Elegant Black and White Bathroom Designs for a Timeless Look

Make a statement in black and white. Use this color in your bathroom and create a stunning aesthetic. White is easy to clean and keeps your bathroom feeling fresh and bright. Black adds an element of sophistication and keeps the bathroom from feeling too cold and stark.

Don’t assume that black and white is boring, though. There are several design approaches that you can take with your black and white theme. You can get creative with how you use the two colors in your bathroom. These black and white bathroom ideas will inspire you to create a stunning design for your bathroom.

1. Embracing Contemporary Style

When creating a modern bathroom design, using a black and white motif is a smart choice. You could embrace the all-white bathroom trend, but instead of leaving your bathroom monochromatic, use black to paint the trim around the door, vanity mirror, and shower door. You’ll have crisp black borders throughout the bathroom. This look also embraces the popular trend of using geometric shapes in home design.

Another option is to strategically use the color to make your bathroom feel larger and brighter. Use black tiles for the floor and white subway tiles for the walls. Finish the bathroom with a white vanity and sink, as well as the shower area. Accent the white space with a black patterned shower curtain, towels, and black and white photography.

To keep your bathroom looking contemporary, keep these design aesthetics in mind. Modern furniture features smooth, curved lines without adornment. The silhouette should be slim but not delicate or dainty. A pedestal sink embodies this look well. If you want to add wood to your black and white bathroom, stick with lighter woods, such as maple and birch. The lighting fixtures should have sleek straight lines and metallic finishes.

Black tiled bathroom with white urinal and sleek modern lighting.

Modern bathroom with custom black and white curved sink and large wall mirror.

Black bathroom with round mirror, white vessel sink, potted plant, and wall niches.

Modern bathroom with black stone bathtub, candles, and white pebble flooring accents.

Luxury bathroom with grey and white marble shower, glass enclosure, and freestanding tub.

Modern bathroom with black hexagon floor tiles, white freestanding tub, and glass shower.

Modern bathroom with grey tiles, white floating vanity, and wood-paneled bathtub area.

Contemporary black and white bathroom with bathtub, glass shower screen, and vanity.

2. Adding a Touch of Elegance

Adding gold accents to your bathroom will give the small space a luxurious feel. The warmer tones of the metal will also add a sense of warmth to your bathroom. To make this look work, balance the amount of gold you add. It should only accent the bathroom – not act as the primary color element.

Try using a large statement vanity mirror with an ornate gilded frame. Another option is to use modern gold hardware for the sink faucet, towel rod, and shower fixtures.

A modern trend for adding gold is to place gold foil over your wall tile grout. This is a project you can do yourself. Just be sure to clean your grout well before you lay the gold tape. You don’t want mold or mildew growing underneath it.

Another popular trend is using metallic wallpaper. You can buy solid gold wallpaper and use it as an accent wall, but this may be a bit too much gold. A better option is to buy white and black wallpaper that has gold accenting throughout the pattern. For a wallpaper that fits into modern trends, choose a geometric or floral pattern. No matter what wallpaper you choose, be sure that the gold is actually metallic gold and not just yellow.

Elegant black and white bathroom with gold accents, clawfoot tub, and mosaic wall tiles.

Modern master bathroom with black vanity, gold-framed mirrors, and marble countertops.

Black and white bathroom with gold fixtures, hexagon floor tiles, and glass shower.

Small modern bathroom with white herringbone tiles, black hexagon flooring, and gold fixtures.

Elegant bathroom with black vanity, geometric tile floor, gold fixtures, and chandelier.

Stylish bathroom with black herringbone wall tiles, gold accents, and white vanity.

Spacious master bathroom with black vanity, gold fixtures, and geometric tile flooring.

Elegant bathroom with white clawfoot tub, gold fixtures, crystal chandelier, and hex tile floor.

Modern bathroom with dark grey vanity, gold fixtures, and herringbone marble backsplash.

Stylish half-bath with cylindrical sink, statement lighting, and large wall art.

3. Indulge in Luxury

What’s nice about black and white is that you can adapt it to your design aesthetic. You can elevate the look by using higher-quality materials and adding luxurious bathroom decor elements. Instead of using white subway tiles or shiplap boards, you can use white marble. Or embrace the idea of an all-black bathroom with black leather wallpaper, a vessel sink carved from black stone, and intricate black mosaic tile designs for the floor tile.

Instead of having a standard built-in tub, you can place a statement bathtub in the middle of the bathroom. This freestanding tub could have traditional claw feet or be of more modern design. To take the luxury feel up a step further, hang a statement chandelier above the freestanding bathtub.

