Maximalist Bathrooms: Embracing Boldness and Personality
Maximalism as a design philosophy thrives on abundance and creativity, offering a visually rich and dynamic alternative to minimalist styles in designing washrooms.
Maximalism in bathroom design is a celebration of bold colours, eclectic patterns, luxurious materials, and personal touches. It embraces the philosophy of ‘more is more’, creating spaces that are visually rich and full of character.
In contrast to minimalism, which champions simplicity and clean lines, maximalism thrives on abundance, mixing textures and layers to create a sense of opulence. Architects and interior designers believe that this style is about personality, creativity, and visual stimulation, making it an exciting choice for contemporary bathrooms.
The Key Elements of Maximalism
Maximalist design in a bathroom refers to a bold, vibrant approach that emphasizes opulence, eclecticism, and a mix of textures, patterns, and colours. Unlike minimalist design, which focuses on simplicity and clean lines, maximalist design celebrates abundance and creativity.
“Key elements defining the maximalist style include a mood board rich in vibrant colours, diverse textures, statement pieces, and distinctive accents. Incorporating personal belongings into the decor can also reflect one’s personality and attitude,” shares Priyanka K Malik, Principal and Partner, Design Consortia.
Shahen Mistry, Principal Architect, Shahen Mistry Architects states, “A maximalist bathroom often features bold colours, with vibrant hues and rich palettes, sometimes blending multiple colours in one space. Pattern mixing is a key element, combining different patterns such as florals, geometrics, and abstracts. Layered textures are also prominent, using a variety of materials like marble, wood, metals, and textiles to create depth.”
He further adds that statement pieces, such as eye-catching fixtures, artwork, or decor items, add a standout touch. “Personal touches are essential, with unique or meaningful items that add character to the space. Overall, a maximalist bathroom is designed to be visually stimulating and full of personality,” opines Mistry. Both designers emphasise the importance of personal expression in maximalist bathrooms. The beauty of maximalism lies in its ability to blend diverse elements into a cohesive, visually stimulating space.
Priyanka K Malik
Principal and Partner, Design Consortia
“To showcase personal artwork, consider framing and displaying a client’s favourite pieces in the bathroom. Create an art gallery on a single wall while keeping the rest of the space simple to let the artwork stand out. ”
Colour Schemes and Patterns
Maximalist bathrooms are a canvas for creativity, with bold colours and patterns playing a central role. Mistry recommends using rich, saturated hues like emerald green, deep red, royal blue, and gold. One can also combine contrasting hues to create dynamic visual interest. He also suggests layering patterns. “Integrate a mix of patterns such as florals, geometrics, and abstracts. Patterns can be used on tiles, wallpaper, textiles, and even inlaid on surfaces. Consider themes such as jewel tones, tropical motifs, or even traditional Indian patterns, which can be vibrant and intricate,” he suggests.
Talking about the approach her firm takes, Malik shares, “Adhering to the more-is-more philosophy the design process begins with understanding the client’s requirements and creating a mood board—an eclectic mix of patterns, colours, and textures that imbue the space with character. This may involve experimenting with wallpapers, glass, mirrors, wood, metal, natural stone, and various statement fixtures, all enhanced by comfort lighting.”
She further adds, “At Design Consortia, we eschew a single palette to ensure each bathroom we design is unique. We are crafting spaces for 8-10 bathrooms, allowing our creativity to shine through with diverse themes—from dark, dramatic blacks to light, airy whites and bold reds to soothing greens.”
Textures and Materials
Textures add a tactile dimension in a maximalist bathroom, creating depth and making it feel more inviting and interesting. “Materials like velvet, woven fabrics, and textured tiles are ideal for achieving this effect. By incorporating different textures, you can break the monotony and add layers of visual interest, such as pairing smooth marble with rough stone or metallic finishes with soft textiles. Textures also help balance bold elements, allowing richly patterned wallpaper to be offset by smooth, glossy tiles or a plush rug,” shares Mistry.
To create a rich, layered look, one can choose a wide range of materials such as marble, wood, metal, glass, and ceramics. “Opt for high-quality, luxurious materials like polished marble, granite, and hardwoods to enhance the opulent feel. Incorporating reflective surfaces such as mirrors, metallic finishes, and glossy tiles adds brightness and reflects light, creating a sense of depth,” adds Mistry.
