Our Guide To Creating A Moorish Bathroom Theme

If you fancy creating a more individual bathroom, have a look at our guide to the Moorish theme for some inspirational ideas.

So the time has come to renovate your bathroom, but you’re still unsure of what direction to take it in. Well, there are of course the usual traditional and modern themes, as well as popular styles such as monochrome to choose from. But if you fancy creating something different, our guide to achieving a Moorish themed bathroom will help you construct something rather unique.

A Brief History of Moorish Style

The bold, ornate Moorish style originated from the medieval architecture of the Muslim inhabitants of countries such as Morocco, Malta, and Algeria. Key elements which created the overall look and feel of the style included sculpted designs around windows and doors, known as horseshoe arches and ogee arches. This striking aesthetic was frequently carried on to the inside of buildings with mirrors designed to match these arches. Tessellated and mosaic tiling also became a prominent feature of Moorish style. These tiles were often incredibly detailed in their appearance, combining with the dramatic archways to give off an air of majesty. Many mosques were built using Moorish influences, a famous example being the Mezquita, which is found in the Spanish city of Cordoba. Gradually the striking designs of Moorish architecture began to spread across into Europe, and now it is a beautiful look you can accurately replicate in your bathroom.

Get the Look: Tiling

Achieving an authentic Moorish theme for your bathroom will require the right selection of tiles for your walls and floor. This isn’t as easy as it sounds however as the grand styling of these tiles can overwhelm your theme if you’re not careful. Our advice would be to choose maybe two or three colours, rather than the entire spectrum of the colour pallet. Remember that you have to live with your bathroom, you don’t want to end up hating it after a couple of weeks!

Popular colours for this theme include purples, reds, and blues as well as black and white. Combining the right colours will make for an effective recreation of the Moorish design ideal. Remember to choose floor tiles that will compliment your choice of wall tiles, rather than clash with them. Choose your colours carefully and you should be on to a winner.

Get the Look: Fittings

Now while your Moorish theme may be more original than most bathrooms, a set of traditional fittings such as a freestanding bathtub and pedestal basin would still look fantastic here. Bathtubs can be customised with surrounds which can continue the tessellated tiles theme, matching the walls making for a great touch, and really bringing the overall theme together excellently. Period bathroom fittings generally suit this theme more than modern items, however that’s not to say you can’t have a modern twist on your Moorish designs. Adding a modern bathtub or shower arrangement to more simplistic tiles and décor that has a subtle nod to Moorish flair could potentially look brilliant if executed correctly.

Get the Look: Accessories

Now that you have selected the tiling and fittings, it’s time to finalise the theme with some well-placed accessories. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can replicate Moorish styling with simple upgrades. Ornate, metallic lanterns were a common feature in Moorish architecture, and the intricate designs can be brought into your bathroom as there are many options available on the market today. A bathroom mirror can also be added into the mix, as there are options which share designs with the ogee archways, so you can accurately achieve the desired effect without breaking the bank in the process.

You may also want to consider bathroom furniture such as storage facilities and lighting. You can buy storage units that have clearly taken inspiration from Moorish architecture, and there are also rather cool touches available such as radiator cover grills that also take heavy influence from the styling of that period.

A Final Word

Deciding to remodel your bathroom with a Moorish influence won’t be for everyone, but if it is done well there is no reason why it won’t look spectacular. It will be a fantastic talking point with your guests and you will be proud to show off your creative flair. Take your time and do your research thoroughly before committing to any aspect of this theme, remembering to choose your colours carefully in particular. Add fittings that will complement the theme, go easy on the accessories and you should end up with a fabulous, unique bathroom that will stand the test of time.

Stay tuned for more from the team!