Basem*nt bathroom ideas can help turn your unused lower level into some of the most desirable living space in your home: an in-law suite, guest quarters, or a basem*nt theater room that doesn't require pausing the film every time someone needs to run upstairs for a restroom break.
Aside from the practical considerations, bathroom ideas in a basem*nt are also a chance to add style and even luxury to your home. Because it's off of the main floors of your house, you can step outside the style constrictions of the rest of your decor. And if you have the room, fun add-ons like a home sauna or rainfall shower can make the room the best bathroom in the house.
Basem*nt bathroom ideas
By necessity, any basem*nt ideas you search might be compromised by space restrictions more than any rooms at ground floor level and above will be, with the exception of the attic. For this reason, basem*nt bathroom ideas need to include clever, space smart options that can feel luxurious and look aesthetically pleasing, too.
1. Let in light where you can
(Image credit: Erick Zumwalt, Phil Ruhl)
Depending on how far below grade your basem*nt sits, you may not have room in your basem*nt bathroom for a full-size window. But any natural light is better than none, so get creative with the types of windows that will work in your space.
Clerestory-style windows, like the one in this bathroom by California-based design duo Erick Zumwalt and Phil Ruhl, sit high up on the wall, providing natural light without the need for a full-length window. Plus, the position means you won't have to deal with window treatments or privacy concerns.
2. Warm it up
(Image credit: Samantha Burkhart)
Basem*nts can tend to feel a bit cold and industrial thanks to their subterranean location. One way to cozy-up your basem*nt bathroom and make it feel like a part of your home? Incorporate furniture pieces, like the warm-toned wooden dresser andtufted chair in the Montana bathroom of celebrity stylist Samantha Burkhart.
If you have a basem*nt bedroom, too, choose complementary furniture to tie the spaces together and make it feel like its own suite.
3. Draw the eye up
(Image credit: Leah Atkins / Photo: Adam Pendleton)
Unless you've hit the basem*nt jackpot, there's a good chance your basem*nt bathroom has standard height ceilings of eight or nine feet, possibly even less if you live in an older home or an area where building codes okay lower ceilings.
'Painting the crown molding black in this showhouse bathroom originally got some pushbackfrom the builder; she had originally painted it gray and was afraid to go darker. The gray was meh and didn't help the space out at all!' says designer Leah Atkins.
'Painting the trim black and adding a collage wall really made this basem*nt bathroom feel larger. Adding a red and blue orientalrug to ground the space was the homey finishing touch it needed.'
4.Add wallpaper
(Image credit: House of Jade Interiors / Lindsay Salazar)
Just because it's a basem*nt bathroom doesn't mean you should scrimp on the details. like this space by House of Jade Interiors proves. From the checkerboard floors, to the marble walls and the built-in shower nooks, there's a lot to love about this chic space. But it's the wallpaper that brings the wow factor.
Choosing a rich color and traditional pattern adds gravitas and sophistication to this otherwise monotone space, and warms up the cool palette.
5. Add a luxurious shower
(Image credit: Classic Homeworks)
Oftentimes, the basem*nt serves as a home's guest suite, so why not add a high-end feature that'll make your nearest and dearest feel like they're at a posh hotel? The designers at Classic Homeworks in Denver made this basem*nt bathroom one of the home's most luxurious spots thanks to a glass-walled shower.
6. Tile a wetroom
(Image credit: Stone & Ceramic Warehouse)
Is there anything more luxurious than a wetroom? Pair a flush shower tray with matte or slip-resistant tiles with a realistic marble-effect to create the ultimate showering experience.
This bathroom goes one step further and includes a freestanding bath with ceiling speakers so you can sit back and relax away from it all.
7. Embrace unusual basem*nt spaces for a unique bathroom
(Image credit: Matki One)
To make the most of your basem*nt, you'll have to embrace its quirks. If your project deals with a sloping site, or if you’re wrestling with low ceilings in the basem*nt, embracing the individual qualities of the space could make your new bathroom even more special.
A change in floor level and an innovative shower recess – with built-in storage – design makes the most of the space available and creates a bespoke finish in this stunning, modern bathroom.
8. Remember good lighting is key
(Image credit: Mereway Bathrooms)
When planning your lighting for a bathroom always remember the three essentials: task, ambient and accent lighting.
Glamour lights in vanity mirrors or strategically placed pendant lights are great to illuminate jobs like putting make-up on or shaving while recessed downlights in the ceiling can take care of general (ambient) lighting.
Accent lighting – such as LED strips or wall sconces– adds that finishing touch to any space, highlighting special objects or pictures.
