How to Design a Bathroom that Is both Luxurious and Sustainable

In the majority of cases, homeowners who are eco-aware aren’t particularly into luxury, and vice versa, affluent house owners don’t think of sustainability that much. However, the two interior design principles don’t have to negate each other, as you can have both an opulent and a sustainable bathroom, for example.

In fact, the bathroom is the ideal room to demonstrate that you can have the best of both worlds with the following X simple décor hacks.

Store everything inside containers

One of the most important pieces of advice when it comes to getting rid of bathroom clutter for good is to find a place for each and every item. This means that not even the bar of soap should be left to sit on the sink; nit to mention the toothbrush and toothpaste.

A great solution is to find a suitable container for every knickknack in the bathroom. Not only will your bathroom look classy after all the clutter is gone but it will help protect bathroom accessories against water damage.

Hanging a large mirror on the wall

Whether it’s part of the vanity unit or it’s hanging from the wall, the bathroom mirror is definitely a statement piece. You can have more than one mirror in the bathroom but try to have at least one supersized looking glass as the centerpiece.

In terms of opulence, nothing screams "a Hollywood star" more than a large vanity mirror decorated with an LED strip along its edge. On the other side, a large mirror will add a sense of spaciousness to the water room, stopping you from buying a home with a "wastefully" large bathroom.

A small bath mat can make a big difference

One of the most important additions to bathroom safety is a bath mat. Whether you have a walk-in shower or a bathtub, a mat will prevent your wet feet from slipping on floor tiles upon exiting a shower or a bubble bath.

Every bath mat should have anti-slip properties but not every bath mat looks the same. In order to make the bathroom feel luxurious, choose a mat with simple, uniform colors. The shade can be a neutral one, such as white or beige, so it would fit in with nearly every bathroom décor.

How much water do you use?

We’ve mentioned the age-old dilemma of whether to install a walk-in shower or a tub. The solution is not easy, as the final choice should cater to your family’s specific needs but in terms of sustainability, a shower is the better option from the two.

A 10-minute shower can use up to three times less water than a bubble bath. This is a significant save considering the fact we bathe one a day, which adds up to a lot of liters of water conserved annually. Furthermore, you should learn to close the water tap when you soap your hands (20 seconds is the standard time) or while you brush your teeth.

A towel hanger that truly stands out

Going back to the luxurious aspect of your bathroom, you can introduce opulence with nearly every amenity, including the towel hanger. Go for a glitzy, chromed design to hang your soft linen towels from. The towel hanger should be among the first things you notice when you enter the water room, as its look should complement the color pattern of the towels hanging from it.

Furthermore, you can add a towel warmer behind the bathroom door to save on space. They are ideal for small bathrooms as you can save energy by using to warm the whole room instead of installing a bulky radiator. If you own a larger bathroom, then underfloor heating is also a heating solution to consider.

Natural light is your best friend

Although architects design bathrooms with no windows at all you should really look allow as much natural light to enter your bathroom as physically possible (privacy is an issue here). Not only is such an airy design classy (you get great views) but you actually save energy. Namely, a bathroom with large windows has no real need for an air ventilation system, saving power. The best way to air the bathroom after a shower is to open all the windows and let the water room dry out naturally.

Hanging wall art

The bathroom is the last room in the hose that can serve as an art gallery if you’re seeking opulence, then hanging a picture or two there is a good idea. Use artwork with darker shades to contrast the bright color of tiles most bathrooms have.

Energy-efficient appliances

In order to finance your love of art, you might think twice before buying a washing machine or installing a new toilet. There are countless ways of telling if a particular household appliance is energy-efficient, such as the Energy Star logo that certifies that the given appliance uses power (and water) responsibly. A modern washing machine or a dryer can help reduce water usage which is the correct path to sustainability.

Plants: The best of both worlds

If there is one addition to your water room that is both luxurious and sustainable, then that’s definitely a flower pot. Plants, in general, are ideal for the water room because they purify the air and if you choose the right species, are appealing decorative pieces.

Choose plants that thrive in spaces with increased air humidity and don’t require direct sunlight. Fern, orchids, Aloe Vera, bamboo, and Snake Plant are just some of the plant species suited for the water room. In terms of décor, select plants that flaunt large, verdant leaves.

Get rid of the water heater

Water heaters waste water and electricity; not to mention they are plain ugly. An oversized tank hanging over the washing machine or the bathtub is a real eyesore, so go for tankless types of heaters. This way, you can still enjoy a hot shower whenever you want without wasting water.

As you have seen from the examples listed above, there are numerous bathroom amenities that are both luxurious and sustainable in nature. Just because you are environmentally-aware and wish to preserve water and energy, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a grand bathroom that screams opulence.

Mike is an Australian business consulting specialist. He’s working with companies that outsource their IT maintenance. He often writes about technology, business and marketing and is a regular contributor on several sites.