Our Ultimate Bathroom Design Do's and Don'ts

Bathrooms are like the chameleons of a home. They have to shift throughout the day to serve many purposes. They're a place to primp in the morning, a retreat for a bath in the evening; they need to be sleek, yet homey; they should be an oasis for you, but also functional for guests; and they need to be bright and clean, but also have personality. Whether you're jumping into a gut renovation and designing your dream bathroom or simply wanting to give your space a refresh, we've rounded up our top design do's and don'ts for achieving a bathroom that can do it all.

Whether its a primary, kids' or guest bath, a double vanity is always a good idea. It cuts down on getting-ready time in the morning and arguments over the sink. The lacquered green floating vanity in this vibrant bath provides the perfect amount of counter space for two and, with two sets of deep drawers, plenty of storage as well.

A bathroom is a chance to test out that wallpaper you may be too timid to try in a bigger space. Don't be afraid to get whimsical with it, like designer Brian Patrick Flynn did in the HGTV Dream Home 2024 pool bath. Blue and white stripes nod to the home's coastal locale and is extra-fun paired with rich pops of red.

Funky tile is a great way to add personality to any bath. To make it light-hearted yet sophisticated, coordinate your paint color with one of the hues from the tile. This geometric pink print would've been too much if the walls were painted a contrasting bright color, but a baby pink tone pairs perfectly with the tile and tones it down.