Art Deco Bathroom Ideas that Blend Luxury & Functionality

Imagine transforming a standard 2x3m bathroom into a 1920s-style mini hotel suite. An Art Deco bathroom brings a sense of glamour and geometry to any home. And you can achieve this aesthetic without turning your bathroom into a museum piece! We've put together a list of bathroom design ideas to help you master the balance of luxury and daily life.

An Art Deco bathroom succeeds when glamour meets practicality. With the right materials and detailing, you can create a space that feels luxurious every day, not just on special occasions.

Image Source: Interior by Cressida Kennedy | Photography by Tom Fergusen.

Before you start: The Professional Checklist

Review these four areas before you commit to a renovation or a cosmetic refresh.

• Existing Plumbing: Can you use wall-mounted taps or do you need to stick to deck-mounted options?
• Natural Light: Will dark tiles make the space feel cramped or moody and sophisticated?
• Ceiling Height: Can the room handle a dramatic central chandelier?
• Budget: Are you doing a full reno or a simple "jewellery" update of mirrors and hardware?

Start with Art Deco Bathroom Tiles

The right art deco tiling creates the geometric foundation for your entire bathroom design.

• Monochrome and Patterns: Use black and white chevrons or soft mint green tiles with metallic trims for a classic look.
• Border Logic: Frame the room with a contrasting marble border. This keeps the main field tile simple and helps narrow rooms look wider.
• Scale and Function: Use large-format wall tiles to reduce grout lines and small mosaics on floors for slip resistance.
• Trims as Jewellery: Use gloss black pencil trims to outline mirrors and niches for a layered profile.

Pro Tip: Ask your tiler to align borders so grout lines look intentional rather than random.

Image Source: Greg Natale.

Choose a Statement Art Deco Bathroom Vanity

The vanity is the anchor of your design and usually the first thing people notice.

• Profiles and Materials: Look for rounded edges or "stepped" profiles. Dark walnut or ebony wood looks expensive, but lacquered white feels a bit more modern.
• Reeded and Fluted Fronts: Use vertical fluting to echo the look of 1920s columns. This texture is great because it also hides daily fingerprints.
• Functional Finishes: Go for a satin finish instead of high-gloss. You won't have to polish it every five minutes in a busy family home.
• Bench-top Details: Ask for a 40 mm thickened edge on your stone top. It mimics the heavy, architectural look of original Art Deco furniture.

Pro Tip: Use thin brass finger pulls instead of bulky handles. It keeps the front of your cabinets looking sleek and expensive.

Add Depth with an Art Deco Bathroom Mirror

Mirrors do the heavy lifting when it comes to making a small, geometric room feel big.

• Scalloped and Sunburst: Look for frames with stepped edges or etched borders to really hit the theme.
• Layered Compositions: Try mounting a small decorative mirror over a large plain sheet of glass. It adds a layer of depth that feels very architectural.
• Recessed Storage: Hide your shaving cabinets by sinking them into the wall. You can add a tiled frame around them to make them look like a feature.

Pro Tip: Hang your mirrors as close to the ceiling as you can. It stretches the room visually and is a great way to hide high power points.

Image Source: Interior by Cressida Kennedy | Photography by Tom Fergusen.

Layers of Art Deco Bathroom Lighting

You need to plan your lighting in layers to avoid flat shadows and really show off your tile textures.

• Task Lighting: Put your wall sconces at eye level on both sides of the mirror. It stops those weird shadows on your face when you're getting ready.
• Mood Lighting: Hide dimmable LED strips under your vanity or inside shower niches. It gives the room a high-end hotel glow at night.
• Drama: Pick a central chandelier that fits the scale of the room. A 45 cm diameter is usually the sweet spot for a standard bathroom.

Technical Note: Use warm-white bulbs around 2700 K. They make skin tones look much better than cool, blue-ish lights.

Pro Tip: Chat with your electrician about IP ratings. You want that decorative light to be safe if it's near the bath or shower.

Refine the Details with Art Deco Bathroom Faucets

Think of your faucets and tap wear as the jewellery that ties the whole room together.

• Micro-Geometry: Look for faceted bases and handles with "knurled" details. Polished chrome or brushed brass always looks classic.
• Wall-Mounted Mixers: These are a great choice if you want to save bench space and keep your vanity top looking clean.
• Durable Finishes: Use satin or brushed metals if you have kids. They hide water spots much better than shiny, polished chrome.

Pro Tip: Pick one main handle shape, like a cross-handle or a lever, and repeat it across your taps and towel hooks for a cohesive look.

Add Texture with Art Deco Bathroom Wallpaper

If you want pattern without the commitment of tile, moisture-rated wallpaper is your best friend.

• Zoning: Stick to paint in the splash zones and save the bold fan motifs for the top half of the room.
• Dado Effects: Tile the bottom 1.2 m of the wall and put wallpaper above it. A slim trim between the two makes the room feel taller.
• Color Strategy: Try deep teals or warm stone shades in windowless rooms. They add a lot of personality without needing much light.

Pro Tip: Only use vinyl-coated papers. We also recommend hiring a pro to install it around tricky corners and niches.

Image Source: Bobbi Beck.

Custom Deco Organization and Storage

Good storage is what keeps your Art Deco bathroom from feeling cluttered or messy.

• Framed Niches: Detail your shower niches with contrasting trims. It makes them look like an intentional design choice rather than just a hole in the wall.
• The Hotel Cupboard: Try a tall, shallow Art Deco bathroom cabinet with glass doors. It’s perfect for showing off nice towels and expensive perfumes.
• Hidden Luxury: Put a tilt-out laundry hamper inside your vanity. It’s a simple way to keep dirty clothes out of sight.

Pro Tip: Make sure the shelves in your niches are slightly sloped. You don't want water sitting in puddles around your shampoo bottles.

Bathroom Fixtures for Layout and Drainage

The shape of your tub and shower screen really dictates the flow and symmetry of the space.

• Steel-Look Screens: Use slim, black-framed panes to echo the industrial windows of the 1920s.
• Tub Placement: Centre your bath under a window or a feature light. Symmetry is the most important rule in Art Deco design.
• Invisible Comforts: Add mirror demisters and put your heated towel rails on a timer. It’s a small bit of luxury for your morning routine.

Pro Tip: Use a linear drain along the back wall of the shower. It keeps your floor patterns clean and means you don't have to cut your tiles into weird shapes.

Image Source: Maddux Creative | Pablo Veiga | Gia Renovations.

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This post was created by the team at The Interior Design Institute and supported by our team of professional expert tutors. Meet Sophie Seeger, one of our expert student guides below:

IDI TUTOR

Sophie Seeger

@seegerbydesign

Sophie Seeger runs Seeger By Design, a creative studio specialising in interior design, decorating, property styling, consulting, and art sourcing. Her work is known for its layered sophistication and thoughtful detailing—qualities that align beautifully with Art Deco interiors. From sculptural furniture to bold geometry and curated statement art, Sophie understands how to balance glamour with livability, bringing a refined yet expressive touch to every space she creates.

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Published: February 25, 2026