From carpeted loos to chaotic chrome clashes, the bathroom has long been a hotbed for design misdemeanours. With insight from the experts at Stiles, we explore the essential do’s and don’ts for transforming this often-overlooked space into a sanctuary of style.
Have you encountered a design crime so horrendous that it deserves jail time?
Historically, the bathroom has often been recognised as ‘ground zero’ for dire decor disasters. Some horrendous trends crept up on the 1980’s pretending to be cosy and practical – like carpeted bathrooms and plush toilet seat covers. Today, the perpetrator would be locked away in a padded cell for sins against humanity. Phoenix Ørion Grey, aka Design Daddy, is a Toronto interior designer who shares his ‘seven deadly sins’ of bathroom design on social media. This design guru lists overcrowding, lack of storage, ugly lighting, badly positioned mirrors, neglecting ventilation, poor layout and impractical finishes as his “Worst Bathroom Design Mistakes”.
Of course, there are also some brilliant bathroom ideas worth stealing. So, we asked the Stiles team for their top tips on creating a sanctuary of serenity, because your bathroom should be stylish, functional, and most importantly, free of design disasters.
5 Do’s for Designing a Luxury Bathroom
1. Use Large-Format Tiles for a Seamless Look
“Large-format porcelain slabs reduce grout lines, making the space feel more expansive and sleek,” says Callie Scott, Design Consultant at Stiles. The bigger the tile, she explains, the bigger the illusion of space. This is particularly relevant in small bathrooms or shower enclosures. Large tiles reduce visual clutter and create a seamless aesthetic.
She recommends the Florim Marble Calacatta in Gold for its timeless warmth and delicate veins of gold.
2. Choose High Quality Fixtures
“When choosing tapware,” advises Adele Swart, Sanware Buyer and CSO at Stiles, “opt for taps, mixers and shower heads from a reputable company with a guarantee and an established aftersales service.” Hansgrohe, Meir and Blutide each offer a manufacturer’s guarantee on their products.
Not only are high quality finishes timeless and luxurious, but customers can be confident that any issues are covered under warranty.
3. Hide Your Loo!
“If possible,” recommends Adele, “keep the toilet in its own enclosed cubicle for added privacy and comfort.” This “toilet closet” is a separate space which helps contain odours and ensures a more pleasant experience for everyone using the bathroom.
4. Choose Your Throne Wisely
“When choosing a toilet, it’s worth investing in smart features that enhance hygiene, comfort, and longevity,” says Adele. If odour control is a concern, the Geberit DuoFresh cistern is a great option, as it actively pulls air from the bowl and filters it for a fresher bathroom.
For a more high-tech experience, consider a bidet spray or a shower toilet like the Duravit SensoWash or Geberit AquaClean, which offer superior cleanliness and convenience. Soft-closing or self-closing seats not only add a touch of luxury but also prevent damage and prolong the toilet’s lifespan. Lastly, a rimless toilet pan is a game-changer—more hygienic and easier to clean, as it eliminates hidden spaces where germs can lurk.
5. Balance Texture with Statement Tiles
Creating a visually stunning bathroom is all about finding the right balance between texture and statement pieces, explains Calli Scott. Textured or fluted feature tiles, such as relief tiles, introduce depth and dimension without overwhelming the space. Meanwhile, terrazzo and marble-effect porcelain tiles add timeless elegance with a touch of luxury.
The AB Strokes Pietra Antica, with its soft, creamy tones, provides an understated yet elegant touch—perfect for layering texture without dramatic contrast. For a decorative statement, consider feature tiles on a shower wall, like the Ceusa Chevron collection.
The Zigue Chevron GR Matt, is a grounded taupe colour, and complements the earthy neutrals trend.
5 Don’ts When Designing a Luxury Bathroom
1. Don’t Fall for the Anti-Slip Myth
“Many people mistakenly believe they need anti-slip tiles throughout the entire bathroom,” insists Callie, “but that’s simply not the case.” While essential for outdoor areas due to their grip, slip-resistant (R12) tiles can be tough to clean and require serious elbow grease. For bathrooms, an R9 or R10 tile – paired with a bathmat – offers a safer and easier-to-maintain solution. When it comes to shower flooring, you don’t necessarily need a specialized tile—regular tiles can be cut into smaller pieces, with the grout lines naturally providing extra grip.
2. Don’t Mix Too Many Metal Finishes
This year has seen a new trend in mixed metallics, where designers combine mixtures of chrome, gold, black, and bronze. “I can’t cope with it,” says Adele bluntly, “it can feel chaotic rather than curated.”
She recommends sticking to one tapware finish with matching complementary accessories. If you want to know her favourites…. Check out the Lustre Bronze and Gun Metal.
3. Thou Shalt Not Scour Your Taps
“Leave the scrubbing for the pots and pans!” warns Adele. She advises Stiles’ customers to avoid using abrasive cleaning products containing ammonia on tapware and bathroom accessories. Harsh chemicals can damage the metal finish and leave an unsightly appearance. Instead, she recommends, opting only for a damp microfiber cloth when cleaning towel railings, taps, and other fixtures.
4. Don’t Neglect the Storage
The Stiles team recommend incorporating customizable, built-in niches to accompany a freestanding bath. The waterproof U- tile niche can be tiled for a seamless finish and is large enough to store the essentials, a good book, a glass of wine and a regal scented candle. If you’re looking for the epitome of luxury, Adele recommends the Seros freestanding gloss bathtub.
5. Don’t Bow to Backsplash Pressure
“A statement backsplash behind the master bathroom vanity isn’t always necessary,” says Calli Scott. While bold, decorative tiles can add charm to small bathrooms and guest toilets, they can sometimes feel distracting in a larger, more luxurious en-suite. Instead, Calli recommends drawing inspiration from the Nordic Spa aesthetic, where a cohesive, seamless look creates a calm and serene retreat. “Using the same tile throughout the bathroom enhances the sense of flow and spaciousness,” she explains.
For effortless muted elegance, she loves the Tuscania Ceramiche Dolomia White a timeless tile that embodies understated luxury while maintaining a soothing, spa-like ambiance.
Visit any of Stiles’ showrooms to view these products in person or visit their website: stiles.co.za to find out more.
