37 Timeless Black and White Bathrooms That Prove the Combo is Kismet
It's easy to see why this versatile color palette has infinite staying power.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
They say opposites attract, but the jury’s still out on whether those who reside on polar ends of the spectrum actually reside together for long. One exception? Black and white. A designer favorite that dates all the way back to America’s first "official" interior decorator, Dorothy Draper, black and white is both classic and avant-garde. Designers adore using the combo anywhere, but especially the bathroom, where hard surfaces reign supreme and opportunities for textiles are limited. Whether used in exclusivity or as a statement color sidekick, a black and white palette makes a dramatic impact in the bathroom.
From classic black and white penny tile to all-over black and white Arabescato marble, black and white can skew pragmatic or hyper-luxe. Part of the appeal of a black and white bath, of course, is that the majority of residential bathrooms come equipped with white porcelain fixtures, making any palette that incorporates the shade a natural shoo-in. In a construction-grade bath, even a move as seemingly simple as painting your walls black can have a stunning effect. For the less reserved among us, a black and white theme delivers as well. Going-for-broke design moves (i.e. all-over wallpaper, all-over marble, or striped tile shower walls) have their risk factor significantly downgraded when rendered in classic black and white.
Mulling over the merits of a black and white bath, but need a little more inspiration before you give it the green light? Ahead, we’ve collected timeless black and white bathroom ideas from top interior designers that make a compelling case for putting this power palette into play.
Emerald Pretty
Black and white surrounds are enhanced by a jewel-tone green vanity in this sophisticated bath designed by KitchenLab Interiors.
Black Magic
Designer Wesley Moon illustrates the unrivaled chic-ness of an all-black bath underscored with just a hint of white in this Upper East Side retreat.
Cabana Chic
Nothing is as classic as a black and white cabana stripe, as displayed in this marvelous bath designed by Maureen Stevens Designs.
Set in Stone
White-veined black marble and a high-grain wood vanity strike up a stunning contrast in this alluring bath cued up by J. Fisher Interiors.
Chalk it Up
To lend a main-floor powder room a bit of irreverence, designer Allison Garcy elected to contrast white fixtures with black chalkboard walls.
Hush Hour
Black and white has a reputation for skewing formal, but as the firm Anne Decker Architects illustrates in this zen-as-can-be bath, opting for rustic finishes can make the combo feel casually chic.
Mad About Plaid
Take the lead from Ayromloo Design and spring for a black and white tile in a classic pattern like plaid to add verve to a powder room.
Fronds with Benefits
Wallpaper never fails in a powder room, so why not make it black and white wallpaper in a mesmerizing pattern? For this stately bath, Brio Interior Design used a captivating frond-flocked paper.
The Luxe Stuff
Black and white is the zenith of sophistication, so why not opt for an abundance of show-stopping elements in black and white, as the firm Denise McGaha Interiors does in this ultra-luxe bath?
Bottle Service
White fixtures stand in dramatic contrast to custom, black-framed bottle glass windows in this show-piece bath designed by the firm Chris Barrett Design.
Marble Moment
A hyper-luxe tub crafted of black and white marble makes this bath designed by the firm Denise McGaha Interiors an avant-garde affair.
Strike-Through
A black and white Kelly Wearstler wallpaper wakes up this elegant bath designed by Eclectic Home New Orleans.
Butterfly Effect
Playful white trompe l'oeil pieces backed by an exuberant black-and-white butterfly-flocked wallpaper make this powder room designed by Eclectic Home New Orleans feel wonderfully whimsical.
Celestial Mood
To make white orb pendants appear like glowing planets, firm Jasmin Reese Interiors made the genius call to back them with a gridded black backdrop.
New Romantics
A romantic French armoire feels like perfection when contrasted with classic black and white elements in this beautiful bath designed by the firm Kathryn Ivey Interiors.
Marble Madness
Ken Tate Architect shows the unrivaled risk-taking potential of black and white in this next-level bath clad almost entirely in black and white marble.
Graphic Content
In this bath designed by KitchenLab Interiors, shades of taupe are energized by a graphic tile floor featuring pops of black and white.
In Bloom
A predominantly black and white palette can be a low-risk way to incorporate an all-over floral wallpaper, as illustrated in this charming bath designed by KitchenLab Interiors.
Global Sophistication
For this intriguing bath, KitchenLab Interiors adopted a black and white palette to make a variety of shapes, textures, and global influences go off without a hitch.
Home on the Range
For a bath located in a Montana ranch home, firm Koo de Kir Architectural Interiors uses a black and white statement tile in the shower surround to cultivate a mood that feels both sophisticated and rustic.
Nostalgia Decor: 2025's Most Comforting Home Trend
18 Bathroom Design Mistakes Pros Always Avoid
A Look at Behr's 2026 Color of the Year
9 Designer-Approved Paint Color Combos
