A bathroom can be so much more than a functional space; it can be a private sanctuary, a place to begin and end your day with intention and quiet beauty.
The Moroccan design tradition understands this deeply, creating spaces that feel soulful, grounding, and rich with sensory detail.
It’s a style built on the beauty of handcrafted materials—the shimmer of zellige tiles, the warm glow of brass, the smooth touch of plaster.
Here, you’ll find twenty ways to bring that spirit into your own home, whether you’re planning a full renovation or seeking a simple update to make your space feel truly yours.
1. Frame Your Space with Earth and Sky
Create a dramatic focal point by hanging an oversized, pierced brass lantern over the tub.
It draws the eye upward, celebrating high ceilings and filling the vertical space with sculptural interest.
For a softer look, pair earthy tadelakt-style walls with a vibrant, watery-hued zellige tile backsplash to ground the room in natural elements.
If you lack the high ceilings, a cluster of smaller lanterns hung at staggered heights can create a similar sense of layered light and artistry in a more compact area.
2. Embrace the Moody, Cocooning Power of Darkness
Don’t be afraid to commit to a dark, immersive palette for an incredibly intimate and sophisticated retreat.
Here, jewel-toned emerald green zellige tiles pair with matte charcoal walls, absorbing light to create a calming, cocoon-like atmosphere.
The key is to introduce points of light that reflect off the glossy tile surface: multiple brass lanterns and polished brass fixtures prevent the space from feeling flat, adding warmth and dimension.
You can achieve a similar effect by painting just one feature wall in a deep shade and adding a grouping of warm, metallic lights.
3. Blend Modern Minimalism with Moroccan Shapes
You can honor Moroccan aesthetics without sacrificing modern sensibilities.
Start with a clean, contemporary foundation, like this floating concrete vanity, which feels both industrial and sleek.
Then, layer in the Moroccan elements as accents: a simple, brass-framed arched mirror and geometric brass pendants add warmth and classic form.
The white, pearlescent zellige tiles on the wall offer texture and light, while a single, large plant introduces an organic element that enlivens the entire space.
4. Use Architectural Arches to Define a Tranquil Zone
Create a room within a room by framing your bathtub with a simple, elegant arch.
This architectural choice not only introduces a classic Moroccan silhouette but also designates the bathing area as a distinct, calming sanctuary.
Using a seamless plaster finish like tadelakt on all the walls enhances this grotto-like feeling, enveloping you in earthy, uninterrupted texture.
An ornate mirror and a statement lantern complete the look, adding layers of handcrafted detail.
5. Go Bold with a Saturated, Jewel-Box Interior
Commit to a single, vibrant color for an unforgettable, high-impact design.
By tiling the walls, floor, and vanity countertop in the same cobalt blue, you create a completely immersive experience reminiscent of the famous Jardin Majorelle.
Intricately carved white plasterwork around the shower arch provides essential visual contrast, breaking up the intensity of the blue while highlighting the room’s artistry.
A patterned rug in a contrasting warm color, like red or orange, grounds the space and adds another layer of energy.
6. Master the High-Contrast Powder Room
In a small space like a powder room, a dramatic palette feels confident, not overwhelming.
Pair glossy black subway tile with a crisp, white marble console sink for a sharp, graphic look.
The secret to making this work is the warmth of unlacquered brass; the fixtures, mirror frame, and even the toilet paper holder prevent the black and white from feeling cold.
The glossy finish of the tile is also crucial, as it reflects light and adds depth, making the small room feel more dynamic.
7. Design an Indoor Courtyard for a Spa-Like Escape
Transform your bathroom into a private riad courtyard by making a central water feature the star.
A round, mosaic-tiled plunge pool or even a freestanding tub placed in the middle of the room instantly shifts the focus and creates a luxurious, resort-like feel.
Surround it with lush, potted plants to blur the lines between indoors and out, and hang a cluster of lanterns at varying heights to cast a soft, magical glow.
8. Let Rustic, Hand-Worked Textures Tell the Story
For an authentic, grounded aesthetic, focus on the raw beauty of natural materials.
Start with a simple, reclaimed wood vanity that showcases the grain and imperfections of the timber.
Pair it with a hand-hammered metal vessel sink and plaster walls that have a subtle, hand-troweled texture.
With materials this rich, you need very little ornamentation; the warm glow from a single lantern is enough to highlight the inherent character of the space.
9. Reimagine the Palette with Contemporary Softness
Moroccan style doesn’t have to be earthy or bold; it can be soft and modern, too.
Swap traditional terracotta for a gentle rose-pink tile, laid in a clean grid pattern for a contemporary feel.
Maintain the signature curves with pill-shaped arched mirrors and pair them with streamlined brass sconces and hardware.
A floating vanity in a matching pink hue keeps the entire look feeling light, airy, and thoroughly fresh, much like you’d find in soft pastel romantic bedrooms.
