18 Dream Bathroom Ideas That Create Your Personal Spa Retreat

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Of all the rooms in a period home, the bathroom is often where the past and present collide most dramatically. It’s a space that simply didn’t exist in its modern form for much of architectural history, often carved out of a bedroom corner or squeezed into a hallway a century after the house was built. This can be a challenge, I know. But it’s also a fantastic opportunity. Your goal shouldn’t be to create a generic “spa bathroom” from a magazine, but to craft a sanctuary that feels deeply connected to your home’s unique story while still serving your modern life.

Let’s be honest, transforming these often-quirky spaces is about more than just picking out pretty tile. It’s a delicate dance between preservation and practicality. On a recent project in a 1910 Craftsman, the homeowner wanted to gut a tiny, frustrating bathroom. But before the sledgehammers came out, we did a little exploratory surgery and found the original hexagonal floor tile hidden under three—yes, three—layers of linoleum and vinyl. Restoring that floor became the anchor for the entire project. It’s these discoveries that remind us that the best ideas don’t always come from a catalog; sometimes they’re waiting right under our feet.

1. Work With the Light You Have (and Gently Add More)

In older homes, you don’t always have the luxury of knocking out a wall for a giant picture window. The original architect gave you windows of a certain size and in a certain place, and our first job as stewards is to respect that. The transformative power of light is undeniable, but we have to work with the home’s “good bones.” Maximizing what’s already there is step one. This means using reflective surfaces—but thoughtfully. A large, simple mirror can do wonders, as can a glossy ceramic tile that bounces light around the room. I’m not talking about high-gloss acrylics that feel out of place, but the soft sheen of a handmade Zellige tile or a classic subway tile.

The trick is amplifying the light without sacrificing the home’s character. If you’re set on adding a new light source, think historically. Can you add a transom window over the bathroom door? It’s a classic, period-appropriate feature that borrows light from an adjacent hallway while maintaining complete privacy. I’ve done this in several turn-of-the-century homes, and it always feels like it should have been there all along. For top-floor bathrooms, a small, carefully placed skylight can be revolutionary, but work with a professional to ensure the flashing and installation are flawless to protect your home’s structure.

• Window Treatments: Instead of heavy curtains, consider simple cafe curtains on the lower sash or interior shutters, which offer privacy and historical charm.
• Color Palette: Forget stark, modern white. Look to historical paint palettes—soft creams, buttery yellows, and pale blues—that have a natural luminosity. Farrow & Ball is a great resource for this.
• Reflective Accents: Polished nickel or unlacquered brass fixtures catch the light beautifully and age gracefully, unlike chrome which can feel too cold for a period interior.

These small choices honor the home’s original design while making the space feel brighter and more alive, proving you don’t need to demolish walls to find the light.

2. Plan a Layout That Respects the Home’s Quirks

Let’s face it: the layout in a historic bathroom can be downright puzzling. I’ve seen toilets crammed into former closets and showers tucked under steeply sloped eaves. The modern “ideal” of a sprawling, open-plan bathroom rarely fits. And that’s okay. The key is to stop fighting the room’s footprint and start working with it. Think about your daily path—from sink to shower, shower to towel hook—and arrange the space to support that flow without major structural changes.

Creating distinct “zones” is a great way to bring order to a chaotic space. This doesn’t require a massive room. It can be as simple as having a dedicated “grooming zone” at the vanity and a “bathing zone” that might feel more enclosed and cozy. In a recent Queen Anne project, we couldn’t move the plumbing stack, so the toilet had to stay in an awkward spot. Instead of fighting it, we embraced it by building a low partition wall, creating a private alcove and providing a surface for a small lamp and a piece of art. It turned a design problem into a purposeful feature.

“The most successful historic renovations don’t erase the past; they enter into a conversation with it. The quirks are part of the story.”

This is where you have to be a bit of a detective, mapping out movement and ensuring you have adequate clearance. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) guidelines are a useful starting point, but in an old house, sometimes you have to make smart compromises.

3. The Great Debate: A Clawfoot Tub or a Modern Soaker?

Nothing says “dream bathroom” quite like a freestanding tub, and in a historic home, this often means a beautiful, authentic clawfoot. I’ve spent countless hours helping clients source and restore these cast-iron beauties. The deep, sloping sides are incredibly comfortable, and they have a sculptural quality that modern tubs often struggle to replicate. But let’s be practical: they are incredibly heavy. Before you fall in love with a salvage find, you must have your floor joists inspected to ensure they can handle the weight, especially when filled with water (and you!).

