Bathroom in a classic style: photo examples and proper design

Time passed, eras changed, and the classics steadfastly withstood the next blows from rapidly emerging trends. Most of them were experimental in nature and sank into oblivion, unable to withstand the competition. The classics remained and occupied a special niche in stylistic diversity. Conservative by nature, the trend did not adapt to fashion, but survived and remained relevant. Even in the age of technological progress, the classic style is still used in interiors and does not lose ground. They embody his principles in any room. A classic-style bathroom design requires a spacious room. This trend is difficult to implement in cramped rooms, without losing the characteristic charm and elegance. For this reason, the premises of private houses are more suitable than the limited spaces of standard apartments. Let's talk about how to create a classic-style bathroom interior yourself, what nuances you need to pay attention to when decorating and what mistakes you should avoid.

Features of the classic style

Design in a classic style strictly adheres to tradition. Many design rules have not been revised for centuries and have been preserved in their original form. The style originates in classicism - one of the areas of fine art that revived the ancient canons of beauty. The times of its heyday were called the Renaissance. The following features are considered traditional for the classical style in interiors:

Natural materials in finishing and decor. The design uses stone (preferably marble), wood, ceramic tiles, plaster, precious metals, and expensive textiles. Of course, nowadays there is a wide range of “substitutes” made of cheap plastic, but they are not suitable for strict classics. Otherwise, it will only be a parody of style.
Clear lines and a specific compositional center. Traditionally, a style has one “reference point” around which the interior plot revolves. The centerpiece of the bathroom is the bathtub itself.
Abundance of decor. Stucco molding (rosettas, friezes, baguettes), drapery, ornaments on any surfaces and small decorations are considered the hallmark of the style, which demonstrates its respectability and tender love for luxury in all its glory.
Calm, warm colors. Shades of brown prevail in classic interiors. They are combined with red, blue, gold and white.
The principle of symmetry. If you divide the room in half, you should get a mirror image without taking into account large furniture.
Antiques as the basis of decoration. As an alternative, artificially aged items are used. This rule applies indirectly to bathrooms, since the room does not require full furniture.

If the square footage allows, then the bathroom is decorated with columns, pilasters and arched vaults.

The classic is suitable for lovers of heavy luxury. If the owners of an apartment or house prefer compromises, then the Art Nouveau style would be an excellent option. It combines the features of modern trends with classic frames. A simpler and easier option would be Provence. In essence, it can be called a rustic classic that maintains elegance.

Photo gallery of bathrooms

Before starting to draw up a design project for a bathroom in a classic style, it is recommended to look at photos of the finished premises. This will allow you to avoid possible mistakes, as well as take into account all the pros and cons.

When decorating a bath in a classic style, you should adhere to strict boundaries and precise execution.

Despite the fact that the material costs of implementing such a design will be significant, the resulting result will please the eye for a long time, because the classics do not age.

Color solutions

As mentioned above, warm colors prevail in classic baths. White color is considered the “favorite” color of the trend. It is used in any premises, in almost unlimited quantities. Moreover, we are talking not only about sterile white, but also creamy, pearl, ivory. Combinations of pastel colors with gray, beige, muted ocher, olive and walnut shades look stylish. In a white bathroom, accents are made in gold or dark gray. Rooms with sinks made of dark marble with streaks in combination with gilded mirrors and faucets look original. In small rooms, emphasis is placed on light shades. The ideal combination is the color of coffee with milk in the background and a deep chocolate tone in the decor. A combination of an all-white room decoration with gold accents in the form of stucco molding and ornate patterns around the perimeter will be laconic.

Color scheme, furniture and sanitary ware for bathrooms in a classic style

Often, classic-style bathrooms are decorated in combined colors, for example, using dark shades in combination with lighter ones. It can be black and white and so on.

Classic style is, first of all, elegance and beauty, especially in combination with original designer solutions.

A classic bathroom is often a powerful, oval font on legs. Due to its large dimensions, it is usually installed in large rooms.

The interior is complemented by solid furniture: a dressing table with a marble countertop, large mirrors (with gilded frames) and an armchair (wicker or leather upholstered). Typically, classic bathroom furniture is luxurious and chic.

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Of course, the main area in the room is reserved for the font itself; it is usually made of materials that retain heat for a long time (cast iron or brass).

