Bathroom Design Ideas for Boise Homes
Find your style, plan your layout, and discover what is trending in Boise bathroom design. Practical inspiration backed by real project experience in the Treasure Valley.
Boise homeowners gravitate toward styles that blend comfort with personality. Each of these five styles works well in the Treasure Valley — the right choice depends on your home's architecture, your personal taste, and your neighborhood context.
Modern Farmhouse
The most requested bathroom style in the Treasure Valley. Warm, approachable, and perfectly suited to Boise's blend of rural heritage and contemporary living.
Defining Features
- Shiplap or board-and-batten accent walls in white or soft gray
- Matte black fixtures and hardware for contrast
- White subway tile with dark grout for definition
- Open wood shelving or reclaimed wood vanity accents
Contemporary
Clean, uncluttered, and deliberately minimal. Popular in newer Boise developments in Southeast Boise, Harris Ranch, and Barber Valley.
Defining Features
- Large-format porcelain tile with thin grout lines
- Floating vanity with handleless drawers
- Linear drain in a curbless walk-in shower
- Backlit mirrors and recessed LED lighting
Traditional
Timeless elegance that complements older Boise homes in the North End, Harrison Boulevard, and Warm Springs neighborhoods.
Defining Features
- Marble or marble-look tile with classic veining
- Furniture-style vanity with turned legs or raised panel doors
- Polished chrome or brushed nickel fixtures
- Wainscoting or chair rail molding details
Transitional
The bridge between traditional and contemporary — the safest choice for resale value. Works in any Boise neighborhood.
Defining Features
- Neutral color palette with warm gray, white, and soft navy tones
- Shaker-style vanity doors with simple hardware
- Frameless or semi-frameless glass shower enclosure
- Mix of chrome and brushed finishes for layered texture
Rustic Mountain
Inspired by Idaho's mountain landscape. Ideal for foothills homes in Boise, Eagle, and properties with mountain views.
Defining Features
- Natural stone tile or river rock accents
- Live-edge wood countertop or vanity shelf
- Copper or oil-rubbed bronze fixtures
- Rough-hewn wood mirror frame or barn door for linen closet
Your bathroom's dimensions determine what is possible. Here is what you can achieve at each common Boise bathroom size — from the tight 5x7 to a spacious master suite.
5 x 7 (35 sq ft)
CompactThe standard small bathroom found in most Boise homes built between 1950 and 1990. Space is tight, so every inch matters.
What's Possible
- Standard 60" tub/shower combo OR 36" x 36" corner shower
- Single vanity up to 36" wide with storage below
- Toilet opposite vanity for balanced traffic flow
- Wall-mounted medicine cabinet to maximize counter space
- Pocket door to recover swing space — adds $300–$500
Design Tip: Use large-format tile to reduce grout lines and make the space feel bigger. A glass shower door (instead of a curtain) opens the room visually. Light colors expand perceived space.
5 x 8 (40 sq ft)
StandardA single-wall layout that is the most common bathroom footprint in Boise. The extra foot of length opens up meaningful options.
What's Possible
- Full 60" tub with tile surround OR 48" walk-in shower
- Single vanity up to 48" wide with double drawers
- Linen closet or tower cabinet at the end of the room
- Recessed niches in the shower for storage without losing floor space
- In-floor radiant heating — this size is cost-effective at $400–$600
Design Tip: The 5x8 is where tub-to-shower conversions shine. Removing the tub frees up 12–18 inches of usable space and creates a much more open feel. A fixed glass panel instead of a full door keeps the room feeling spacious.
8 x 10 (80 sq ft)
Full-SizeCommon in Boise homes built after 2000 and in hall bathrooms of larger floor plans. Enough room for a separate shower and tub.
What's Possible
- Separate 36"x48" walk-in shower AND freestanding or alcove tub
- Double vanity (60"–72") with ample counter space
- Dedicated toilet alcove or partial wall for privacy
- Built-in linen storage or recessed cabinet
- Heated floors, towel warmer, and upgraded lighting zones
Design Tip: At this size, you can create distinct wet and dry zones. Place the shower and tub on one wall, the vanity on the opposite, and use the layout to create natural separation. A partial knee wall between the toilet and vanity adds privacy without closing off the space.
10 x 12+ (120+ sq ft)
Master SuiteThe luxury master bathroom found in executive homes across Eagle, Southeast Boise, and the Boise foothills. This is where design ambitions become reality.
What's Possible
- Walk-in curbless shower (48"x60" or larger) with rain head and body sprays
- Freestanding soaking tub as a centerpiece element
- Double vanity with tower storage between sinks (72"–96")
- Dedicated makeup vanity with seated area
- Private water closet with full door
- Heated floors throughout, towel warming drawer, and ambient lighting
Design Tip: With 120+ square feet, the risk shifts from not enough space to wasting space. Every element should feel intentional. A freestanding tub placed in front of a window or accent wall creates a focal point. Avoid the temptation to over-tile — mix tile with painted surfaces for visual balance.
