Black and white bathroom decor ideas

Last Updated on 22/05/2024

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Discover beautiful black-and-white bathroom decor ideas and pretty bath accessories to create a sharp modern contrast with a minimalist aesthetic. Black and white are not only a classical but also a popular color combination for bathroom decoration. It’s timeless and it creates a beautiful contrast. Moreover, we can easily experiment with this combo because white is a common color for tiles, vanity, and fixtures. Plus, black and white have the advantage to match any style, from traditional or vintage, modern or minimal to modern rustic or farmhouse.

Black and white bathroom decor ideas

Playing with black and white tiles

First of all, tiles and fixtures are the basic elements of the bathroom. And, there are several combinations to consider when deciding on the design of the tiles. So, there is the option of total white or total black tiles on the walls and the floor with grout in the same or contrasting colors.

stylish bathroom interior in white and black colors — Photo by Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels.com

In other words, total white tiles with black grout, a combination that matches perfectly with subway tiles. And, total black tiles with white grout that look beautiful with white or silver fixtures.

two white bottles beside potted plant on bathtub — Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

Moreover, we can create contrast between the floor and walls by using black tiles on the floor and white on the walls or vice versa. Plus, we can add one or more walls to this contrasting game.

sink and shower unit in bathroom — Photo by Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels.com

For example, black tiles on the floor and on the wall opposite the door will give depth to our bathroom. And, a black floor with a similar wall behind the vanity and mirror will give a more dramatic look to our bathroom.

stylish bathroom with bathtub and shower cabin — Photo by Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels.com

Lastly, there is the option of using tiles with black and white patterns that can match beautifully not only a classic bathroom decoration but also a vintage or retro aesthetic.

Black and white vintage aesthetic

Black and white bathrooms aren’t just a new trend. It’s been here for more than 100 hundred years. From the 1890s, Victorian and traditional bathrooms featured black and white mosaic floor tile. And, in the 1930s french ceramic 4×4 tiles make their appearance with cute black and white retro patterns.

a photo by Phil Hearing via unsplash.com

Moreover, there are many black and white bathroom tiles with geometric motifs and vintage aesthetics to choose from. And, some beautiful plants will give the bathroom a sophisticated bohemian chic decoration.

a photo by Bence Balla-Schottner via unsplash.com

Choosing the right accents for the bathroom

Although black and white have been used in bathrooms for a very long time (the 1680s floor in the Palace of Versailles has black-and-white marble tiles), there are always questions about the portions. For example, how much black is good to use in the bathroom? If we use too much black, it may look dramatic but also smaller and impractical in cleaning. But, if the bathroom has too much white, it may look cleaner and brighter but also flat and without character.

That’s why we can use black or white stylish accents in a black-and-white bathroom to balance the portions. So, there are many objects to add with one or the other color. Vanity, tap, light scones, hardware, and handles, are some of them. Plus, there are other more flexible decorative items like black and white bath accessories, shower curtains, bath mats, bath towels, vases, baskets, and plant pots.