Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “English Interior Designer Olivia Caplan: “Tiling”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
The bathroom has evolved from a purely practical room into an increasingly conceived space for relaxation and disconnecting from daily stress. It is opening up to new materials beyond tiles and to bolder, more modern decorative options. The days of fully tiled bathrooms lacking personality and style are behind us. English interior designer Olivia Caplan confirms this on her Instagram account @oliviacaplandesign, where she offers some decorative tips for renovating the bathroom.
Color, the Bathroom’s Best Ally
Some of her proposals may seem bold, but when well applied, they can make the bathroom the most charming room in the house. Her first tip for updating the bathroom is to embrace color.
“Color is your great ally in the bathroom,” she states. “It’s important to be brave with the use of color, especially in small bathrooms, as it’s the perfect room to do things you might not do in other spaces where you spend much more time.”
1. An Elegant Green
This bathroom is a good example of how color can give new life to the space. The decorative key here is the choice of the under-sink vanity and the frameless mirror, which balance the presence of the green. A perfect example of how a tiny bathroom can attract all the attention.
2. Paint One Wall Blue
If you want to renovate your bathroom without costly renovations, you can opt to paint one wall. Even if it's tiled, you can also paint it with a special paint that allows you to cover the tiles. In this bathroom, a deep blue was chosen to enhance the under-sink vanity and the sconces. Reserve paint for areas less exposed to water, such as the vanity area.
3. White and Blue
A good idea for adding color to the bathroom is to create a dado of white tiles and paint the rest of the wall blue. This way, we protect the wall from the effects of humidity and make it easier to clean, without giving up style with a touch of color. In a bathroom like this, where white predominates, the warmth of the wooden floor and the refreshing effect of the blue color are appreciated.
Ideas to Avoid Tiling the Entire Bathroom
Another piece of advice from Olivia Caplan is that it's not necessary to tile the entire bathroom.
“I don’t know if it’s a hangover from the 90s or simply because there are so many large-format tiles available today, but you simply don’t have to do it.”
The interior designer points out some alternatives to tiles, such as wallpaper, which is increasingly common to find in bathrooms. Tiles or materials more resistant to direct contact with water should be reserved for the shower or bathtub area. In other zones, like the vanity area, it can be more interesting to opt for wallpaper.
“Think about some alternative options with which you can decorate your bathroom that aren’t tiling all the walls.”
1. Wallpaper at the Vanity
Tiles are not the only option for covering bathroom walls. In areas less exposed to direct water action, such as the vanity area, you can opt for wallpaper. In this case, a patterned wallpaper in a natural tone was chosen, which integrates very well with the gold finishes and the floor in the same colors. The combination with the under-sink vanity multiplies the personality.
2. Wood Paneling on the Wall
One of the alternatives to tiles offered by interior designer Olivia Caplan is to panel a wall with wood. This is what was done in this bathroom, where vertical wood slats raise the ceiling and create a stylish, rustic-inspired atmosphere. The wood slats were painted in a very elegant grayish-blue that combines well with the dark-toned wood of the under-sink vanity.
3. Tile Only One Wall or Area
One of the trends in bathroom decoration is to reduce the prominence of tiled walls. Tiles can be reserved for walls most exposed to direct contact with water, such as the shower or bathtub wall. On the remaining walls, more modern and decorative alternatives can be sought. One of them can simply be painting the wall, as in this case.
Ideas for Lighting the Bathroom
Another aspect that Olivia Caplan considers vital in the bathroom is getting the lighting right. The interior designer believes we must go beyond purely functional lighting, like that which allows us to get ready in front of the vanity mirror.
“To create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom, I like to consider at least three levels of lighting: a ceiling light, sconces on both sides of the mirror, and some indirect lights in the shower.”
These last lights serve to create a more relaxing atmosphere at night. The interior designer advises being able to connect them independently from the other bathroom lights.
If you want to apply any of Olivia Caplan's ideas in your bathroom, let's look at several examples of how to successfully bring her proposals to life. We propose bathrooms with color, with alternative materials to tiles, and with lighting that is as practical as it is decorative.
1. A Ceiling Light
English interior designer Olivia Caplan asserts that a bathroom cannot lack general lighting through a ceiling light. Many bathrooms opt for recessed spotlights, but if you want to give the space a more personal style, choose a ceiling light that makes a difference. In this case, a fiber light with an artisanal inspiration was chosen, which fits very well with the bathroom's decor.
2. Sconces on Both Sides of the Mirror
In addition to general lighting, it is very important to have task lighting in the vanity area to be able to, for example, apply makeup in front of the mirror or, for men, shave comfortably. The best option is to place two sconces, one on each side of the mirror, to avoid shadows on the face. It is very important that they are two lights because the shadows created by a single sconce are…
Source: Read the original article | Published: June 20, 2025