If you have a tiny bathroom, then limit your statement lighting to the chandelier. If you have a larger master bath, you can use other large lighting fixtures. You can have sconces on either side of the vanity mirror, or add LED accent lighting under the shelves, in the shower, and along the ceiling panels.

Luxurious bathroom with freestanding tub, double vanity, and dark marble walls.

Industrial-style bathroom with corner bathtub, exposed brick wall, and modern lighting.

Elegant bathroom with black vanity cabinets, arched mirror, and white mosaic tile backsplash.

Modern bathroom with black herringbone tile wall, white vanities, and gold fixtures.

Luxurious master bathroom with white freestanding tub, patterned tile flooring, and crystal chandelier.

Modern black and white bathroom with crystal wall sconces, freestanding tub, and glossy floors.

Luxury master bathroom with black vanity, glass shower, crystal chandelier, and marble finishes.

Modern black bathroom with mosaic tiles, sleek vanity, and contemporary decor elements.

Modern black and white bathroom with floating vanity, dual vessel sinks, and mirrored cabinets.

Modern bathroom with black freestanding tub, glass shower, and patterned tile walls.

Elegant master bathroom with black vanity, white vessel sinks, and paneled walls.

Modern bathroom with black freestanding tub, silver chandelier, and white minimalist decor.

4. Creating a Masterful Retreat

If you decide to give your master bathroom a black and white theme, you’ll have a lot of freedom. You can take a simple approach, painting the bathroom black and white or using black and white tile. But why not make a bold statement in the master?

You can use black and white mosaic tiles to create a large pattern that covers the floor. Or, use a black and white patterned tile in the shower or on an accent wall. The small mosaic tiles will be too small for use in a larger space. When you use the small tiles to create a larger pattern, however, the eye focuses on the pattern and not the individual tiles.

If mosaic tiles aren’t your style, then consider large black slate tiles. These tiles will keep with the black and white theme but have a natural texture.

Another popular material for large master bathrooms is glass. You can use large sheets of glass to divide the space and enclose the shower. You’ll be able to see through the glass, keeping the space feeling large. Also, since the glass is transparent, it doesn’t take away from the black and white theme.

Don’t forget to consider the lighting in your master bathroom. Take a nod from luxury bathrooms and hang a chandelier. Instead of your chandelier being opulent, though, you could hang a vintage-inspired, rustic, or contemporary model.

Vintage-style bathroom with black hexagon floor tiles, white subway walls, and framed artwork.

Modern bathroom with patterned black and white tile flooring, glass shower, and black vanity.

Modern black bathroom with white vanity, round mirror, gold wall sconces, and vessel sink.

Classic black bathroom with patterned tile backsplash, white bathtub, and decorative mirrors.

Modern bathroom with black subway tile wall, white freestanding tub, and rustic wooden stool.

Modern bathroom with dark grey slate flooring, white bathtub, and floating vanity.

Modern bathroom with black tiled walls, patterned tile flooring, and white freestanding tub.

Modern bathroom with black subway tile walls, gold fixtures, wood vanity, and patterned floor tiles.

Bright bathroom with grey and white herringbone backsplash, black vanity, and freestanding tub.

Modern bathroom with white vanity, black countertop, herringbone backsplash, and black hexagon tile floor.

Modern bathroom with black walls, hanging light fixtures, and minimalist decor.

Modern bathroom with black walls, white subway tiles, and a sleek wooden vanity.

Sleek modern bathroom with geometric tiles, black vanity, and pendant lighting.

Modern bathroom with black-framed glass shower doors and white subway tiles.

Elegant bathroom with navy and white mosaic tile floor, glass shower, and round mirrors.

Cozy bathroom with white subway tiles, a bathtub, and black and white checkered accents.

Bright bathroom with a freestanding tub, glass shower, and white subway tiles.

Minimalist bathroom with a freestanding tub, white shiplap walls, and black herringbone flooring.

Bathroom with hexagon tiles, modern vanity, and elegant mirrors with gold sconces.

Sleek shower with white marble walls, black hexagonal floor tiles, and glass partitions.

Elegant bathroom with a black freestanding tub, white shiplap walls, and hexagonal tile flooring.

5. Simplistic Beauty

Black and white bathrooms lend themselves perfectly to a minimalist design aesthetic. When designing your minimal bathroom, less is more. Keep the details and intricacies simple. While you can choose either black or white for the entire bathroom, this isn’t necessary.

