a real silhouette. The waterfall-like showerhead just adds that extra dose of Mother Nature-inspired design.
9. Romancing the stone
The dry-stone wall in this Perth bathroom, combined with the pebble floor adds real character to this otherwise plain white bathroom. The pebbles would give feet a lovely little massage when exiting the bath, while the stone wall lends a warm rustic feel.
The dry-stone wall in this Perth bathroom, combined with the pebble floor adds real character to this otherwise plain white bathroom. The pebbles would give feet a lovely little massage when exiting the bath, while the stone wall lends a warm rustic feel.
10. Plant stance
Adding a living element, such as this statement elephant’s ear plant, really makes this space come alive. Many plants thrive in the humid conditions of the bathroom and have the added bonus of helping to purify the air, as well as just generally being lovely to look at. The addition of the jaw-droppingly beautiful capiz shell chandelier adds a natural element from the coastal bathroom’s surrounds, as well as providing an incredibly soothing shimmer and tinkle to enjoy.
Adding a living element, such as this statement elephant’s ear plant, really makes this space come alive. Many plants thrive in the humid conditions of the bathroom and have the added bonus of helping to purify the air, as well as just generally being lovely to look at. The addition of the jaw-droppingly beautiful capiz shell chandelier adds a natural element from the coastal bathroom’s surrounds, as well as providing an incredibly soothing shimmer and tinkle to enjoy.
11. Thanks a bunch
Even when space doesn’t allow for a large potted plant, a small bunch of well-chosen flowers can have a similar impact, adding life and colour, as well as a wonderful scent, to the room.
Even when space doesn’t allow for a large potted plant, a small bunch of well-chosen flowers can have a similar impact, adding life and colour, as well as a wonderful scent, to the room.
12. Knock on wood
The entry to the wet area of this bathroom has been covered in reclaimed wood – ideal if you’d like to imagine yourself retreating to a Swedish sauna or rustic cabin in the woods, perhaps for a dip in a hot tub!
The entry to the wet area of this bathroom has been covered in reclaimed wood – ideal if you’d like to imagine yourself retreating to a Swedish sauna or rustic cabin in the woods, perhaps for a dip in a hot tub!
13. Pebble perfection
Imagine how heavenly those river pebbles would feel underfoot. Continuing them up the wall adds extra warmth and interest to the room (as opposed to straight tile), and the wooden vanity offers another warm natural material that feels lovely to the touch.
Imagine how heavenly those river pebbles would feel underfoot. Continuing them up the wall adds extra warmth and interest to the room (as opposed to straight tile), and the wooden vanity offers another warm natural material that feels lovely to the touch.
14. By the seaside
These ocean-coloured tiles in graduating shades of blue and green instantly evoke that relaxed feeling of being beside the seaside. The look is grounded by the warm timber vanity and wall display box.
TELL US
Which of the above bathrooms is your favourite? Have you introduced natural elements into your own bathroom? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE
Natural Elements: Designs That Embrace Nature’s Bounty
British Houzz: An Eco-Friendly Home Basks in Its Natural Surroundings
Get Back to Nature With Decorating Ideas Inspired By the Great Outdoors
These ocean-coloured tiles in graduating shades of blue and green instantly evoke that relaxed feeling of being beside the seaside. The look is grounded by the warm timber vanity and wall display box.
TELL US
Which of the above bathrooms is your favourite? Have you introduced natural elements into your own bathroom? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE
Natural Elements: Designs That Embrace Nature’s Bounty
British Houzz: An Eco-Friendly Home Basks in Its Natural Surroundings
Get Back to Nature With Decorating Ideas Inspired By the Great Outdoors
Perhaps the ultimate way to feel at one with nature while enjoying your soak is to do so while gazing at a living vertical garden. Delight in the gorgeous textures, and any new blooms that pop us, while also breathing in the heavenly, earthy scent. This wall features a variety of herbs, mosses and geraniums in its design.