The old adage is that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. It makes sense – you spend a surprising amount of time in the bathroom, and if it’s poorly designed, the flaws are hard to hide. Similarly, when you step into a beautiful bathroom which has been designed with both style and functionality in mind, it can take your breath away.
Whether you’re building a new home, renovating an existing space or simply want to keep up with the current trends, here are the 12 hottest bathroom trends that will transform your bathroom from ordinary into spectacular.
Black freestanding baths
The classic white bath remains an Australian staple, and don’t fret – they’re not going anywhere. However, if you want to make a statement, a bold, black bath can make a huge impact in your bathroom or ensuite. There’s no need to be fearful of the black bath – many still have a crisp white interior so cleaning it doesn’t become a nightmare.
You’ll see more black fixtures and fittings in the bathroom over the next few years. Interior designers are stepping away from the clean and clinical look that all white bathrooms offer. Your black bath will look great against dark tiles or finished with black tapware.
Natural timber
One simple way to reduce the clinical look and feel of your bathroom is to introduce warm tones and materials. An affordable and stylish way to do so is to utilise natural timbers. Whether you opt for timber cabinetry or wooden décor items, adding an organic material can really help to both warm and soften a room. Timbers are becoming more and more popular, and we’re expecting to see this trend continue.
Rain showers
Your bathroom is meant to be a place to Zen. It could be where you start your day, mentally preparing yourself before work, school, university or other commitments. Or, it could be where you retreat to at night to wash away the stress of your day. There’s no better way to achieve Zen than with a rain shower.
Rain shower heads don’t have the same pressure as a regular shower, but they make up for it in water coverage. If you stand under a rain shower head, water should flow over your whole body, so there’s no need to manoeuvre around your shower. Rain shower heads are a great option for open showers and double showers too.
Thermostatic mixers
The thermostatic mixer is a life changer. When we talk about new technology in the bathroom, this would be top of the list. Showers are becoming a more immersive experience, with places to sit and pamper yourself. A thermostatic mixer helps you achieve a real sense of luxury. You can set the temperate of your shower with the touch of the button and save a variety of preset options for a tailored shower experience. It’s also a safe option for families with young children.
Moodier tones
As mentioned above, expect to see darker, moodier tones in bathrooms and ensuites. In the last few years, the trend has moved from clinical white, to warmer greys, and now we’ve arrived at dark and moody tones. Again, it’s not about adding as much black as possible – you need to achieve balance.
Whether it is the aforementioned black bath, or in light fixtures, mirrors, tapware or tiles – the possibilities are endless. You’ll soon notice that your bathroom or ensuite has become much more visually interesting thanks to the variety of shades and colours you’ve added to the space.
Smart toilets
Another smart home consideration: the smart toilet. These have been around for a while now, but we think they’re now at a stage where every home should consider one. These toilets commonly feature wash and dry functions with adjustable temperatures as well as a night light and remote control. It really is a great option in a world that understands the importance of good hygiene… and that’s often short on toilet paper!
The Roca In-Wash Inspira Smart Toilet from Reece.
Mirrors shape and technology
Rectangular, fixed-panel mirrors have been a staple for years now, but they’re on the way out. Interior designers are opting for organic, fluid shapes especially those that have plenty of storage options. Circle, oval and arched mirrors will be in vogue for a while, especially as natural shapes compliment natural materials such as timber.
Mirrors aren’t free from new technology trends either. There are plenty of features which make a smart mirror a must have item. You’ll come across mirrors with on and off sensors, LED lights and defogging functions. Perfect for anyone who likes to start their day with a glow up!
The Kado Aspect Round LED mirror from Reece.
Twin basins: two vanities
Let’s face it – you might be the most sharing person in the world, but you would kill for your own, dedicated basin. Well, you’ll be happy to hear that double basins are here to stay for the long run. In the past, the approach has been two install two basins into one vanity, but lately that’s changed.
Now, the most popular approach is to install two separate wall-hung vanities in the one space. Not only will having two basins and two vanities give your ensuite a sense of luxury, but it’s incredibly functional too – you’ll have double the storage if you include cupboards and drawers within each vanity.
Impressive powder rooms
Your downstairs powder room should be considered another place to impress guests, and it’s time to step it up a notch. People are becoming more and more adventurous with their powder room design, more so than in the ensuite or family bathroom. You have the option to play around with bold colours, unique tiling, pendant and task lighting, exposed pluming and more.
Skylights
Natural light is a must-have in any bathroom. However, due to privacy concerns, sometimes it’s a little tricky to achieve. The simple solution? Implement a skylight. Having natural light pouring in the from ceiling helps to prevent your bathroom from feeling dark and dingy.
If you know the feeling of trying to get ready in a bathroom with poor, artificial lighting, then a skylight should be top of your list when designing a bathroom. Think about the best place for your skylight depending on what you need – whether it’s over the vanity, shower, bath, or directly in the centre.
Tapware colours
Traditionally, the approach to tapware has been to keep the colour consistent across the entire bathroom and even carrying the one finish over into handrails too. However, the new trend is to be a bit more eclectic and playful. Rather than having a single colour, you have more freedom to mix it up. For example, you could have black tapware with a chrome mixer, or chrome fixtures in the vanity and brass in the shower.
Sensor taps
Finally, the sensor tap is one of the fastest-growing trends in the house, and it’s not hard to imagine why! They are a great solution for shared bathrooms and guest rooms, in particular powder rooms and family bathrooms. These taps allow you to clean your hands without touching a faucet, and help to reduce cross-contamination.
If you want to check out the bathroom fixtures, fittings and colours that are currently on-trend, you can book a tour of our inspiration and design centre, Studio M. Studio M has all of the most current products on display in one place, so you don’t have to travel showroom to showroom.
Studio M is a big advantage of building with Metricon as you’ll also have an interior design specialist walk you through the space. Find out more about Studio M here.