But what if a salvaged tub isn’t in the cards, or you want a slightly more contemporary feel? Modern freestanding tubs can work, but the key is choosing a design that complements, rather than competes with, your home’s architecture. A stark, minimalist rectangle will likely look jarring in a Victorian bathroom. Look for designs with softer curves and a sense of timelessness. And consider the material. Cast iron is the king of heat retention, but modern acrylics and stone resins are much lighter and still offer a fantastic, long soak. The choice ultimately depends on the story you want your bathroom to tell.

From here, the conversation naturally flows to the shower—the workhorse of the modern bathroom. How do you create a luxurious experience without it feeling like a futuristic pod has landed in your period home?

4. Creating a Thoughtful, Not Overwhelming, Shower

The single, dribbling showerhead of the past just doesn’t cut it for most people today. But creating a multi-head “shower experience” in a historic home requires finesse. Ripping out original lath and plaster to run multiple new plumbing lines should always be a last resort. The real challenge is integrating modern hydrotherapy in a way that feels intentional and respectful.

My approach is to keep the plumbing consolidated. Instead of scattering body sprays across a wall, consider a high-quality shower column or a system that combines a fixed rainfall head with a handheld wand on a single supply. This minimizes wall intrusion and can often be installed with less disruption. Then, it’s all about the tile. This is your chance to either replicate a historic pattern or choose a timeless material like marble or slate that provides a beautiful, waterproof enclosure. We once tiled a shower in a 1920s Tudor with a deep green subway tile, run in a herringbone pattern. It felt both fresh and perfectly suited to the home’s character.

• Valves are Key: Always invest in a good thermostatic valve. It maintains a consistent water temperature even when multiple heads are running, which is crucial for both comfort and safety.
• Placement Matters: Position the main showerhead high enough for tall users (I aim for around 84 inches from the floor) and ensure your handheld is easily reachable.
• Water Pressure Check: Before you buy a single fixture, have a plumber assess your home’s water pressure. You may need a booster pump to get the performance you’re dreaming of, and it’s better to know that upfront.

After a warm shower, the last thing you want is a shock of cold underfoot. This is where a truly invisible modern luxury comes in.

5. The Invisible Luxury of Radiant Floor Heat

Honestly, if there’s one modern amenity I recommend for nearly every historic bathroom renovation, it’s radiant floor heating. It’s an invisible luxury that completely changes the feel of the room. The shock of a cold tile floor is gone, replaced by a gentle, consistent warmth that rises from below. It’s a far more comfortable and efficient way to heat a room than a small, noisy forced-air vent.

For renovation projects, electric mat systems are typically the easiest to install. They are incredibly thin and can be laid directly onto the subfloor before you put down your new tile. On that Craftsman project with the restored hexagonal tile, we were able to carefully install an electric mat system right over the old subfloor, preserving the historic floor above while adding an immense amount of comfort. It’s a perfect marriage of old and new.

Proper insulation underneath the heating system is non-negotiable. This prevents you from just heating the floor joists or the room below. A simple foam insulation board directs all that gentle warmth upward where you want it. Paired with a programmable thermostat, you can have your floors warm up just before you wake up. It’s a small detail that makes a world of difference on a cold morning.

6. Rethinking the Dual Vanity for Historic Spaces

The concept of a sprawling, six-foot-long double vanity is a relatively recent invention. In most historic homes, you simply don’t have that kind of uninterrupted wall space. Trying to force a standard “his and hers” vanity into a room not designed for it often looks clunky and out of scale. So, we have to get creative.

Instead of one long cabinet, why not two separate pedestal sinks? This is a very classic, period-appropriate look that creates a sense of personal space while feeling light and airy. If you’re desperate for counter space and storage, my favorite solution is to source a beautiful antique piece—a small dresser, a sideboard, or a washstand—and have it professionally converted into a vanity. A skilled carpenter can retrofit the drawers to accommodate plumbing and a plumber can install a vessel or undermount sink. You get a completely unique, functional piece of furniture that brings warmth and history into the room, far more than any off-the-shelf cabinet could.

