We have always loved modern design and are drawn to minimalism. Because we live in an apartment and have a very small bathroom, we dream of the day we can take a shower in a larger bathroom. Minimal bathrooms are architecturally beautiful, but we wonder where we would store our multitude of products and bath linens.
When we envision the modern bathroom, we picture a stunning home owned by a bachelor or working couple with no children. As we all know, once kids come into the equation it is hard to maintain the same way of living and the demanding upkeep of the minimalist lifestyle. If you choose to take the minimal route when designing your bathroom, consider some other practical tips.
Practical Tips:
- Kids: Architectural bathrooms are not designed for the practical needs of children.
- Sharing: If you intend on sharing the bathroom with a significant other, seriously consider both partners' cleanliness.
- Cleaning: With the lack of furniture and accessories, your eyes will be drawn to every spot of dust or in our case toothpaste stains on the sink.
- Quality of Fixtures: Because minimal design is based on the concept of negative space, the attention is drawn to the sparse furniture and fixtures. It doesn't quite work if the fixtures are not in pristine condition or of lower quality.
- Lack of storage: Typically minimalist bathrooms lack storage for bathroom necessities. If you have a significant amount of storage in a nearby linen closet, then you could meet your practical bathroom needs.
Recently, we wrote a post titled, When to Use Minimalism in Design. If you want to incorporate the contemporary style in your home, consider the practical tips and the information in the former post.
We would love to hear feedback from individuals who currently practice minimalism in the bathroom. What do you love and what are your drawbacks?
(Images: House Design News, Canal Blog, Kabmurungraya)
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#5 is the only one that appeals to me.
Why does "minimalistic" always have to have such cold, modern lines. When I'm taking a dum .... err, I mean, showering, I want to do it in a room that is warm, comfortable and inviting.
These all scream McDonald's uncomfortable furniture and get in and out as fast as possible.
I really like that red bathroom. Who designed the fixtures?
I think minimalism in a bathroom is rather impratical, unless you have a huge house and room to spare (of which I have neither). It just seems like such a waste of space when I'd rather have more space in other rooms that you're in for longer periods of time. I do like the luxurious tubs and that's about it. I also like the simple and clean look, but once again, not at the cost of wasting valuable space. Marcia, those were beautiful bathrooms you presented, but not in a house I would own.
Except for two of the bathroom images shown, the others are not real bathrooms but vignettes/display for a showroom or an eye candy for a print ad that is why they look impractical and I don't think the images are meant to convey and promote frou frou style either.
Also, minimalism is not just an aesthetic thing to look at, it is a lifestyle that is based on living with just having the most basic essentials. This is what the Shakers, the Gothic monasteries and the traditional Japanese tea room overlooking a Zen garden did in the past.
I'm with you on this, Erik. These feel so cold and institutional to me. I want a real home, not a museum where I'd be afraid to touch anything.
#5 is pretty, to me, and would be even better without the huge flowers.
The wood makes it so much warmer, while maintaining clean lines. The rest appear too cold.
fabulous.
Ooooo! #4... is that an epoxy floor?