Eco bathrooms are becoming increasingly popular, with more people looking for ways to introduce sustainable and eco-friendly elements in their homes in an effort to reduce the impact on our planet.
Bathrooms account for about 34% of daily household water use, so sustainable changes, such as durable quality furniture, air purifying plants, and energy—and water-saving installations, are integral to reducing energy and water consumption.
We’ve done our due diligence and compiled 25 eco-friendly bathroom ideas that are not only practical but stylish, too.
Take a look!
1. Install Skylights
If your bathroom has limited square footage, you can bring natural light in with a practical upgrade. The two skylights in this eco-friendly bathroom are huge, allowing lots of light to seep in, helping reduce and prevent mold or mildew growth.
The patterned floor tiles have a dramatic impact, but white throughout the space gives the eye a break from the design. Wood furniture imparts warmth, and various area rugs add a splash of color and define the space. Numerous plants help purify the air.
2. Go for a Moody Feel
If you want an eco-friendly, sustainable bathroom, choose materials such as natural stone for your design. The stone surfaces in this bathroom, from the floors to the walls and even the bathtub, create a modern, organic feel.
The dark gray natural surfaces dynamically juxtapose the bathroom’s pure white accents. Pairs of decorative circular mirrors add interest to the walls while reflecting light to prevent the space from appearing dreary. A leopard-design rug brings a fun, whimsical touch underfoot.
3. Add Some Texture
Natural elements are integral in crafting a warm ambiance in an eco-friendly bathroom. The woven decor wall art, rattan vanity, and rustic stool soften the cool surfaces of this white bathroom while providing some texture.
An old area rug tempers the bright white walls, tub, and shiny metal hardware. Decorative touches like plants combine with natural materials for a well-balanced, eco-friendly space.
4. Play with Color
Most eco-friendly bathrooms revolve around stark and bright whites, but if you want a bit of color, you can experiment with muted hues like the pale peach in this space—just ensure you use eco-friendly paint.
Natural wood furniture and fixtures, woven décor, and an array of plants combine to form a tranquil bathroom oasis. The white tiles lend a contemporary feel to the space, while a patterned area rug brings interest underneath. An abstract painting on the wall adds a sweet dose of personality.
5. Keep it All Natural
Acrylic and fiberglass baths are typically considered single-use plastic and aren’t recyclable or biodegradable since they’re usually made using chemicals. Stone and metal baths are relatively expensive but more durable, and their designs don’t change as much—once in situ, they’ll stay there.
The tiled bathtub, white backsplash, and marble countertop combine for a cohesive look. A rustic wood floor grounds the space, and skylights provide plenty of natural light to keep things airy. Various plants blend in with the deep forest green walls, while botanical arts complement the theme.
6. Cool Vibes
Most eco-friendly bathroom ideas keep it simple and subtle when it comes to color. A monochromatic color palette and clean lines create a stylish and soothing bathroom, as the above idea shows.
The cool gray floor tile creates continuity with the white and cream feature tiles on the walls, and the dark nude pink sink basins complement the wood tones on the vanity. The floating vanity pairs with the stool, woven basket, plants, and the raffia light fixture for a contrastingly yet cohesive, eco-friendly bathroom design.
7. Create a Focal Point
Eco-friendly bathroom ideas centered around a focal point turn standard elements into stunning statement pieces. The wooden floating vanity with a Moroccan sink is the star of this space, providing a gentle contrast against the gray-blue tiles.
The patterned floor tiles add drama and color, while woven and wood décor adds texture and warmth. The arched wall mirror draws the eye upward and lends an industrial pop while creating the illusion of space.
8. Opt for an Open Layout
One space-expanding eco-friendly bathroom idea is an open floor plan and overall layout of bathroom elements. Keeping sightlines open makes materials, shapes, and lines your bathroom’s main focus, whether a doorless shower, shower niches, or windows without shades.
The tiled walls in this bathroom lend continuity and clean lines while creating the illusion of higher ceilings. The wooden vanity brings a contrasting color and enhances the crisp horizontal sightline of the tiles. Strategically placed plants add a calming aspect to this not-overly crowded bathroom.
9. Add an Accent Wall
Sleek lines and simple colors lend this eco-friendly bathroom idea a contemporary feel, setting it apart from traditional designs. This bathroom combines a gray accent wall, wooden table vanity, pampas grass, and black hardware and accents for textural and color contrast.
Straight lines from the freestanding shelf unit and wall towel rack pair nicely with the curved mirror frames for further visual contrast. The white tub adds a vibrant color, while the area rug adds pattern and texture.
10. Embrace a Vintage Look
The green subway tiles, patterned floor tiles, and marble countertop give this eco-friendly bathroom a refined look with a sprinkle of retro flair.
The wooden vanity, vintage mirror frame, brass hardware, and paneled walls and ceiling give a nod to the timeless art deco aesthetic. The wall-hung toilet and sink basin give the space a sense of modernity.
11. Freshen Up
Open or walk-in showers make eco-friendly bathrooms feel spa-like. Here, white subway tiles add interest to the walls, giving the shower area a captivating appearance. Plant accents work great with clean lines and brass hardware.
Patterned geometric floor tiles grab attention and pair nicely with the wall tiles, while a peach-colored vanity offsets the primarily white palette. The glass half-wall separates the shower and bath areas but ensures the space feels spacious.
12. Make it Eclectic
A vibrant yellow bath infuses energy and color into this eco-friendly bathroom idea. Various colorful patterns and accents continue on the window shade, wall art, standalone shelf, accessories, and a welcoming area rug gracing the floor.