• Think Spacing: If you do go for two sinks, whether pedestal or in a single unit, make sure there’s enough elbow room between them.
• Lighting: Each “station” should have its own dedicated lighting. Sconces mounted on either side of the mirror are always better than a single fixture overhead, as they eliminate shadows.
• Individual Storage: If you use separate sinks, supplement with recessed medicine cabinets for each person. They offer hidden storage without taking up any floor space.

This leads directly to the next critical point: where do you put everything else?

7. Finding Storage in Unlikely Places

Clutter is the enemy of a serene bathroom. But in old homes, closets are a rarity. This is where you have to think like the original builders, who were masters of built-in storage. Look for opportunities to tuck storage into the structure of the house itself.

Is there a thick wall between your bathroom and another room? It’s likely you can recess a tall, shallow cabinet between the wall studs for things like towels and toiletries. It adds a huge amount of storage without taking up a single inch of floor space. I also love using the “toe-kick” space under a vanity cabinet for a hidden, spring-loaded drawer—it’s the perfect spot for a scale or extra cleaning supplies. And don’t forget the space above the toilet. Instead of a clunky “over-the-toilet” cabinet from a big-box store, consider simple, beautifully crafted floating shelves or a custom built-in that looks like it’s always been there.

The goal is to make the storage feel integrated, not like an afterthought. It should support the room’s serene atmosphere, not detract from it.

By building in your storage, you keep surfaces clear and maintain the clean, architectural lines of the room. This focus on quality and integration applies to the most-used items in the room, too.

8. Investing in Fixtures That Will Outlast You

Here’s where I get really passionate. Fixtures—the faucets, shower controls, and hardware—are the jewelry of the bathroom. They are the things you touch every single day, and this is not the place to skimp. The difference between a high-quality faucet made of solid brass and a cheap, plated alternative is something you can feel. The weight, the smooth operation of the valve… it all speaks to longevity.

I always encourage clients to seek out fixtures from companies known for their craftsmanship—firms like Waterworks, Perrin & Rowe, or Barber Wilsons & Co. They often use traditional manufacturing methods and offer finishes like unlacquered brass that will develop a beautiful, rich patina over time. This is the opposite of a finish that chips or peels. It’s a living finish that evolves with your home. You can also have incredible luck at architectural salvage yards, but be prepared to have any finds professionally rebuilt and refurbished by a specialist.

It’s an investment, absolutely. But a well-made fixture will perform flawlessly for decades, long after a cheaper alternative has failed. It’s about buying once and buying right, a philosophy that is at the very heart of preservation.

9. Layering Light for Mood and Function

Good lighting can make or break a bathroom. A single, glaring overhead fixture is a recipe for a sterile and unflattering space. Just like in any other room, you need to layer your lighting to create a space that is both functional and atmospheric. This means combining three types of light: ambient, task, and accent.

Ambient light provides the room’s overall illumination. This might be a period-appropriate central fixture or a series of discreet recessed lights. Task lighting is the most critical; it’s the light you use for grooming. This should be cross-illumination—sconces on either side of the mirror at eye level to eliminate shadows. Finally, accent lighting adds a touch of drama. A small spotlight on a piece of art, or a waterproof light inside the shower niche, creates depth and mood.

• Put Everything on a Dimmer: This is non-negotiable. It’s the single most effective way to control the mood, allowing you to have bright, energizing light in the morning and a soft, relaxing glow for a bath in the evening.
• Consider Color Temperature: For vanity lighting where you’re applying makeup, you want a cleaner, truer light (around 3000K-4000K). For ambient and accent lighting, a warmer temperature (2700K) creates a cozier feel.
• Hide the Source: Modern LED tape lighting is a fantastic tool. You can hide it under a floating vanity or behind a mirror to create a beautiful glow without a visible fixture.

This brings up an interesting point: how much modern technology is too much in a historic space?

10. Integrating Smart Technology, Discreetly

The idea of a “smart” bathroom in a historic home can make some preservationists nervous. And for good reason. No one wants to see a blinking digital control panel next to original 19th-century millwork. But when done thoughtfully, a little bit of smart technology can be a wonderful, and very discreet, addition.

The key is to hide the tech and focus on the convenience. I’m a big fan of smart shower systems that let you pre-set the temperature and flow for different users—the controls are often minimal and sleek. The programmable thermostat for your radiant heat floors is another example of smart tech that works quietly in the background. You can even have motion-sensor lights inside a vanity cabinet or a fan that automatically turns on when it detects humidity.