Malik emphasises the use of diverse materials like wallpaper, glass, mirrors, wood, metal, and natural stone to enhance the layered look. Reflective surfaces like mirrors and metallic finishes are also key in maximalist designs, as they help bounce light around the room and create a sense of openness. Malik points out that lighting, especially when combined with textured materials, can dramatically change the feel of the space, making it feel larger and more inviting.
Balanced textures are key to a well-rounded design. “Pair contrasting textures thoughtfully, such as smooth, glossy tiles with plush rugs or rough stone with sleek metal fixtures. Repeating elements, like echoing a marble countertop with marble inlays on the floor or walls, enhances the visual flow,” recommends Mistry.
Incorporating Statement Pieces
Maximalist bathrooms thrive on standout elements that serve as focal points in the design. “Sometimes, a fixture becomes the statement piece, or the shower area draws the eye. We also focus on standout finishes—such as playful wallpaper, unique natural stone, or intriguing paint patterns—while pairing them with subtler elements to achieve an exciting and cohesive design,” states Malik.
Mistry adds, “Unique fixtures, like ornate faucets, elaborate mirrors, and custom-made sinks, can serve as striking focal points. When creating focal points, use statement pieces to draw attention and add visual interest, like an ornate mirror or a striking chandelier. Ensure secondary elements support the focal point rather than compete with it; for instance, if a chandelier is the main attraction, keep the surrounding area more subdued.”
Giving an example from one of his projects, Mistry shares, “We have designed one bathroom that exhibits a striking and bold design and features a large, colourful mosaic mural of a dancer. This mural is an eye-catching focal point and adds a sense of artistry and drama to the space. The use of the mural, along with the unique black and gold pedestal sinks, gives the washroom a maximalist touch.”
Balancing Bold Elements
One of the challenges in maximalist design is ensuring that the space feels cohesive and not chaotic. “To maintain a cohesive colour palette, choose a few unified base colours to anchor the design, such as shades of blue and gold, allowing various patterns and textures to be incorporated without overwhelming the space. Add vibrancy with accent colours, like pairing deep navy blue with touches of gold and emerald green to create a rich, cohesive look,” suggests Mistry.
He further adds, “For pattern coordination, vary the scale of patterns to avoid visual clutter; for example, large-scale floral wallpaper can be balanced with small-scale geometric tiles. Stick to a pattern theme, such as botanical or geometric, to unify the design. Combining a floral wallpaper with botanical-themed tiles and textiles ensures harmony.”
Malik opines, “We believe that well-decorated maximalist space should induce happiness. However, balance is critical. Hence, keeping the main pieces neutral creates an opportunity for a single element to stand out. This approach helps to create a balanced, yet exciting, space.” Both designers agree that maximalist spaces should evoke a sense of happiness and joy, with each element working together to create a cohesive aesthetic.
Adding a Personal Touch
Personalization is a core trend in maximalist bathroom design. Malik and Mistry both emphasise the importance of incorporating users’ personal tastes into the design without overwhelming the space. Malik reveals, “Clients today are highly aware of market trends and seek to infuse their spaces with personal touches. To create a strong connection to the space, we often incorporate elements from their collections as focal points in the bathroom—artwork, vintage mirrors, or unique light fixtures. This personalisation is achieved through colour coordination and layering of different materials.”
She further explains, “For instance, if a client is fond of gold, we integrate gold-finished fixtures and lighting to align with the rest of the house. This approach ensures a cohesive feel, making the entire home resonate with a unified, personalised touch.”
Shahen Mistry
Principal Architect, Shahen Mistry Architects
“If a client prefers a specific colour, such as green, incorporate various shades of it throughout the bathroom. Mix green tiles with matching accessories like towels and plants to create a cohesive look that reflects the client’s personal taste. ”
Malik gives some examples of how maximalist bathrooms can be personalised. “To showcase personal artwork, consider framing and displaying a client’s favourite pieces in the bathroom. Create an art gallery on a single wall while keeping the rest of the space simple to let the artwork stand out. For a client who loves to travel, integrate travel souvenirs such as handmade tiles, exotic textiles, or unique artefacts. Use these items as accents, like incorporating a few intricately designed tiles in a backsplash or adding a decorative rug, rather than making them the central focus.”
