Modern bathroom fixtures are an essential aspect of as modern bathroom design. Fixtures should be assessed based on their function and aesthetics. a bathroom design must be cohesive and all details should be considered together.
Bathroom Fixtures And Accessories
I am an architect and owner of a New York based architecture firm – Fontan Architecture. At our office we do many types of projects one of which being residential interior renovations. In this post we will be looking at some modern bathroom fixture design ideas, all pictures in this post are from our projects.
Wall Mounted Toilet
Wall mounted toilets are a good option when it comes to fixtures selection for a modern bathroom. These toilets have a great look and are easy to clean. Wall mounted toilets have a carrier in the wall which is where the tank goes. They are operated from a wall mounted push plate or remote smart features. the push plate can be removed for access and maintenance.
One real advantage of the wall mounted toilet for renovations is that it does not require a floor drain. This means if you are adding a toilet or moving a toilet when renovating you will not need to cut the floor to install it. This is a great convenience, as an architect in NYC, we renovate in many buildings with concrete floors where a wall mounted toilet give us more flexibility. Most buildings in NYC will not let you chip or cut into the concrete floor.
Wall Mounted Toilet Modern bathroom fixtures
Smart Toilet
Yes they make smart toilets. you can have a toilet with a built in bidet, a remote control, automatic opening and closing toilet seats and all sorts of features. Put a smart toilet on your list from modern bathroom fixtures but I realize this is not for everyone.
Smart wall mounted toilet in a concrete bathroom
Wall Mounted Vanity
Modern bathroom fixture designs usually will include a lot of wall mounted features. A wall mounted vanity is another one that you may want to consider. These are a nice modern touch, remember the most important thing about a design is consistency. Everything has to work when you put it all together.
Wall Mounted Bathroom Vanity
Modern Square Bathroom Sinks
Square fixtures and accessories have a very modern feel. Modern design is typically more simple and clean and square fixtures like this simple square sink are very modern. Notice the sink is a matte finish. Matte finishes are also quite modern.
Modern Square Bathroom Sink
Modern Bathroom Trough Sink
You can have a two sinks in a bathroom or if they would be side by side you can use a trough sink with two faucets. This picture shows two wall mounted faucets for a simple modern white trough sink.
Modern Bathroom Trough Sink
Modern Square Bathroom Fixtures
Modern design is square. Of course you can use round fixtures for a modern bathroom, but think about your taste on this one. Do you want to go with round or square. I recommend some level of consistency but contrast can also be quite modern.
Modern Square Bathroom Fixtures
Freestanding Tub
A large free standing tub can be a real feature if you have a large enough bathroom. The picture below is of a Tribeca Loft with a sculptural freestanding tub. In this bathroom you will notice the tub is the feature. The tiles are meant to blend and fade away.
Sculptural Freestanding Bathtub – Modern bathroom fixtures
Clawfoot Tub
sometimes combining old and new can be very modern as well. there are no hard rules here. This is your bathroom you do as you like. Lots of people love clawfoot tubs and they can pretty much go with any bathroom.
Clawfoot tub – modern bathroom fixtures
Frameless Shower Doors
Keep it simple is always good advice for modern bathroom design and details. Frameless shower doors are simple and modern.
Bathroom Frameless Shower Doors
Barn Door Shower Door
I love barn door hardware and this type of hardware is really trending right now.
Barn Door Style Shower Doors
Linear Shower Drain
This is a concrete bathroom with a modern linear drain. The drain has a trough that can be filled with the exact tile or in this case concrete to match the rest of the shower floor. Notice you only see a reveal around the perimeter. This is a great modern look.
Linear Shower Drain
Hand Held Shower Adjustable Slide Bar
I think having a hand held shower head as well as a fixed shower head is a great option. You can put the hand held on an adjustable slide bar. This is especially useful if two people use a bathroom who are very different heights.
Hand Held Shower Slide Bar
Coordinate Bathroom Fixtures
You have to coordinate fixtures. They should be the same finish and in the overall design should work together. Most fixtures come in a line where you can get a full set. This is obviously the easiest way to match the fixtures but more limiting. Just make sure you always think about the entire bathroom when making individual decisions.
Coordinate Matching Bathroom Fixtures
Modern Towel Bar
Anything can be custom made. One of our clients wanted a very specific design for his towel bars, so he had them custom made (see picture below). This is a custom ceiling mounted black metal towel bar. Custom will of course increase the budget but if you have that kind of budget it may be a thought to consider. The advantage of custom design for your bathroom is that you will have a unique design just for you.
You do not have to do custom design to achieve a modern look, especially if the budget does not allow.
Custom Ceiling Mounted Towel Bar
Towel Warmer
Drying yourself with a nice warm towel after a shower is a really nice feeling. You can also leave it running to dry the towel after you use it, to not have a damp towel hanging all day.
A towel warmer can be a great addition to a bathroom. Obviously these are towel racks that heat the towel.
Bathroom Towel Warmer
Heated Bathroom Floor
A cold bathroom is very uncomfortable especially when you get out of the shower in the winter. Often bathrooms do not have their own heat source. There are many ways to heat a bathroom, one simple way is to add a heat mat. The heat mat is really the easiest, most discreet, and relatively affordable way to do this, but there are other options.
You can have a thermostat just for the bathroom that can be programmed, or get a thermostat that can be operated by a phone app. That way you can turn the heat on while you are still laying in bed in the morning and heat up the bathroom before you get in. Of course this can all be programmed on a timer as well.
Bathroom Floor Heat Mat
Wall Sconce
Lighting is important many people like wall sconces. You may have more than one type of light for example recessed lighting and wall sconces.
Bathroom Wall Sconce
Modern Grab Bars
You may not want to think about aging but everyone gets older. One thing people do not consider is accessibility. Just want to mention it you can add grab bars for safety and convenience. these bars need blocking in the walls for proper support. You can add the blocking when you are renovating so that you can add bars later. This is very common and actually required in multifamily buildings in NYC
Modern Bathroom Grab Bars
Industrial Bathroom Door Hardware
Modern design and industrial design go hand in hand. This picture is of a very modern bathroom door with industrial door pull hardware.
Ultra modern industrial door hardware
Make it Your Own
The picture below is of a concrete shower. The owner bought an all white apartment and hated it. We ripped everything out and added texture and industrial details. Make the bathroom suite you and your tastes. I want you to be happy with what you build, after all you are the one who has to live with it.
Its your apartment you can do anything you want.
Ultra Modern Concrete Shower
Modern Bathroom Fixtures
As an architect, I study design and construction, but these are complicated and quite involved issues. Every project is different and must be assessed on its own unique characteristics. This post does not assume to cover every possible issue or condition, but provide a general overview of the topic
Thank you for reading our blog post on Modern Bathroom Fixtures and Accessories.
I hope this was helpful. Please leave questions and comments below. If you would like to speak with an architect you can contact us directly.
This post was written by Jorge Fontan AIA a Registered Architect and owner of New York City architecture firm Fontan Architecture. Jorge Fontan has earned 3 degrees in the study of architecture including two degrees from the City University of New York and a Masters Degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. Jorge has a background in construction and has been practicing architecture for 20 years where he has designed renovations and new developments of various building types.