You can also balance the black and white. You can have a white wall on one side of the bathroom and a black wall on the other side. This approach works in both a large master bathroom and a small bathroom meant for guests.

When designing your bathroom, try creating an imaginary grid. It will help to keep the colors and bathroom balanced. It also helps you to maintain order. You can use this grid to decide where you’ll place ceramic tiles.

Keep everything in the bathroom to the bare necessities. There should also be plenty of empty space. Look for ways you can hide storage so that the bathroom remains functional but visually minimal.

Since your bathroom will have minimal details, the individual materials become more noticeable. Skip the cheap quality and in-demand tiles and invest in quality materials that have a timeless appeal. White marble is a high-quality material that looks beautiful, is durable, and will provide timeless beauty.

Modern minimalist bathroom with black and white tiles, sleek vanity, and floral wall decor.

Stylish bathroom with black hexagonal floor tiles, a freestanding tub, and glass shower.

Modern bathroom with black tiled walls, brass fixtures, and a glass shower enclosure.

Sleek shower with black herringbone tiles, modern fixtures, and a minimalist design.

Elegant bathroom with grey wall tiles, large mirrors, and black herringbone floor tiles.

Luxurious black bathroom with a heated towel rack, round mirror, and geometric floor tiles.

Sleek bathroom with black and wood vanity, herringbone floor tiles, and glass shower partition.

Modern bathroom with a freestanding white tub, glass shower partition, and black tiled wall.

Bright shower with white hexagonal tiles, black fixtures, and natural light streaming through a skylight.

Modern shower with black hexagonal floor tiles, glass enclosure, and a built-in niche.

Elegant bathroom with a black freestanding tub, glass shower, and marble herringbone tiles.

Modern bathroom with a white vanity, marble countertop, hanging lights, and minimal decor.

6. Stylish Powder Room Transformations

Make a statement with your powder room by creating an all-black bathroom with white accents. Since powder rooms lack a bathtub or shower, they are typically small bathrooms with just a toilet and sink. While you can create a tiled bathroom in this space, it isn’t necessary, and you can leave the tile to the bathroom floor.

Most people think black will make the space feel smaller and cramped. However, if you commit to an entirely black bathroom, you can actually make a tiny bathroom feel much larger than it really is. To do this, paint the walls and ceiling black, allowing the walls and ceiling to blend together and trick the eye. Finish the bathroom with white fixtures and white on the floor to make the space less disorienting.

If you want to elevate the look of your bathroom, use black stacked stone or cut tiles for the walls. You can have a black granite or marble vanity counter. Then install overhead lighting that will illuminate the space.

If all black is too intense, consider keeping the bottom half of the walls white. This will give you the benefit of black on top and on the ceiling while brightening the bathroom with white on the bottom.

Luxurious black bathroom with marble accents, black and white striped floor, and modern artwork.

Modern half-bath with black textured walls, a sleek sink, and minimalist decor.

Charming half-bath with black walls, white subway tiles, wooden vanity, and a bright window.

Modern dark-colored bathroom with sleek black tile walls, minimal fixtures, and a small washbasin.

Cozy half-bath with a black vanity, white sink, framed art, and decorative plants.

Stylish bathroom with grey circular tile backsplash, minimalist sink, and gold faucets.

Contemporary black and white bathroom with a sleek round sink, modern artwork, and ambient lighting.

Charming black and white half-bath with shiplap walls, a woven rug, and minimalist fixtures.

Charming half-bath with white shiplap walls, black hexagon tile flooring, and vintage fixtures.

Modern bathroom with black walls, white bathtub, wood shelf, and natural decor accents.

7. Maximizing Space

A small bathroom is the perfect place to use a black and white theme. In smaller spaces, you’ll want to limit the number of colors you use. A black and white theme gives the space interest without being overwhelming. One popular approach is to use a vintage-inspired design.

To accomplish a modern vintage style in your bathroom, start with white walls. Use white tile, shiplap, or just paint the walls white. Then use black bathroom tile for the floor. If you want to use a mosaic, then match the grout to the color of the tile. This will blend the tiles together, creating a monochromatic texture. Pair this with black accenting throughout the bathroom. Choose black lighting fixtures, plumbing hardware, cabinetry hardware, towel rods, and shelves.

Another approach for small bathrooms is to find inspiration in Scandinavian design. Use white materials and light wood to create your bathroom. We suggest light-colored wood for the vanity, shelving, and cabinetry and warm-toned metal for the fixtures, such as gold, brass, or copper. Then leave the black for use as an accent. You can have a single accent wall or use it for the backsplash.

