Planning a bathroom renovation means balancing daily routines, available space, cleaning, storage, and personal style. These bathroom design ideas reflect an informal poll in which more than 10,000 followers chose between common remodeling options. The results offer a useful starting point, but the right choice for your home depends on your layout, household needs, and budget.
Bathroom Design Ideas: What the Voters Chose
Use the percentages as a snapshot of preferences, not as a universal rule. Before making a decision, consider how many people use the room, how much maintenance you are willing to do, and whether the feature solves a practical problem.
Lisa Staton Design | Cari Berg Interior Design
1. Double sinks or a separate toilet room?
Vote: 60% chose double sinks; 40% chose a toilet closet. Double sinks came out ahead. One respondent, Ellen, valued having separate sink space during busy mornings. Jennifer preferred concealing the toilet, noting that a private nook can also make a shared bathroom easier to use.
Practical tip: Check whether two sinks will leave enough counter and walking space. If privacy matters more, compare the cost of changing plumbing and adding a partition with the value of keeping a second sink.
Micasa Revista | Mandarina Studio
2. Tub-and-shower combination or shower only?
Vote: 39% preferred a tub/shower combination, while 61% chose a shower without a tub. Joy pointed out that a tub can be useful for children even if adults rarely take baths. Alex preferred a shower-only layout for easier upkeep, while Becca noted that a bathtub can contribute to a more luxurious look.
Practical tip: If you remove the tub, consider whether another bathroom in the home has one and whether your household needs it. Measure the shower carefully and plan for splash control and storage.
Jennifer Muirhead Interiors | Made by Carli
3. A larger shower or double sinks?
Vote: 39% selected a large shower and 61% selected double sinks. Jackie found that a very large shower felt cold and took space she would rather use for sinks. Melissa would make the opposite trade-off, preferring a spacious shower and believing it could appeal to some future buyers.
Practical tip: Base shower size on comfortable movement and your household’s needs rather than appearance alone. A well-planned enclosure may be more useful than extra floor area that is difficult to warm or maintain.
Katie Martinez Design | Casey Keasler
4. Enclosed shower or glass/open design?
Vote: 52% chose an enclosed shower room; 48% preferred glass or an open shower. Respondents raised concerns about cleaning large glass panels, water escaping into the room, and open showers feeling chilly. Lisa appreciated the warmth and steam of an enclosed space.
Practical tip: Whatever style you choose, plan drainage, waterproofing, ventilation, and the location of the shower head before construction. These details affect comfort and help protect surrounding surfaces.
1st Dibs | Rosa Beltran Design
5. A large shower or a linen cabinet?
Vote: 45% picked a large shower and 55% chose a linen cabinet. Leah and Allie prioritized bathroom storage, while Crystal preferred giving more space to the shower and keeping belongings to a minimum.
Practical tip: List the towels, toiletries, and cleaning supplies you need to store before deciding. If cabinets will make the room feel crowded, consider recessed shelving or storage outside the bathroom.
Jean Stoffer Design | Atlanta Homes
6. Scalloped backsplash or sink ledge?
Vote: 27% favored a scalloped backsplash and 73% chose a sink ledge. Krista liked the decorative shape of the scalloped option, while other voters saw the ledge as more functional. Megan cautioned that a ledge can become a place where clutter collects.
Practical tip: Decide whether the ledge will hold frequently used items or simply encourage clutter. Keep the surface easy to wipe and avoid placing it where water can sit unnoticed.
Architectural Digest | Architectural Digest
7. Airy or moody bathroom?
Vote: 92% chose an airy look and 8% preferred a moody one. Voters associated light colors with a calm, spa-like atmosphere, while one concern was that dark surfaces might make dust more noticeable.
Practical tip: Light finishes can help a small room feel open, but lighting matters just as much as color. Test paint or tile samples in the bathroom’s actual light before committing.
Sloane Studio Interiors | Marie Flanigan Interiors
8. Bathroom rug or no rug?
Vote: 66% chose a rug and 34% preferred no rug. Some respondents liked the warmth and cushioning underfoot; others worried about covering attractive tile or creating a slipping hazard. Heated floors were also suggested as an alternative.
