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The Bathroom Edit

Journal / Styles

Interior design styles, explained in the bathroom

Words by the Bathroom Edit editor · Updated on 3 October 2026 · 2 min read

A style is a set of decisions about material, colour and line. The bathroom is where those decisions are hardest to fake, so here are eight styles explained through it, each with the spec board a designer would hand you.

Australians search for Japandi more than any other named style: about 3,600 Google searches a month, against about 1,900 for Hamptons (our own search data, October 2026). Here are eight styles, each with its materials as a spec board.

Japandi

Illustration: a Japandi bathroom: pale oak vanity, a round ceramic vessel basin, warm white microcement walls, a linen towel, a small bonsai
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • JoineryPale oak veneer
  • BasinMatte white ceramic vessel
  • WallsWarm white microcement
  • TapwareMatte black
  • TextileNatural linen

Japanese restraint meets Scandinavian warmth: light timber, matte surfaces, nothing on the bench. The Japandi bathroom in detail.

Contemporary

Illustration: a contemporary Australian bathroom: large-format warm grey porcelain, a floating stone vanity, brushed nickel tapware, a frameless shower
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • WallsLarge-format warm grey porcelain
  • VanityFloating stone
  • TapwareBrushed nickel
  • ScreenFrameless glass
  • FloorMatching porcelain

Big tiles, few grout lines and floating joinery. The current default for Australian renovations because it is calm and easy to clean.

Coastal

Illustration: a coastal bathroom: white vertical timber lining boards, a sage green vanity, woven basket, sandstone-coloured floor tiles, morning light from a window
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • WallsWhite vertical lining boards
  • VanitySage green
  • FloorSandstone-look tile
  • AccentWoven rattan
  • TapwareBrushed brass

Light, textured and relaxed: painted timber lining, sea-glass greens and natural fibres, without nautical props.

Art Deco

Illustration: an Art Deco bathroom: deep green mosaic tiles, curved arch mirror, black and white marble floor, polished brass tapware
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • WallsDeep green mosaic
  • FloorBlack and white marble
  • MirrorArched
  • TapwarePolished brass
  • DetailCurved edges

Geometry, glamour and colour, revived in older Australian flats and houses. One of the 2026 award winners is an Art Deco revival: see the trends.

Mid-century modern

Illustration: a mid-century modern bathroom: walnut vanity with tapered legs, terrazzo floor, mustard yellow finger tiles, globe wall lights
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • VanityWalnut with tapered legs
  • FloorTerrazzo
  • WallsMustard finger tiles
  • LightingOpal globe sconces
  • TapwareChrome

1950s and 60s warmth: walnut, terrazzo, a bold tile and globe lights.

Hamptons

Illustration: a Hamptons style bathroom: white shaker vanity with marble top, chrome tapware, grey and white marble floor, navy towel
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • VanityWhite shaker with marble top
  • FloorGrey and white marble
  • TapwareChrome
  • AccentNavy
  • WallsCrisp white

American East Coast classic: white shaker joinery, marble and chrome, with navy as the accent.

Wabi-sabi

Illustration: a wabi-sabi bathroom: lime plaster walls in warm clay tones, a carved stone basin, aged brass tap, rough timber stool
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • WallsLime plaster in clay tones
  • BasinCarved stone
  • TapwareAged brass
  • FurnitureRough timber
  • LightSoft and low

Imperfection on purpose: hand-finished plaster, natural stone and patina.

Maximalist

Illustration: a maximalist powder room: bold botanical wallpaper, a pink scalloped basin, gold mirror, patterned floor tiles
Illustration · not a real project

Spec board

  • WallsBotanical wallpaper
  • BasinPink scalloped
  • MirrorGold frame
  • FloorPatterned tile
  • RuleOne room, all in

More is more, best tried in a small powder room: see powder room ideas.

Common questions

What are the main interior design styles?

The styles most used in Australian homes include contemporary, Japandi, coastal, Hamptons, mid-century modern, Art Deco, wabi-sabi and maximalist.

How do I find my interior design style?

Collect pictures of rooms you love and look for what repeats: the timber, the colour, the shapes. That pattern is your style, and a spec board is the way to write it down.