A long-standing feature of contemporary hotel suites, walnut bathroom cabinets are not for the faint-hearted: this dark wood exudes luxury, but if overused it can have the effect of darkening and even shrinking a room. Like any dark-toned material, you should use it sparingly in rooms that are small, have low ceilings, or have limited natural light.

Available in a variety of price points to suit almost any pocket, you can choose bathroom cabinets constructed from solid walnut or go for less affordable products with a walnut veneer or laminate finish. A small bathroom could benefit from some coordinating walnut fixtures – a matching walnut-tone sink and toilet seat could bring a touch of dark wood to your room without being overwhelming, especially if your sink, tub, toilet, and shower are all white .

However, if you have more space and a lot of light, you can try combining a wider range of bathroom furniture. Walnut-toned bathroom vanities and paneling will bring a touch of walnut throughout the bathroom and could contrast beautifully with bright white wall paint and tiles in bold hues like lime green. Alternatively, you can take a contemporary kitchen design idea and add a custom, colorful glass back panel above your sink.

Finally, if you love a bold bathroom, have lots of space and light, and are feeling brave, you can go all-out with an opulent vision in walnut. Solid walnut bathroom cabinets and toilet seat, enhanced by a walnut travertine freestanding bathtub and countertop basin, can be tone-matched with striking zebrano flooring and dark wallpaper with an understated, contrasting pattern. Accessorize with a glass vase or two, deep red candle displays, walnut-framed bold prints on the walls, a soft rug on the floor, and oversized chocolate towels with a luxuriously deep pile. Paint the ceiling white to maintain a tall feeling in the room, and this will match the touches of white and chrome in the room from the wall-hung toilet bowl and taps and towel rail, giving a contrast to the room.

Using walnut wood for your bathroom furniture will certainly give the room a luxurious and contemporary look, perfect for a modern house or a large apartment in the center of the city. If you decide to ditch an old rustic or dated bathroom and go all-in with a modern transformation, the effect of using walnut might just blow your mind.