Luxury Bathroom Design In London: Where To Spend And Where To Save
It’s in the details..
These are the details you interact with every morning and every night. This is where real value lives, far more than a decorative fitting that you barely notice after the first week.
You do not need a crystal chandelier over the toilet to achieve a sense of quiet luxury. You need high quality, high touch pieces that make daily rituals feel calm and considered.
Save On Wall Finishes (Within Reason)
Tiles are one of the fastest ways for a bathroom renovation budget to spiral. Covering every surface in premium marble might look impressive on Instagram, but it is rarely necessary in real life.
Instead of specifying £120 per square metre marble on every wall, focus on where the eye naturally lands. Use high end bathroom finishes and feature tiles in key areas such as the shower wall or behind the vanity, and keep the rest simple.
You can:
- Mix real stone with high quality porcelain lookalikes.
- Use paint or microcement in less visible areas.
- Balance full height tiling with half height areas that transition into paint.
Your bathroom will still look expensive and cohesive, but you can often save £3–5K that can be redirected into something you will notice every day, such as underfloor heating or better lighting..
Spend On Plumbing And Waterproofing
The most important elements of a luxury bathroom design in London are often the ones you will never see. Poor plumbing or waterproofing can ruin even the most beautiful scheme.
A bad plumber can destroy a £50K bathroom with one leak. That is why we encourage clients to invest in:
- Proper tanking and waterproof membranes in showers and wet areas.
- Quality pipework and fittings that will not fail after a few years.
- Well planned drainage so water flows where it should and never where it should not.
It is not glamorous money. It will not appear in any photographs. But it is what keeps your bathroom feeling new for fifteen years instead of five.. Make the difficult decisions before the first hammer swings, then protect those decisions during the build.
Save On Sanitaryware (Unless It Is A Statement Piece)
You do not need a £5,000 bathtub to create a spa style bathroom. What you need is a bath that fits the space, is comfortable to use and does not splash water across the floor every time you get in.
Mid range sanitaryware brands often manufacture in the same factories as premium names. The difference is usually the marketing and the badge, not the basic quality.
Our approach is simple:
- Choose reliable, mid range basins, WCs and standard baths.
- Reserve your budget for one hero element such as a sculptural freestanding tub, a backlit mirror or a bespoke vanity unit in beautiful timber.
One clear focal point says “considered luxury”. Ten competing focal points just feel noisy and confused.
Spend On Lighting: It Changes Everything
Lighting can make or break any interior, and bathrooms are no exception. Relying only on overhead spotlights will make even the most expensive finishes feel flat and unforgiving.
We design bathroom lighting layers that can shift from bright and functional in the morning to soft and spa like at night. That usually includes:
- Ceiling downlights for task lighting where you need clarity.
- LED strips under vanities and behind mirrors to add a gentle glow and floating effect.
- Wall sconces around the mirror for warmth and flattering light on the face.
Soft, layered lighting hides small imperfections, from grout lines to tired eyes. It is one of the smartest investments you can make in a luxury bathroom renovation. been clearly agreed at the start.
Save On Accessories
You do not need a £300 soap dish for your bathroom to feel high end. Accessories date quickly and are easy to update later, so they are not the place to lock in a large spend.
What does make a difference is:
- Thick, hotel quality towels in a calm colour palette.
- Real candles that bring scent and warmth.
- Simple, well chosen storage baskets or trays to keep clutter out of sight.
Good styling goes much further than designer toothbrush holders. Think of accessories as the finishing layer you can evolve over time, not the core investment. pets, move them out first. They are charming, but not built for building sites.
Spend On Joinery And Storage
Built in bathroom storage can completely change how a space feels and functions. It hides visual noise, keeps surfaces clear and turns daily routines into something far more serene.
We often design bespoke vanity units with soft close drawers, integrated power points, and lighting that automatically switches on when doors are opened. Tall cupboards can hide everything from spare towels to cleaning products, so the room always feels calm.
This kind of considered storage is the difference between a bathroom that looks good in a photoshoot and one that still looks good at 7.30am on a weekday. It is worth prioritising in your bathroom renovation budget.
Bonus: Think About Sound, Not Just Sight
The new standard of luxury is not only visual. It is acoustic. A truly calm bathroom feels quiet as well as beautiful.
You can:
- Add extra insulation in walls and floors to buffer noise.
- Choose soft close toilet seats, drawers and cabinet doors.
- Consider a discreet built in Bluetooth speaker for music, audiobooks or podcasts.
A peaceful bathroom is not just about the tiles and taps. It is about how the space supports your day, from the first shower to the last bath.
Case Study: The Hampstead Ensuite
A recent client came to us wanting “a spa at home” and had received a first quote of £85,000 for their ensuite. The specification was heavy on full height marble and high badge fittings.
We rebalanced the bathroom renovation budget. Instead of premium tiles on every surface, we selected mid range tiles in most areas, then invested in:
- Carefully layered lighting.
- Bespoke bathroom joinery with generous storage.
- Stone countertops where the hand and eye naturally land.
The final cost was £54,000. The result is a calm, elegant ensuite that looks like a magazine feature and functions beautifully in everyday life. That is the power of knowing where to spend and where to save.
Key Takeaway: Luxury Is About Considered Choices
Luxury is not about spending as much as possible. It is about spending wisely.
When you are planning a luxury bathroom design in London, put your budget into the elements you will feel every day: the taps in your hand, the warmth under your feet, the light on your face and the storage that keeps everything in its place. Simplify the rest.
A well planned £30K bathroom can feel better than a chaotic £100K scheme, because real luxury is not loud. It is quiet, calm and considered.
Working With Accanto Interiors
Accanto Interiors is a London based design build studio for heritage and luxury homes. We blend architecture, interiors, and construction into one seamless process, so your project feels curated rather than chaotic.
If you are planning a renovation of a Victorian, Georgian, or Edwardian property and want to combine old and new interiors without losing the character you first fell in love with, we would be delighted to help.
Book a consultation via our website and start shaping the next chapter of your home’s story.