Practical tip: Choose a rug with a secure, non-slip backing and keep it clean and dry. Avoid loose mats that can bunch up, especially in a bathroom used by anyone with balance or mobility concerns.
Kate Marker Interiors
9. Sconce or pendant vanity lights?
Vote: 58% preferred sconces and 42% chose pendants. Miranda favored light placed at both sides of the face to reduce shadows when applying makeup. Paige felt the choice also depends on whether the desired look is more traditional or distinctive.
Practical tip: Plan vanity lighting around the mirror and the tasks performed there. A combination of suitable face-level lighting and general room lighting can make the space more useful.
Jenni Kayne | My Domaine
10. Brass or black fixtures?
Vote: 46% selected brass and 54% chose black. Respondents associated black with a farmhouse style and brass with warmth or a more traditional feel. Lisa noted that white mineral spots from hard water were visible on her black fixtures; another voter preferred brushed nickel, and one suggested combining finishes.
Practical tip: Consider your water quality and cleaning habits as well as appearance. Compare finish samples with your tile and cabinetry, and check care instructions before purchasing.
HGTV | Country Living Magazine
11. Built-in or freestanding vintage linen cabinet?
Vote: 53% chose a built-in cabinet and 47% preferred a freestanding vintage piece. Respondents saw built-ins as practical, while concerns about vintage furniture included musty odors and the effects of bathroom humidity.
Practical tip: Confirm that a freestanding cabinet can tolerate the room’s moisture and that there is enough clearance for doors and drawers. Good ventilation helps protect both furniture and stored linens.
Interior Blooms Design Co. | Amber Interiors
12. Color or neutral finishes?
Vote: 35% chose color and 65% preferred neutral finishes. Kirsten considered neutrals a lasting choice, while Amber felt a colorful bathroom can suit someone who enjoys brighter interiors.
Practical tip: If you are unsure about committing to a bold color, use it on paint or accessories that are easier to change. Durable, costly surfaces can remain more restrained.
Apartment Therapy | Architectural Digest
13. One large mirror or two mirrors?
Vote: 42% preferred one large mirror and 58% chose two. Myra favored the separated look, while Tammy noted that one large mirror can make a room feel more spacious.
Practical tip: Match the mirror choice to the number and width of sinks, available wall space, and lighting placement. Check that the mirror will not conflict with faucets or wall fixtures.
House Beautiful | The Lifestyled Co
14. Patterned or simple floor tile?
Vote: 41% chose patterned tile and 59% selected simple tile. Sean worried that patterns might feel dated over time. Alisha preferred larger tiles because they create fewer grout lines, while Sharon pointed out that patterns may help disguise dirt.
Practical tip: Look at samples in the room and consider slip resistance, grout color, and cleaning requirements. A simple floor can also leave more room for decorative accents elsewhere.
Studio McGee | Studio McGee
15. Wall tile or wall millwork?
Vote: 58% chose wall tile and 42% preferred millwork. Megan valued tile for ease of cleaning, while Michelle noted that millwork may be a less expensive way to add detail.
Practical tip: Consider where water is likely to reach the walls and select materials suitable for those conditions. Confirm installation and maintenance requirements before comparing costs.
Chris Loves Julia | Studio McGee
16. Wood or painted vanity?
Vote: 39% chose a wood vanity and 61% selected a painted one. Sarah liked the renewed interest in furniture-style wood cabinets, while Jen preferred a blue painted finish. Other voters found both options appealing.
Practical tip: Choose a finish that works with the room’s other materials and can be maintained in a humid environment. Samples can help you see how the color or wood tone changes under bathroom lighting.
How to Use These Bathroom Design Ideas
The poll shows that practical priorities often compete with appearance: storage versus shower space, privacy versus shared sinks, and easy cleaning versus decorative detail. The winning option does not have to be the right one for every household. Use these bathroom design ideas to identify the trade-offs that matter most, then check measurements, ventilation, lighting, maintenance, and renovation costs before finalizing a plan.
The percentages represent the preferences of the people who took part in this informal poll, not a representative survey of all homeowners. Treat them as inspiration, and make choices based on how your bathroom will be used every day.
