How to create your dream Hamptons style bathroom
Dreaming of a Hamptons bathroom renovation? You’re not alone. Hamptons-style bathrooms are a beloved trend that’s here to stay. The design was born in the Hamptons, a coastal region in New York known as a playground for the rich and famous. The area began as a quaint fishing town, but when the New York elites discovered it, it swiftly transformed into a coveted seaside holiday destination.
If you’re after a Hamptons-style bathroom that’s both elegant and functional, our blog is the perfect place to start. With the help of our talented interior designers, we’ll guide you through the essentials of Hamptons-style bathroom design. You’ll learn how to choose the right colors and finishes for your bathroom, as well as how to incorporate some classic fixtures that will give it that coveted Hamptons feel.
- Why choose a Hamptons style bathroom?
- What are the features of a Hamptons bathroom?
- Types of Hamptons bathrooms
- How to create your Hamptons-style bathroom
- How BSA can help you if you’re looking to create a Hamptons-style bathroom
Why choose a Hamptons style bathroom?
The Hamptons-style is a bright and airy design style that creates a soothing ambiance when applied to the bathroom. This aesthetic is well suited to a wellness zone, because it creates a space that is soothing and peaceful.
Hamptons-style bathrooms are a perfect fit for the Australian lifestyle and are particularly popular in coastal locations. When you reflect the style throughout the home – into the kitchen or laundry, for example – it can set the tone of the home as relaxed, elegant and refined.
What are the features of a Hamptons bathroom?
Aa Hamptons-style bathroom is usually elegant and understated, with a light and airy finish. The key to achieving this look is to keep the color palette neutral, using soothing tones to create a coastal feel. White, beige, and grey are the most popular choices, as these colours create a light, airy finish and complement the coastal vibe of the design.
The main feature of a Hamptons bathroom is the vanity, and it sets the tone for the rest of the room. The cabinetry is similar to a Shaker-style with flat panels and simple symmetry, usually light-colored within a neutral palette, and sometimes complemented with wood tones. Floating vanities work well in these spaces, adding to the sense of spaciousness and allowing the room to seem larger.
Hamptons-style bathrooms favor brushed finishes for fittings and fixtures, such as brushed brass or brushed nickel, to minimise sparkle. A touch of black can be incorporated for a wow factor in modern Hampton-style bathrooms. Drawer and cabinet handles, available in different materials and styles, can serve as focal points, enhancing the overall feel and understated elegance of the design.
Tiles are laid in patterns and designs that provide a backdrop to the main theme, and the subway and herringbone patterns are perennial favorites. The wall and floor tiles depend on your overall theme and whether the bathroom is intended as a more modern or classic design. Modern gloss tiles can add to the reflectiveness of the space, while more classic designs can incorporate a wood texture element or specialized tiling layouts such as subway or herringbone.
Finally, you can use the bath or shower splashback as a focal point with mosaic tiles that highlight the shower or freestanding bath. With our expert guidance, you’ll be able to create a Hamptons-style bathroom that’s both sophisticated and relaxed, perfect for your home.
types of Hamptons bathrooms
There are two main types of Hamptons-style bathrooms:
Coastal classic Hamptons style bathroom
The coastal classic style of a Hamptons bathroom is marked by a subtle blend of neutrals, and nautical tones in green, blue, or yellow, evoking a serene, coastal vibe. Classic pulls and knobs are the ideal choice to complement this elegant style, while traditional tiles add an extra touch of charm. The inclusion of a freestanding bath can add a sense of luxury and indulgence to your space, typically installed in a floor-mounted design, although some feet designs can also work.
Modern classic Hamptons style bathroom
The modern classic style is the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional elements, giving designers the freedom to play with textures and fixtures. The subtle contrasts of matte black with grey and white, as well as a variety of neutral tones, are some of the hallmarks of this style. To enhance the modern Hamptons look, you can choose from a range of bath and shower options such as a freestanding oval bath or a dual shower, complete with shower seat, for the ultimate in luxurious bathing.
With both Hamptons styles, a sense of space is paramount, so keep the area free of clutter and ensure you have enough storage to keep your vanities and benchtops clean and clear. Light, and lighting, is imperative to ensure user comfort as well as functionality.