The white backsplash allows the vibrant colors to pop, while the gray portion of the wall gives the bathroom a contemporary edge. When hanging art, place it where it can have a moment and out of reach of splashes.
13. Focus on Lighting
Natural light is integral in an eco-friendly bathroom, but you still have to maintain the eco-friendly theme during nighttime. One way to achieve this is through energy-efficient artificial lighting, such as LED lights and candles.
This eco-friendly bathroom employs a mix of LED lights, scented taper candles, and an array of hanging and potted plants for visual interest. The wall tiles continue onto the ceiling, making the space feel larger, while the area rug underneath brings texture.
14. Go for Wood Finishes
Start the day well with an eco-friendly bathroom that boosts your mood. This Urban Jungle bathroom’s clean lines, curves, and significant features lend the space a modern appeal.
The parallel lines of the sleek white vanity, wooden floor, and the large mirror above the tub create aesthetically pleasing horizontal continuity. In contrast, the curved mirror caters more to the tub. Bright whites in the space allow the wood tones to pop, and the plants balance the scheme with a lovely natural hue.
15. Style with Wallpaper
Eco-friendly wallpaper is an excellent option when upgrading your bathroom design to a more sustainable one—ensure you choose toxic-free or low-VOC wallpapers. The brick wallpaper used in the shower area of this eco-friendly bathroom is a stand-out feature.
Simple shower screens with black metal frames give the bathroom an open feel while separating the two distinct-use spaces. Patterned floor tiles add a high visual impact to the space, while warm wood elements and numerous plants bring warmth and bohemian flair.
16. Consider a Two-Tone Scheme
A two-tone color palette is an excellent choice for simple, contemporary, eco-friendly bathrooms. Here, the mint green beadboard half-wall and peach-colored walls keep the bathroom from feeling sterile.
The wall paneling’s clean lines are echoed in the towel rack, ledge, and art frames, giving a nod to modern design. The bathtub and circular shelving unit disrupt the clean lines for enhanced visual contrast, while woven décor and plants provide an earthy touch.
17. Go Ultra Clean and Modern
Eco-friendly bathroom design ideas also have room for contemporary features. Elements like a glass-enclosed shower, garden tub, sleek shower hardware, and a contemporary vanity position this eco-friendly bathroom as a clean and modern space.
A simple black and white palette prevents the space from becoming too busy, while a woven window shade, wood caddy tray, area rugs, and greenery lend much-needed warmth.
18. Consider Classic Flooring
Who doesn’t love a black-and-white checkered floor tile design? The flooring in this bathroom elevates the interior and dominates the space, but several strategic design choices prevent it from overwhelming the space.
White walls, tiles, and natural elements like wood, plants, and woven décor complement the tile flooring without competing for the limelight. Subtle pops of gold and black in ceiling pendants, the oval mirror, and the hardware anchor the flooring and bring a sense of cohesion.
19. Don’t Be Limited by Space
A petite floor-to-ceiling wood feature wall behind the toilet creates a rustic accent corner in this eco-friendly bathroom. The curvy marble sink adds a touch of luxury, while a wooly area rug and other wood accents soften the space. Various plants give the space a jungle-like feel.
20. Adopt a Minimalist Design
One way to keep the air in your eco-friendly bathroom clean, fresh, and free of impurities is to keep the planning as open as possible. This bathroom’s layout adopts a minimalist design, creating a clutter-free, aesthetically pleasing environment.
The muted palette allows the few black components in the space to define focal points and provide contrast to the neutral walls and gray floor tiles. The wooden floor in the shower area pairs with woven décor and plants, warming up this distinctly minimalistic room.
21. Impress with Your Vanity
Consider a monochromatic palette if you want to incorporate a subtle dose of color into your eco-friendly bathroom. Here, white walls and ceiling provide a background for a dark gray accent wall.
The gray hue is echoed in the floor tiles and storage trays, while the patterned area rug and black hardware create cohesion between the elements in the space. The floating vanity brings a contemporary feel and pairs with the circular mirror and unique candleholders for a tranquil, mid-century modern look.
22. Make a Statement
This eco-friendly bathroom idea is another testament to how a monochromatic color palette and clean lines create a stylish and soothing bathroom. Here, marble wall tiles add a splash of drama, giving the space a decorative oomph while keeping it minimal.
The floating gray vanity adds to the modern appeal and perfectly complements the large floor tiles. A throw blanket and pillows bring more pattern, while a decorative rug adds a touch of color and complements the modern palette.
23. Keep it Cool
Bathroom fixtures, surfaces, and decor work to deliver an eco-friendly bathroom, but a pared-down color palette is an underrated, transformative design feature that helps tie everything together.
This bathroom’s bright white walls and accents, gray tile flooring, and matte black hardware create a cool atmosphere. The wood vanity, caddy tray, and rustic area rug provide warmth and visual balance against the cool tones.
24. Take it Outside
The open layout of this eco-friendly bathroom lends it a modern look, allowing every nook and cranny of the strategically designed space to be visible. Large tropical plants and Zen-inspired décor give this contemporary minimalist bathroom the sensation of an upscale spa.
The natural stone flooring complements the gray wall tiles with horizontal lines that make the space look larger. The flooring’s warm tones also create cohesion with the rustic wood wall niches.
25. Glamorize Your Bathroom
This eco-friendly bathroom idea combines modern design and vintage glamor to lend the space show-stopping appeal. White on the walls and ceiling makes the space bright and airy, while the wooden vanity pairs with the herringbone-patterned floor to provide stylistic contrast.
A large circular wall mirror bordered by industrial wall pendants makes a bold statement, while rattan furniture and woven baskets warm up the crisp bathroom.
