It’s especially true in kitchens and bathrooms, like this bathroom designed by Denise Roberts, where clean and calm were at the top of her priorities. There’s a line to toe, though. Go too neutral, and you risk ending up with a bland and boring space that lacks visual interest. To avoid such a design misstep and make your own white space feel sophisticated, not stark, heed Roberts’ advice:

Choose a “Theme”

We don’t necessarily mean theme in the traditional sense. An overarching focus—a color, a style, or an era—will do the trick. For this bathroom renovation, Roberts’ client wanted an “updated room with modern finishes and bohemian flair.” They settled on this particular direction, because the client had just re-done her bedroom and wanted to carry on that aesthetic.

Bring the Theme to Life

Go all-in on your theme, and you risk skewing kitschy. In this particular bathroom, you’ll notice the Semihandmade Tahoe Impression doors bring the bohemian theme to life. A few other decorative touches—some greenery and painterly textiles, for example—play supporting roles, but they’re complemented by more elevated accessories like brass fixtures. 

Play With Textures and Patterns

“If the client wants to go neutral, I like to mix textures to create interest,” she says. In this bathroom, the floor tile has a pattern that helps create depth in the neutral bathroom. To take it a step further, the client chose a bold rug in a contrasting texture to infuse the space with a bit of her personality—and of course, a pop of color. 

Mix Metals

Hardware—faucets and light fixtures, for example—provide another great opportunity.“Here, we mixed brass and black hardware, which provide both warm and cool tones in the bathroom,” she adds. Translation: instant visual interest.  

Choose Unique Finishes

Though subway tile is relatively standard in bathrooms today, Roberts chose a variation with a handmade quality to make the space feel more unique. “They aren’t perfectly flat and they also vary in color from tile to tile, which creates some movement on the shower walls,” she explains.