20 Ways to Design an Asian-Style Bathroom

Asian-style bathrooms provide the perfect spot in which to rest, unwind and recover at the end of each day, as well as a calming space where you can prepare for the busy day ahead. A sense of tranquility, well-being, balance and visual harmony is at the heart of the design aesthetic, which evokes these qualities with the use of clean lines, minimalist decor, soothing color schemes and natural materials. If you think an Eastern-inspired bathing sanctuary is just what you need in your home, take design cues from these stunning bathrooms that highlight various characteristics of Asian-style baths.

Leicht Küchen AG

1. Calming colors. Soothing tones, such as crisp white, earthy brown and warm neutrals, are often used to decorate Asian bathrooms, as they infuse a space with a peaceful, welcoming vibe. Black is another hue that commonly makes an appearance in Asian-inspired rooms — including this luxury bathing zone — and is used to add drama or anchor a space.

While a palette of moody black and rich brown may look heavy and overwhelming in some bathrooms, this room feels airy and inviting thanks, to the cool white tub and a floor-to-ceiling window that floods the area with natural light. The sheer size of the room helps, too.

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Smith Brothers

2. Holiday at home. Transform your run-of-the-mill bathroom into an exotic Asian-style bathing zone, and you’ll feel like you’re visiting a wellness spa in Japan or staying at a beachside Balinese resort, rather than stuck at home getting ready for (or winding down after) another day at work. Not convinced? Take a look at this Bali-inspired wet room (we love how it flows out to an outdoor spa) and tell us you wouldn’t feel completely blissed out every morning and night after showering in this space.

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SL Design

3. Gleaming glamour. Dress up your Eastern-inspired bathing area with shimmering metallic tones (such as gold, silver or copper) that add drama and flair. This opulent powder room shows how it’s done. A dazzling gold-tiled vanity steals the spotlight, while intricately patterned mosaic tiling in black and gold enhances the luxe look and adds an almost mystical vibe. For a subtler look, decorate your bathing zone with cultural artifacts or accessories with metallic finishes.

Denali Construction

4. Simple and serene. Calm and uncluttered, this blissful Zen-inspired bath zone sets the scene for rest and relaxation. Neutral-toned walls add warmth and an inviting ambience, while the bath, vanity and scattered accessories in crisp white, as well as high-shine chrome fixtures, lift the look. A large window that provides an abundance of natural light sits high on the wall, so you can admire the view as you stand under the relaxing rain shower. A carved wooden plaque, decorative display of branches and bed of loose river pebbles that frames the tub complete the look.

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dwellbeing

5. Walls that wow. While walls in Asian-inspired bathrooms tend to be free of elaborate decoration, don’t fall into the trap of thinking yours must remain plain and unadorned. Here koi-printed wallpaper adds another layer of visual interest and character, while referencing a symbol that’s central to Japanese and Chinese cultures. (Koi represent love, friendship and courage in Japan, while in China they symbolize wealth and prosperity.)

Fish-patterned wallpaper not your thing? Try wall coverings with Asian language characters, cherry blossoms or other iconic cultural motifs.

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Luminexa Surfacing

6. Bamboo accents. Bamboo design elements are common features in Asian bathing zones. We love when the ecofriendly material is used in unexpected ways, such as with this low-profile bamboo sink or the eye-catching resin privacy screen embedded with bamboo shoots that shields the toilet from view.

GIA Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations

7. The great escape. Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on creating harmony and balance in the home. This is achieved by designing or arranging living environments in certain ways to improve the flow of positive energy through the space and, by extension, the inhabitant’s life. Feng shui principles are often incorporated (sometimes without deliberate planning) into Asian-influenced design, as both approaches are centered around creating living zones that are calm, uncluttered and uplifting.

So what can you do to ensure that your bathroom has good feng shui, as this serene Asian bathroom does? Choose a soothing palette, banish clutter, mount a large mirror (or multiple ones) on the wall to promote energy flow, and provide plenty of natural light, ventilation and fresh air. Candles and plants also have a calming, restorative effect.

Don’t forget to consider the placement of your bath and shower. These should be positioned so you have a good view of the door when bathing, and your toilet should remain out of sight (the lid should always be closed, too).

Read more about adding elements of feng shui

Clearlight Designs

8. Subtle style. Adding a printed shower screen or wall decor is another way to infuse an Asian-style bathroom with an extra layer of culture, character and visual appeal. Here a koi motif dresses up a plain glass shower screen and attracts the eye without being too distracting. Chinoiserie, cherry blossom prints or Eastern-inspired geometric patterns would also work well in an Asian-inspired bathroom.

m.a.p. interiors inc. / Sylvia Beez

9. Revitalizing red. A dominant color in many Eastern cultures, red often appears in Asian design, from fashion to furniture and home interiors. After all, the hue symbolizes joy, good luck, fortune and purity in Asian cultures, so it’s no surprise that many people wish to be surrounded by the warm, energetic shade.

