Forget the All-White 'Spathroom' Trend – Simon Helberg Has Convinced Me That Earthy Colors Are Much Chicer (And Just as Luxurious)

Picture a tranquil, spa-like bathroom and one thing likely springs to mind: glossy white marble. But is a neutral color palette the only way to bring luxury into a bathroom? Simon Helberg's Pasadena home says otherwise; in fact, it makes the case for a distinctly different kind of look.

Of all the rooms in a home, bathrooms don't always need to feel inviting – but thanks to a blend of earthy terracotta tones and rich brown stone, Simon's makes you want to step right in and linger. It's a picture-perfect representation of one of the biggest bathroom color trends for 2026: warm clay hues. (And if you want to steal the look, you can check out my favorite pieces below.)

Shop the Earthy Bathroom Edit. Inspired By Simon Helberg

Describing the transformation of Simon's home, architect Emily Farnham explained that the bathroom actually started life as a closet space – until the design team realized that it 'had the potential to be one of the best experiences in the home'.

'We transformed it into so much more than a bathroom,' she adds.

I'm inclined to agree: the sprawling shower and double vanity are utterly luxurious, and there's even a free-standing bathtub and a chaise longue tucked away on the other side of the room. Finished in those rich, earthy colors, every corner feels intimate and inviting.

With neutral bathroom ideas now synonymous with spa-like luxury and hotel-style charm, decorating with earthy colors can seem a little unexpected. Choose a shade like ochre and you'll often be left with a moody, dramatic space – but this is exactly what makes Simon's bathroom feel so opulent.

By trading breezy white hues for nature-inspired alternatives like clay and amber, Simon creates a space that's warm and cocooning. There's nothing clinical or overly-stylized about a palette like this one; instead, it feels truly relaxing.

It's easy to think of nature-inspired design in terms of potted plants and grassy green accents, but Simon's bathroom also harnesses the power of natural materials. Take the warm wood floors, and the matching dresser: while both lean retro rather than rustic, they still bring that grounded, organic feeling into the space.

Glossy white marble might look spectacular, but it doesn't always help a bathroom to seem welcoming – and this is what earthy accents do so well. Naturally, Simon's veined brown marble still carries a sense of opulence, but it only makes the room feel warmer.

While I was instantly won over by the gorgeous ochre paint, I couldn't help but notice another striking detail: the patterned tiles in the shower. Echoing the shades on both the walls and the vanity, they tie the space together seamlessly – but the pattern also adds a touch of retro charm.

With so many statement colors and luxe materials in the bathroom already, a bold wall pattern could be a daring move. Yet somehow, Simon's bathroom doesn't feel busy; instead, the pattern creates a gorgeous focal point, ensuring that the ochre walls don't look dull or one-dimensional.

This, after all, is the danger of decorating with orange: saturated shades can absorb the light, transforming a room from moody to somber. In Simon's bathroom, however, varied textures and patterns break up the design scheme and ensure that the entire space feels lively and dynamic.

Another key consideration here is the ceiling color: while committing to the color drenching trend will always pack a punch, Simon leaves the ceiling white to prevent the room from feeling heavy or closed-in.

'Here, the rich cinnamon color provides a strong, consistent backdrop that allows the natural materials in the room to really stand out,' says Camilla Masi, Interior Designer at Otto Tiles. 'However, keeping the ceiling a soft white lifts the space slightly while still maintaining the overall warmth of the scheme.'

Warmth is the hallmark of Simon's space – and this is where block colors come in.

'Marble, tile and porcelain can all feel quite cold – both visually and physically – so enveloping the walls, door frames and panelling in one continuous color makes the space feel far more intimate and considered,' Camilla adds.

Simon's bathroom may seem far more dramatic than a traditional, hotel-style space, but it's proof that a color palette like this one can still feel lavish and sophisticated.

'People often want their bathrooms to feel spa-like, but this doesn’t just have to mean white and pristine; it can mean grounded, earthy, and relaxed,' says Rassan Grant, Founder of Norstone.

'That’s why earthy colors like orange can work so well, and it’s also why natural materials work well, too. All of these elements are associated with nature and tranquility.'

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