IMO a tiled bathroom floor should always be heated. As for now I guess either slippers or some mats I would opt for slippers since mats will require laundry often.Where are your heating vents ?IMO you need more heating . Try a couple of towel warmers that also heat the space stacks of fluffy towels . I guess the runners would be a fix but not sure how the handles will increase the heat. One is a cold look the other is an actual problem with the heating.As for more inviting try some color as in a better piece of art , more colorful towels stack in a hotel rack , take away the towel rod and replace with hooks.Get some nice accessories for the counter.

You definitely need a big rug...look for the longest runner that will fit..look for a low pile that can be vacuumed...and will not hinder door if possible...in a pattern and colors that you love ..then consider an accent wall in a color ...to warm up the room aesthetically...adding coordinating colors in decor...towels ..art....countertop...in the long term...save for in-floor heating...the only permanent solution to this problem...you really only need a strip down the center about 1/2 to 2/3 of the width of the walkway

Thank you. Do you think its odd if I have a runner that runs the length of the vanity, and then keep the bath mat so I can step on it outside of the shower?

In a case like this i would hang the bath mat when not in use for the shower

agree. also, I would not have black mat and towels in this bath, but would use an accent color from either the rug or any art that you have hanging over the towels or toilet.

Thanks everyone, the towels and bath mat are actually navy, but it's hard to tell. I actually do not have any art. That is a photo from another unit for sale.

For the rug/runner , I was thinking one of these.

https://www.kaleen.com/categories/9939/boho-patio-collection-(boh)/products/boh04-25-23/boho-patio-boh04_dash_25-red

https://ruggable.com/products/nodum-black-rug?size=3x5

https://ruggable.com/products/nodum-navy-rug?size=3x5

A rug would make a huge difference, both in looks and feel.

https://lillarugs.com/blogs/news/modern-bathroom-looks-featuring-real-rugs

A towel warmer on the wall. Will heat up the immediate area. You can also put them on a timer. Or, a heat lamp on the ceiling. The new ones are not like the awful cheap ones in motels. Often they are combined with an exhaust fan so it’s one unit.

Neither will be super cheap. But really, a rug isn’t going to warm a bathroom that size, though it will be helpful not to walk on icy floors. I think you have to spend some money. Idk how you can tolerate a bathroom that is always freezing cold even in the summer.

Here is another look at the bathroom:

I plan on hanging this large framed print (I already have it in 34x28):

https://www.artfullywalls.com/works/4263/island

So, maybe I should stick with a more neutral rug instead of the red one:

https://ruggable.com/products/prisma-monochrome?size=5x7

An indoor outdoor runner would be practical and keep your feet warm. To warm up visually, add accessories that compliment runner. You could remove towel bar and add a towel rack (heated towel rack perhaps), a Turkish hand towel on counter and a series of prints on back wall.

I lived in San Diego where utility costs were insane. I put a heat fan in each of my bathrooms and never turned on the heat for the house. By the time I finished with my shower the room was heated and I would get dried and dressed before opening up the door.

When I moved into my next home in PA one of the first things I did was get heating fans in both bathrooms. I can keep my heat set low and be dressed and comfortable without heating the whole home nearly as much as I would if I didn't have good heat in the bathroom.

Well...it seems like you do lean to the understated and monotones......but your bath has no color....no natural light?...surfaces are cold and colorless..and no heat it seems..i would definitely get some color and bring some life into the room...your first rug idea was a good start

When you are shopping rugs be sure you have the measurements as all sizes are not always available..in every rug

Also think of the room and its various textures in finishes and subtle color variations ..when choosing your rug you can look for soft variations and sort of organic textures if you are uncomfortable with too much color...but if you stay neutral i would put a little more color than white on the walls ...something that matches the floors closer perhaps...

Try getting some color through your towels and accessories and add a small plant on the vanity?

@NorwoodArchitects makes a great point about lighting, and the actual bulbs, etc. Also, what type of light fixtures do you have? Cannot see them in pics and that is a big part of room design, a major element.

I also agree with Karen Mikolainis, above. Bringing in color in towels and accessories is a great way to do it, and a small plant on vanity, maybe a succulent plant, could lend a nice organic feel.

You could also go the ‘spa’ route with plush white towels, and just have your color in art, for example. Many ways you can go.

I don’t know if these are your style, but I think they are fun - soap dispensers.

Countertop Soap and Lotion Dispenser Sealskin Conical Copper Black Porcelain · More Info

Countertop Soap and Lotion Dispenser Sealskin Conical Copper Green Porcelain · More Info