IDILLA freestanding washbasin by Alice Ceramica

October 15, 2026 Italian Bathrooms

Modern bathroom ideas: styling with Italian ceramics

Italian bathrooms have moved a long way from all-white. Matt colours, marble-effect ceramics and freestanding basins now let sanitaryware set the tone of the room. Here are six ideas for styling a modern bathroom around Italian ceramics, plus the mistakes to avoid.

1. Go tone-on-tone

Match the WC, bidet and basin to the walls or tiles, for example a sand-coloured suite against warm beige plaster, or anthracite against dark grey stone. The sanitaryware blends in and the room feels calm and bigger. It works especially well in small bathrooms.

Shades to try from the Colore matt range: Sand Matt, Ivory Matt, Grey Matt, Ash Matt.

2. Or make one piece the statement

Keep the walls neutral and let one coloured element stand out: a green basin, a terracotta-toned WC, a glossy colour. In 2026 the new I Lucidi glossy colours (Pino, Miele, Tabasco, Mirto) bring back high-shine colour in a contemporary way.

3. Marble look without marble maintenance

Real marble basins stain and etch. Marble-effect ceramic gives you the look of Carrara or Marquinia with the hard, non-porous surface of vitreous ceramic. See the Materia range.

4. Make the basin the centrepiece

A freestanding or countertop basin turns a functional corner into a design feature. Pair a countertop basin with wall-mounted taps for a cleaner counter, and choose a matching ceramic drain and a designer siphon, since they will be on show.

Freestanding basins
Bi-Color two-tone basins, in finishes such as gold, platinum and black

5. Wall-hung for a lighter, more open room

Wall-hung WCs, bidets and basins leave the floor clear, which makes any bathroom feel larger and makes underfloor heating and large tiles look better. Read wall-hung vs floor-standing.

6. Classic done properly

For a period apartment or a boutique hotel, go fully classic: a console basin with legs, a high-level cistern with pull chain, a walnut seat. The BOHEME collection is designed for exactly this.

Mistakes to avoid

Mixing too many shapes: pick round or square and keep the WC, bidet and basin in the same family.
Colour from different suppliers: a matt grey from one brand rarely matches another. Buy the suite from one collection, and order a physical sample if you need an exact match with tiles.
Forgetting the small parts: a coloured WC with a white generic seat, or a beautiful basin with a cheap plastic siphon, spoils the look. Match seats, drains and siphons.
Ignoring the light: matt dark colours absorb light. In a windowless bathroom, balance them with lighter walls and good warm lighting.

Need inspiration?

Follow us on Instagram (@itabathrooms) for real bathrooms with Alice Ceramica pieces, or see what is new for 2026. Designing a project? Architects and interior designers get trade prices: open a trade account.