Such products will last quite a long time, but you must remember that the material is quite heavy, so before installing the bath, you need to make sure that the floor is strong and even.

Another distinctive feature of a classic-style bathroom is the faucets, which are often coated with rich yellow materials and look as if they were made by hand. They are often plated with gold, copper or bronze.

Some people think that a classic-style bathroom does not allow for showers. But manufacturers from Italy offer to decorate glass doors with patterns that emphasize this style. Installation of plumbing equipment in a modern style is unacceptable, since classics are characterized by strict forms.

Finishing

In the classical style, the decoration usually contains ornamentation on the surface, is complemented by stucco and is characterized by elegant complexity. When it comes to the bathroom, many materials will have to be abandoned. The reason for this was the aggressive microclimate of the room. Many materials simply cannot withstand constant temperature changes and chronically high humidity. A tree adored by classics, even after impregnation with special compounds, will not last long and will quickly turn into a breeding ground for rot and mold. Fabric wallpaper, which gives any room a stylish touch, also falls under the taboo as a completely unsuitable material for the bathroom. For these reasons, the choice of surfaces for a room should be approached responsibly, since mistakes can cost the owners dearly, including new repairs.

Walls

You can decorate the walls in several ways:

Paint it. The method is simple, but plain paint is necessarily complemented by an abundance of decor, which compensates for the “boring” background.
Plaster. A special, moisture-resistant type of finishing material is used for the bathroom.
Cover with marble. Finishing with natural stone will not be cheap. It is not recommended to decorate all the walls with it, as the interior will be too monotonous. Only accent areas are finished with marble.
Tile. Ceramic tiles fit perfectly into a classic bathroom. Its surface can be plain or have floral patterns. It is recommended to combine options in the overall decoration of the walls and in the corner where the bath is located.
Cover with wood. As mentioned above, this material is rarely used. The only exception can be larch, which moisture makes stronger. Unfortunately, in terms of cost, solid wood cannot be classified as a budget option, and its replacement (MDF) is not used in classic interiors.

Also sometimes special moisture-resistant wallpaper is glued. They are more like thick oilcloth, the top layer of which is decorated with patterns. This coating will last quite a long time.

Floor

The floor in a classic bathroom is tiled. This option combines simplicity and special aesthetics. The tiles are durable, strong, will withstand any test, are not sensitive to household chemicals and are easy to clean. The assortment of ceramic tiles will allow you to choose an original color and pattern that matches your style concept. Although the classical direction treats traditions with care, the technique of laying tiles can be chosen from a variety of modern options. Wood looks great in other rooms, but not in the bathroom. Tile can only compete with a self-leveling floor with a luxurious shine of a glossy surface. The material is expensive, durable and super strong. At the request of the customer, its surface is decorated with three-dimensional drawings, but within the framework of the classics this will be superfluous.

Ceiling

The ceilings in the bathroom are plastered or painted. They are decorated along the perimeter with stucco, which makes the design more sophisticated. However, you still shouldn’t give up modern finishing options. A stretch ceiling fits into the style concept if its surface is monochromatic and glossy. Complex plasterboard structures will also decorate a classic bathroom. The options look organic when the central chandelier is placed in a decorative “niche”, and the places where the levels change are made stepped, simulating the relief of a baguette.

Construction materials for surface finishing

When decorating bathroom walls in accordance with the classics, it is customary to use textured or smooth plaster, paint, wallpaper or ceramic tiles to match the color of the bathtub.
It is acceptable to use stone, wooden trellises and thick curtains in the interior.
Lightness can be added to the design of the bathroom with the help of a canopy over the bathtub and air curtains on the windows.
Mirror frames, picture frames or cornices can be decorated with modest stucco and gilding.
Often in the design of a classic-style bathroom you can find decorative columns.
To cover the floor, predominantly marble or tiles of various sizes are used, imitating marble coloring; less commonly, you can find self-leveling flooring or stacked parquet.
By using a light color on the ceiling, you can take advantage of its ability to visually enlarge the space of the bathroom, and to give it an external resemblance to the furnishings of royal chambers, you can drape it to match the overall coloring of the bathroom.
The classic style is characterized by glass or panel doors with the same fittings in bronze, copper or gold.

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Selection of plumbing

The choice of plumbing depends on the size and type of bathroom:

Option combined with a bathroom;
Small room with shower;
A room with a full bathroom and a washing machine.