He further adds, “If a client prefers a specific colour, such as green, incorporate various shades of it throughout the bathroom. Mix green tiles with matching accessories like towels and plants to create a cohesive look that reflects the client’s personal taste. For balanced integration, if a client collects ornate perfume bottles, display them on a simple, elegant shelf. Pair this display with a neutral colour palette in the rest of the bathroom, allowing the collection to shine without overwhelming the space.” By thoughtfully selecting and showcasing personal items and balancing them with cohesive design elements, a maximalist bathroom can reflect the user’s personality while maintaining harmony.
Ensuring Timelessness
One of the key challenges of working with bold colours, textures, and patterns is overcoming being dated and unexciting over the years. “Once you have your statement piece, you can enhance it with quirky accents that complement its colour, texture, or aesthetic flair. We believe incorporating greens and natural stone adds timeless elegance to the bathroom. Blending classic elements with bold wall coverings creates an enduring and unique space. Rather than focusing on a singular piece of art or a sculptural décor element, the room becomes the artwork,” highlights Malik.
A neutral base can be paired with bold accents by using neutral-coloured marble floors and walls, with bold, patterned wallpaper on one wall. “The wallpaper can be easily updated as trends change without requiring major renovations. Classic patterns and textures, like a black-and-white colour scheme with bold geometric tile patterns on the floor, can be complemented by modern fixtures, creating a look that feels both timeless and contemporary,” shares Mistry.
He further adds that interchangeable decor, such as vibrant, patterned towels, rugs, and shower curtains, can be easily swapped out. When paired with a neutral backdrop, the space remains fresh and adaptable. By combining these strategies, a maximalist bathroom can achieve a timeless, adaptable quality while staying exciting.
Moulding Maximalism in the Indian Context
Both designers believe that maximalism is well-suited to Indian bathrooms due to the country’s cultural appreciation for boldness and opulence. “Flamboyance and extravagance are deeply ingrained in India’s rich cultural and regal traditions. Historically, bathrooms were meticulously planned and designed to offer grand experiences. This tradition continues today as people embrace innovative materials and techniques to create personalised spaces. Even the smallest bathroom, when designed as a personal statement, can convey a powerful sense of identity and belonging, embodying the essence of maximalist design,” asserts Malik.
Mistry points out that Indian design motifs, such as traditional patterns and vibrant colours, align with the principles of maximalism. “By incorporating elements like tropical motifs, intricate patterns, and bold colour schemes, designers can create bathrooms that resonate with the Indian aesthetic while still embracing the maximalist philosophy.”
Maximalist bathrooms are all about embracing boldness, creativity, and personal expression. By carefully balancing vibrant colours, rich textures, and statement pieces, designers can create spaces that are not only visually stunning but also deeply personal. Whether through the use of eclectic patterns, luxurious materials, or personalised touches, maximalism offers a way to make a strong statement in any bathroom.
Project: Epitomising Lavishness and Grandeur
Lead Architect/Designer: Priyanka K Malik, Principal and Partner, Design Consortia
The design of this bathroom in a Delhi farmhouse embraces a modern, contemporary style with sleek and minimal aesthetics. Marble with dramatic veining adorns the countertops, floor, and walls, setting a luxurious tone. To enhance the maximalist style, we incorporated bold black accents throughout the space, complemented by gold elements for added sophistication. Diverse light fixtures contribute to the overall drama, making the bathroom a striking blend of elegance and luxury.
Project: Creating A Dramatic Effect
Lead Architect/Designer: Shahen Mistry, Principal Architect, Shahen Mistry Architects
This bathroom exhibits a striking and bold design with the large mosaic mural of a face, which immediately draws attention. The mural serves as a focal point, contributing to a rich visual experience. The use of dark fixtures and fittings contrasts with the bright and detailed mosaic, adding to the dramatic effect. The combination of different textures, the bold mural, and the contrasting colour palette align well with maximalist design principles, which emphasise abundance, eclecticism, and visual interest.