Bathrooms are one of the hardest working spaces in a home. They need to feel practical and functional, while still feeling calm, elevated and visually beautiful. But as an interior stylist and designer, I see many of the same bathroom renovation mistakes appear time and time again, from poorly planned layouts to harsh lighting and finishes that don’t quite work together. 

Individually, these decisions might seem minor, but together they can make a bathroom feel awkward, impractical, or lacking personality. The good news? Most are incredibly easy to fix once you know what to look for. Whether you’re planning a full bathroom renovation or simply gathering bathroom design ideas for the future, here are 8 common bathroom design mistakes I see, and how to avoid them.

1. ASSUMING EVERYTHING NEEDS TO MATCH

One of the biggest bathroom design mistakes is assuming every finish needs to perfectly match. In reality, overly coordinated bathrooms can end up feeling flat, generic, and lacking personality.

The key is creating connection rather than exact repetition. I often use what I call the “3 tile rule”, choosing a statement tile, a support tile, and a neutral tile to create a bathroom that feels layered and balanced without looking chaotic.

Your statement tile acts as the hero piece, whether that’s a coloured subway tile, Kit Kat mosaic, or bold patterned finish. The support tile introduces texture or softness, while the neutral tile helps ground the space and create breathing room.

Similarly, mixing metal finishes can work beautifully when done intentionally. I recommend choosing one dominant finish for larger fixtures, then introducing a secondary finish through lighting, hardware, or accessories for contrast and depth.

 If you’re struggling to choose the right combination of bathroom tiles, proportions, or grout colours, I share more practical guidance in my bathroom tile guide here: How To Choose Bathroom Tiles: A Designer’s Guide. 


Image Source: Monroe Residence designed by Parker Studio and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.

2. PLACING THE TOILET OPPOSITE THE DOOR

Few things disrupt a bathroom layout more than opening the door and immediately facing the toilet. Whether it’s visible from the kitchen, hallway, or even the bed in an ensuite, it can make the space feel less considered and far less restful.

Where possible, position the toilet behind the door or against a side wall so it’s not the first thing visible when entering the room. In larger bathrooms, partial walls or nib walls can also help create separation and privacy.

Small layout decisions like this can completely change how elevated and thoughtfully designed a bathroom feels. 

3. IMPRACTICAL STORAGE SOLUTIONS

One of the most common bathroom renovation mistakes is prioritising aesthetics without considering how the space will function day to day. Open shelving and statement basins can look beautiful, but without enough practical storage, bathrooms can quickly become cluttered and impractical.

For smaller or highly functional bathrooms, integrated drawer storage, recessed mirror cabinets, wall niches and smart seating solutions are often a far more functional choice. I share more small bathroom design ideas and space-saving solutions in my guide here: 5 Interior Design Tips For Small Bathrooms

It’s also important to carefully consider clearances between the basin, tapware and wall. As a general guide, the spout should comfortably reach over the basin bowl without excessive splashing, with around 100-150mm clearance from the basin edge often working well depending on the design.

Image Source: Marina Del Rey home designed by Ome Dezin and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.

4. INSTALLING THE MIRROR TOO HIGH

If you’ve ever found yourself only able to see the top of your head in a bathroom mirror, you’ll understand this one.

Mirror height is often overlooked during a bathroom renovation, but it has a huge impact on how functional the space feels. I generally recommend positioning the centre of the mirror around average eye height, usually approximately 1500–1600mm from the floor depending on who will primarily use the space.

The key is planning ahead and communicating these details clearly within your drawings before installation begins.

5. UNFLATTERING LIGHTING

Lighting can completely change how a bathroom looks and feels. Harsh overhead lighting placed directly above or behind you tends to cast unflattering shadows across the face, making everyday tasks like makeup or shaving more difficult.

Instead, layer ambient and task lighting together. Wall sconces or pendant lights positioned beside the mirror create a far softer and more flattering light source, while integrated LED lighting within mirrors, joinery or recessed niches can help add a more subtle and elevated glow.

I also recommend dimmable lighting wherever possible so the room can transition from bright and practical in the morning to softer and more relaxing in the evening.


Image Source: Dolan Bay Residence designed by and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.

6. CHOOSING A POROUS STONE

Natural stone can look beautiful within a bathroom, but not every stone is suitable for wet areas.