Black and white bathroom with open shelves, round mirror, and minimalist decor accents. — champagne.chaos/Instagram

Small bathroom with bold star-patterned tiles, white tub, gold fixtures, and green plants. — renovationreport/Instagram

Modern bathroom with black marble tiles, gold fixtures, glass shower, and white vanity.

Small modern bathroom with black walls, corner glass shower, wall-mounted toilet, and decor.

Modern bathroom with wood vanity, black tiles, floating shelves, freestanding tub, and decor. — adidstudio/Instagram

Minimalist black and white bathroom with hexagon tile floor, glass shower, and round mirror.

Rustic farmhouse bathroom with white subway tiles, round mirror, marble sink, and wall art. — Source: @saragreencollective via Instagram

Small bathroom with wood accents, built-in storage, washer, white sink, and yellow flowers.

Small bathroom with black hexagon floor tiles, white fixtures, and wall-mounted sink.

Modern bathroom with black tiled walls, white bathtub, pedestal sink, and green plant decor.

Modern bathroom with black walls, patterned tile floors, white bathtub, and pendant light.

8. Inspiring Tile Combinations

Just because you’re using black and white tiles doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Sure, there’s a beautiful simplicity in using white squares or subway tiles. But you could create a herringbone or chevron pattern from thin rectangular tiles. Or keep in line with modern design trends and use a geometric or fish scale-shaped tile.

Use small mosaic tiles for a uniform look, or use black and white tiles to create a larger pattern. Then there’s the grout consideration. Match the grout to the tile color for a uniform look or use a contrasting color for a bold visual effect.

If you want a pattern, but don’t want mosaic, consider using floor tiles with a pattern on their surface. You could use several tiles with a variety of patterns, or a single pattern on all of them. Then the individual design comes together to create a larger repeating pattern.

A section of black and white tiles wouldn’t be complete without the classic check pattern. This traditional tile style uses square black and white tiles. alternating to create a check pattern that’s reminiscent of a chessboard.

When choosing the tile for your bathroom, don’t be afraid to use different types of tile. This will help you create different areas, such as the vanity or shower area. You can use one type of tile for the majority of the wall, another for the floor, and a third as an accent.

Farmhouse bathroom with black walls, clawfoot tub, checkered floor tiles, and pink flowers. — Source: @prairiefarmhousedesign via Instagram

Modern bathroom with curved ceiling, hexagon tiles, freestanding tub, and round mirror.

Bright bathroom with patterned tile floor, walk-in shower, wood vanity, and white walls.

Modern farmhouse bathroom with black cabinet, geometric tile floor, wall sink, and shelves.

Shower corner with black hexagon tiles, soap dish, and black bottles on a sleek black ledge.

Luxury bathroom with white double vanity, black backsplash, geometric floor tiles, and mirrors.

Shower with alternating white subway tiles and black penny tile stripes, featuring niches.

Modern farmhouse bathroom with black hexagon tile floor, white subway shower tiles, and wood vanity. — keepaustinflippingweird/Instagram

Boho farmhouse bathroom with patterned tile floor, black shower curtain, and white vanity. — perfectspaces_rachelletaylor/Instagram

Farmhouse bathroom with patterned wall tiles, herringbone floor, built-in tub, and greenery. — redbrickfauxfarmhouse/Instagram

Shower with dark hexagon floor tiles, white subway wall tiles, and glass enclosure.

Shower with dark gray subway tiles on top, white tiles on bottom, and silver fixtures.

Modern shower with black hexagon tiles, white subway tiles, rain showerhead, and glass door.

Modern shower with textured white tiles, black and white hexagon accent wall, and bench seating.

See more about - Bathroom Tile Ideas and Designs

FAQs

What color goes with a black and white bathroom?

There are two colors to consider. For the metal fixtures, stainless steel, nickel, gold, and brass all look beautiful. For the textiles, any color will go with black and white. Popular options are red, pink, yellow, and rich blue. Pale and soft colors tend to look too light.

What color towels go with a black and white bathroom?

Black or white towels will be the perfect addition to the black and white trend throughout the entire bathroom. If you’re looking for visual continuity, this is the way to go. However, if you’d like to add a pop of color, you can choose towels in the colors we’ve mentioned that go with black and white.

What is the new style for bathrooms?

Modern bathroom style encourages the use of crisp and bold colors. Black and white go with this modern trend perfectly. Look for ways to combine other modern trends, such as patterns, natural materials, and artistic lighting.