After twenty long years, The Devil Wears Prada finally has the sequel we’ve all been craving. The world needs Miranda Priestly more than ever, and we’re thrilled to see Meryl Streep’s iconic editor-in-chief prowling the glossy halls of Runway magazine once more. The franchise centres on the ruthless world of fashion - precise colour palettes, considered textures, and unwavering quality - traits that are surprisingly similar to those of bathroom design.
Whether you’re refreshing your existing bathroom, planning a full-scale modern bathroom renovation, or simply longing to inhabit that high-flying New York lifestyle so glamorously depicted in the films, this style guide will show you the way. So, gird your loins and join us as we immerse ourselves in the razor-sharp world of high fashion, higher standards, and the very highest of heels.
Understanding the Devil Wears Prada Aesthetic
The purpose of this guide is not to transform your bathroom into an actual Manhattan office. Rather, we aim to capture the strutting, hyper-perfectionist design sensibilities that seep through every frame of The Devil Wears Prada and apply them to a space that works for real life. In other words, everything will look utterly stunning, but you won't need a string of beleaguered personal assistants to maintain it.
Of course, before selecting a single fixture, it helps to understand what makes The Devil Wears Prada's world so visually distinctive.
1) The Setting
Despite being two decades old (when did that happen?), The Devil Wears Prada remains steeped in the contemporary world. The sequel compounds this cutting-edge vibe, with both films unfolding in the instantly familiar surroundings of the Big Apple itself - New York City.
Iconic even to those who have never visited, New York’s distinctive architecture and pioneering design remain timelessly relevant. This is especially true for the bustling borough of Manhattan, best known for its dense clusters of vertical glass, stone, and steel structures, peppered with industrial-loft urban interiors of wood and exposed brick.
Numerous aspects of this style are highlighted on the sets of Runway magazine. The main setting of the franchise, both the 2006 and 2026 iterations of Runway’s HQ, are glass-and-steel monoliths of open-plan offices and flawless surfaces. Look closely and you’ll find neutral yet disciplined colour palettes, along with subtle contrasts that exude the editorial, intimidating feel of fashion’s highest echelons.
As is the case in the films, our guide will centre on capturing the pristine, understated beauty of Runway’s office. We’ll touch on the more opulent locations, such as Miranda’s Upper East Side townhouse (don’t you worry), but the minimalist elegance of Runway translates to an ageless and achievable style that will truly elevate your bathroom.
2) The Industry
The Devil Wears Prada thrusts viewers headlong into the style industry. More specifically, the gritty world of high-fashion publishing. It’s a life that operates on tough calls and ruthless editing, stripping away anything unnecessary until only the essentials remain.
This acute motive lends itself nicely to contemporary bathroom design, where less is always more. Instead of trying to cram in as many fancy flourishes as possible, it’s all about picking a handful of statement features and giving each one its own space to shine.
In fact, this ethos of minimalism is one we recommend all modern-style bathrooms stick to. Otherwise, you’ll end up with something cheesier than eight dollars’ worth of Jarlsberg stuffed into a sandwich.
3) The Attitude
Beneath all the gorgeous pageantry and endless quotability, The Devil Wears Prada is ultimately a story about aspiration, transformation and the power of presentation. Embracing these attitudes permits us to be ambitious with our bathroom choices. To treat the space as a reflection of who we are, and more importantly, who we want to be.
A Palette from the Pages of Runway
Colour is never accidental; it’s a deliberate position and statement. The colour scheme for a Devil Wears Prada bathroom should be one built on confidence and editorial control.
Consider:
- Monochromatic as the foundation: Clean white dominates the walls and corridors of the Runway workspace. Therefore, white walls, sanitaryware and tiling should serve as your bathroom’s main backdrop. Then, mix in light-to-mid cool greys and soft off-whites, transforming the space into a gallery-like haven of aesthetic tranquillity.
- Dark tone accents: Create contrast and structure with strategic accents of graphite black, anthracite, taupe, or even rustic leather brown. These shouldn’t be splashed across the room; they should arrive sparingly (about 10-15%) as a feature wall, on bathroom furniture, or a run of patterned tiles.
- Soft yet warming metallics: The language of wealth permeates The Devil Wears Prada like the sound of clackers on a marble hallway. You can evoke this with tactful touches of opulent metal, such as cool nickel, aged copper, brushed brass, warm bronze or even dazzling gold (think Runway’s magnificent golden foyer sign). Implement them across your brassware, mirror frames, and bathroom accessories to enhance the sense of deftly chosen luxury, while standing out against our chosen core colour of white.
Textures That Make the Final Edit
A sophisticated colour palette forms the foundation, but it’s texture that makes a design truly pop. Textures give us the chance to blend the smoothness of fabrics with the hardness of metal, creating a space that feels sleek, chic and overtly high fashion.
