How to get the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of

03 Dec 2025

Dreaming of a serene spa-like bathroom? Or perhaps something edgy and contemporary that can become one of the most stylish spaces in your home? Well, it’s all possible. With clever design choices, quality fittings from Plumbline and a splash of colour from Resene, it’s easy to bring your dream bathroom to life.

Here’s some standout looks, with inspiring palettes and timeless fixtures, to give you some inspiration:

Plumbline’s Epoque Freestanding Bath is a stunning and elegant centrepiece for any luxury bathroom, suiting both traditional and contemporary homes. Made in Portugal from Cast Iron and Class A Enamel, it has a beautiful easy clean finish and the bath exterior can be painted in New Zealand to the colour of your choice. Match this bath to your wall colour or favourite Resene shade – try Resene Eighth Biscotti, Soothe, Wafer or Tuscany:

Dark and moody bathrooms create a cocooning retreat, perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day. The Oasis 1650 Freestanding Bath comes in eight curated colours, including this lake inspired blue and an earthy, deep punga green. To get the ultimate drenched look, try painting your walls in hues like Resene Warrior, Elephant, Swamp and Midnight Moss:

With a focus on ornament and function, the Greenwich French Tub styled bath delivers added appeal to any traditional or classical bathroom. It’s simplicity in white and neutral allows it to blend with any colour palette of your choice. Go all white and paint walls and trims in Resene Black White, add subtle colour in Quarter Lemon Grass or Breeze, or go bold with a shade like Half Resolution Blue:

Top tips for bathrooms:

• Playing with finishes can dramatically impact the final look of your bathroom. Higher-gloss finishes, like Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel, are ideal for bathroom trims or cabinetry, as they add a polished shine while being easy to clean. For walls, opt for a durable low sheen finish, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, which offers a sophisticated look that’s moisture-resistant, ideal for humid environments.
• Opt for the Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range which combines the durability and easy cleanability of a waterborne enamel with added anti-bacterial silver protection and the mould protection of Resene MouldDefender to minimise bacteria and mould growth.
• If your bathroom is poorly ventilated or has a ‘high-use’ shower creating lots of steam, consider using Resene Room Velvet. This is ‘technically’ a waterborne alkyd paint, with similar properties to traditional enamels but with easier clean-up This means it’s harder and more moisture resistant. The trick to smooth and successful application of Resene Room Velvet is making sure you use the right primer and/or sealer. Find out more here.
• Make sure you treat any mould and mildew before you repaint, using Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Otherwise, if you just paint over the mould or mildew it can grow through your new paint finish. Make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated before you start repainting. A well-ventilated bathroom is best for your health, your paintwork and all the accessories in your bathroom.

Bathrooms and powder rooms may be small, but with the right colour and design, they can have a big design impact.

Check out the full Plumbline range online, and if you need help with your colour choices or the right products to use, head in to your local Resene ColorShop for some friendly advice, or Ask a Resene Colour Expert online for help.

Published: 03 Dec 2025