“Remodeling your bathroom into a luxury space is about more than just adding stylish features; it’s about transforming your everyday routines into extraordinary experiences. Imagine starting each day in a space that not only meets your needs but also make you feel pampered and relaxed,” says Linda Sweeney, Vice President and Design Consultant at Sweeney Design Remodel.
Whether you’re looking to turn your primary bathroom into a spa-like retreat or simply want to add high-end features to your daily routing, luxury bathroom remodeling is about creating a space that offers both comfort and sophistication. In this ultimate guide to luxury bathroom remodeling, we’ll cover everything from custom vanities to upscale bathing options to technological integration. Let’s get started!
Custom Vanities and Storage
A custom vanity serves as the centerpiece of your bathroom and sets the tone for the rest of the space. It allows you to feature premium materials and finishes such as marble countertops, solid wood cabinetry and high-end hardware that offer a luxurious look while providing durability and longevity.
Ample storage is another feature of a luxury bathroom. Our creativity in providing custom storage solutions for items like toiletries, towels and other essentials helps make the bathroom more relaxing and enjoyable. Open, built-in shelving can keep often-used items easily accessible, while pull-out drawers and compartments can maximize hidden storage, enabling you to maintain a clutter-free appearance.
Other items that can further elevate your luxury bathroom experience and add convenience can include soft-close drawers, integrated lighting and built-in outlets. Even a vanity with a double sink and plenty of counter space can make the bathroom more functional, especially in the primary suite.
See our client project: a custom vanity with plenty of storage and modern waterfall edge.
Premium Materials
High-quality materials are one of the fundamental aspects of a luxury bathroom and let you reflect your personal style. Premium materials we are often asked about include natural stone such as marble, granite or quartz used for countertops, shower walls and flooring. Each has its own benefits:
- Marble, with its distinctive veining, adds sophistication
- Granite offers strength and durability
- Quartz, a more modern option, offers a non-porous surface that resists stains and scratches
Another premium material to consider is high-end tile. Porcelain and ceramic tiles come in a range of design options including various colors, patterns and textures and are easy to clean and maintain. For even more luxury, opt for glass or mosaic tiles to create a stunning accent or feature wall.
Wood is yet another high-end choice, especially for your custom vanities and cabinetry. Exotic woods such as teak or mahogany provide a rich, warm appearance and are known for their moisture-resistant properties.
High-End fixtures and Fittings
The fixtures and fittings you choose can take your bathroom beyond basic functionality to a luxurious and comfortable environment. They can also add significant value to your home.
The high-end fixtures we often recommend include faucets, showerheads and bath fillers made from premium materials such as brass, brushed nickel or matte black finishes. They not only offer a sophisticated look to your luxury bathroom, they provide corrosion resistance to maintain their appearance over time.
Luxury fittings such as wall-mounted or waterfall showerheads can create an enhanced bathing experience, turning a simple shower into a spa-like retreat. Consider upgrading the shower area even further with body jet sprays and steam features. And don’t overlook the sumptuousness of heated floors and heated towel racks.
For finishes, integrate high-end touches like custom sink basins, backlit mirrors with built-in defogging, and soft-close toilet lids.
A Spa-Inspired Shower
Unlike standard showers, a spa-inspired shower is a defining element in a luxury bathroom with a focus on providing a therapeutic experience. Our most asked-for features are double shower heads that include a combination of rainfall and handheld showerheads that allow you to choose between a gentle, soothing shower or a more targeted, powerful rinse. And with adjustable showerheads, you can even change the water pressure and spray patterns. Include a steam option to turn your shower into a personal steam room.
Think about other design elements such as a curbless, walk-in shower, a built-in shower bench, and niches built into the shower walls for convenient storage for shampoos, soap and other essentials.
Another option for a well-designed luxury bathroom is a wet room design where the shower area integrates with the rest of the bathroom. This open layout can make the bathroom feel larger while allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance.
See our client project: a gorgeous spa-inspired shower.
Elegant Layered Lighting
Layered lighting involves combining different types of lighting—ambient, task and accent—to create a balanced and versatile lighting scheme. Use it to set a mood, highlight specific features and ensure adequate light for bathroom tasks.
Ambient lighting is the base layer, using ceiling-mounted fixtures such as recessed lights or a chandelier. A statement chandelier or pendant lights can serve as focal points and add a touch of elegance and sophistication, making your bathroom feel like a high-end spa.
