Fashionable Bathroom in Scandinavian Style - Designers' Best Tricks

Forget about cold, soulless interiors dominated by gray and snowy white. The contemporary Scandinavian style has undergone a fascinating evolution. It has transformed the sterility we knew for years into warm minimalism, ruled by soothing earth colors, interesting textures, and elements of Far Eastern aesthetics. Do you like the latest bathroom arrangements in the new Nordic or soft Scandi style? Here are 7 designer tricks to help you decorate your bathroom in Scandinavian style according to the latest trends.

What will you learn from this article?

Recent seasons have shown that Scandinavian style bathrooms can be cozy, fashionable, and functional at the same time. How to achieve this effect? Look for answers in our guide, where we write about, among other things.

• What currently characterizes a modern bathroom in Scandinavian style?

• How to decorate a bathroom in Scandinavian style according to current trends?

• Can a small bathroom in Scandinavian style be functional?

• What is the best choice of tiles for a bathroom in Scandinavian style?

What does a modern Scandinavian-style bathroom look like today? From grays to New Nordic and Soft Scandi

Not so long ago, the recipe for interiors inspired by the North was simple: contrasting white, black, and cool gray, and geometric patterns. Today, this image is fading away. A modern Scandinavian-style bathroom is primarily a kingdom of soft minimalism. Designers from well-known Scandinavian design studios such as Norm Architects promote a move away from sterility in favor of so-called tactility, recognizable by touch.

The contemporary Scandinavian style has also become more monochromatic. Instead of harsh contrast, designs are dominated by a play of light and shadow on natural materials. A key change is the color palette— pure white gives way to broken shades (off-white), shades of beige, and earthy warm gray, which warm the interior architecture's image. This approach makes Scandinavian minimalism no longer harsh but becomes a soothing backdrop for daily rituals.

Wood-like tiles or natural wood? What to choose in Scandinavian style?

Wood is the foundation of Nordic aesthetics, bringing warmth into the interior. However, using natural boards in a humid bathroom environment can be challenging. That's why wood-like tiles are a popular choice. To maintain the high esthetic level typical of the Scandi style, choose rectified tiles with a deep structure. Only they will faithfully mimic the grain of oak or ash, for example.

A rich offer from manufacturers allows for finding tiles that almost perfectly resemble natural wood while being completely water-resistant. This is an ideal solution for the floor, especially if you are planning underfloor heating, as tiles excellently conduct heat. Designers increasingly use wood in bathrooms also on walls and in furniture in the form of stylish slats or grooved fronts. Remember to combine them wisely: tiles on the floor and natural veneer on the cabinet front create authenticity. Such wooden accents give the bathroom depth.

Scandinavian bathroom in the spirit of Japandi - harmony that transforms the interior

Japandi is a fascinating combination of Northern functionality (Scandi) with Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics. It's this trend that transforms a fashionable Scandinavian bathroom into a peaceful oasis. In such interiors, low furniture with simple shapes (e.g., wall-mounted, without legs and handles) and ceramics with organic, round shapes dominate.

Important details are also essential. Even though black dominated this category for years, now interiors are opening up to warmer metals. Matte fittings in brushed steel, copper, or graphite (gunmetal) are a hit from the design fairs in Milan. Prefer classics? Choose black fittings, but in a simple form—like sleek satiny-finish taps. This esthetic discipline makes the Japandi-style bathroom extremely coherent.

Do you like this esthetic? Check out more details in our guide about Japandi bathrooms.

Bright tiles and 3D textures, or how to decorate a bathroom with character

To decorate a bathroom following the latest trends, it's worth ditching smooth walls. Now, texture is what matters. Bright tiles imitating limestone, sandstone, or raw concrete make an excellent base. The key to success is natural light, which, sliding on the uneven surface of 3D tiles on the wall, brings out their three-dimensionality.

This décor proves that warm and light shades of gray and beige do not have to be boring. On the contrary—they add unique character to the interior. Natural materials (or their excellent imitations) make the room pleasant for sensory reception. Remember the rule of contrasting textures and combine structural walls with a smooth floor. This solution is currently a hallmark of modern arrangements.

Small bathroom in scandi style – optical tricks and smart storage

Scandinavians are masters of utilizing difficult spaces. A small bathroom in Scandinavian style does not compromise between aesthetics and ergonomics. The foundation here is functionality. To create the illusion of spaciousness in small rooms, architects use large-format bright tiles both on the walls and floor. A cohesive surface without visible divisions (grouts) visually enlarges the interior.

In small bathrooms, the mirror also plays an important role. Currently, the most fashionable is a large, round unframed mirror or an irregular shape that reflects space and light. On the other hand, furniture should be wall-mounted (check out our bathroom cabinets with grooved fronts), adding lightness to the overall form. A good choice for a small bathroom with a walk-in shower, without a shower base, are walk-in shower screens from our offer and floor drains.

Want to decorate a really small bathroom in Scandinavian style? It's possible! Check out more tricks in our guide on designing micro-bathrooms up to 4 square meters.

Are white tiles passé? The new color palette loved by Scandinavian bathrooms

Classic white evolves. While white tiles are still present, modern Scandinavian-style bathrooms more often reach for warmer tones. The color scheme revolves around nature: creamy white, warm sandy beige, and milky coffee brown. If you opt for warm white, let them be tiles with a distinct texture. You have several options to choose from.

1. Fluted tiles – with a characteristic linear structure with vertical grooves on the surface.

2. Sugar texture tiles – with a rough surface resembling scattered sugar crystals.

3. Carving texture tiles – with three-dimensional engravings that imitate natural stone both visually and to the touch (e.g., carving tiles in our store).

4. Zellige tiles – glossy, uneven, hand-formed tiles that beautifully reflect light.

Such a backdrop makes white sanitary ceramic look noble and clean. The combination of light tiles in warm shades with wooden accents is a recipe for a cozy Scandinavian bathroom. In light colors and simple forms is the power that allows you to escape from excessive stimuli. Moreover, these colors perfectly match fittings in every hue.

Atmospheric bathroom - Scandinavian style highlighted by lighting and accessories

It is details that determine the ultimate perception of the interior. The Nordic style bathroom is a home SPA, where lighting creates a hygge atmosphere. Forget about a single, central ceiling light. In professional bathroom arrangements, zone lighting matters: wall lights by the mirror, illuminated niches in the shower, or LED strips under the bathtub. It is essential that the light is warm, promoting relaxation.

As for equipment, prioritize quality over quantity. Scandinavian-style bathroom furniture is interpreted as simple, capacious forms that hide all visual clutter. Leave only natural decorations in sight:

• linen towels,

• wooden brushes,

• sea grass baskets.

If you have a bathtub, a wooden shelf for a book will be a perfect choice. In the case of a shower, elegance is added by a glass in a delicate black frame (or entirely frameless). A good choice for a Scandinavian bathroom with a shower is also decorations with moisture-loving plants. Remember, these elements add softness to the interior and make it your private comfort zone.

Now you know that Scandinavian style is more than just a fashion from a catalog—it's a thoughtfully considered interior design philosophy. Whether looking for ideas for a Scandinavian bathroom, scandi bedroom inspiration, or a kitchen with a Nordic vibe, remember the principles described above. This way your interiors will be not only beautiful and functional but also timeless.