Minimalist bathroom trends in Vail

You know that calm, open-minded feeling you get on vacation when you wake up and walk into a sleek, spa-like bathroom to prepare for the day’s adventures? Part of that relaxed feeling stems from design, specifically a minimalistic design, which emphasizes clean lines, tidy surfaces and neutral color palettes. At home, a minimalistic bathroom can go a long way in recreating that serene mood as you start, and end, your day.

“The feeling you get when on vacation has an impact on the feeling you want in your life, and minimalist clients want to replicate that feeling,” said Jason Propst, principal at New Box Design Conscious Building Products in Edwards. “They want to de-stress at home, which means mimicking how they felt on their Punta Mita Four Seasons vacation.”

Minimalistic bathrooms zero in on only the essentials, balancing function and form. But that doesn’t necessarily mean small — you can have a large, spacious bathroom with a freestanding tub, a gas fireplace integrated into the wall and a glass-enclosed, double-headed shower.

“We still have two sinks, two faucets, a shower, bathtub and a toilet, but we have zero ornamentation, and everything is very simple and plain — not in a weird way, but in a way that’s timeless. You’re not going to look at a white cabinet with a very subtle white marble tile and say: ‘That was built in 2022, or whatever.’ It’s going to stand the test of time really well,” said Scott Turnipseed, owner of Scott S. Turnipseed Architecture in Eagle.

Several features contribute to minimalistic design.

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Creating walls with panels to hide built-in shelves is one way to store necessary items without adding cabinetry. For example, a 6- to 8-inch-deep wall behind the toilet provides hidden storage for toilet paper, cleaning products and other necessities.

Simple shelves below a floating vanity provides a clean, open space for towels, while niches above the vanity can accommodate toothbrushes, facial products and more.

Avoiding handles and knobs on cabinetry also contributes to a modern aesthetic. When it comes to the cabinets themselves, Propst suggests tones and textures that “identify with the floors and doors in such a way that none have a visual preference or impact over another.”

“Using the same material for each of those would be the easy button to minimalism, but stretching those decisions to the same tone, but shifts in textures, for example, might be even more powerful,” he said. “I think there are probably ranges of minimalism, though I’m sure some drumbeaters would disagree. But to me, that disagreement is honestly what makes design so fun: Challenging the norms, changing values and depths and potentially creating new traditions.”  

Of course, minimalism steers clear of heavy patterns, but he notes that a standalone, impactful detail can be powerful. In fact, he says decorative elements are still vital to minimalism.

“Without design elements, minimalism is flat, unimaginative and incomplete. Almost any design element is not only welcome, but necessary, to project the impact of minimalism. But as the name suggests, decorative elements should be added minimally to maintain this style. A large, crowded painting might be a perfect fit to showcase the minimalistic style of a space. A single wall of striking tile might be the direction. Hanging faucets, a primary color sink or wall sconce, an accent wall, a barn door, hardware, or paneled walls can, by themselves, be integrated to maintain minimalism,” he said. 

Fluted cabinets and interior doors with no trim or floating Magic Barn doors without a visible track are just some of the elements he likes to incorporate to create visual impact.

“While you may not think of these as traditional decorative elements, they enhance the perception of minimalism by decorating the product with flare and nuance,” he said.

He prefers Italian products, pointing out that Italian companies typically prioritize design.

“They regularly compete in design and seem to take it more seriously than other areas globally. They have done this with everything that carries any weight in style, from clothing to cars to casework. It’s the Italian mentality,” he says.

It’s not uncommon for luxury hotels to pave the way for minimalistic residential bathrooms.

He notes that commercial enterprises often lead the psychology, which includes color palettes, of design. After all, who doesn’t want a spa-like bathroom like The Ritz-Carlton or other top hotels?

“They are pushing earthy and natural tones, but modern minimalism still leans white. And white is typically the least expensive option because production of so many elements remain naturally white, from marble tops to ceramic tubs, toilets and sinks. White remains king in terms of production because every other color is fleeting in design. White is clinically clean and brings a sense of sterility that many people are drawn towards. It is safe, uncontaminated luxury,” he says.

That often translates into white marble, quartzite or light Caesarstone countertops, the latter of which is nonporous, so makeup particles don’t soak in, as they would into many types of natural stone.

Still, earth tones fit perfectly into our mountain environment.

“We love earthy tones and materials, like desert concrete stone with natural oak. This has become almost a staple in minimalist commercial spas and hotels, which I think tends to lead clients’ decisions,” he says. “And I think the world of commercial design has had a heavy influence on the psychology of design because they have a return on investment driving the bus.” 

Another essential element within minimalistic bathrooms involves lighting.

“Whether it’s natural lighting coming from well-positioned windows or hidden LEDs washing the space quietly and inconspicuously, lighting defines the environment and your emotional connection to the space. It’s the rhythm of style,” he says.

And, obviously, a well-lit vanity allows for flawless makeup application. Companies offer mirrors with integrated, dimmable LED lighting in front, as a backlit option, or both, as well as anti-fog features. Mirrored cabinets also offer these options.

Within cabinets and any drawers, utilizing separate boxes, or containers, for makeup, moisturizers and more keeps everything organized.

Overall, a minimalistic design benefits homeowners through its simplicity. To begin with, a lack of clutter allows for quick and easy cleaning. Minimalism concentrates on the essentials, which, in turn, helps start your day with a clear, orderly focus.