Task lighting is used where specific activities take place, such as near the vanity or shower. Wall sconces on either side of the mirror can offer targeted lighting for grooming tasks by reducing shadows and providing clear, even light. In the shower area, waterproof recessed lighting or a lighted showerhead can ensure the space is well lit to ensure both safety and comfort.
Accent lighting can highlight architectural features or design elements. LED strip lighting can be installed under the vanities, along edges of mirrors or inside niches to create a soft, glowing effect that emphasizes the design.
A Statement Soaking Tub
One of the biggest statements you can make in your luxury bathroom is a stand-out soaking tub as a focal point. “There’s nothing like a beautiful soaking tub to refresh you in the hotter months and warm you on those cold winter days here in Madison, so why not choose a tub that can make every bath feel like a mini-vacation!”
Freestanding tubs are popular, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials ranging from classic clawfoot tubs to sleek, modern designs with clean lines and minimalistic aesthetics. These tubs are often deeper than standard models, allowing total body immersion and a more relaxing tub experience. Choose from high-quality materials such as cast iron, stone resin or acrylic, and select a shape that not only supports the body, but allows for extended soaking without discomfort.
There are lots of luxury features in a statement tub as well. Built-in jets are an in-demand option with their massaging water streams that help relax muscles and relieve tension. Some tubs also include chromotherapy lighting—colored lights that create a calming atmosphere. Integrated heating systems can ensure that the water stays warm, allowing for a longer soak.
See our client project: a statement soaking tub.
Tech-Forward Bathroom Choices
“Let’s not forget that technology can also play a role when you’re designing your luxury bathroom. Why not include a smart shower that you can program for temperature and water pressure settings? Some even allow you to control the shower with a smartphone app so you can start your shower remotely or set a schedule for warming up the water so it’s ready when you are.”
Smart faucets and toilets are also important luxury elements. Touchless faucets let you maintain cleanliness and reduce water waste, and smart toilets offer features such as heated seats, automated lids and seats, automatic flushing, lights and bidet functions. Some models even include self-cleaning capabilities and deodorizers.
Water conservation and energy efficiency are added benefits of using smart technology. Smart water systems can monitor water usage and alert you of leaks or excessive consumption, helping to reduce your water bills. Energy-efficient LED lighting and smart thermostats that control underfloor heating systems can further enhance your bathroom’s sustainability, providing luxury without compromising environmental responsibility.
Another tech-forward bathroom choice can include connection to home automation systems so you can control lighting, temperature and other features through a central hub or voice-activated device. And finally, give thought to an integrated sound system with built-in speakers, controlled through a central system or smartphone app!
Other Luxurious Features
We’ve listed the main features we often include in a luxury bathroom remodel, however, there are even more options. Consider adding a remote-controlled gas fireplace for heat and ambiance, a kitchenette where you can prepare your morning coffee or tea or access a glass of wine, a skylight to watch the night stars, or even a balcony! The options are endless!
Luxury Bathroom Remodels in Madison, WI by Sweeney Design Remodel
A luxury bathroom remodel is more than just an upgrade; it’s about enjoying the benefits of cutting-edge technology, elegant materials and thoughtful design every single day. At Sweeney Design Remodel, we specialize in creating luxury bathrooms for clients throughout the Madison, Wisconsin area with a comprehensive range of services and product recommendations to address both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your bathroom remodel.
We’ll start by learning your vision and preferences including your design goals, desired features and lifestyle needs. We’ll then create detailed plans and 3D renderings to provide you with a clear representation of your new bathrooms. You’ll be able to visualize the end result easily and can make design or layout changes and decisions on materials and finishes. And as we are a design-build remodeler, you’ll work closely with our team from design concepts through construction. By managing all portions of the remodeling project in house, we can ensure that every element of your luxury bathroom is executed to the highest standard.
2024 marks our 70th year in business, and we’ve done quite a few luxury bathroom remodels throughout that time. Let us help you choose the right luxurious design and elements to create a bathroom in your home that is both functional and visually stunning. We’d love to work with you.
Contact Sweeney Design Remodel at 608-257-3034 to schedule your free initial consultation.
In the meantime, check out our portfolio of stunning bathroom remodels.
