Annette O'Brien
From lighting to tiling though decorating and design details, we show you some serious bathroom inspiration with styles and designs you can add to your own bathroom wishlist.
New bathroom design ideas continue to emerge in homes – whether gathered from design competitions, commercial spaces or TV reality renovation shows, there’s always something on the boil to inspire new bathroom decorating ideas.
Always part of the brief, however, is to create a beautiful space that is at once relaxing and functional, with extra points awarded for clever design ideas that combine the two! Trends are evolving as the importance of getting bathroom design and layout right and can ultimately add value to your home for resale down the track.
1. Timber and stone
The combination of timber and stone is timeless, harking directly back to nature and perfect for a bathroom, where hard-wearing stone and other hard surfaces are softened by the textures of timber. Colour wise, the warmth wood brings to a space is a welcome addition to a bathroom as it also works in with most colour schemes as a neutral base. Apply timber to vanities, cabinetry and storage, in window frames or as an accent in an up-to-the-minute stool.
Stone works beautifully with timber and to anchor any space – contemporary with large format tiling on floors or walls, or as a show-stopping feature in a freestanding bathtub.
2. Statement plant
Plants bring the garden inside to bring a pensive courtyard ambience to a bathroom and a natural burst of life. Choose the type of plant based on the light levels and airflow in your bathroom and provided there is plenty of light to sustain it, the sky (or ceiling!) is the limit.
3. Stone bath
The ultimate statement piece, freestanding baths are evolving to a look of raw stone or concrete that seems to have been freshly hewn from a nearby mountain. When used with timber and steel for texture a stone bath forms an earthy focal point and beckons relaxation.
4. Backlit mirrors
Getting light right in the bathroom is crucial to its functionality, particularly around the vanity area. Adequate lighting can come from overhead but the soft light referred from a backlit vanity mirror adds a complimentary warm glow that’s functional and flattering.
5. Black cabinetry
Elegance takes a dark and moody turn with bathroom cabinetry trending to the darker side of the colour chart. Charcoals, stone greys and pure black make for a sophisticated palette that can be matched with anything from marble to metallic, glass and granite.
6. Coloured basins
In the same way a cushion or rug makes a contemporary accent in a living room or bedroom, a coloured vanity makes a stylish statement in the latest seasonal colours without breaking the bank. Particularly when mounted on top of the bench there’s now a vast range of colours and textures on the market to choose from.
7. Terrazzo tiles
Terrazzo is trending in a big way and offers the best of both worlds as a textured pattern with a smooth surface. It works beautifully in so many styles of home – from a contemporary look when paired with all white, large format and sleek finishes to a retro haven of timber and brass. As it can be poured like concrete terrazzo works equally well as a vanity, basin or even a bath but it’s the flooring we’re seeing so much of. Match the flecks of your terrazzo tiles to other features in the rooms, such as tapware and wall tiles.
You might also like:
9 beautiful bathrooms to inspire your next makeover
The secret to a new bathroom – without the cost
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