I draw the line at features that feel intrusive or overly “techy.” A mirror with a built-in television screen? Probably not the best fit for a Federal-style home. The goal is to have the technology serve you without screaming for attention. It should enhance the comfort of your historic home, not turn it into a spaceship.

11. Bringing Nature Indoors with Living Plants

Long before it was a modern trend, people were bringing plants into their homes. The Victorians, with their love of ferns and ornate conservatories, knew the power of a little bit of green. Plants add life, color, and texture to a bathroom, and many varieties absolutely thrive in the higher humidity.

This doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple Boston fern hanging in a corner or a pot of orchids on a windowsill can soften the hard surfaces of a bathroom and make it feel more like a retreat. And since many older bathrooms have wonderful, large windows, you have a perfect environment for light-loving plants. Just be sure to choose plants that suit your light conditions.

• High-Humidity Lovers: Ferns, orchids, and tillandsia (air plants) will love your bathroom’s steamy environment.
• Low-Light Tolerant: If your bathroom is on the darker side, a snake plant or a ZZ plant is nearly indestructible and will do just fine.
• Placement is Everything: Use plants to draw the eye. A trailing pothos on a high shelf can create a lovely cascade of green, while a larger floor plant can anchor an empty corner.

For those wanting to take the wellness aspect a step further, we can look to more immersive experiences.

12. Considering a Steam Shower or Sauna (With Caution)

This is where we venture into true luxury, but it requires serious planning in an older home. Adding a steam shower or a small sauna can transform your bathroom into a personal wellness center, but moisture is the mortal enemy of old houses. This is not a DIY project.

A steam shower requires a completely sealed, vapor-proof enclosure. Every joint, every corner, and every penetration for plumbing fixtures must be meticulously waterproofed. If not, you risk sending warm, moist air into your wall cavities, which can lead to rot and mold in your home’s wooden structure. You’ll also need proper ventilation. For this reason, I often recommend that if a steam shower is a must-have, it’s best incorporated into a new addition rather than trying to retrofit it into an existing, historic part of the house.

Infrared saunas can be a slightly less daunting option, as many are self-contained units. However, you’ll still need to consider the electrical requirements and ensure you have adequate ventilation in the bathroom to handle any residual heat and moisture. It’s a wonderful feature, but one that demands a healthy respect for the integrity of your home.

13. Telling Your Story with Tile

Tile is the skin of the bathroom. It’s a functional, waterproof surface, but it’s also one of your greatest opportunities for personal expression and historical storytelling. Instead of just grabbing the latest trend from the hardware store, take some time to research tile that is appropriate for your home’s era.

For a Victorian or Craftsman home, you might look for intricate mosaic patterns or simple hexagonal floor tiles. For a 1920s Art Deco home, a classic black-and-white combination is always stunning. There are fantastic companies out there, like Fireclay Tile or Mercury Mosaics, that create beautiful, handmade tiles in both historical and contemporary patterns. You can even work with an artist to create a custom tile mural or a unique border that turns your shower wall into a piece of art.

I worked with a client once who had a beloved quilt pattern passed down through her family. We had it translated into a custom mosaic that became the focal point behind her freestanding tub. It was deeply personal and completely unique. That’s the power of custom tile—it allows you to embed your own story right into the fabric of your home.

14. Balancing Privacy and a Connection to the Outdoors

Many older bathrooms have beautiful, large windows—a feature we definitely want to preserve. But privacy is, of course, essential. Heavy drapes aren’t practical, but there are many historically sensitive ways to solve this problem.

Frosted or patterned glass is a classic solution. You can have new glass installed with a sandblasted finish, or for a more decorative touch, apply a high-quality privacy film that mimics the look of etched or reeded glass. Stained glass is another beautiful, period-appropriate option that adds color and artistry while obscuring the view. Even simple interior shutters, painted to match the trim, provide excellent privacy control while adding an architectural element to the room.

The goal is to obscure the view without blocking the light. You want to maintain that connection to the outdoors and the changing light throughout the day, which is essential for making a small room feel larger and more pleasant.

15. Choosing Fixtures That Are Both Beautiful and Water-Wise

Being a responsible steward of a historic home also means being a responsible steward of our natural resources. Luckily, today’s water-efficient fixtures no longer mean a weak, unsatisfying shower. Technology has improved dramatically, and you can now find toilets, faucets, and showerheads that meet the EPA’s WaterSense standards while delivering fantastic performance.

