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Discover the Key Trends Influencing Bathroom Design in 2016
Check out this insiders’ guide to the biggest looks making a splash in bathrooms this year
This is by no means a definitive guide to the trends influencing bathrooms in 2016, but it’s a great place to start. Fans of metallics will find inspiration in the wide range of brassware; colour converts can revel in the trend for coloured grout, while a handmade aesthetic and geometrics are all the rage in tiles. And how about merging your bathroom with your bedroom?
See which of these trends resonate with you, then search Houzz for further inspiration – and remember to personalise a look by adding your own unique twist.
Professional advice from:
Mark Howorth of Callender Howorth
Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London
Jess Piddock of Domus (incorporating Surface Tiles)
Heidi Beresford of UK Bathrooms
See which of these trends resonate with you, then search Houzz for further inspiration – and remember to personalise a look by adding your own unique twist.
Professional advice from:
Mark Howorth of Callender Howorth
Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London
Jess Piddock of Domus (incorporating Surface Tiles)
Heidi Beresford of UK Bathrooms
Non-white sanitaryware
While white continues to reign supreme, there’s been a definite shift towards colour in sanitaryware. ‘With people living in the same property for longer, they’re identifying it more as their own by losing the generic feel you see in brochure after brochure,’ says Mark Howorth of Callender Howorth. ‘While we don’t expect to see the return of the avocado suite anytime soon, black and anthracite greys have certainly made more of an appearance in recent years.’
For those lacking colour confidence, Howorth’s advice is to offset white sanitaryware with a statement coloured basin or bath. ‘With eclectic-style interiors becoming more popular, the need for everything to match isn’t as in demand as it once was,’ he says.
If you’re feeling a shade braver than grey or black, the most arresting use of colour comes courtesy of Italian brand Flaminia, which has taken the plunge with a wide variety of colours across its complete range. Light blue or pink bath, anyone?
While white continues to reign supreme, there’s been a definite shift towards colour in sanitaryware. ‘With people living in the same property for longer, they’re identifying it more as their own by losing the generic feel you see in brochure after brochure,’ says Mark Howorth of Callender Howorth. ‘While we don’t expect to see the return of the avocado suite anytime soon, black and anthracite greys have certainly made more of an appearance in recent years.’
For those lacking colour confidence, Howorth’s advice is to offset white sanitaryware with a statement coloured basin or bath. ‘With eclectic-style interiors becoming more popular, the need for everything to match isn’t as in demand as it once was,’ he says.
If you’re feeling a shade braver than grey or black, the most arresting use of colour comes courtesy of Italian brand Flaminia, which has taken the plunge with a wide variety of colours across its complete range. Light blue or pink bath, anyone?
Colourful tiling
‘2016 welcomes a more eclectic look and feel to tiles,’ says Jess Piddock of Domus, ‘with muted pastel shades becoming more widespread.’ The emergence of colour in tiles is particularly exciting to see, but when it comes to pastel shades, think sophisticated rather than sickly sweet. ‘Highly saturated hues will be seen a lot more, including in porcelain, whereas they used to be reserved for mosaics and ceramics. These deep shades can be used alone or mixed together for an eclectic look,’ Piddock adds.
For the first time, coloured grout is also being used, as seen in this elegant bathroom. ‘A contrasting grout emphasises the tile shape and ties in with the wider trend for colour,’ explains Piddock.
‘2016 welcomes a more eclectic look and feel to tiles,’ says Jess Piddock of Domus, ‘with muted pastel shades becoming more widespread.’ The emergence of colour in tiles is particularly exciting to see, but when it comes to pastel shades, think sophisticated rather than sickly sweet. ‘Highly saturated hues will be seen a lot more, including in porcelain, whereas they used to be reserved for mosaics and ceramics. These deep shades can be used alone or mixed together for an eclectic look,’ Piddock adds.
For the first time, coloured grout is also being used, as seen in this elegant bathroom. ‘A contrasting grout emphasises the tile shape and ties in with the wider trend for colour,’ explains Piddock.
Handmade and rustic
Reflecting the resurgence of craft, a trend for handmade tiles is signalling a shift away from clean, minimal bathroom surfaces. ‘Handmade marks and a handcrafted feel are integral to this new tile trend,’ says Piddock.
Aligned with the handmade aesthetic is rustic style, which embraces the look of raw materials and all their imperfections. ‘Coarse finishes and varied markings are set to become prominent, taking inspiration from aggregate in concrete as well as textured plasters and terrazzo,’ Piddock adds.
Interested in the modern-rustic look? Check out these rooms with natural appeal
Reflecting the resurgence of craft, a trend for handmade tiles is signalling a shift away from clean, minimal bathroom surfaces. ‘Handmade marks and a handcrafted feel are integral to this new tile trend,’ says Piddock.