Soft and porous stones, such as travertine or lighter marbles, can stain, etch, or absorb moisture more easily, particularly on shower floors or vanity tops exposed to skincare and cleaning products.

If you want to incorporate natural stone into your bathroom interior design, always check with your supplier about suitability for wet areas and ensure the stone is properly sealed. Alternatively, consider using porcelain or ceramic tiles in high-contact areas while reserving natural stone for feature walls or lower-maintenance surfaces.

For more help choosing bathroom materials, stone and finishes, you can sign up to my free renovation guide here: Free Bathroom Renovation Guide

7. MISALIGNED TILE PLACEMENT

Tile layout is one of those details people often don’t think about until it’s too late. But once you notice poorly aligned grout lines, it’s very difficult to unsee them.

If your wall and floor tiles are the same size, planning for grout lines to align creates a much more cohesive and considered result. Similarly, carefully planning tile set-out points helps avoid awkward cuts in highly visible areas.

Detailed drawings are essential here. A good tiler will carefully plan layouts, but clear communication around orientation, direction and pattern placement makes all the difference.


Image Source: Monroe Residence designed by Parker Studio and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.

8. BEING AFRAID TO MAKE A STATEMENT

Bathrooms offer a great opportunity to experiment with bolder finishes and more expressive design choices, particularly because they’re typically smaller and more contained spaces within the home.

Tile mosaics, uniquely veined stones, statement lighting, colour drenching, dramatic wallpaper, or sculptural tapware can all work beautifully in a bathroom without overwhelming the rest of the home.

For example, within my own home renovation, I introduced a Palladian stone floor to create a more expressive and character-filled bathroom. You can explore more of the materials I selected throughout the renovation here: Material Matters: The Materials I Selected For My Mid-Century Home

These spaces should still feel cohesive with the overall design direction of the house, but don’t be afraid to bring in personality and create moments that feel memorable, layered, and uniquely yours.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A well-designed bathroom should feel both practical and beautiful, balancing functionality with warmth, texture, and personality. Often, it’s the smaller planning decisions, like lighting placement, tile layouts, storage, or material selections, that have the biggest impact on how the space ultimately feels.

Whether you’re planning a full bathroom renovation or simply gathering bathroom styling ideas for the future, avoiding these common bathroom design mistakes can help create a space that feels more elevated, functional, and timeless.

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation and want expert, end-to-end support, I’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Whether you’re at the very beginning and need guidance choosing tiles, materials and finishes, or you’re ready for a fully resolved bathroom design with layouts, specifications and sourcing, I offer services to support every stage of the process. You can book a 1:1 design consultation for personalised advice, or get in touch to discuss a full bathroom design package if you’re looking for a complete, professionally curated solution.


Image Source: Dolan Bay Residence designed by and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.

FAQ: Bathroom Renovation, Design & Styling Tips

What tiles are best for bathrooms?

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are generally the most durable and low-maintenance options for bathrooms, particularly in wet areas like showers and floors. For more tips on choosing the right tiles, proportions or grout colours, I share more in my bathroom tile guide here. 

What lighting is best for a bathroom?

Layered lighting works best. Combine ambient lighting with task lighting beside mirrors to create a softer and more flattering result.

How high should a bathroom mirror be hung?

As a general guide, the centre of the mirror should sit around 1500–1600mm from the floor, depending on the height of the users.

How do I make a bathroom feel luxurious?

Layering materials, incorporating statement lighting, mixing textures, and using thoughtful finishes like natural stone, timber, or brushed metal can instantly elevate a bathroom.

What is the 3 tile rule in bathroom design?

The 3 tile rule involves combining a statement tile, support tile, and neutral tile to create a bathroom that feels layered, cohesive, and visually balanced.

How do I style a bathroom? 

Styling can completely transform how a bathroom feels, even without a full renovation. I like to focus on layering smaller details that add warmth and personality, such as a beautiful candle, sculptural soap dish, tactile ceramic vessel, hand towel, or a unique tray to style everyday items.

These finishing touches help soften the harder surfaces typically found within bathrooms and make the space feel more elevated, personal, and considered.

For some of my favourite bathroom styling pieces, you can explore my edit here: Bathroom Styling Edit