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When designing with luxury in mind, your bathroom is an unlikely starting point. Living spaces and bedrooms often play host to luxurious elements, whether it’s through silk bedding, velvet armchairs, or statement chandeliers – but why should the bathroom miss out on all the fun? In Serena Williams’ home, a gold mural ensures this surprising space is the most elegant of all, and it’s changed our color conventions in the process.

The tennis star’s gold wall offers one way to tap into the Art Deco bathroom trend, but it’s also a way to add timeless luxury in a way that prolongs design movement labels. It’s a reminder that your chosen bathroom color should make your bathroom feel more like a ‘sanctuary,’ or your personal spa, as designers explain.

‘Murals and wallpaper can transform a plain bathroom into a visually stunning space, adding character and interest,’ comments Avalana Simpson, the owner of Avalana Design.

‘For many of us bathrooms, especially an en-suite are a sanctuary, a place to escape the world and completely switch off. This makes them the ideal space to get creative and indulge in luxurious papers which offer a moment of calm or bolder, stand out designs that some people may shy away from in other rooms in the house.’

Introduce a touch of shine to your bathroom powder room with this brass lotion dispenser, designed with easy maintenance in mind. It was crafted using high-quality yarns and hand-formed accents, to spring a spa-like feel to your space.

From $40.00 at Anthropologie

A shimmery marbled gold wallpaper is perfect to introduce metallic charm to your bathroom, the Serena way. It will instantly liven your walls and introduce a luxury that is hard to match.

From $3.20/sq. ft at Wayfair

Storing cotton has never felt so stylish. This ball jar will elevate any bathroom shelf or countertop, and its durable exterior will survive the wear and tear of this functional space. It was designed in  Manhattan’s garment district, with luxury in mind.

From $30.00 at Anthropologie

As Avalana explains, you can achieve a sense of luxury with various-hued bathroom wallpapers, but gold is among the most impactful of all. Plus, it has benefits beyond its aesthetic.

‘Gold or metallic wallpaper brings instant luxury and light into a bathroom space. “It reflects ambient light beautifully, which can make even a small or windowless bathroom feel brighter and more spacious,’ she says.

‘Bathrooms are often seen as purely functional, but I believe they’re a perfect opportunity to express personality through design. A metallic statement wall adds glamour and elegance and gold tones in particular pair beautifully with natural materials like marble, wood, and stone bringing warmth and richness to the space.’

Serena’s wall is one example of how to style this look, but Avalana herself has designed a mural that’s celebrated in its own right. Recently, her metallic gold wall mural was seen in the spy thriller movie, Black Bag, starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender. It’s a further example of its luxury, and appeal among the stars.

‘My cinematic mural designs draw inspiration from nature, and when combined with gold finishes, they take on a magical, light-catching quality that feels both modern and timeless,’ Avalana adds.

‘People often assume wallpaper doesn’t belong in bathrooms, but with modern materials and proper ventilation, it’s a stunning choice. A feature wall in a bold gold pattern can even be added to the ceiling so you can sink back in the tub and feel immersed in your chosen scene.’