The design project includes three main “centers” of the room: sink, bath (shower), toilet. All these zones should organically integrate into the stylistic design of the interior and at the same time be located at a certain distance from each other.

Bath

Traditionally, oval-shaped bathtubs with slightly elevated backs are used in the classic style. Fashionable barrels or rectangular models are absolutely not suitable for such an interior. The bath is complemented with copper or gilded curved legs. They can have an elegant shape or be made in the form of sitting lions, tigers, flowers, shells, miniature figurines supporting a “bowl” on their shoulders. If the area of the room allows (more than 12 sq.m.), then the bath is located in the center. An original solution will allow the owners to feel like blue-blooded people who have truly royal apartments at their disposal for carrying out hygiene procedures. By the way, an elegant jug that serves a largely decorative function will be a stylish addition. The bathtub is also decorated with mosaics. Of course, pieces of multi-colored glass are not used for decoration. Modern ceramic tiles are used, which are laid using the mosaic technique.

Sink

The classic sink, like the bathtub, has an oval shape. Popular “tulips” will not fit into the style framework, but the ultra-fashionable “overlay” bowls look very harmonious. The countertop is chosen from marble. It will emphasize the high cost of the furnishings and blend organically into the interior. The “bowl” is chosen to be a simple, white color. It is better not to experiment with options made from a single piece of stone. The sink is complemented with a gold-plated faucet.

In spacious rooms, paired sinks are increasingly being installed, which allow two people to carry out hygiene procedures at the same time. A relevant option is when they are installed along the delimiter wall. A decorative barrier separates the bath area from the rest of the room. In this way, they kill two birds with one stone: they perform zoning and it becomes possible to brush your teeth without disturbing the person who is washing.

Shower cabin

Don’t be mistaken about the compatibility of a shower stall and a classic style. It will suit a luxurious interior if it itself is decorated expensively. The main attention is paid to the shower walls. They are placed in a “golden” frame, and the surface is decorated with ornaments. A shower stall is usually used in small rooms, where the location of the bath will make it very difficult to move around the room and highlight all the shortcomings of the space. In this situation, it acts as the main place for hygiene procedures. They complement the bathroom with a shower stall as an alternative for “quick” washing. In these cases, it is installed in a corner so that this piece of furniture does not catch the eye.

Plumbing

The classic style requires the unity of all elements; only then the interior is perceived as a whole, without unnecessary contrasts and dissonance. Therefore, the plumbing fixtures we choose must match each other in shape, color and decorative finish.

An elegant oval bathtub with “lion claws” is an excellent solution for Empire or Baroque style. Another popular option: round bowls, like ancient pools, recessed into the podium. For neoclassicism, more concise and simple-shaped models made of ceramics, marble or artificial stone are suitable.
When choosing a sink for the bathroom, you need to pay attention to models or “tulips” built into the countertop. In small rooms, console washbasins on elegant metal supports look good.
Faucets and shower heads, with all their high technology, should not differ in appearance from their antique counterparts. They are made of bronze or stainless steel with gold and silver plating.
Shower cabins do not at all spoil the design of a classic-style bathroom if they are built-in and made according to an individual project, taking into account the features of the interior.

In the photo - varieties of classic-style plumbing fixtures:

Furniture selection

A classic bathroom can even contain upholstered furniture, which no modern style allows. A similar option is implemented in large-scale rooms where there is room for scope. As a rule, the bathroom is complemented by a full-fledged relaxation area, which sometimes even houses a fireplace. At first glance it may seem that it is completely inappropriate in rooms of this type, but the combination of two “polar” elements (water and fire) is truly mesmerizing. A standard furniture set for a classic bathroom includes a chest of drawers, a pair of chairs, a narrow cabinet, and closed wall shelves. There should not be a shortage of storage space, since household chemicals and equipment cannot be displayed, because the interior is not high-tech. It is allowed to deviate from the canons of style and install wall-mounted chests of drawers. However, graceful, curved legs will echo similar elements of the bathtub, so do not rush to abandon them.

Selection of furniture and plumbing fixtures

It just so happens that the classic style is one of the most prestigious and highly valued decors, recognized for its originality and originality of design. For spacious bathrooms with high ceilings, large oval-shaped bathtubs with smooth curves and a raised headboard, in which you can comfortably recline, are perfect. Such a room must certainly have a large window, which will add additional volume, lightness and illumination to the room.

