Rustic Bathroom Ideas

There's something about rustic bathrooms that are just so inviting. Maybe it's the way they blend together the best of both worlds; the rustic charm of yesteryear with today's modern conveniences.

Or perhaps it's because they often incorporate natural elements like wood and stone, making them feel like a true oasis for escaping from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

For so many reasons, rustic bathrooms are definitely one of our favourite design trends.

If you're thinking about adding a rustic bathroom to your home, there are endless possibilities to explore.

We’ve got a few design ideas for you to consider when completing a rustic bathroom revamp.

What is a rustic bathroom?

Typically a rustic bathroom is sculpted around earth tones and natural materials, with a focus on nature-inspired elements.

From wooden floors, stone walls and metal fixtures to upcycled furnishings, indoor plants and warm lighting, there are so many different ways to assemble this look.

The truth is, rustic bathrooms are forgiving as they offer a blank canvas to create a homely, customised and timeless retreat in your home.

Because of this, you can also merge the rustic theme with other decor styles.

From simple country-cottage-inspired accents or enchanting natural glamour to a more antiquity look or a washed-up beachy vibe, with a rustic bathroom, the bathroom decor world is your oyster.

 

How can I make my bathroom look rustic?

Start with the walls

To build out a beautiful and original rustic bathroom look, a great place to start is the walls.

You may be surprised to find out that there really are so many different wall styles, colours and colourings to achieve the look.

Wood panelling

For a country cottage rustic look, choose wood panelling. Placed on either one wall, on the bottom half of the walls or on all of the walls.

You could stain the panels bronzy teak or classic oak to bring out the natural woodland textures. Or if you want to brighten the space with colour, you could paint them.

To keep things pure and simple, paint a classic bright white or a nourishing oatmeal cream.

Add an au-natural splash of brightness by selecting a woody sage green, cornflower blue, burnt orange, fruitful plumb purple or stoney grey.

If it’s the washed-up beachy look you’re going for, consider a sky blue or sea green.

Just because you’re going for the rustic look, it doesn't mean you have to steer clear of the darker end of the colour pallet. To add a hint of luxury glamour, consider a deep satin blue. Or for the ultimate intimate industrial rustic look, go all out with black.

If you choose wooden panelling for just the bottom half of the wall, pick a contrasting colour for the top half, to emphasise the rustic wood used across the space.

Alternatively, if you’re using wooden panelling on just one wall as a feature piece, opt for a stand-out colour that will draw a hearty and wholesome warmth through your space.

Tiles and wall panels

If you’re aiming for a rustic look with a rustic spa-like finish, you may instead choose tiles or wall panels.

This easy clean option is ideal for family or master bathrooms that are used more frequently and more susceptible to wear and tear.

Rustic bathrooms often feature earthy tones and natural materials, so look for tiles that reflect these elements.

Stone or terracotta tiles are a great option for rustic bathrooms. To keep things looking light, opt for sandy warm seaside tones. Or to surround yourself with hearty, mineral-rich nature stone, choose sleek slate or grainy granite wall tiles or panels.

For something more unique and hand-picked for you, create a bespoke rustic feature wall using tiles.

If you’re someone who wants to sprinkle a little colour and brightness into the room, choose a bright colour that contrasts against the rest of the bathroom walls. Place this feature wall behind your shower, basin or even on the window wall.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match between different textures and materials to create a more rough and ready look.

Alternatively, you could choose tiles that allow the furniture and fittings to do all of the talking.

For something more modest, effortlessly simple yet distinct enough to be its own feature, choose classic metro white tiles. This will keep the room bright and capacious whilst building an additional layer of texture.

And if it’s a darker rustic look you’re going for, instead, choose glossy black metro tiles, which will pair beautifully with wooden features and brassy tones.

Bring original features to life

Rustic bathrooms are all about celebrating an eclectic mix of mother nature's finest materials whilst candidly showcasing the heritage of yesteryear through vintage or upcycled treasures.

If you’re lucky enough to live in an older property, there may be some original features that you could enhance and celebrate in their full glory.

Are there any hidden gems in the bathroom or around your property, that you may previously not have considered?

For example, could you expose the original brickwork for a warm and cosy feel? Is there an original fireplace that’s been forgotten about? Or maybe you have old beams that could be revamped or replaced to breathe some traditional charm into the space.

Rustic bathroom flooring

When it comes to rustic bathroom decor, there are a few things to consider. One of the most important is the flooring. After all, the floors take up a lot of visual space, so they can really set the tone for the entire room.

Much like the walls, there are plenty of different ways to bring the rustic look to life across the floors.

Hardwood floors are a popular choice for rustic bathrooms, as they add an element of warmth and sophistication.

For a traditional rustic look, expose the original floorboards, or choose a wooden floor.

If you’re looking to brighten things up, you could paint the floor white, or for dramatic effect, choose a black wood-effect floor.

If you want to twist a little modern into your design, choose large profile floor tiles.

For the blended look, choose stoney colours that match your walls to keep the flow feeling natural.

Alternatively, mosaic tiles are a great choice if you’re looking for an injection of colour or pattern.

