Designer debates: Minimalist bathrooms vs maximalist bathrooms

Personal style has a huge impact on your interior design choices but is the bathroom the place to be bold and brave or to keep things sleek and simple? We asked Senior Designer Richard and Designer Gurnaam from Ripples Solihull for their thoughts...

Minimalism - “Keep things clean and classic with a pared-back minimalist approach.”

-Ripples Solihull, Senior Designer, Richard

“Your bathroom is a place to unwind and relax and I believe keeping it clean and simple (rather than overflowing with rubber ducks and bulk buys of shampoo) will make it feel more like a sanctuary or at-home ‘spathroom’. But even when the bathroom is paired down to a few key essentials, it can still feel warm and inviting.

Keeping to a white or neutral palette helps make a bathroom feel more spacious and with a vast range of white and pastel shades to choose from, it needn’t feel cold and clinical. Using white marble tiles, for example, not only adds a sense of luxury but its veining can also add subtle interest and warmth, especially if you choose marble with warm grey, brown or gold veins running through it. By matching your wall tiles with your floor tiles you can create a sleek, seamless look where the walls almost disappear – a minimalist’s dream!

Removing clutter is also key to a serene, stylish space. If you have not used an item for a week, consider whether it really belongs in the bathroom or whether it can be placed in storage or perhaps even recycled. Keep essential day-to-day items in a mirrored cabinet and store larger items in a cupboard, preferably without handles, to keep the finished look crisp. If space is at a premium, you can roll up towels and store them neatly on top of a cupboard or in any storage recesses you might have in your space.”

“With a minimalist scheme, it’s all about quality over quantity so investing in products which are beautifully made and timeless in style is key. To create an open and expansive feel in the bathroom, opt for a clear shower door or panel. Using a single panel to create a walk-in shower and a tiled wet room floor will certainly make the room feel large and uncluttered. A statement freestanding bath is also becoming a big part of modern minimalist design as creates a focal point within a room where there may not be a lot of other detail. My top tip is to pick a few simple but stunning bathroom items which look effortless and will still stand the test of time.”

Maximalism -

“Have fun and inject personality with a maximilist bathroom where more is more!”

-Gurnaam, Senior Designer Ripples Solihull

“To me, maximalist design provides a feeling of comfort; it fills the bathroom with a more homely and joyful atmosphere and gives you that sense of fun, if done correctly of course.

There is often a misconception that maximalism means overcrowded and excessive but the key to avoiding this is by being smart with the choice and placement of the materials, colours and textures used. When mastered, even the most saturated of colours and the boldest of patterns can give the bathroom a harmonious atmosphere whilst injecting personality and fun into the space. As a designer, creating a more maximalist space allows me to really use my artistic skills, applying colour, pattern and texture in a way that minimalism does not normally allow. I also find that maximalist design allows you to create a more personal space as you’re not restricted in the number or types of items you choose and can have more of an eclectic mix.”

“Maximalist elements can be incorporated within a bathroom design in many different ways. At Ripples, we have a wide range of coloured furniture, baths and basins, as well as tiles in almost every colourway and design imaginable. Our Sam Lander concrete basins are a particular hit with maximalist lovers because each is bold, bright and 100% unique. Working with a Ripples designer will help you incorporate all the design elements you love in a maximalist aesthetic which works. The world is your oyster with this design style so have some fun with it!”

Take a look at one of our all time favourite minimalist bathroom designs, created for influencer Emma Thatcher.

See the maximalist bathroom we created in collaboration with Instagram influencer Geraldine Tan.