How to Design a Black Bathroom: Bold Fixtures, Bathtubs and Accessories

Of all the bathroom colour schemes I’ve worked with in recent years, the all-black bathroom is the one that gets the strongest reaction. It’s one of those polarising design decisions that’s either a resounding yes or a complete no. When done well, the result is nothing short of striking. The thing about a black bathroom is that it requires more consideration, not less. Every surface, finish and fitting has to be justified because in a space where the light is absorbed, not reflected, there’s no place to hide a bad decision.

Why colour is the foundation of any bold design

Colour, and in this case, black is the starting point for any bold bathroom. Before you choose a single fitting, the first step in any bathroom design ideas process should be establishing the colour direction. This goes far beyond painting the walls black. Will you go for a warm black, a cool black, a blue-black or a green-black? All of these options will influence your tiles, your tapware and your grout.
My advice is to always get as many physical samples as possible, such as tiles, paint, stone, etc., and look at them together under the same lighting conditions they will be subjected to. What looks good on a mood board can look dreadful when the products are sitting next to each other. Light changes everything.
Here’s the thing though — painting everything black doesn’t mean you’re stuck with one shade. The best all-black bathrooms I’ve put together play with lots of different tones and textures. Think matt black wall tiles next to honed charcoal on the floor, dark wood joinery sitting alongside a dark stone benchtop. It’s all black, sure, but no two surfaces look the same.

Selecting matte black fixtures for a unified look

A few years ago, Australia fell head over heels in love with matte black fixtures. The elegant finish that’s not only contemporary but also hides water spots and fingerprints better than polished chrome ever could. From taps to shower heads, towel rails and toilet roll holders, having them all in the one finish gives your bathroom a considered, deliberate coordination.
If you’re designing a black bathroom with all the fittings to match, my advice is to use the one manufacturer or the one finish range for all tapware and accessories. Different brands all have a slightly different black so brand A’s black might have a warm tone while brand B’s black might have a cooler almost gun-metal tone. Different tones are noticeable and will ruin the cohesive look you want to achieve.

Making a statement with dark bathtubs

A black bathtub is the ultimate black bathroom feature. Whether it’s a solid, freestanding bath or a stone composite bath in a deep charcoal tone, the result is sculptural and visually shocking. If you want to make a statement but don’t want to commit to an all-black bath, there are some fabulous two-tone options on the market. A bath with a black exterior and white interior gives you the contrast you want while still keeping the water the white you desire. This is especially true in a clawfoot bath, where you can keep the interior of the bath in the classic white, while the exterior and feet of the bath are in a dark finish.
Love a deep soak? Have a look at soaker bathtubs in darker finishes. There’s something about sinking into a deep bath surrounded by that cocooning dark colour that takes the whole experience to another level.

Accessories and details that complete the space

The finishing elements are what breathe life into the space. Without these, a dark bathroom can feel cold. Add cream, grey or deep green towels for texture, to stop the space from feeling flat, and bring in some timber, such as a bath caddy, a little stool, an open shelf in natural oak. The warmth and texture of wood is a great contrast to the cool, smooth surface of a dark bath.
A black toilet is a no-brainer in a black bathroom. Not only does it keep the colour story going, but it also stops the room from being interrupted by a white loo against a dark backdrop. A wall-hung loo in a matte finish is the most successful in a black bathroom, as it keeps the lines clean and makes the space easier to clean.

Getting the balance right in a dark space

The danger with a dark bathroom is it feeling too closed in. But clever design overcomes this with light, reflection and space planning. A big mirror is a must. Not only is it a functional inclusion, but it also helps bounce light around the space.
Natural light is the best tool in your kitbag. If you can, incorporate a skylight, or a bigger window. In spaces without natural light, artificial lighting needs to be layered. Recessed downlights, a backlit mirror and a wall sconce all give you flexibility to create the right mood and stop the space from feeling one-dimensional.
You can introduce some contrast into the space on the floor, without spoiling the scheme. A slightly lighter grout line, a herringbone floor in a slightly different shade, or a few feature tiles in a metallic finish can all help break up the darkness on the floor and add some visual interest.