Decor Ideas for Southwestern Bathrooms

The Southwest has produced some of the most iconic American imagery over the past century. From the Pony Express to covered wagons traveling past vast mesas and steep cliffs, the Southwest still maintains an air of mystery — even in the modern day. It comes as no surprise that many homeowners want to embrace elements of Southwestern-style design in their rooms, and particularly their bathrooms. 

Southwest decor isn’t just for desert homes. It doesn’t matter whether you redesign a home or room in Phoenix or Florida, anyone who appreciates it can add elements of the Southwest to their bathrooms. If you are itching to renovate your space, get to know this design option. Here are some Southwestern bathroom ideas to fall in love with. 

Elements of Southwest Style

Before you can explore Southwestern bathroom decor, it helps to have a clear idea of what this design style entails. You can certainly design your bathroom in a way that reflects your personality, but there are a few key traits that are unique to Southwestern design. These include:

• Earthy color palettes: Look for browns, tans, and other earth tones that are commonly found in iconic vistas like the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.
• Simple white walls: American settlers didn’t have the luxury of wallpaper and needed white walls that reflected the sun and kept their homes cool.
• Different textures: Play with different textures (both hard and soft) in your bathroom. Metal, wood, fabric, and even animal bone can all work together. 
• Natural accents: Many Southwestern homes use stucco or other textured accents in their construction. This aligns with the use of earth tones in the home design. 

There are plenty of blogs, Pinterest boards, and Instagram accounts that embrace Southwestern design trends. Check out these influencers to get ideas for your modern Southwestern bathroom.  

Southwestern Bathroom Design Ideas

You can decide how much work goes into your bathroom redesign. Some people simply restyle their spaces by adding Southwestern bathroom rugs, hanging art, and changing the paint color. However, other people want to completely remodel their bathrooms with a Southwestern feel. Here are a few ways to bring the West into your bathroom regardless of your budget or project size. 

Wooden or Earth-Tone Countertops

As you explore different Southwestern bathroom vanities, you will notice that many incorporate wood elements and earth tones in their designs. Find a vanity you love and make it the inspiration for your bathroom. You can match similar wood accents to it or contrast against it with iron and metal elements. 

Counters and cabinets can quickly get expensive, but they are also a key part of your design style. Decide whether replacing your current vanity and cabinets is important to you — especially if this is an opportunity to increase the functionality and storage of your bathroom. 

Stone or Clay Tiling

Tile flooring is a big part of Southwestern design. Not only do tiles stay cool during long, hot days, but they are easier to clean. Families historically couldn’t keep white carpeting clean when there was red desert sand everywhere. This is great news for your bathroom design because you can choose from a variety of different types that match Southwest homes. 

Consider investing in two different types of tile for your bathroom. You can look into standard tile flooring and then choose tiles for your shower. You might opt for white or blue shower tiles that contrast nicely against the browns and tans you choose for the standard floor.   

Iron Fixtures

Don’t be afraid to embrace heavy elements in your Southwestern bathroom. You can add iron handles to your wood vanity and install iron bars to hold your towels. These iron accent pieces can ground your bathroom and contrast against the white walls and lighter elements that you include. 

Sunny Windows

Natural light is a big part of Southwestern design. This hails from the original construction of adobes that didn’t have the luxury of electricity. Don’t be afraid to let natural light through your windows (as long as you can still bathe privately). If you are embracing a full remodel of your bathroom, consider adding additional windows or expanding your current one. 

If you are limited in your current windows, look into lighter curtains that still let in the sunlight while protecting your privacy. 

Geometric-Patterned Textiles

Southwestern design is about different textures that work together to create a cohesive feel. While your wood, ceramic, and iron pieces contribute to your hard surfaces, textiles can add soft elements to your bathroom. Along with fluffy towels for when you bathe, search for geometric rugs, throw blankets, and pillows. These can add dramatic pops of color to the room while softening hard surfaces.  

Hand-Painted Ceramics

Desert climates create some of the best ceramics. The dense clay is ideal for molding while the unique colors attract the eye. Some artists take extra steps to paint their ceramic pieces with depictions of Southwestern life.

If you have shelves and space for accessories in your bathroom, add a few ceramic pieces to your space. These can be functional and fashionable: your bowls can store your hair clips or hold hand towels until you need them.  

Natural Wood Furniture and Accessories

Once you pick out your wood cabinetry or vanity, look for additional pieces of wooden furniture to match your space. All of your wood doesn’t have to match, different wood colors and textures can contrast against each other for a bohemian feel. Consider looking for a wooden chair to use when you style your hair and makeup or search for wooden baskets to store towels and essential bathroom items.  

Desert-Themed Artwork

Southwestern bathroom accessories are popular right now and you shouldn’t have trouble finding artwork and other unique pieces that reflect this trend. However, you can also look for local artists and crafters who make desert-themed artwork to support themselves. This could be a great way to support indigenous artists while also buying one-of-a-kind pieces that your guests will envy. 

Cacti and Succulents

If you decide to add plants to your Southwestern bathroom, get inspired by the desert. Add succulents and other cacti to your space and watch them grow. These are also considered highly durable plants and will likely thrive even if you have a black thumb. 

You don’t have to add every single one of these elements to your bathroom. Choose the aspects you love as you renovate and design your space. Your bathroom will start to feel like a Sedona spa that you can escape to after a long day.