These features are showing up in Boise bathroom remodels with increasing frequency. Some are enduring shifts (curbless showers, heated floors); others are aesthetic trends that may cycle. We help you distinguish between the two.
Curbless Walk-In Showers
The curb is disappearing. Zero-threshold showers create a seamless transition from bathroom floor to shower floor, making the room feel larger and providing accessibility benefits. Requires a linear drain and careful floor slope engineering.
Requested in 60%+ of Boise master bath remodels
Floating Vanities
Wall-mounted vanities that hover above the floor create a modern, airy look and make the bathroom easier to clean. They also make small bathrooms feel larger by revealing more floor space. Require blocking in the wall during rough-in.
Growing rapidly — most popular in contemporary and transitional designs
Statement Tile Walls
A single wall of bold, patterned, or textured tile that serves as the bathroom's focal point. Cement-look tile, zellige, geometric patterns, and vertically stacked subway tile are the most popular choices in Boise.
Appearing in most mid-range and high-end Boise remodels
Smart Toilets
Integrated bidet seats, self-cleaning functions, heated seats, automatic lid opening, and night lights. TOTO Washlet and Kohler Veil are the most specified brands. Once considered luxury-only, smart toilets are becoming mainstream in Boise.
Strong adoption in master bathrooms, especially among 40+ homeowners
In-Floor Radiant Heating
Electric heating mats installed beneath tile create warm floors that make Idaho winters dramatically more comfortable. The cost is modest ($500–$1,500 for most bathrooms) and the daily comfort is transformative.
Requested in 70%+ of Boise bathroom remodels — nearly universal in master baths
Backlit Mirrors & Medicine Cabinets
LED-illuminated mirrors that provide even, shadow-free lighting for grooming. Many include defogging, dimming, and color temperature adjustment. Eliminates the need for separate vanity sconces in some designs.
Fast-growing trend — especially popular in contemporary and transitional bathrooms
Real transformations from Boise-area bathroom remodels. These represent typical project scopes and outcomes at various budget levels.
North End Craftsman — Hall Bath Revival
Before: Original 1948 bathroom with pink tile, pedestal sink, and iron tub. Plaster walls with water damage behind the tub surround. Single overhead light.
After: White subway tile with dark grout, 48" shaker-style vanity with quartz top, tub-to-shower conversion with frameless glass, recessed LED lighting, and heated porcelain tile floor.
Southeast Boise Ranch — Master Bath Upgrade
Before: 1990s builder-grade master bath with fiberglass tub/shower combo, laminate vanity, vinyl flooring, and brass fixtures. Functional but dated.
After: Curbless walk-in shower with large-format porcelain tile, floating double vanity with quartz countertop, freestanding tub, in-floor radiant heating, and smart toilet.
Eagle Foothills — Guest Bath Refresh
Before: Beige-on-beige guest bathroom with cultured marble tub surround, oak vanity, and carpet flooring (yes, carpet in a bathroom).
After: Modern farmhouse design with white porcelain tile floor, shiplap accent wall, matte black fixtures, 36" furniture-style vanity with cultured marble top, and new tub with tile surround.
Boise Bench — Powder Room Transformation
Before: Tiny powder room with wallpaper, pedestal sink with no storage, and a dated light bar above the mirror.
After: Bold geometric statement tile on the feature wall, wall-mounted vanity with vessel sink, LED backlit mirror, and matte brass fixtures. Small space, big impact.
After hundreds of bathroom remodels in the Boise area, we see the same mistakes repeated. Avoid these and your finished bathroom will look better, function better, and hold its value longer.
Choosing Tile From a Screen Instead of In Person
Screen colors, textures, and scale are unreliable. A tile that looks perfect on a laptop can look completely different in your bathroom. Always visit a Boise tile showroom and request samples to view in your bathroom's lighting. Natural light from a north-facing window renders colors differently than a south-facing one.
Skimping on Ventilation
Idaho's dry climate lulls homeowners into thinking moisture is not an issue. It is. Every shower produces significant moisture that must be exhausted. An undersized or missing exhaust fan leads to mold behind walls, peeling paint, and damaged finishes. Invest in a properly sized fan with a humidity sensor — it runs automatically and shuts off when the moisture level drops.
Ignoring Storage in the Design Phase
Beautiful bathrooms that lack practical storage become frustrating to use daily. Plan storage before finalizing the layout: recessed shower niches, vanity drawers (not just doors), medicine cabinets, linen towers, and towel storage. Every item needs a designated home — not a countertop.
Choosing Trendy Over Timeless for Permanent Elements
Trends cycle every 5–7 years. Install trendy elements in places that are easy to swap (paint, hardware, accessories, mirrors) and choose timeless materials for permanent installations (tile, vanity, countertop). A white subway tile backsplash will not date. A bold pattern across every wall might.