Daring and dramatic, this all-red powder room makes a bold statement. If you desire a subtler Eastern-inspired look, opt for a neutral palette but brighten up your scheme with red decorative accents, such as towels, canisters or accent tiles.

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Eduarda Correa Arquitetura & Interiores

10. Natural wonder. This space is a great example of how natural materials can enhance the organic and tranquil look of an Asian bathroom. Woven boxes, cultural art and a live orchid are the perfect finishing touches, as they add to the room’s peaceful, inviting atmosphere and resort-like vibe.

PlushHome Singapore

11. Dividing lines. Strong directional lines are a key characteristic of this Asian bathroom and the design aesthetic in general. Note how the long, horizontal wall tiles make the room feel peaceful and balanced, while the large, vertically laid floor tiles add depth and anchor the room. The angled ceiling design also draws the eye up and gives the illusion of height. Minimalist bathroom furniture enhances the sleek, clean look of the bathing zone, too.

Warm, earthy tones; the organic curves of the bath, basin and fixtures; plus the playful cherry blossom–printed divider (did you notice its reflection in the mirror?) keep the space from looking cold and lifeless.

Danenberg Design

12. Asian fusion. If you like the calm, minimalist look of Asian bathrooms but want a space that’s unique and has loads of personality, consider experimenting with multiple design styles. In this striking bathroom, Eastern and industrial influences have been expertly blended, resulting in a bath zone that’s cutting edge and one of a kind. Crisp white furnishings and accents were replaced with sleek metal (check out the canopy), giving the room an edgy, modern look, while the shoji-inspired bathroom door, bamboo accents and exotic orchid add traditional touches.

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Isabella Ginanneschi

13. Back to basics. This Asian bathroom has a rustic look, thanks to the use of raw natural materials and decor, rather than sleek, high-shine surfaces and furnishings. The light, creamy walls and indulgent touches, such as the candles and plush white towels, break up the muted palette and add a hint of luxe modern appeal. My favorite part of the design? The bath spout, which echoes a Japanese bamboo water feature.

Jackson Design & Remodeling

14. Color infusion. Want to go a little crazy and inject a splash of lively color into your Asian-style bathing space rather than sticking to all-neutral tones? If red is too bold for you, choose calming hues, such as sea green or sky blue (seen here), which echo the colors of nature.

See more of this Japanese-style master bathroom

Chambers Interiors & Associates, Inc.

15. Unexpected influences. When you think of Asian design, Japanese-, Chinese- and Balinese-inspired styles are usually the first decorating schemes that come to mind. But don’t forget to look to other Asian countries, including India and Thailand, or nations in Central or South Asia, such as Turkey or Pakistan, for inspiration. We love this airy, eclectic Indian-influenced space. Though modern in design, the finishing touches (such as the ornate wooden mirrors, exotic pendant lights and patterned rug) infuse it with global character and charm.

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Webb & Brown-Neaves

16. Harmonious design. This bathroom is a study in how all the design elements of an Asian bathroom are thoughtfully chosen to create visual harmony. Here light, warm tones offset the dark chocolate feature wall; the curved bathtub and basins balance the sharp, strong lines of the vanity; and the wooden ladder, sculptural pendant light and floral motif breathe life into the sleek, minimalist space. Though individually striking and stylish, none of the elements seek to steal the spotlight and instead blend seamlessly together, resulting in a look that’s blissful and balanced.

See more of this Japanese-inspired home design

Webber + Studio, Architects

17. Warm woods. Wood is the secret to this Zen-inspired bathroom’s success. From the rich red-tinged mahogany bath surrounds to the light blonde wood cabinetry and window frames, the wood surfaces add visual and textural appeal and infuse this relaxation zone with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

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Wi-Home Integration

18. Lighten up. Good lighting is essential in any bathroom, but particularly so in Eastern-inspired bathing zones, where it’s used to help create an intimate, spa-like feel, inspire a calming mood and boost the flow of positive energy.

Here a large window bathes the room in natural light during the day, while an Oriental-style pendant provides ambient lighting when the sun goes down. The bathroom also boasts downlights, which offer task lighting over the bath and illuminate striking design features, and blue-tinted lights around the bath, which brighten up the room and give it a modern, almost futuristic look.

EXIT Interior Design Studio

19. Screened style. We bet you can guess which Asian culture was the inspiration for this bold bathroom design. The black geometric, Oriental-style screen is by far the most obvious clue (note how the pattern continues along the ceiling and floor), while splashes of vivid red and the white lantern pendant light hint at the design’s Chinese influences, too.

ArtCompose

20. Spa-like sanctuary. Just looking at this Asian bathroom can lower your heart rate and make the weight on your shoulders melt away. With a restful palette, a streamlined design, mood lighting and thoughtful touches such as fluffy robes, plush towels and candles, the Zen bathing area is the ultimate pampering and relaxation zone.

Tell us: Do you have an Asian-style bathroom? Share your photos and design tips in the Comments section.

More:
Bathroom Workbook: 13 Elements of Asian Style
9 Elements of Asian Style

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