Cool Bathroom Ideas

Pulling colors from artwork helps coordinate a space.

A cool bathroom can be defined as a functional space that expresses something about the creativity and personality of the owner. No matter if it's for a private bath or a powder room for guests, a little art, drama and color can go a long way to make visitors feel welcome and provide a relaxing space to pamper yourself. Artwork on the walls is vital and can set the tone for the whole room, so consider many options before putting your money on the line.

Classic Fashion

Fashion-themed rooms can be inspiring for either sex.

A stylish choice for a woman's dorm room or single girl's apartment, classic and colorful vintage Vogue fashion covers can both dictate a color scheme and create a sense of drama in any sized bathroom. A few chosen vintage Vogue fashion covers are available in poster-sized reproductions and can be inexpensively framed to cover a large blank bathroom wall. Consider the 1957 "Autumn Fuchsia" Vogue cover in pink or the August 1956 "Red Rose" Vogue cover in red. Coordinate towels, area rugs and accessories with the dominant colors from the poster you've selected Frame a plain mirror with a matching black picture frame to tie the room together.

Photo Graphic

A bold, artistically rendered photograph can transform a bathroom space instantly.

A traditional black-and-white tiled bathroom will sparkle when you play up the color contrast with a bold artistic statement. Clean the bathroom till the whites are bright, and then frame a poster-sized black-and-white photograph in a black wood frame. The image you select can express your own style and range from a forest of birch trees to a well-lit image of a marshmallow. Take the photo yourself to make the statement even more personal and have it printed as a poster through your local camera kiosk or store. Play up the black-and-white theme with black and white towels, black area rugs and white canisters to hold toiletries.

Antique Apothecary

Antique accessories create interest in a small bath.

A memorable look for a cabin bathroom or to tie in with an outdoors or country-decorated home, antiques in the bathroom can warm up a stark space and carry your interesting collectibles into this sometimes forgotten area. Go on a treasure hunt at your local antique mall to find old medicine tins from the 1930s and '40s to place on bathroom shelves and use vintage glass apothecary jars to hold bath beads and oils. Frame reproduction prints of old-time medicinal advertising that can be found online, and coordinate towel and rug colors with the dominant colors in the prints. Use neutral paint colors on the walls and fixtures so they don't detract from the collectibles.

Kid-Friendly Chalkboard

Chalkboard walls mean a constantly changing space.

A child's bathroom can be a fanciful expression of personality and interests, so don't overlook addressing this space when decorating. Paint one wall with chalkboard paint, which you can find at any home improvement or hobby store, and provide your child with colored chalk to decorate the bathroom with artwork she creates. Coordinate the space with chalk-colored pastel towels, rugs and shower curtains to match the colors in the chalk box. This keeps the space bright and cheery in spite of the black chalkboard wall. Paint wood laundry bins with chalk paint as well to provide extra space to play as well as stay organized and neat.

Tags: area rugs, bathroom with, colors from, dominant colors, fashion covers