Bathroom trends – our pick of what’s hot
Wallpaper panels
Don’t be afraid to use wallpaper in your bathroom — just make sure you have a good extractor fan and don’t get it directly wet. You can varnish wallpaper to protect it, then cover it with a glass panel.
LBB — little black bathroom
Black is being used in bathrooms more and more — even in smaller spaces. Make it work by mixing black units with lighter elements — for example, choose a striking black basin, but go for a white loo, and if your floor tiles are black, keep the walls a paler shade of grey. Mirrored surfaces can help to increase the feeling of space if you feel you want to lighten things up a bit — but this look is supposed to be dark and dramatic, so don’t be afraid to embrace it and cross over to the dark side.
Streamlined and sleek
Less is more — so create a stylish, sleek bathroom with made-to-measure storage units that make the most of your space. Loo cistern, towels and cosmetics are all concealed for a clutter-free, smart look.
Oriental promise
The growing influence of the East on design and interiors has meant that dark, rich wooden floors and fittings are back in fashion. Lean a chic but practical storage ladder against the bathroom wall for airing towels, then complete the look with loose fabric blinds in an exotic pattern at the windows for privacy and colour.
Mirrored surfaces
Mirrors aren’t just for the wall. The latest looks incorporate mirrors in unexpected places — as tiles, on the ceiling — even on the bath panel. Mirrors bounce light around smaller spaces, so they’re a great choice for bathrooms that feel poky.
Basement wetrooms
When searching for space to put that extra bathroom, the cellar is often an option. The recent trend for building ‘down’ in to the basement has resulted in chic underground wetrooms like this one. Neutral tiles allow the original features, such as the vaulted ceiling, to be the star of the show, while futuristic spotlights in the step give the space a modern, luxurious look as well as highlighting the change in floor level for safety.
Raw wood
Wood went out of fashion for a while but it’s back in a big way. Embrace the current trend for natural, raw materialsand bring craftsmanship to your bathroom design. Incorporate wood grains and textures in honey shades to warm up the usually cool and clinical bathroom space.
Victoriana drama
Period-style bathrooms are very fashionable once again. Get the look with a freestanding, roll-top bath with elegant ball and claw feet. Complete the look by exposing or re-instating period features such as bare floorboards, ceiling roses, exposed brickwork and original fireplaces.
His ‘n’ hers walk-in shower
The growing trend for at- home spa rituals means that luxurious bathroom features such as extra large wetroom areas with two-in-one showers have become more common. They’re romantic, of course — but there’s a practical aspect to these super-showers, too. The rise of dual-income families means more of us are in a rush to get ready first thing in the morning — and if both of you can shower at the same time, precious time is saved! More and more of us are taking our bathroom inspiration from hotel-style en suites. As well as double-size showers, we’re splashing out on other luxury features such as powerful waterfall shower heads.