How to create your Hamptons-style bathroom
When creating a Hamptons-style bathroom, it’s essential to work closely with your interior designer to ensure you achieve the desired results. One of the most critical considerations is the available space. Over-cluttering can detract from the desired light, airy, and welcoming feel.
Let’s take a closer look at the various elements that make up a Hamptons-style bathroom, examining each one in detail to help you achieve the perfect coastal-inspired oasis.
Let's Get StartedHamptons vanities
When designing a Hamptons-style bathroom, the vanity is an essential element that sets the tone for the entire space. Working with an interior designer can help you figure out your vanity needs, especially if you have limited space. For example, a floating vanity can create a sense of spaciousness, but if you need a floor-standing vanity, consider a base with kickboards that matches the Hamptons style. Shaker-style detailing is also important in establishing this look.
When choosing a vanity, think about your storage requirements and whether you need a single or double sink arrangement. Tall units can help maximise storage space while balancing open and closed spaces. Remember to stick to a neutral colour palette to achieve a relaxed and understated look. A wide range of colour options is available, but avoid using anything too harsh or bright that might clash with the overall style.
Hamptons-style bathroom tiles and floor tiles
Whether you are going for the more classic Hamptons-style bathroom or want a modern edge to the design, your choice of tiling can make this space extra special. Consider elegant herringbone or subway designs for the floor and walls. A focal splashback in showers or behind baths can also provide that eye-catching appeal while keeping true to the overall design.
High gloss tiles or panels are excellent for the more modern spaces and give a lovely reflective appeal that adds to the glamorous element of the design. Utilise marble or other traditional materials to enhance a classic design scheme – think wooden accents or floor tiles inspired by tessellated or had painted patterns in neutral or coastal-inspired palette.
Hamptons-style mirrors
Framed mirrors look lovely in a more traditional style bathroom and can also enhance the Shaker-style cabinetry. You can also have custom-made mirrors, for example, a matching frame to match your Shaker style.
Many frameless options work for modern and classic approaches, from a rectangle to a stunning circular design. If you don’t have much natural light, your choice of a mirror can make a big difference in making the room seem larger and giving that important reflective component to the space.
To add to the lightness of the space, complement your mirror with lighting on either side (or behind) to offer a nice warm additional illumination to the bathroom.
Hamptons lighting
When designing a bathroom, you should consider task lighting and general lighting. Task lighting is used for activities that require direct illumination, such as grooming or applying makeup. General lighting provides overall illumination throughout the room. Dual matching wall sconces on either side of the mirror are an elegant way to provide both types of lighting in one fixture.
Focal pendant lighting above vanities is a popular choice for the Hamptons-style bathroom. You can match them with your choice of handles and pulls to allow the zone to flow, or opt for nautical-style pendants.
Hamptons style bathroom accessories
In a Hamptons-style bathroom, it’s important to keep accessories minimal to let the overall design shine. That said, adding a touch of warmth with a glass vase and some greenery can do wonders in grounding the bright white accents. Consider hanging greenery to reflect the coastal feel of the outside world.
Incorporating colors through towels is a great way to add a pop of color to your Hamptons-style bathroom. Stick to the overall concept of neutral tones, with touches of green or blue to capture that coastal vibe. You can also coordinate your lotions and other bathroom essentials with the color scheme to tie the entire look together.
How Briliant sa can help you create a Hamptons-style bathroom
At BSA, we understand that creating your dream Hamptons bathroom is a daunting task, especially if you don’t have the time or expertise to commit to the project. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. With our simple seven-step process, we make it easy to turn your vision into reality.
We believe that the process of creating your perfect Hamptons bathroom should be stress-free and enjoyable. That’s why have a simple 7 step process, starting with a complimentary initial assessment to understand your specific requirements and budget, followed by a thorough needs analysis and inspection to measure.
Our experience Interior Designer will create concept design that perfectly suits your space and budget while taking into account every detail. We handle everything from the design proposal to installation, working closely with you every step of the way to ensure your complete satisfaction. Ready to kickstart your dream bathroom renovation?
Let's Get Started
Peter Sveinsson
With 35 years building and design experience, Peter is Co-founder and CEO of Brilliant SA. He is Brilliant SA's Design Director and business strategist.