Not Planning for Adequate Lighting
A single overhead light creates shadows that make grooming difficult and make the bathroom feel smaller. Plan three lighting layers: ambient (ceiling), task (vanity sconces or backlit mirror), and accent (LED strips, shower niche light). Dimmer switches allow you to shift between bright task lighting and relaxed ambient mode.
Forgetting About Door Clearances and Traffic Flow
In smaller Boise bathrooms (5x7, 5x8), a standard door swing can block access to the vanity or toilet. Measure the door clearance against every fixture before finalizing the layout. A pocket door or barn door can recover 8–10 square feet of usable space in a tight bathroom.
This is the most common design decision in Boise bathroom remodels. The right answer depends on your household, your home's current layout, and your long-term plans.
Walk-In Shower
Advantages
- Uses less water — more eco-friendly and lower utility bills
- Easier to enter and exit — better for aging in place
- Makes small bathrooms feel larger (especially curbless designs)
- Faster to clean and maintain than a tub
- Allows for luxury features: rain heads, body sprays, bench seating
Considerations
- No soaking option for relaxation or muscle recovery
- May reduce resale appeal if the home has no tub at all
- Curbless designs require careful waterproofing engineering
Best For: Master bathrooms (when a tub exists elsewhere in the home), aging-in-place remodels, small bathrooms, and contemporary design preferences.
Bathtub
Advantages
- Essential for bathing young children
- Soaking option for relaxation and therapeutic benefit
- Maintains traditional resale value expectation (at least one tub per home)
- Freestanding tubs serve as a design centerpiece
- Generally lower cost to install than a custom walk-in shower
Considerations
- Uses significantly more water per use
- Higher step-over height — accessibility concern
- Takes up more floor space than a shower-only configuration
Best For: Homes with young children, hall bathrooms, guest bathrooms, and any home that currently has no other tub.
Our recommendation: If your home has two or more bathrooms, convert the master to a walk-in shower and keep a tub in the hall or guest bath. This gives you the best of both worlds and satisfies resale expectations. If you have only one bathroom, a tub/shower combo or a shower with a walk-in accessible design provides maximum flexibility.
Design ideas are the starting point. Explore our companion guides for the practical details — cost, timeline, materials, and permits — that turn inspiration into a finished bathroom.
Bathroom Remodeling
Full service overview and our proven process.
Learn MoreCost Guide
Detailed pricing by scope and component.
Learn MoreTimeline Guide
How long your remodel will take.
Learn MoreMaterials Guide
Tile, vanity, fixture, and waterproofing options.
Learn MorePermits Guide
Ada County permit requirements.
Learn MoreGet Free Estimate
Start your design consultation today.
Learn MoreCommon bathroom design questions from Boise homeowners.
What is the most popular bathroom style in Boise right now?
Modern farmhouse and transitional are the two most requested bathroom styles in Boise as of 2025–2026. Modern farmhouse appeals to homeowners who want warmth and character, while transitional offers a timeless look that maximizes resale value. Contemporary designs are growing in popularity, especially in newer Boise neighborhoods like Harris Ranch and Barber Valley.
Should I remove my tub and install a walk-in shower?
If you have at least one other tub in the home, converting a tub to a walk-in shower is one of the most impactful bathroom upgrades you can make. It opens up floor space, creates a more modern look, and improves accessibility. However, real estate experts recommend keeping at least one tub in the home for resale value — particularly in family-oriented Boise neighborhoods.
What bathroom features add the most value for resale in Boise?
The features with the strongest resale impact in Boise are: double vanity in the master bath, walk-in shower with glass enclosure, quality tile work (porcelain or natural stone), updated lighting, and in-floor radiant heating. Heated floors are mentioned in almost every positive bathroom review in Boise real estate listings.
Can I remodel a 5x7 bathroom to feel bigger without expanding it?
Yes — several design strategies make a 5x7 bathroom feel significantly larger without moving walls. Use large-format tile (fewer grout lines), install a glass shower door instead of a curtain, choose a wall-mounted or floating vanity, use light colors, add a large mirror, and improve lighting. A pocket door recovers 8–10 square feet of usable space by eliminating the door swing.
How do I choose between trendy and timeless bathroom design?
Use the permanent vs. replaceable framework. Permanent elements (tile, countertop, vanity, shower configuration) should lean timeless because they are expensive to change. Replaceable elements (paint, hardware, accessories, mirrors, light fixtures) can follow trends because they are inexpensive to swap when the trend passes. This approach gives your bathroom current appeal with long-term staying power.
Bring Your Bathroom Vision to Life
Schedule a free design consultation with Iron Crest Remodel. We will help you choose the right style, layout, and materials for your Boise home.