Consider:
- Polished marble or marble-effect designs: Applied as wall panels, floors, or countertops, these hard-surface materials deliver a glossy, richly veined hero finish. On walls especially, their large format and absence of grout lines result in a clean, uninterrupted surface - exactly the kind of controlled grandeur Miranda Priestly demands.
- Gloss lacquered wood: No glitzy office is complete without a shiny, piano-like desk hewn from gloss-tinted wood. In bathrooms, this material is ideal for furniture pieces. It enables light to bounce freely around the space, turning standard storage units into sharper fixtures of fashion-set precision.
- Cool glass: Glass is a natural fit for this brief, positioning itself as the must-use material for shower enclosures and walk-in shower screens. Smooth and cool to the touch, it reinforces transparency, hierarchy, and that all-important corporate fashion house vibe.
Fixtures Ready for Their Close-Up
The choice of bathroom fixtures marks the transition from mood to reality. Think of how high-end fashion leans: people want designs that are bold, exclusive and realised through superior craftsmanship. Each fixture should be chosen with the same unsentimental clarity that Miranda brings to every other aspect of her life. Here’s how to apply that thinking in the bathroom, fixture by fixture.
Bathtubs
Guaranteed to make a statement, a freestanding bath in your Devil Wears Prada bathroom provides an alluring sculptural centrepiece. However, we’re not talking the traditional designs here; no roll tops or claw feet, thank you very much. We need crisp, geometric lines that meld with the floor, along with contemporary materials such as stone resin. For maximum effect, position your tub either centrally or against a feature wall comprised of large marble-effect tiles.
When choosing the colour for your freestanding bath, aim to keep it restrained. Pure white is the natural starting point, but tapping into one of our accent colours is a great option for those looking to get creative. A painted bath of anthracite or grey adds subtle character without straying from the controlled colour palette.
Alternatively, an inset bath offers a different but equally compelling approach. Built into a surrounding frame and then tiled over, these baths dissolve the boundary between fixture and room to cultivate effortless cohesion. It’s basically the bathroom equivalent of a perfectly tailored outfit!
Basins
In a carefully planned bathroom, the basin should carry the same geometric confidence as the bathtub. Countertop basins are the natural fit. Think thin-rimmed rectangular or oval designs, swathed in smooth, glossy finishes that feel deliberately pared back. Placed gracefully atop a handleless vanity unit or flat-surfaced worktop, the basin becomes part of a wider composition rather than an isolated fixture. Perfect for reinforcing that sense of curated precision.
Don't discount the wall-hung basin either, especially if dealing with spatial constraints. Mounted directly to the wall with nothing beneath, these basins deliver an uncluttered, uninterrupted fixture that feels in keeping with the less-is-more philosophy.
Taps
In fashion terms, brassware roughly equates to the jewellery of the bathroom. Glimmering gemstones that sparkle and command attention. For our Devil Wears Prada scheme, this needs to be chosen with the same level of care one might show when selecting the accessories for a make-or-break couture editorial. Such vital fixtures ought to be wholly modern, finely shaped and sturdy enough to last, reflecting the practicality and streamlined design of a hyper-focused office.
For your basin, single-lever mixer taps with slim, angular profiles are the best choice for this aesthetic. The minimal footprint will share focus with the basin and surrounding surfaces, rather than competing with them like two squabbling assistants vying for the one spot at Paris Fashion Week. Whether deck-mounted on a vanity worktop or wall-mounted over a countertop, both options maintain that uninterrupted visual flow.
Regarding bath taps, it obviously depends on the type of tub you choose. A freestanding bath naturally requires a freestanding bath tap - a commanding standalone piece that reinforces the sculptural dynamism of the tub. An inset bath, meanwhile, calls for either deck or wall-mounted fillers for a seamless, uncluttered appearance.
For any type of tap, one of our previously specified brushed metal options can be considered for the finish. Keep it in line with the colours you’re using elsewhere to ensure a uniform approach.
Toilets
The wall-hung toilet is a non-negotiable in this scheme. Back-to-wall or close-coupled toilets – even the sleek ones - just add unwanted visual weight that distracts from the rest of the room.
Wall-hung toilets with concealed cisterns keep the floor clear and sightlines unobstructed. Be sure to choose a rimless design for both hygiene and visual purity, pairing it with a slimline seat for a truly refined fixture. Oh, and don’t forget the soft-close hinges. We’re talking the upper echelon of bathroom design here, after all. We can’t be putting up with a slamming toilet seat. Naturally, a flush plate will also need to be considered. As with brassware, opt for a metallic finish and maintain consistency with the rest of your interior.
