Bathrooms play a significant role in our daily lives, serving multiple functions beyond basic hygiene. Research highlights their importance as relaxation, introspection, and personal wellness spaces. A bathroom's design and comfort can profoundly influence how we begin and end our day, framing our routines with a sense of ease or disruption. When traveling, hotel bathrooms often leave a lasting impression, as a well-designed and thoughtfully executed bathroom can significantly elevate the overall experience of a stay.
The design of bathrooms has evolved considerably over the years, reflecting changes in fixtures, materials, aesthetics, spatial preferences, and development. One notable trend is the rise of the open bathroom concept, which was first popularized in hospitality design and is now making its way into residential architecture. Bathrooms are no longer viewed solely as isolated, utilitarian spaces. Instead, designers are exploring integrating them seamlessly with the rest of the home. This shift is evident in features such as seamless floor transitions between wet and dry areas, open changing area layouts, and washbasins as elements to blur spatial boundaries rather than relying on a door, transforming bathrooms into a connected part of the living area rather than enclosed rooms.
Below, we examine a curated selection of 10 private bathrooms in residences and 10 in hospitality settings, including hotels, inns, and guesthouses, highlighting each context's distinct design approaches and priorities.
10 Bathrooms' Interior Design in Private Homes
Private home bathrooms typically prioritize usability, reflecting their occupants' diverse conditions and daily routines. Even in en-suite master bathrooms, the design often aligns with the concept of a separate room, treating the bathroom as an entirely distinct entity. Practical considerations drive this approach: in most households, bathrooms are used by multiple occupants, necessitating a degree of privacy and separation from adjacent spaces such as bedrooms or living areas. An isolated bathroom design helps conceal everyday use's messiness and maintain a more organized environment. Additionally, private homes are generally not equipped with advanced HVAC systems, making separating moist or polluted air from the rest of the house a critical concern. These limitations often result in more conservative bathroom designs, focusing on functional layouts and material choices to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere within these constraints. However, given the owner's proper daily maintenance and risk tolerance to potential damages by creative placement of wet areas, private homes may also venture into more adventurous bathroom layouts and designs that draw inspiration from hospitality designs.
House Wolin / Pankowska & Rohrhofer
The Chang Residence / 2BOOKS design
DOMEHOME House Expansion / EME157
House of Fortune / Dean Dyson Architects
Guest House / HEIMA architects
House for a Brother / Estudio STGO
Private Villa / BAMM ARCHITECTS
Elsternwick Penthouse / Office Alex Nicholls
Letná Apartment / Markéta Bromová
House with Membrane Roof / Yuko Nagayama & Associates + shohei yoshida + associate
10 Bathrooms' Interior Design in Hospitality Projects
In contrast, hospitality design benefits from typically higher budgets and a robust support network, allowing for greater design flexibility and innovation. Advanced HVAC systems ensure efficient air exchange, while plumbing systems generally are more flexible and strong to facilitate creative fixture placement. Hotels and similar settings also rely on dedicated cleaning and maintenance teams that uphold impeccable upkeep and in-house maintenance staff who can promptly address issues such as leaks or material wear. This comprehensive infrastructure enables designers and architects to experiment with unconventional layouts, such as open-plan bathrooms, separate bathtub areas, or sink designs that double as spatial partitions. These creative approaches generate innovative spatial configurations, enhancing hospitality bathrooms' functionality and aesthetic appeal. As a result, bathrooms in hotels and other hospitality settings often stand out for their thoughtful, bold designs, making them a memorable feature of the guest experience.
ENNEA Hotel / Jaque Studio
Scorpios Bodrum Ritual Resort / StudioMacBride + Geomim
Habitat Sélénite / NatureHumaine
Hotel Welt Wien / Baukooperative
Vipp Todos Santos Guesthouse / PPAA
Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara /TAISEI DESIGN Planners Architects & Engineers + Kengo Kuma & Associates
Yanhai Hotel / AT DESIGN
Lodge at Marconi Hotel / Home Studios
Pnoēs Tinos Design Holiday Villas / Aristides Dallas Architects
Xanadu Chongchongshan / Wilburban Architects
This article is part of an ArchDaily series that explores features of interior architecture, from our own database of projects. Every month, we will highlight how architects and designers are utilizing new elements, new characteristics and new signatures in interior spaces around the world. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should mention specific ideas, please submit your suggestions.