9. Create a light well
(Image credit: Maison Vanentina)
Where possible, adding a glazed light well to the outside of your bathroom will always be worth the effort.
Basem*nt bathrooms by their very nature struggle with natural light and anything you can do to fight feeling cramped or claustrophobic will get you one step closer to your dream room.
10. Reference natural elements
(Image credit: Porcelain Superstone)
Basem*nt bathrooms suffering from a lack of natural light can feel a bit disconnected from the outside world so introducing links to the great outdoors where you can is essential.
Wooden vanity units, natural stone tiles and even a natural clay wall finish are all wonderful ways to connect a bathroom basem*nt to nature.
11. Install walk-on roof lights
(Image credit: Mereway Bathrooms)
Consider installing walk-on rooflights above the basem*nt as they are a great way to ensure natural light will be able to permeate the room from spaces above.
It's an excellent small basem*nt bathroom idea for creating a space that feels more expansive, and also works wells for spaces that are entirely subterranean. Do keep privacy in mind though – think carefully about their position and ensure the glass is opaque.
12. Make the bath the star of the show
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
Freestanding baths are without a doubt one of the most beautiful elements to include when designing a new bathroom.
Placing the tub in the middle of the floor – and adding LED wall panels as in this example – not only provides a luxurious finish inspired by boutique hotels, but also makes bath time fun for young children.
Although be sure to choose a suitable flooring for the splash zone.
13. Get creative with lighting
(Image credit: Matki One)
Planning in basem*nt lighting ideas with your architect or electrician in advance of your basem*nt project can inspire some wonderful results. For instance, recessing an LED strip within a shadow gap before adding the finishing touches can create a beautiful wash of light, as this bathroom goes to show.
14. Contrast light and dark
(Image credit: Porcelain Superstore)
Matching a pale wall tile with an on-trend bold wall and industrial-style matte black fixtures is a sure-fire way to make a big impact. Tile floors are also one of the best basem*nt flooring ideas because they're resistant to moisture and dampness.
15. Create a view with a feature wall
(Image credit: DelightFULL)
This majestic monochrome bathroom is a masterclass in elegance and timeless style. Keep your fixtures simple and splurge on a mural or statement wallpaper so your new space in the basem*nt takes you to another place.
How much does it cost to put a bathroom in the basem*nt?
Let's talk money, how much does it actually cost to put a bathroom in the basem*nt?
'The answer is — it depends,' says James Hockley, managing director of Trace Basem*nt Systems. 'In respect of the waterproofing, for a full conversion of a responsibly-sized single room from a reputable company providing the worthwhile guarantees could be in the region of £10-£15,000 ($12-19,000).'
Add on top of the costs of a normal new bathroom, which can range anywhere from £3,000 up to £9,000+, depending on the quality of finish and professional installation costs.
How do I plumb in a new basem*nt bathroom?
There are also logistics to consider, like how you go about plumbing a new basem*nt bathroom.
Plumbing is one of the most challenging aspects of creating a bathroom in a basem*nt so positioning the layout close to existing plumbing above will reduce costs a little as extending the water lines to create new hot and cold water taps is naturally cheaper than routing new ones.
'Pay particular attention to mechanical ventilation as basem*nt bathrooms do not typically include windows and the structure may effectively be vapor tight as a result of the installed waterproofing,' explains James Hockley.
'Therefore you must take provision to adequately deal with vapor production or otherwise suffer condensation issues.'
Do you need a special toilet for a basem*nt?
Yes, you might need a different or special toilet for a basem*nt bathroom.
While installing a normal toilet is feasible in some basem*nt bathrooms, if your space is positioned below the sewer lines an upflush (also known as a macerating) toilet would be more suitable.
Where a normal toilet flows down towards the soil stack, upflush units discharge into a tank (which can be concealed behind drywall), where waste is ground up before being piped towards the stack, meaning these toilets can be installed pretty much anywhere.
How should I decorate a basem*nt bathroom?
Once the structure and waterproofing has been completed, it's time to think about how to decorate a basem*nt bathroom.
The design can be similar to any other bathrooms, although you may want to compensate using various tricks of the trade for the lack of natural light, such as including large mirrors, rooflights or even small courtyards outside the basem*nt.
How do I light a basem*nt bathroom?
Rooms underground are going to be dark, so it's important to think about how to light a basem*nt bathroom.
'Compensate for natural light by using multiple layers of light in your bathroom,' advises Sian Parsons, associate designer at John Cullen Lighting.
'Use downlights to provide ambient lighting and wall lights either side of a mirror for task lighting. Look at building your layers with a mid level of light such as downlights in niches, uplights behind a bath or floor washers — by putting the layers together you get a good feeling of general light.'
