Bathe in luxury: Design trends for the bathroom

No longer are lavish bathrooms reserved for the wealthy. Modern designers are bringing luxury bathroom hardware to the mainstream market.

More than the ordinary

Ditch the ratty shower curtain: frameless glass screens will make your bathroom look elegant and more spacious. They’re also practical, since they have fewer nooks and crannies to clean.

Toilet paper holders are usually fairly prosaic, unless they are made of rubbed bronze, gold brass or have an inlay of Swarovski crystals.

Go chasing waterfalls

With an ever-increasing range of showerheads, nozzles and wall mounts designed to emulate gentle rainfall, it’s easier than ever to lose track of time while you scrub up.

• Incorporating elements of hydrotherapy, some designs use multiple wall spouts that release opulent streams of water from varying directions toward the lucky soul in the shower.
• Perfect for the minimalist or the small bathroom, the ceiling shower is installed flush against the ceiling – you choose whether you stand under a rain shower or a ‘blade’ of water.
• Other fixtures drawing inspiration from nature are waterfall or elephant spout faucets. With a thin, wide mouth flowing from a sleek, often curved fitting, waterfall spouts live up to their namesake by pouring out a steady screen of water. Made for baths, showers and sinks, they look amazing but are possibly not suitable for use in areas with water restrictions.

Black is the new chrome

Taps have traditionally been made with polished copper or chrome, but now black is gaining popularity in contemporary bathroom design. Favoured for its subtle finish and softer appearance, matt black taps resist the lasting impression of fingerprints and make a bold statement.

Fill your bathroom with sound and light

If you like to sing in the shower, evolving technology is putting the music right into your showerhead. With the use of wireless speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, designers are finding new ways to flood your shower with culture, both classical and modern.

LED technology is also being put to use in baths, taps and showerheads which change colour to reflect the temperature of the water as it flows through.

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Bathsphere

The ultimate in bathroom hardware would have to be the Bathsphere by Russian designer Alexander Zhukovsky. Essentially, it is a hanging, clear glass sphere that acts as both bath and shower, with settings for you to alter its internal temperature, humidity, light, sounds and smell – and even simulate rain.

You can easily create your own luxurious bathroom with the help of some designer hardware, so why not give it a try?