For those who want to take the brief to its logical conclusion, a smart bidet toilet is the ultimate expression of this aesthetic. Models like those in the TOTO range offer auto-closing lids, heated seats, and self-cleaning jet wands - the kind of seamless, technology-driven luxury that Miranda would consider not a perk but a basic expectation. Every function is concealed within a clean, minimal form, meaning you gain significant comfort and hygiene benefits without sacrificing an ounce of visual simplicity.
Showers
A walk-in or wetroom shower just nails that Devil Wears Prada vibe, much more than any standard shower cubicle or shower-bath setup. When paired with frameless glass panels, they preserve the room's visual flow and evoke the luxury office look. A low-profile shower tray completes the enclosure, keeping the floor as a single plane with no visible edges. This all culminates in a shower that feels like part of the seamless Runway set, rather than a cosy yet closed-off nook.
For the shower system itself, everything should feel utterly integrated – built in, rather than bolted onto. That means exposed valve systems have no place here. Concealed shower valves with flush-to-wall, plate-style designs keep the wall surface clear, allowing the surroundings to speak for themselves.
In terms of fittings, a fixed-rainfall shower head makes the strongest possible statement – the bigger, the better! Ceiling-mounted showers create the cleanest look, removing the need for a visible shower arm and letting the water to cascade down from seemingly nowhere. A wall-mounted shower head with a slim, minimal arm offers the same visual impact with a less disruptive installation.
Finally, as usual, don’t forget those metallic finishes. Match the shower system with the finishes you've assigned to your brassware for that extra dash of coordinated splendour.
Furniture
Bathroom furniture anchors the practical side of design while contributing significantly to its visual character. For this aesthetic, your furniture should feel like fitted cabinetry rather than standalone pieces – integrated and quietly purposeful.
To this end, as with your toilet, we recommend going for a wall-hung vanity unit. More specifically, you’ll want a unit with a handleless design, unbroken fascia and push-to-open mechanisms. Generous internal drawers will ensure that everything from toiletries to cleaning products stays neatly hidden. Miranda Priestly would not tolerate a bathroom with a cluttered countertop, and neither should you.
Aside from vanity units, there are plenty of other options available to complete the look. Tall storage cabinets are slim and practical without consuming valuable floor space, while WC furniture units take the same concealed-cistern approach as a wall-hung toilet.
Whatever you go for, the finish is the real deal-breaker. Stick to smooth lacquer, high-pressure laminate, or something similar in a matt or satin finish. Avoid shaker details, beadings and moulding - everything should feel concise and contemporary. Where possible, create a contrast between your furniture colour and the surrounding walls or tiles. This creates a tonal, layered effect where the pieces truly stand out.
Accessories
Bathroom accessories are like those final, crucial styling decisions in a fashion shoot. They’re the little things that pull everything else together, signalling that every last detail has been considered. Consistency is paramount, and these items should be intricately connected to the entire bathroom design from the get-go.
Toilet roll holders, robe hooks, towel rails and soap dispensers should all share a single finish that aligns with your chosen brassware. Whether that’s polished chrome, brooding brushed nickel or glitzy brushed brass, even a single mismatched piece can disrupt a carefully coordinated scheme.
When it comes to accessories, the bathroom mirror deserves particular attention. A large backlit LED mirror or a slim, frameless model with an inbuilt demister pad does the trick, satisfying functional needs and serving as a cultured focal point. Oversized designs work especially well in this aesthetic, creating a sense of depth and openness while distributing light throughout the room.
This addition of accessories certainly allows you to tap into some of the more DIY-friendly bathroom design ideas. A carefully chosen piece of artwork, be it an abstract print, a monochrome feature tile or a set of enticing fashion photography, can be a significant focal point that immediately lifts a bathroom. Keep frames slim and modern in black or brushed metal and limit yourself to one or two pieces at most. This is a gallery wall in the tastefully minimal sense, not a chaotic collage.
Making the Runway Your Own
Remember, creating a Devil Wears Prada-inspired bathroom is not about replicating a film set or spending beyond your means to emulate the rich and famous. At its core, the aesthetic is built on simple principles borrowed directly from the fashion world: invest in quality, edit ruthlessly, and let every choice you make be intentional.
The beauty of this approach is that it works at any scale. A full renovation offers the opportunity to build the look from the ground up, but even a few well-chosen upgrades can shift a room's entire personality.
Naturally, we’re here to help you along every step of this stylistic journey. Whether you need help planning a renovation or assistance in identifying the right fixtures, contact us today to see how we can bring The Devil Wears Prada sweeping into your bathroom. Meanwhile, we’re off to unwind by eating some carbs and visiting a hideous skirt convention. So, until next time…
…that’s all.