10. Create Shimmer and Depth with Monochromatic Tile
A single-color zellige tile wall can be one of the most dynamic features in a room.
The subtle, handmade variations in the color and texture of these grey tiles catch the light from every angle, creating a shimmering, liquid-like effect.
To ground this ethereal quality, pair it with a solid, matte black vanity and floor.
Finally, introduce polished brass accents through the fixtures and mirror frame for a necessary touch of warmth, creating a look that is both moody and impeccably chic.
11. Carve Out a Grotto-Like Shower Niche
An arched niche is a hallmark of Moroccan design, and it’s as practical as it is beautiful.
Building one into your shower wall provides elegant, recessed storage for essentials, eliminating the need for bulky caddies and keeping surfaces clear.
Tiling the entire shower—niche included—in the same vibrant zellige tile creates a seamless, grotto-like feel, turning your daily shower into a small escape.
A small, shapely mirror hung inside an open shower adds an unexpected touch of decorative flair.
12. Marry Moroccan Opulence with Parisian Glamour
Create a sophisticated fusion by blending the best of two worlds.
Pair an elaborately carved and gilded Moroccan-style mirror with a glittering European crystal chandelier.
The combination feels worldly, collected, and utterly glamorous.
Ground the look with a classic furniture-style vanity and keep the wall tile simple—here, a glossy white—to let your statement pieces truly shine without competing for attention.
13. Embrace an Eclectic, Collected Spirit
Your bathroom should reflect your personality, and an eclectic approach is the perfect way to do that.
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, like this patchwork of different cement tiles on the wall and floor.
Amplify the collected feel by creating a gallery wall of mismatched mirrors above the vanity—this also bounces light around beautifully.
Using a vintage dresser as a vanity adds a layer of history and character that you can’t get from a standard cabinet.
14. Let Light and Form Be the Decoration
In a minimalist space, every element must be intentional.
Here, a large skylight becomes the primary source of both light and beauty, washing over the subtle, watery-hued zellige tiles.
The only ornamentation is the clean curve of the built-in shower niche and the simple form of the brass shower head.
This restrained approach creates a profoundly calm and meditative atmosphere, proving that luxury can be quiet.
15. Anchor the Room with a Bold, Graphic Floor
When you want to make a statement, start from the ground up.
A bold, black-and-white geometric cement tile floor provides instant energy and a strong graphic foundation for the entire room.
With such a dynamic floor, you can keep the other elements sleek and simple: a black floating vanity, plain white walls, and a clean-lined arched mirror.
The repetition of brass in the lighting and hardware ties the entire high-contrast look together.
16. Create a Jewel-Box Shower with Rich Color
Use color to architecturally define your shower as a special destination within the bathroom.
Tiling an arched alcove in a saturated, ruby-red zellige tile creates a stunning contrast against softer, neutral walls.
This technique makes the shower feel like an intimate, hidden gem.
Enhance the effect by hanging a damp-rated lantern inside; its warm light will make the rich, jewel-toned tiles glow from within.
17. Fuse Rustic Charm with Gothic Arches
Combine design languages to create a style that is uniquely yours.
This bathroom pairs the substance of a rustic wood vanity and hammered brass sinks with the elegant, soaring lines of Gothic-arched mirrors.
A modern farmhouse-style wagon wheel chandelier adds an unexpected industrial touch.
The result is a transitional space that feels both grounded and graceful, blending old-world forms with contemporary liveability.
18. Bathe the Room in a Warm, Monochromatic Glow
Create a deeply comforting and cohesive space by layering materials in the same warm color family.
Here, the sun-baked terracotta tiles on the floor and walls blend seamlessly with the warm oak vanity and peachy-toned walls.
This monochromatic approach envelops you in warmth.
To add textural interest and prevent the look from feeling flat, introduce a woven rattan pendant light, which brings a touch of natural, boho-inspired softness.
19. Use a Window as Architectural Art
In a room with one strong architectural feature, your job is to celebrate it.
By painting the walls and vaulted ceiling in a deep, dark gray, the large arched window becomes the undisputed focal point, turning the light and view into a living piece of art.
All other elements—the simple freestanding tub, the classic hexagonal floor tile—are chosen to be quiet, elegant supporters of this central feature.
This is a masterclass in using color to direct the eye and create drama, evoking a modern Gothic sensibility.
20. Define an Attic Space with Cheerful Color
Working with angled ceilings can be a challenge, but tile can be your greatest tool.
Running a band of sunny, yellow square tile around the lower portion of the walls creates a strong horizontal line, which grounds the space and makes the angled roof feel intentional.
Embrace the natural brightness from the skylight with a cheerful color that bounces light around.
Modern, geometric pendants provide a contemporary counterpoint to the more traditional tile, showing how to create a functional and stylish layout in even the most challenging of spaces.