Which bathroom furniture to choose?

Most rustic bathrooms feature furniture that is either typically traditional in style or is made using natural materials.

Let's start with the toilet and basin…

If you’re looking to achieve a classic country cottage look, it’s worth considering a more traditional style. For a loo that stands the test of time, it’s got to be a low-level toilet. With a nod to the Edwardian period, this is an innovative way to add a little heritage charm to your olde-worlde look.

Pair with a traditional full pedestal basin to complete the look.

Alternatively, you might be looking to save space, particularly if you have less room to play with. Instead, choose a back-to-wall or a wall-hung basin, which will take up less space, whilst still providing the necessary functionality.

Save even more space and create an open and inviting layout with a semi-pedestal basin, which still offers the classic look, but is more accommodating for a smaller bathroom.

Turn your basin into a rustic centrepiece when choosing a wooden doored vanity unit. Choose from a range of finishes, including musky driftwood, wood-effect grey, wood grain and classic natural oak.

If you want to add a blast of colour, but want to stay in keeping with the classic woody look, choose a vanity unit with wooden shaker doors, and paint a colour of your choosing.

If you have less room, consider a wall-hung design, or a slimline single basin floor-standing vanity unit. However, if you have the space and want to crank the luxurious rustic look up a notch, why not choose a double vanity unit?

And for an extra splash of wow factor, choose a vanity unit with a countertop and opt for a countertop basin.

These basin styles are available in a vast variety of shapes and sizes and are the perfect way to style a stunning yet functional rustic bathroom centrepiece.

If you’re looking to increase your storage capacity, choose a matching cabinet.

 

A rustic wash space

When redesigning a rustic bathroom, one of the first things to decide is whether you’ll include a shower or a bath, or both.

This decision will largely depend on the size of the bathroom as well as your personal preferences and lifestyle needs.

In a smaller bathroom or ensuite, you may only have room for a classic shower or a wet room walk-in shower.

But how do you create a rustic-looking shower?

A rustic shower is usually made up of natural stone or slate, which gives it a rugged and textured look.

This type of shower is also easy to clean and maintain, as the material is highly resistant to staining. When designing a rustic bathroom shower, it is important to consider the walls and flooring carefully.

Natural stone floors can be slippery when wet, so it is important to choose a material that is both slip-resistant and stylish.

For the walls, consider using rustic tiles or stone cladding. This will help to create a watertight seal and prevent any water damage.

In a larger shower or wetroom, you could include a seat, that doubles up as a shelf for all of your shampoos and soaps. Alternatively, you could fit a shelf made out of an old timber sleeper that looks like rustic driftwood.

When it comes to choosing a shower door or screen, there are two main styles you may wish to consider.

If you want a seamless transition between your shower and the rest of your bathroom, choose a clear shower screen or wet room screen.

Alternatively, if you want to break up your space and segment between your shower area and the rest of your bathroom, choose a shower door or wet room screen with a matte black trim.

If a bath is on your must-have list, why not choose a classic roll-top bath? Sooth and relax in your own home spa when choosing a deep curvaceous, cosy country cottage bath.

For added vintage effect, choose a claw foot design and match with brassy four spindle taps.

 

Taps and shower fittings that complete the rustic look

We’ve already touched upon brassy taps as a great addition to a traditional bath. However, this colour is a great choice for your basin, too.

Breathe a nourishing touch of warmth when choosing beautiful brushed brass taps, door handles and fittings.

Alternatively, if you’re bathroom encompasses a darker feel, matte black is bang on trend, yet a perfect addition to a timeless countrified bathroom design. Black shower kits are the ideal pairing if you’ve gone for a black shower screen, whilst black taps work well if you want to draw more attention to a white basin centrepiece.

When it comes to tap style, keep things flowing naturally with a serene and soothing waterfall tap. Or to tap into the rustic industrial look, choose a wall-mounted tap.

If you’re keeping things more old school, there really is no better tap choice than the four-spindle design. And don’t forget to choose a matching shower kit to complete the traditional look.

Rustic bathroom accessories for all budgets

There are so many different ways to accessorise when choosing the rustic look.

With a little bit of creativity, you can easily and cost-effectively transform your ordinary bathroom into a stylish rustic retreat.

Make your wall space do more when adding shelves to your rustic bathroom.

Shelves made of reclaimed wood or industrial metal can provide a sturdy and stylish place to store towels, toiletries, and decorations. Alternatively, you could create a focal point using concrete shelves, brought to life with indoor plants potted inside upcycled mason jars.

For more storage, choose handmade wicker or hessian-wrapped baskets, perfect for laundry, dirty towels or toilet paper.

No bathroom would be complete without a mirror.

Rustic mirrors come in a variety of styles.

Choose a mirror framed in old driftwood or weathered rope, or for a hint of glamour, choose an antique style with a brassy frame.

A mirror can help to brighten up any space and make a small bathroom feel more spacious.

You may also want to consider a woven shower or bath mat to build extra texture.

And finally, choose super soft cotton towels to match the colour of your toothbrush holder and soap dishes to tie colour together across your space.