Mirrors, wood and light colours create an open-air feel.

Designed as a wet room, this main bathroom has an airy style. The mirrors, neutral colours and high ceiling make the room appear larger than it is, and no-fuss cabinets corral toiletries. The floating vanity and toilet have visual lightness and are practical when cleaning the floor.

See more photos of Trevor Linden’s Whistler townhouse in our photo gallery.

An extra bedroom is converted into a spacious ensuite.

Homeownver Danielle Nicholas Bryk, of the W Network show Building Bryks, indulged herself in the ensuite with luxurious wall-to-wall honed travertine flooring and a floor-mounted tub filler. To balance the cost, she refurbished the home’s original clawfoot tub.

Tour the rest of the house in our Online TV segment, or browse our photo gallery.

Mix modern design with antiques to add warmth.

Pairs of full-height armoires and antique French frames made into mirrors look striking against a modern floating vanity. Symmetry creates a sense of calm.

Create a gentle glow with a backlit mirror.

The rich fir panelling in the principal bathroom evokes a sauna and is offset by soft white limestone on the floors and tub enclosure.

See more of David Zacharko and David Yustin’s designs in our photo gallery.

Clean lines and minimal decor create an airy, uncluttered space.

Food stylist Claire Stubbs wanted a modern look in her Victorian home. Her bathroom’s dramatic yet peaceful style is spacious and welcoming. The glass and tile shower runs the full width of the room and is fully exposed (only the window is frosted for privacy). The dark wall grounds the space, making it feel cosier while the fur rug adds a touch of luxury.

For more beautiful ensuite bathrooms, see our photo gallery. Also, take an Online TV tour of Claire’s home.

A glass facing on the shower makes this bathroom seem larger.

The obtrusive half wall in this bathroom was replaced with an all-glass facing for the stand-alone shower. Two body sprays and an overhead rain faucet were added to amp up the spa effect. Oversized 12″ x 16″ subway tiles demarcate the shower from the rest of the room.

See more bathroom makeovers in our photo gallery.

Use tile to create a showstopping accent wall.

“This ensuite bathroom is designed to highlight mosaic tiles in a panel that frames the freestanding wood tub,” explains 3rd Uncle principal Arriz Hassam. “This brings out the simple sculptural quality of the tub and the graphic pattern creates an intimate scale to the large room. The rest of the room is finished in a warm white limestone.”

See more 3rd Uncle Design projects in our photo gallery.

Simple pieces and a monochromatic palette create a zen retreat.

A synergy between Scandinavian and Japanese style, this no-fuss bathroom is stripped to its bare minimum. Clean lines and natural materials exude a spa-like atmosphere.

For more beautiful ensuite bathrooms, see our photo gallery.

Classic and cutting-edge fixtures blend in this bathroom.

To maintain a light, airy vibe in this Vancouver reno, designer Nancy Riesco designed two floating vanities in bleached oak — a practical his-and-hers solution. Each features a frameless mirror and wall-mounted faucet above Carrara marble slab counters and backsplashes. In the wet area, oversized white subway tile on the walls is a budget-friendly move that allows the stunning freestanding tub and hexagonal floor tiles to take centre stage.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

A modern sink and vanity are the perfect compliment to the old-word elegance of crystal and marble.

Stunning wall to wall marble tiles, a heavy mirror with clean lines, pretty glass vanity hardware and a shimmering chandelier take modern luxury to new heights.

See more of this beautiful home in the February 2009 issue.

Light materials, such as a glass sink and rough cut limestone wall tiles, suit this narrow powder room.

The vanity is the only dark piece, putting the focus on the dramatic sink. Overall, the sleek lines and materials give this bathroom a hotel-chic look.

See more of this spectacular modern loft in the H&H Condos, Lofts & Apartments 2008 special edition.

Wood cabinets and bench mirror the natural surroundings beyond.

“I just adore the spa-feel of this room,” says Marie-Eve Best, founder of Lake Jane blog. “Every element exudes serenity; from the encased glass shower and long wooden surfaces to the dark tile and bamboo covered windows. Practical, modern and calm — qualities that my current bathroom lacks.”

See more Lake Jane Favourites and Spa-Like Bathrooms.