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The impressive area of the bathroom also allows you to accommodate light furniture with a laconic design in a classic style.
For example, a dressing table made of rare wood with a marble top, practical due to the large number of small drawers, decorated with original gilded fittings.
A wonderful addition to it would be a comfortable ottoman on curved legs with a leather seat or an openwork wicker chair, so light and cozy.
The key item in a classic-style bathroom , of course, is the font itself, located in the most visible place - in the center of the room, on curved legs or a special elevation.

Its main function is to maintain the water temperature at the desired level for as long as possible, so the bath should be made of a material that has a fairly low thermal conductivity coefficient.

Cast iron or brass are ideal for this purpose; in addition to durability and wear resistance, they also have significant weight, so before installing such a bathtub, it is necessary to additionally strengthen the floor. Classic faucets can be simple, in keeping with the style, or made in an antique style, with intricate patterns and curls, but always with gold, bronze or copper plating.

Modern manufacturers of plumbing fixtures, as well as professional craftsmen, thanks to new technologies, are able to create real masterpieces from earthenware. Their work - washbasins, sinks, toilets and other bathroom items - are made of high quality porcelain and have classically correct, smooth forms, without any hint of pretentiousness. In some cases, they may contain hand-painted paintings.

Lighting system

The classic style involves the use of heavy, bulky chandeliers with bulbs located on several levels. The bathroom in this case is no exception. Central lighting is placed strictly in the middle of the ceiling. It does not matter which zone receives more light. Its deficiency, if necessary, is compensated by local sconces or even floor lamps. Of course, additional paired light sources must be placed near the mirror and point light sources inside the shower stalls.

Window decoration

Windows in the bathroom for residents of city apartments are considered a luxury. This room is usually dark and does not have access to a source of natural light. However, in private houses, the room is often equipped with a window. It is decorated with thin tulle and curtains made of heavy fabrics, which fall in neat folds to the floor itself. During the day they are tied to the sides. If you need to hide from the prying glances of your neighbors, then dense textiles will not let a drop of light outside.

Lighting

Classics gravitate toward luxurious chandeliers. They are quite appropriate in the bathroom. But overhead lighting alone is often not enough.

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Options for additional lighting in a classic-style bathroom interior:

spotlights in the shower stall;
wall lamps near washbasins;
lighting near the mirror;
lamp on the dressing table (for example, in the form of a candlestick).

The chandelier should have an unusual shape and many light sources so that it is scattered throughout the room. Choose light bulbs with yellow color. Bright white light irritates the eyes. Although the classic looks expensive, the key factor when decorating is good taste, not the amount of money spent. Modern materials have long replaced expensive wood and marble. The main thing is not to violate the basic rules of style.

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Use of textiles and accessories

Decorative curtains are used to separate the bathroom from the toilet and sink. Of course, it’s better to opt for oilcloth. Textiles are not recommended for use in this special room, but the classics live by their own laws. Curtains are hung on the windows, and furniture with soft upholstery is installed in spacious rooms. You will have to come to terms with the idea of systematically washing all fabric surfaces. Constant humidity will play a cruel joke on textiles; they will constantly become damp. Touching such a surface is not very pleasant. The way out of the situation will be high-quality ventilation and proper zoning, in which the area for hygiene procedures will be securely fenced off from the rest of the room. As for accessories, they should not get lost against the background of rich decoration and decor. For this reason, the emphasis should be placed not on quantity, but on the effectiveness of elements. Tripod tables and stands for jugs of water or pots with indoor plants look harmonious. For mirrors, lavishly decorated frames are selected. One of the free walls is decorated with reproductions of paintings by Renaissance masters, arranged in a row. Chandeliers, sconces and floor lamps are decorated with crystal or stucco. The central characters of the interior painting can be statues of cupids or graceful girls, boys in the nude.

Fresh flowers are considered a mandatory attribute of the classic style. They can be planted in pots or cut in the garden and displayed in a vase as a bouquet. It is better to use roses, daffodils, gladioli and azaleas. Leave the field bouquets for Provence.

Furniture

Furniture, into which washbasins are often integrated, can consist of stone elements (countertop), wood (racks, drawers and shelves) or laminated or varnished MDF, modern transparent acrylic.

In spacious rooms, in order to create a cozy atmosphere, it is appropriate to use different types of seating, for example, a leather chair, a wooden chair or a bench.