If You’re Going to Have a Neutral Bathroom, You Need to Design It Like Julia Roberts – Her Textured Styling Is Boutique Hotel Worthy
Gray and cream bathrooms are therapeutic, but they risk falling on the wrong side of vanilla – lessons from Julia's home will cure this
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There's something inherently therapeutic about a neutral bathroom, making it an evergreen favorite for those craving a spa-like space. However, without textures, this color palette risks feeling clinical, and we dare say, uninspired. Thankfully, Julia Roberts has provided the perfect styling blueprint.
It's not the first time we've discussed the Pretty Woman actress's gray-and-cream space. However, this time, we're focusing more on the textures, specifically the tiles, that bring a boutique hotel-inspired aesthetic to a domestic, functional room. Her tiles may be neutral, but they finish the space in a textured way that paint alone can't always achieve.
Shop the Julia Roberts Bathroom Edit
Effortlessly cool and endlessly versatile, this blind is one of those simple swaps that instantly refresh a room. Its softly textured linen-blend fabric brings an easy, organic feel, while the gentle, light-filtering weave lets in just enough light: Brightening your space without overwhelming it.
Inspired by the silver hardware in Julia's bathroom, this set features a towel ring, toilet paper holder, and towel bar, it keeps all your essentials within easy reach while maximizing space (perfect for smaller baths). Crafted from solid metal with a sleek wall-mount design, each piece combines durability with understated style.
Crafted from ceramic earthenware with a glossy, glazed finish, it is minimal, modern, and quietly chic, just like the black vase on Julia’s windowsill. Perfect for a single stem or a cluster of dried blooms, it adds an effortless touch to your bathroom (or any space you choose).
Perfect for a windowsill (like Julia's), countertop, or vanity, this live orchid effortlessly elevates any sized-bathroom. Its elegant, long-lasting blooms bring a spa-like touch to any corner, adding color, texture, and a sense of calm.
This ceramic subway tile bring some all-important texture to any bathroom. Each rectangular tile features a satin-glazed finish that catches the light with a subtle sheen, while its natural shade variation adds depth and visual interest to any wall.
A zoom into Julia's windowsill shows that she decorates with seashells, introducing yet more texture and interest to her neutral space. This pack has enough to decorate your entire windowsill, and around your tub, for a natural, spa-like finish that will always feel therapeutic.
Decorating with neutrals is one way to ensure your bathroom feels timeless. However, as designers remind us, styling is key to its success.
'Neutral bathrooms continue to be one of the most enduring design choices, but their appeal in 2026 lies in how much more nuanced they have become. Rather than relying on crisp whites or minimal palettes alone, today’s neutral schemes are layered, warmer, and more tactile, using shape, finish, and layout to create a sense of calm that feels intentional without appearing stark,' comments Keeley Sutcliffe, Design Manager at BC Designs.
'The emphasis has shifted towards spaces that feel settled and restorative, where every element works together quietly, rather than competing for attention.'
As Julia's bathroom tiles, blinds, and accessories demonstrate, texture is key in such spaces. However, if you only want to paint, Keeley also suggests experimenting with different finishes.
'Texture has also emerged as the element that brings neutral bathrooms to life, ensuring they feel welcoming rather than flat or clinical. Matt surfaces, tactile tiles, gently contoured forms, and plaster-effect finishes create variation that becomes more apparent the longer the space is lived with, while carefully considered lighting enhances these textures throughout the day,' she says.
'Combined with softened metallics and well-judged proportions, these layered surfaces support the idea of the bathroom as a space for restoration rather than pure utility. It isn’t just fixed items such as tiles that add texture, as smaller accessories have just as important a role. From towels through to ribbed plant pots, coloured candles and even beautiful shampoo bottles can all add those finishing textured touches.'
Whether through textured tiles, soft linens, or carefully curated accessories, Julia Roberts’ bathroom demonstrates that neutral spaces don’t have to feel flat. The key takeaway? In 2026, neutral doesn’t mean boring: it’s about creating depth, tactility, and harmony, so every element, from finishes to furnishings, contributes to a space that’s as restorative as it is stylish.
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