In order to design an aesthetically pleasing bathroom, like all good designers, you have to follow the six basic design principles. The elements of scale, line, pattern, color, texture and form are key to understanding how to create a bathroom layout that is visually pleasing as well as optimally functional. The question that remains now is how do you bind all these fundamentals together to attain the look you are after?

Scale applies to the size relationship of the décor elements in your bathroom. For example, if your bathroom is small, choose smaller fixtures that will not cramp the space. If on the other hand, your bathroom is quite spacious, you can incorporate large patterns, tiles and fixtures to better fill the room.

When talking about line in the bathroom we are referring to edges, corners and ornamental features and how they intersect and line up. One way you can use this to your advantage is by aligning the tops of the mirror, window sill and bathroom door along the same horizontal plane to create a harmonious visual flow. Believe it or not, lines actually add to the mood of your bathroom. Diagonal lines create movement and drama. Cursive lines produce the feeling of elegance and charm. Vertical lines emphasize formality and a more conventional style. Horizontal lines on the other hand add a more contemporary touch to the bathroom design.

Pattern is nothing more than repeated shapes and regularity of the design elements in your bathroom. If you want an understated feeling in your bathroom then you must keep patterns to a bare minimum by using plain materials. This can also be achieved by using uniform delicately patterned materials. If conformity is not your cup of tea, you can use the shock treatment by introducing materials with random patterns so that there is not one dominant pattern. The happy medium would be to balance too many different patterns with too much of the same kind. This can be achieved by breaking up the regularity of a dominant pattern through the introduction of small accent patterns.

Color is one of the most powerful design elements. It literally has the ability to transform your bathroom space through the intensity of hue, value and shade. Though you will rarely ever be working with pure hues and bright intensities, it is always a good idea to study a color wheel so that you can familiarize yourself with the different color combinations available. When working with color, you should pick a fixture or design element whose color appeals to you then build a design scheme around it. Inspiration can range from a painting to shower tiles that you want to incorporate into your decor. Colors affect your emotions as well; reds bring out passion, greens are tranquil, whereas blues enhance concentration. Another way you can use color is to enhance or diminish the feeling of space in your bathroom. If your powder room seems a bit claustrophobic then use light colors to open up the space. If it gives the impression of being too open, then use darker colors on the ceiling, floor and countertops to pull it together. If there is a special area you want to emphasize in your bathroom then use intense colors to draw attention to it or pale colors to downplay its features. An important thing to remember is to look at the colors you want under different lighting conditions and at different times of the day because the hue and intensity of the colors will change depending upon the type of light it is exposed to.

Texture is not only how your surfaces feel but it is also has a visual tactile dimension, surfaces can appear smooth, bumpy, pocketed or scratched whether or not they actually are. It is usually best to keep the majority of your bathroom surfaces smooth and polished for durability and easy cleaning. Texture can also affect the tone of the bathroom. Do you want your bathroom to feel sleek and modern by using shiny glass and glazed tile or would you prefer a more natural feel by using natural finishes such as stone and polished wood?

Form is the structure and shape of the design elements you have in your bathroom. To create harmony and augment continuity, these elements should be echoed throughout your décor. An example of this would be: an oval window can be enhanced by a round tub, an oval mirror, an elongated toilet, oval bath mat, and soft curved edges throughout your bathroom. These elements tie the design blueprint together by creating harmony and equilibrium through repetition.

Simplicity of form and repetition of line, colors, patterns and textures in controlled doses, all go together to bring your bathroom layout together. Knowing how all these different elements affect one another will go a long way in understanding how to use these design principles to create a bathroom with individuality and style.

Get all the form and functionality you need at ModernBathroom.com

Bathroom Improvement Home

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Related posts:

1. Ta Da! - Designing Your Bathroom With Style by Finding Your Inner Design Child!
2. The Bathroom Survey Part Two - Using a Survey Checklist to Identify The Problem Areas in Your Present Bathroom and Stimulate Your Creativity To Design That Bathroom You’ve Always Wanted!
3. How to Create Timeless Color Design In Your Bathroom
4. Ouch! Not Again! – How To Maximize Minimum Clearances in Your Bathroom!
5. Overcomming the Creative Blues - Discover a Theme for Your Bathroom Design