Hotels are one of our favorite sources of design inspiration, and their bathrooms are no different. Beyond the mini soaps and fluffy towels, there's real thought behind their function that can prove useful in your own bathroom renovation. Check out these hotel bathrooms from around the world, along with what you can learn from them for your own renovation at home.
1. Luxe never looks old. The bathrooms at the Greenwich Hotel have a very classic, upscale feel. Cool, calming white marble is paired with brass hardware for some warmth and glam. If this is your inspiration, spend where you can, because quality is always stylish.
2. Same color, different scales. A fully black-tiled bathroom sounds like a trip back to the 80s. The key at Hotel DeBrett in Auckland is mixing up the sizes. The smaller penny tiles on the walls match the floors, but the grout helps to break up the sea of black. With this tip, you can make any color work in the bathroom. Also, don't be afraid to add a pop of contrasting color and a bit of whimsy, like with this cheery ladder.
3. Have towels at the ready. Sure, you can add a basket of towels or store them in the linen closet, but if you're renovating, why not add some built in storage? The shelves underneath the sink at Hotel Missoni are unassuming, yet keep what you need close at hand. There's also plenty of hooks and bars in this smallish space.
4. Make the most of what you've got. Not all hotel bathrooms are expanses of marble. The charming old bathrooms at the Ace Hotel don't have much space, but use it well. The tiny corner sink is flanked by open ledges and storage baskets, proving even the smallest powder room can be made comfortable and useful.
5. Relax! Okay, so you may not be sold on a hammock like the one at the W Mexico City, but adding a little R&R to your WC is a great idea. Whether it takes the form of candles, soft curtains, a little settee, some calming tunes, or a fireplace, we all need a little escape sometimes.
Have you been inspired by hotel bathrooms?
MORE HOTEL BATHROOMS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Take a Mental Vacation: Hotel Bathrooms Across the Globe
• Don'ts Worth Doing: Design Ideas from Hotel Bathrooms
• How To: Create a Hotel-Style Bathroom
(Images: 1. The Greenwich Hotel via Decor Pad, 2. Hotel DeBrett via We Heart, 3. Hotel Missoni Edinburgh via Jetsetter, 4. Flickr via Remodelista, 5. Luxurious Mexico via Apartment Therapy)
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When I renovated my bathroom I was aiming to have that hotel/resort feel. I second the white towels. Yes they may dirty more easily (who wants to use the same towel more than a few days anyway) but they are soooo much easier to clean. Just some lemon juice to keep white and maybe bleach 1x/month or every other month.
I did a white, solid color curtain. I love the curved shower rods in hotel bathrooms. It gives so much space to wash hair, shave, plus I like the look of the subtle curve.
I don't use bathmats, I just use a cheap white towel folded 3 ways. When one side gets dirty I just flip it, then turn it insideout, and on and on until all sides are used and it goes in the wash.
I may upgrade one day to the actual towel mats they use in hotels. Suppliers of 5-star hotels are a great shopping source!! Especially if you have people you can split the order with as often times they have deals on bulk purchases, or they may require bulk purchases.
Next project is putting a couple stacks of cubbies/ baskets with a vanity top. I don't have much counter room and that's something hotels usually have.
With the help of my dad, I renovated our bathroom last March, and I can really relate to tip number 5! At the time, I had a very stressful job, and all I wanted was a place to unwind at the end of the day. We had one tiny shoebox bathroom, and it was anything but relaxing. So we saved up, and for about $1500, we transformed it into the calming space it is now. I echo Littlemisssunshine in that white towels really make a big difference!
You can check out http://bit.ly/KIGkvz If you would like to see pics or read about some of the challenges during the remodel :)
Yes, I got a small but significant idea from a hotel I stayed in which had a marble shelf all along the inner edge of the bath. It was a great place to put shampoo etc.
Impressed by that, and tired of chrome shower shelves that rusted in a few months, I bought a remnant of granite (3 or 4 inches by 28 inches or so) and put it across the foot of my bath/shower. I put little rubber sticky pads on the bottom so it wouldn't slip. It works fantastically well. No rusting.
I was inspired by European hotel bathrooms- installed a heated towel rack, changed to neutral colors and finishes- think ivory, bamboo, and brushed nickel. Second the white towel idea, they look more luxurious somehow!
I love checking out hotel bathrooms! The Bohemian Hotel in Savannah opened my eyes to the modern feel of rectangular sink basins, and I found a great, affordable shower jet option at a SpringHill Suites in Hershey PA. Who knew!