Create a relaxing atmosphere

Renovating bathrooms: ideas for a successful makeover

Bath tub in front of a plastered wall and indoor plant
The wall with its rough texture is water resistant and a great alternative to tiles. Matched with the stones and indoor plant, it creates a harmonious look.

Formulate the renovation concept for your new feel-good place

Looking for renovation ideas to revive your bathroom? Then it’s time to formulate a plan. Use our suggestions to conjure up a vision of your very own feel-good oasis. We can show you how to coordinate exclusive materials, exciting surface finishes and timeless design elements to create a bathroom design for feel-good moments.

But that’s not all – we’re also committed to incorporating sustainability into your design from the outset. Our ideas won’t just help you create a renovated bathroom that meets all of your needs but also one that considers the needs of our environment. Work with us to develop a carefully designed bathroom that continually delights you each and every day.

Fresh ideas for bathroom renovations

Wet rooms are traditionally tiled to keep moisture under control. Nowadays though, bathrooms are more than just functional rooms with a wash basin and shower – and accordingly, there are many alternatives to traditional tiled walls.


Water-resistant materials that emphasise the bathroom’s character are great for the walls:

  • Plastered walls for industrial charm: Various plastering techniques can be used to add texture to the walls. Breathable plaster absorbs moisture and reduces the risk of mould growth. Lime plaster can even be used in the wet zone.
  • Wallpaper for a cosy atmosphere: Patterns, colours or photos can be incorporated into the bathroom’s design with wallpaper. When making your choice, look out for the symbol indicating water resistance information as per the DIN EN 235 standard. In bathrooms, you should choose wallpaper with the highest level, i.e. ‘abrasion-resistant’. Fibreglass wallpaper, fleece wallpaper and vinyl wallpaper are often the best options here.
  • Slat wall panels for a sauna vibe: Walls made of wood slats create a rustic, Scandinavian hygge feel. Matched with exposed concrete or plastered walls in one colour will give it a modern touch.
Wash basin with shelf in front of smooth, blue wall
Smooth, dark blue walls and warm wood tones: The different surface textures form fascinating contrasts.

When renovating bathrooms, the flooring is usually also replaced. You can go without tiles here, too. Here are your options:

  • Stone: stone flooring looks beautifully striking and offers varied textures to add dynamism to minimalist bathrooms. Combining stone with wooden features further accentuates the natural ambience of a room. Although natural stones like granite or sandstone aren’t renewable, they’re still regarded as a relatively sustainable choice for flooring – providing they’re sourced regionally. 
  • Wood: the texture and colour of wooden flooring bring cosy warmth to the bathroom. It’s even nice to walk on barefoot. Locally sourced woods, such as oak, pine and larch, are recommended, as are wood varieties that naturally retain their moisture, as they’ll absorb less of this from their surroundings. Wood flooring should be coated.
  • Eco-friendly LVT: a sustainable alternative to conventional vinyl. Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) not only fulfil safety standards for health, but also meet the ecological criteria established by recognised certificates such as ‘Blue Angel’ or ‘FloorScore’®. These certifications primarily focus on the manufacturing processes, emissions and ability to recycle the flooring. LVT is also available in a huge range of designs, providing suitable options for any interior style.
  • Cork: with the right waterproofing and all-over adhesive, even this natural material has its place in the bathroom. Cork is a sustainable, sound-insulating and flexible material. When used for flooring, it lends a natural feel to your bathroom.

Sustainable ideas for long-lasting design

If you want to fundamentally redesign your bathroom in a renovation project, you should choose functional and beautiful high-quality elements to underpin the effect and atmosphere of the room. 

Here are a few ideas:

  • Taps: Traditionally beautiful in gold, silver or copper or modern and minimalistic in matt black – get matching taps for your bath tub and wash basin.
  • Bathroom cabinets and shelves: Choose glass or metal to underpin minimalist design. Solid-wood elements can emphasise a bathroom’s warmth.
  • Accessories: Don’t forget about details such as grab bars, soap dishes or roll holders. For a coordinated design experience, they should fit in with the bathroom’s overall look.

Specific ideas for environmentally friendly bathroom renovation

It goes without saying that the unabated increase in awareness of sustainability is shaping both the refurbishment and the renovation of bathrooms. Ever more people are recognising the indisputable need to consider options that are both environmentally friendly and good for our health when it comes to revamping their bathroom with a design that is fit for the future.

As a result, if you’re starting to think about a bathroom renovation that goes far beyond simply redecorating, you should always take a carefully considered, sustainable approach.

Tips for planning your sustainable bathroom renovation

We’ve outlined a few key planning considerations:

  • Professional advice: which products and materials are sustainable and why? Which certificates or quality seals can help you choose what to buy? Read our article to find the answers or ask the experts in store to ensure that your ideas can be viably realised in a sustainable manner.
  • Recycle and reuse: reduce waste by checking which items or features in your bathroom can be reused or recycled. For example, the worn bathroom cabinet with built-in lighting and old pipes or cables all belong in the recycling yard. This enables large amounts of valuable and increasingly scarce raw materials to be reclaimed as well as pollutants to be safely disposed of. 