This is especially important in older homes, which may have more delicate or undersized plumbing systems that can be overwhelmed by high-flow fixtures. A high-efficiency toilet not only saves thousands of gallons of water a year but is also gentler on your home’s vintage drain lines.

Look for showerheads that use aeration technology to create the feeling of a full spray with less water. And consider faucets with laminar flow, which produce a clear, splash-free stream. It’s about making smart, sustainable choices that enhance the luxury of your bathroom, proving that environmental responsibility and high-end design are not mutually exclusive.

16. Designing a Dedicated Grooming Niche

While a full, sit-down “grooming station” might be a stretch in a small historic bathroom, you can almost always carve out a dedicated niche for daily routines. This is about creating a small, highly functional zone that makes tasks like applying makeup or shaving more pleasant.

This might be as simple as an area of the vanity with purpose-built storage and better lighting. If you’re using an antique dresser as a vanity, for example, you could outfit one of the top drawers with custom dividers for makeup and skincare. If you have a bit more space, you could build a shallow cabinet with a fold-down door that creates a small countertop when open, complete with a mirror and lighting inside.

The key is optimizing the space you have. Even in the tightest of bathrooms, you can improve functionality by ensuring you have excellent task lighting and that the items you use every day are organized and within easy reach. It’s these small, thoughtful details that elevate a bathroom from merely functional to truly personal.

17. The Warmth and Romance of a Fireplace

For the ultimate in historic luxury, consider a fireplace. In many grand Victorian and Edwardian homes, it wasn’t uncommon to find a small fireplace in the master bedroom and sometimes even in an adjoining dressing room or bathroom. While restoring a wood-burning fireplace to full function can be a major undertaking, you can still bring this incredible feature into your bathroom.

f you have an original (but non-functional) fireplace, embrace it! Restore the mantelpiece, tile the hearth with a beautiful period-appropriate design, and fill the firebox with a cluster of candles. It becomes a stunning architectural focal point. For a simpler way to add both warmth and ambiance, high-quality electric or ventless gas fireplaces can often be safely and easily installed. Imagine soaking in a deep tub while watching the flicker of flames. It’s an indulgence that connects to a long history of a home being a place of comfort and warmth.

Of course, any installation involving heat requires professional consultation to ensure it meets all safety codes, especially concerning clearances from water sources. But when done right, it’s an unmatched feature.

18. Connecting to Nature with an Outdoor Shower

Perhaps the most daring idea is to extend the bathroom beyond the four walls of your house. An outdoor shower is an exhilarating way to connect with nature, and it can be a surprisingly practical addition for homes with pools, or for anyone who enjoys gardening or lives near a beach.

The key to integrating an outdoor shower with a historic home is material choice and thoughtful placement. It shouldn’t look like a cheap kit tacked onto the side of the house. Use materials that complement your home’s exterior, like natural stone for the floor, cedar or teak for the enclosure, and fixtures in a finish like weathered brass or oil-rubbed bronze that will stand up to the elements.

Tuck it into a private corner of the garden, screen it with lush plantings, and connect it via a stone path to a back door. It becomes a secret oasis, a small luxury that makes your home feel more integrated with its landscape. It’s a modern ritual that, when designed with care, can feel perfectly at home in a historic setting.

From a Daily Chore to a Restorative Ritual

As you can see, creating a “dream” bathroom in a historic home is not about chasing trends. It’s about listening to the house itself. It’s an exercise in creative problem-solving and thoughtful integration. From working with the existing light and layout to carefully selecting fixtures that will stand the test of time, every choice is an opportunity to honor your home’s past while making it a more beautiful and functional place for your present. The most successful projects are the ones where the modern amenities feel so seamlessly woven into the historic fabric that you can’t imagine the home without them.

Your journey begins with a deep appreciation for your home’s unique character. Let its quirks and constraints inspire you, rather than frustrate you. Whether you decide to restore a salvaged clawfoot tub or simply invest in beautiful, well-made faucets, know that you are contributing to the ongoing story of your home. The investment in this kind of thoughtful design pays you back every single day, turning a mundane routine into a small moment of personal renewal and starting each day in a space that is truly and uniquely yours.