Whether you’re looking to make the most of tiny space or want to incorporate bold colors and patterns, these Northern Virginia interior designers have six bathroom design trends to try this year.
Outdoorsy Elegance
Arlington-based interior designer Erin Tripodi collaborated on this new primary bathroom addition to an existing North Arlington home, as part of a bigger remodel with architect Matt McDonald of MCD Studio.
“The house is set back in the woods, so we wanted to keep the palette clean and minimal. Nature outside brings in all the color we need,” she says.
Going for a rustic-chic look, Tripodi chose to shiplap the walls and ceiling; the effect is unfussy, yet cozy. Leathered marble counters add texture and warmth to the double vanities, which feature simple inset paneling, as does the deep rectilinear bathtub.
“We opted for black iron finishes in hardware,” says Tripodi. “Their high-contrast finish provides a nice pop against the all-white bathroom.”
The black iron frames the adjustable mirrors and the wall sconces that provide ambient lighting in the room. They also provide a touch of warmth, as do the bleached wood floors.
“Use real materials versus materials that are man-made when you can,” says Tripodi of current trends. “If you can use marble, you won’t regret it.”
Bite-size Beauty
Old Town Alexandria is known more for its historic architecture than for its teeny bathrooms, but making the latter work well can be part of the charm. The Plains–based designer Anne Marie Hauer of Choux Designs rose to the challenge when renovating a 14-foot-wide, 1800s rowhouse with Studio Camus and Creighton Construction.
“The old half-bath (at the far end of the first floor) was relocated to the center of the house,” she says of the tiny powder room tucked into the staircase leading to the newly added basement.
“It’s 3-by-5 feet,” Hauer says of the small space that features a wallpapered interior and wall-mounted marble sink, allowing enough space to squeeze a pocket door into the room’s framing.
“Because the powder room is in a visible (and more practical) location in the house, we wanted it to stand out and be reflective of the home’s period and design, which has a British vibe,” she says.
Force of Nature
“Biophilic design has emerged as a prominent trend in the wake of the pandemic,” says Sandra Meyer of Ella Scott Design, who worked on this new build in North Arlington with Joy Design + Build. “We have embraced this nature-driven architectural design approach by harnessing natural light and using organic materials. These factors were the cornerstone of the main bathroom’s design.”
Large picture windows, dressed in soft white scrims, create privacy, while allowing the full passage of natural light into the overall space, which features a custom-designed oak double vanity, a deep freestanding tub, and a glassed-in shower. The vanity’s antiqued brass hardware adds a touch of luxury, while the quartzite countertops offer an easy-to-maintain surface.
“Our aim was to create a sleek and modern bathroom, with warmth and interest. For example, the chevron-patterned floor tiles and the vintage rug contribute to the contemporary design, while maintaining a clean look,” says Meyer.
The mix of hardware finishes, from the oil-rubbed brass on the wall sconces to the polished nickel plumbing fixtures, continue to support the concept of diverse, yet harmonious, materials, as found in nature.
Bold Blues
Interior designer Molly Bruno went straight for the trend of a vivid wallpaper when redesigning this once-blah powder room for her client.
“Previous finishes included large tan ceramic tiles and dated beadboard paneling, along with a big overhead fixture that cast terrible lighting,” she says.
Once everything was ripped out, Bruno came up with her palette of gray, white, and blue, starting with hexagonal marble tiles and a stylish geometric wallpaper.
“I wanted to enhance the various shades of blue in the wallpaper, so I had the trim and shutters painted in the deepest blue color in the print,” she says.
Though she kept the timeless pedestal sink, a pair of pretty sconces replaced the builder-grade overhead light fixture. She also selected a rattan wall mirror and unlacquered brass hardware to age over time.
“When we started this project, the powder room was in a sad state. My vision was to create a unique, visually inspiring room rooted in tradition. The bold, hand-printed wallpaper was a wonderful starting-off point,” says Bruno.
Midcentury Moment
When architect Christine Kelly of Crafted Architecture renovated this Alexandria home, with Kristin Try Interiors and BOLT Builders, she relocated the primary bathroom to a larger, better-lit footprint (that of the former primary bedroom, to be precise).
“We fully insulated the walls and floors with sound batts to create a quiet, restful place,” says Kelly, who also opted for large windows. “The natural light makes the space more spa-like, especially when mixed with natural materials like stone and wood.”
Try selected heated slate floors laid in an overscale herringbone pattern for the space, with a classic black penny tile and contrasting subway tiles for the enclosed glass shower. The custom wood double vanity has deep storage, lots of counter space, and oval sinks that mimic the roundness of the freestanding tub. The palette is neutral in a high-contrast black and white, with the warmth of wood tones.
“Our clients’ love of mid-century design and finishes shines in the bathroom, from the natural light to the geometric shapes. The focus is on simplicity and function,” says Try.
The bathroom also has a designated commode room, a trend that has continued to evolve and is desirable, space permitting.
Pattern Play
It’s not uncommon for a home addition to result in an upper-level main bedroom-and-bathroom suite. This serene bathroom was the result of a larger renovation to a 1940s home for a young doctor.
“The client wanted a zen, spa-like space, a refuge from her busy days spent working at the hospital,” says Anne Marie Hauer of Choux Designs in The Plains, who collaborated on the addition with Pinehurst Design Build by Tom Gilday.
While the wallpaper provides textural contrast and a hint of teal, the key to making this room interesting is the range of tiled marble pattern play, from the herringbone flooring to the bricked shower interior.
“The marble tilework — in its varied, yet complementary geometric patterns — adds interest, while its natural veining creates warmth without feeling heavy or dominating the wallpaper,” says Hauer.
The brass hardware and banded Roman shade continue the warm feel and work well with the modernized 1940s home.
“Even though saturated color and moody design are on trend, there is something so soothing about coming home from a busy day to a bright, beautifully appointed space,” says Hauer.
To which Gilday adds, “You can’t go wrong with a clean layout and classic materials.
Feature image by Robert Radifera
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