Aligned with the handmade aesthetic is rustic style, which embraces the look of raw materials and all their imperfections. ‘Coarse finishes and varied markings are set to become prominent, taking inspiration from aggregate in concrete as well as textured plasters and terrazzo,’ Piddock adds.
Interested in the modern-rustic look? Check out these rooms with natural appeal
Geometrics and fragments
While geometrics are not a new trend, Piddock predicts that irregular geometric shapes will start to come through on tiles. ‘Triangles and rhombuses are set to become popular, while hexagons will become elongated and offset,’ she says.
Fragmented tile designs are also a trend to watch. ‘These are largely inspired by crazy paving and retro architectural finishes,’ she says.
See inside a striking bathroom with bold, bespoke tiles
While geometrics are not a new trend, Piddock predicts that irregular geometric shapes will start to come through on tiles. ‘Triangles and rhombuses are set to become popular, while hexagons will become elongated and offset,’ she says.
Fragmented tile designs are also a trend to watch. ‘These are largely inspired by crazy paving and retro architectural finishes,’ she says.
See inside a striking bathroom with bold, bespoke tiles
Blurred boundaries
The bathroom is becoming an extension of the bedroom, which results in decorative touches being added to soften the functional feel of the space. The appeal of this look is in the mix – hang some wallpaper in your bathroom or factor in an accent chair. Include a few houseplants, too, which help to improve air quality and lift the space.
Alternatively, go all out and merge your bedroom with your bathroom. This can be as simple as working a freestanding tub into your boudoir, or stealing the style of a boutique hotel and removing the wall that stands between the two spaces, as seen here.
The bathroom is becoming an extension of the bedroom, which results in decorative touches being added to soften the functional feel of the space. The appeal of this look is in the mix – hang some wallpaper in your bathroom or factor in an accent chair. Include a few houseplants, too, which help to improve air quality and lift the space.
Alternatively, go all out and merge your bedroom with your bathroom. This can be as simple as working a freestanding tub into your boudoir, or stealing the style of a boutique hotel and removing the wall that stands between the two spaces, as seen here.
Scandi cool
Scandinavian design continues to have a strong influence on British bathrooms this year. Think natural woods teamed with neutral colours, plus a large dose of white. Simplicity underpins the pared-down Scandi aesthetic, which is known for its functionality and practicality.
‘Nothing beats natural warmth in the bathroom and with so many tones of wood available, it isn’t difficult to complement any chosen fittings,’ says Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London.
Taken by Scandi style? Find out more about this elegant aesthetic
Scandinavian design continues to have a strong influence on British bathrooms this year. Think natural woods teamed with neutral colours, plus a large dose of white. Simplicity underpins the pared-down Scandi aesthetic, which is known for its functionality and practicality.
‘Nothing beats natural warmth in the bathroom and with so many tones of wood available, it isn’t difficult to complement any chosen fittings,’ says Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London.
Taken by Scandi style? Find out more about this elegant aesthetic
Large and luxurious
Marble was once exclusive to the homes of the wealthy, but developments in manufacturing have made this luxe look more affordable, in the form of porcelain tiles that mimic marble’s unmistakable beauty.
Porcelain marble-look tiles are easy to install, low maintenance and increasingly realistic when compared to the genuine article. They’re also guaranteed to add a shot of glamour to any bathroom.
Advances in technology are also responsible for the rise in XXL format tiles – some manufacturers are making tiles up to 3.2m x 1.6m in size. Going large with tiles creates a decandent feel, gives the illusion of more space in a small bathroom and means there are fewer grout lines to clean.
TELL US…
What’s your favourite bathroom trend right now? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Marble was once exclusive to the homes of the wealthy, but developments in manufacturing have made this luxe look more affordable, in the form of porcelain tiles that mimic marble’s unmistakable beauty.
Porcelain marble-look tiles are easy to install, low maintenance and increasingly realistic when compared to the genuine article. They’re also guaranteed to add a shot of glamour to any bathroom.
Advances in technology are also responsible for the rise in XXL format tiles – some manufacturers are making tiles up to 3.2m x 1.6m in size. Going large with tiles creates a decandent feel, gives the illusion of more space in a small bathroom and means there are fewer grout lines to clean.
TELL US…
What’s your favourite bathroom trend right now? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Gone are the days when the only finish for bathroom brassware was chrome. Ever since polished gold, antique copper, bronze, rose gold and brushed nickel sashayed onto the scene, an exciting new world of bathroom design possibilities has opened up – and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
‘These new finishes have been produced in such a way that they require no more maintenance than a standard chrome basin mixer,’ says Heidi Beresford of UK Bathrooms. ‘The same care advice applies: don’t use any harsh chemicals on them and clean with a soft microfibre cloth to avoid scratching.’
Be inspired by a Brighton bathroom with gleaming gold accents