Tips for choosing materials for sustainable bathroom refurbishments

Materials such as wood, cork, stone or vinyl are obvious first choices. However, like with many things, with various materials it comes down to the finer details. Here are a few important things you should consider when planning and choosing materials:

Environmentally friendly, durable and cost saving: key considerations when renovating a bathroom

  • Zero-emission paints: use paints and varnishes that don’t release harmful emissions into the air. Simply look out for quality seals or ask an expert. 
  • Easy-to-clean surfaces: opt for surfaces that are easy to clean without having to use aggressive cleaning agents. For example, recycled glass and stainless steel or seamless linoleum flooring made from sustainable and renewable raw materials.
  • Energy efficiency: minimise your energy usage by investing in energy-saving lighting and heating solutions.
  • Water and energy-saving products: when choosing your bathroom products, opt for ones with high energy efficiency and a long service life. You’ll quickly see that your investment in fittings like a water-saving tap will positively affect your levels of consumption. Need proof? The hansgrohe water savings calculator lets you quickly calculate how much water and energy you can save with hansgrohe taps and showers, for example. 
  • Innovative technologies: simply enjoy your bathroom and leave the savings to innovative technologies. EcoSmart products or CoolStart technology will help you save resources without impeding your daily enjoyment of water. 
  • Breathable building materials for an enhanced indoor climate: choosing breathable building materials for walls and ceilings enables natural moisture regulation in your bathroom. This noticeably improves the indoor climate as moisture is disbursed more successfully and the air quality is enhanced. This significantly reduces the risk of mould formation in airtight buildings and enables you to enjoy your renovated bathroom for many years to come. 
  • Sustainable interiors: when choosing furniture and bathroom features, always consider recycled materials. Wall tiles made from recycled porcelain, reused ceramics and wash basin counter tops made from recycled glass are just a few examples. These sustainable options conserve resources and reduce waste while also adding unique charm to your bathroom.

 

All in all, sustainable bathroom renovation is not only good for the environment, but also for the long-term value of your home. With the right considerations, materials and technologies, you can transform your bathroom into a green oasis that meets the needs of the current generation without endangering those of future generations.

Make your new bathroom shine

Wooden wash basin unit and black tap
The combination of warm wood and a fresh wall design in silver grey looks down-to-earth and natural. A clean tap design can form a fascinating contrast here.

New flooring, walls with a nice design, amazing furniture and choice accessories create a cosy atmosphere perfect for relaxing and whiling away your time in the bathroom. The only thing missing is the right lighting for indulgent moments in the bath tub, your night-time skincare routine or a boost of freshness during your morning shower.


A sophisticated lighting concept is needed here: With a combination of several lighting elements, you can create the perfect atmospheric lighting for any situation. Revamping your bathroom is also the perfect time to do things like install spotlights in the ceiling and wall without lots of extra work.

Frequently asked questions about finding inspiration when renovating your bathroom

Why should I choose a sustainable bathroom renovation?

Sustainable bathroom renovation offers a whole array of benefits. It helps to reduce our ecological footprint by minimising resource consumption and reducing harmful emissions. Durable materials and energy-saving solutions result in long-term savings and increase the value of your property. In short, if you’re looking for bathroom renovation ideas, these should always be sustainable – for the benefit of both the environment and your pocket.

What do I need to be aware of when implementing my ideas?

First, come up with a plan that will bring various bathroom renovation ideas together. Then check that all elements go well together and have a harmonious look. Once this is done, you can put it all into practice.

Why is it important to pay attention to ecolabels and certificates when choosing building materials for bathroom renovations?

Ecolabels and certificates are important ways of ensuring that the products and building materials you choose are actually environmentally friendly. These are awarded by independent organisations and confirm that products meet certain sustainability standards. Well-known examples include the ‘Blue Angel’ seal and the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ certificate. They help you make environmentally conscious decisions when renovating your bathroom.

How do I use design elements effectively?

A timeless tap, a rain shower as the main head-turner or a backlit mirror can round off your new bathroom and give it character. So even functional elements, such as the bath tub tap, can enhance your interior design.

What do I need to be aware of when installing new bathroom lights?

Bathroom renovations are the perfect time to incorporate new lighting. Why not come up with a lighting concept for various moods?

Which materials are suitable for bathroom flooring?

Vinyl, wood, natural stone or cork – so many materials can be waterproofed with the right treatment, enabling so many ways to dramatically enhance the bathroom.

What are the alternatives to wall tiles?

Wallpaper, wooden slats, plaster – all these materials can be waterproofed to add some much-needed character to bathrooms.

New ideas for your old bathroom: Create your wellness experience

Materials, colours, furniture and accessories: Gather all your ideas before starting the renovation. Coordinate the elements and you will have a harmonious concept for your very own feel-good oasis.

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