Water worlds

Retro chic

Borrow design ideas from past decades, particularly mid-last century, to give your bathroom a retro refit with a contemporary twist. Big, bold wallpaper prints, large pop-art patterned and textured tiles as well as vibrant colour are, of course, the key elements in creating a vintage vibe. The challenge is in producing a cool-not-kitsch atmosphere, so don’t go overboard – a little bit of ’50s flair and ’60s swing goes a long way.

A range of funky designs have borrowed from the past while translating the most successful shapes and colours into the stylish bathroomware on the market today.

Sinks are round, oval and even amorphic; they are being fashioned in non-porcelain materials such as resin. Free-standing baths, especially the deep soaker, are the standout bathroom fixtures of the moment and are at their best when their shape is contrasted against a coloured wall. Most are white but there’s a trend coming through from Europe favouring patterned and coloured baths and sinks, tapware and showerheads. For the less courageous, the “wow” factor can be created with bright and bold accessories such as shower curtains, coloured handles or soft additions in towels and washing aids.

Concrete mixtures

Welcome to the new industrial revolution in bathroom design, with shiny chrome, polished concrete and smoky tiled walls. Bathrooms are getting the stony treatment, with concrete, slate, granite and ceramic tile – once relegated to outdoor areas such as driveways, exterior walls and paved pathways – now indoors.

These rock-solid materials, common in kitchens due to the popularity of industrial-style warehouse living, are also gaining decorating credibility in bathrooms.

Polished concrete in sinks and benchtops, even on floors, is starting to show up now that modern sealants are proving to last well. Stone or ceramic tiling can achieve the same look and guarantee moisture resistance. Stark white stand-alone vanities or sunken baths add drama. Finish off the look with a shot of bright colour through accessories, such as red towels and toiletries, for added contrast.

Norwegian wood

One of the hottest trends in bathroom design right now is the spa retreat. Lined with blond or rose wood, light-coloured pebbles or terracotta tiles, this style evokes a cool Nordic aesthetic. The centrepiece is the bath and there are plenty of stand-alone or sunken shapes to choose from.

Private saunas, double showers for couples, open wet rooms and, now, cubicle steam rooms are becoming popular. Look out for multipurpose shower heads with a built-in facility to regulate the spray and intensity of water flow.

Reminiscent of Roman or Turkish baths, this bathroom-as-private-sanctuary will also benefit from built-in spouts installed in ceilings or walls that provide steady streams of water, preferably into wooden tubs or through marble slabs.

White or speckled reconstituted stone will bring a modern edge to these rooms but stay away from anything too clinical. Complement all the natural tones of wood and stone with a vibrant colour. Aquamarine hues are a perennial favourite because of their soothing effect. Use them as accent colours, for example, with blue bath towels or turquoise-coloured soaps.

Golden glow

Take bathroom luxury to a whole new level of opulence with glimmering gold and its partners in shine, copper and bronze. The allure of these precious metals is irresistible. Plain white bathroom fixtures and tiles benefit from the warm glow of gold-patterned wallpaper or a tiled feature panel. If the gold brings too much bling, soften with cream, olive or taupe surfaces and accessories.

Gold creates a look that offers glamour by the tub full but don’t overdo it. Use chalky white or powder-grey towels to tone things down, or swap gold for sunny yellow floral patterns to keep the look light and modern – wallpaper is perfect. A large hung mirror will suit this style of decor too, as will the new curvaceous shapes in suites, tapware and shower roses.

Coastal retreat

Natural materials in the bathroom reflect our desire to get back to basics and also a renewed appreciation for the beauty of nature. This style is a reaction to sleek, utilitarian chrome and clinical, square, white bathware and accessories. Plus, the colours of stone, wood, marble and metal are soothing and complementary. In wall and floor treatments, earthy marble and pebble mosaic, textured tile and grained wood-laminate cabinetry is gaining ground. And because natural materials complement one another, you can use different materials for the vanity benchtops and others for wall tiles.

Nature-inspired organic shapes are turning up in sinks and tap designs but also in toilets, whose shapes are rounded, some even completely egg-like. There are also small oval urinals appearing on the domestic market.
Natural lighting is a key element in these bathrooms, with many houses featuring floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of a nice view or leafy aspect. In a dark bathroom, draw light into the room through tubular skylights or simulate natural light with LED illumination.

Eco-friendly textiles are the go here, too. Bamboo towels have an incredibly soft handle; fine, lustrous basketry is being used for laundry hampers and storage bins; and natural sponges and loofahs make for practical decorations.

Sorbet flavours

Once relegated to little girls’ bedrooms and tea parties due to their sugary sweetness, pastels are now all grown up and popping up in sophisticated shades decorating all the rooms of the house. When used to colour bathroom walls, they are an effective way of giving the impression of space and they also add interest to the clinical overplay of an all-white bathroom. Stack fluffy towels in various pastel shades to add a functional accent. Add a pale-coloured marble, even as a single panel behind a bath, basin or shower, to up the wow factor. You could even keep luxurious skincare products on display.

Pretty bathrooms benefit from the installation of vintage-style stand-alone basins and softly patterned tiles and free-standing baths in modern cocoon shapes or newly enamelled antique tubs with silvery claw feet. Scour antique stores for original Victorian taps, doorknobs and towel rails. Add chandeliers and fancy sconces for lighting and sneak furniture from other rooms into the bathroom, such as feminine dressers for storage and ornamental mirrors that will add glamour and boost light.