Bathrooms can be quirky and fun, turning the practical space into something filled with joy.
From Auckland’s sleek modern apartment buildings to the cosy comfort of a Dunedin cottage, an imaginative bathroom adds character and comfort. If you’re up and about doing the work yourself or if you just need a little inspiration during your full-on bathroom renovation, clever ideas will see your bathroom shine without emptying your wallet. Here are 10 clever, whimsical bathroom ideas for the Kiwi market that the year 2025 guarantees will be stylish and functional—plus hard to resist with just the splash of NZ cuteness!
With everything from bright tiles to quirky unexpected décor, these global-bred and New Zealand-reimagined tips will put some fun into your bathroom.
Why Quirky Bathrooms are All the Rage in NZ
New Zealanders love spaces that express their personality, mixing the practical with the creative. Bathrooms are small in Kiwi homes and offer the perfect opportunity to experiment in a bold way-a retro bathroom in a villa in Wellington or a beachy bathroom in a Tauranga.
The costs vary; a few little things could cost $500, while a complete renovation could cost perhaps $10,000. Little quirkiness such as cool mirrors or funky plants can keep one on a budget and keep spirits high. With NZ’s humid climate, the use of highly durable materials and a smart ventilation system such as an extractor fan ($200) will ensure longevity.
Let’s dive into 10 ideas to make your bathroom pop, including a nod to heated towel rails for that cosy edge.
10 Clever and Quirky Bathroom Ideas
These ideas blend fun, function, and NZ style, perfect for any home across the length and breadth of NZ
1. Vintage Ladder Towel Rack
Swap boring towel bars for a rustic wooden ladder leaning against the wall. It’s a quirky storage solution that adds charm.
How to do it
Find a second-hand ladder at an op shop, sand it smooth, and paint it white or teal for a coastal NZ vibe. Lean it in a corner to hold towels or baskets. It saves floor space, ideal for cramped Kiwi bathrooms.
2. Mosaic Tile Feature Wall
A splash of colourful mosaic tiles turns a plain wall into art, perfect for NZ’s love of vibrant design.
How to do it
Choose glass or ceramic mosaics in blues or greens to echo NZ’s oceans. Cover one wall or a shower strip for impact. Pair with white tiles to keep costs down for a small bathroom. Use waterproof grout to handle humidity.
3. Plant Jungle Vibe
Plants bring life to bathrooms, creating a mini oasis that suits NZ’s nature-loving ethos.
How to do it
Add low-light plants like pothos or ferns in hanging pots or on shelves. A wooden shelf holds three pots, adding texture. Mist weekly to combat NZ’s damp air. Vent fans, $150, keep mould at bay, ensuring plants thrive.
4. Retro Record Vanity
Turn old vinyl records into a funky vanity top, nodding to NZ’s music scene from Flying Nun to Six60.
How to do it
Glue 20-30 records, sourced from op shops for $1-$5 each, onto a plywood vanity base, $50. Seal with waterproof resin, $40, for durability. Pair with a $200 basin for a $350 total. It’s a bold, budget-friendly statement for music fans.
5. Chalkboard Paint Wall
A chalkboard wall lets you doodle, write quotes, or list shower thoughts, adding playfulness.
How to do it
Paint one wall with blackboard paint, covering 10 square metres. Use chalk for notes or art—great for kids or creatives. Wipe clean weekly to avoid dust. In NZ’s humid bathrooms, an extractor fan prevents paint peeling.
6. Mismatched mirror gallery
A cluster of odd-shaped mirrors creates a quirky focal point, reflecting NZ’s eclectic style.
How to do it
Collect 5 to 7 mirrors—round, oval, or star-shaped—from Kmart or op shops. Arrange above the vanity, covering 1 square metre of area.. Use waterproof adhesive to secure. Mirrors brighten small bathrooms, a win for NZ’s compact homes.
7. Nautical Rope Shelving
Rope shelves add a coastal quirk, perfect for NZ’s beachy vibe from Coromandel to Kaikoura.
How to do it
Hang wooden planks, with thick jute rope, from ceiling hooks. Two shelves roughly cost $80, holding towels or jars. Seal wood with marine varnish for humidity resistance. Ensure hooks are fixed to studs for safety.
8. Coloured Grout Accents
Bright grout between white tiles adds a pop of fun, a trend catching on in NZ renovations.
How to do it
Use white subway tiles, with neon pink or teal grout and apply them to a shower wall. It’s low-cost but high-impact, ideal for renters wanting temporary flair. In wet spaces like bathrooms, grout can discolour or grow mould over time, so try to regrout every couple of years to keep things fresh and clean.
9. Repurposed Suitcase Storage
Vintage suitcases as under-vanity storage bring retro charm, fitting NZ’s love for upcycling.
How to do it
Stack two suitcases under a basin and line them with waterproof fabric to store toiletries. They add character and save space, perfect for small Kiwi flats. Ventilate to prevent mould in humid areas.
10. Cosy Towel Warming
Heated towel rails bring warmth and luxury, making chilly NZ mornings more bearable.
How to do it
Install a wall-mounted heated towel rail from Danik Bathroomware, in chrome or black. It dries towels fast, reducing dampness in NZ’s wet winters. Pair with a timer to save power.
Why Quirky Bathrooms Resonate in NZ
Small-town Kiwis love homes with stories, bathrooms included. An offbeat ambience can surely lift a dull mood—think the spontaneous joy of Monday chalkboard doodles or plants transporting one to a Fiordland forest. The ideas are cheap, most going under the $500 mark, suiting New Zealand’s practical frame of mind. Moreover, they work to enhance resale value-thequicky bathroom adds $5000-$10,000 to home price, states QV data, thus attracting young buyers. During the biting New Zealand winters, the little details-having warm towels or colorful tiles-make going about one’s daily routine in a splendid manner.
Passing Thoughts
Bathrooms in New Zealand are more than just spaces for practicality-they are riotous and quirky places where style comes alive. From vintage ladders to colourful grouts, these 10 ideas aim to infuse creativity into homes. Made appropriate for NZ’s humid climate and tight spaces, these are simple on one’s pocket and appeal to our DIY spirit and desire for individuality. From having a vintage record vanity to enjoying some warmth from heated towel rails, every idea ensures that everyday activities become pleasant. This year, give your bathroom a makeover into a playful retreat celebrating Kiwi flair and practical charm.