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Bathroom Trends for 2017

23rd March 2017

When you are considering remodelling your bathroom with accessibility in mind, it is worth looking at the trends that will define 2017. While you may not feel the need to indulge in one trend completely, incorporating elements of one or several trends can raise your overall look to have a much more fresh and modern feel.

As new fashions often nod towards the latest innovative technologies, this makes them worth research for more than just aesthetics. 

Transforming tiles

Whether through texture or pattern, this year the stylish tile is back with force. In recent years we have seen a utility approach to tiling, with an upswing in the subway style that was used everywhere from private bathrooms to restaurants. Now our tiling is taking on a more indulgent feel, with interesting colours, textures and patterns.

The key to this trend is knowing when is enough and when is too much. Layer patterns and colours but ensure there is a theme or undertone that is similar. When experimenting with texture, you should be working with textures from lots of different styles, feminine lace next to a rough matt tile with a fluffy rug on the floor, if kept in a close colour scheme can make a sensory impact not otherwise achieved. Texture is important, especially in disabled bathrooms, a textured tile offers more grip which can help avoid slips and falls, especially when wet.

Andrea Haraldsen from Harlowe & Thistle is excited about this new trend: “From over-sized florals, confetti bursts and subtle damask prints, the small squares of the mosaic glass tile offer a cool pixelated look, tipping its hat to today's digital world. Whether behind a free-standing tub, shower or bathroom floor, the mosaic tile accent wall can add a whimsical wow factor into any bathroom.”

Mad about Vanities

The Americans may call them vanities, but they are far from a mere dressing table or the dingy cupboard under the sink. This trend is all about repurposing, hunting the antique shops and car boot sales for that one fabulous dresser, then putting a sink, the plumbing and a fresh top on it and calling it a vanity. While this may seem like an awful lot of effort, the effect is beautiful, bespoke and completely in keeping to whatever room you are trying to create. A bohemian bathroom may enjoy a chinoiserie-style vanity with bright new handles, while a more classic affair would appreciate and antique with a beautiful marble top. 

Bathroom Drama

Most bathrooms are compact and need to maximise the space available which often leads to minimal natural light. In an effort to keep spaces light and airy, many people choose light colour schemes, however that is being turned on its head this year as designers and interior decorators alike are choosing darker colours to turn up the drama. Keeping fixtures white and accents metallic adds a contrasting element to the room. Once this is layered with luxurious materials and plush dark towels, it adds a theatre to an otherwise functional space. Ideal Home suggests: “Jazzing up plain white ceramics has never been easier, so if you have an adventurous nature, embrace it and pair simple sanitary ware with splashes of colour, angular geometrics and chintzy florals. Do take time to think about your scheme – a mood board will help to focus your ideas – and be bold with your colour choices. This year’s shades are elegant and rich – think rich aubergines, deep-sea blues and gorgeous greys.”

Outdoor pursuit

While there has been a recent trend to keep bathrooms sterile with a colour scheme of white and tones of grey, this year will see an influx of natural materials and warmer tones creeping into the bathroom sphere. You can bring a touch of this with woven baskets and botanical prints, or opt for raw wooden surfaces and rattan mats. Moving away from last year’s influx of copper and rose gold, accessories are taking on a much rougher and unfinished appearance, with the market being flooded by rough-cut geode undressed stone accoutrements.  

Andrew Crawshaw, director of design at Smarter Bathrooms, insists that indoor plants are key to this trend: “The indoor plant will bring the outside in and form part of the bathroom design. They will no longer be a simple accessory but an integral, changeable element that can move with the seasons.”

Kimberly from Swoon Worthy has a few ideas as to why we are looking for more ergonomic shapes this year: “Immersed in technology from day to night, people are looking to surround themselves with objects that ground a space and bring them back to nature, reviving a sense of balance to their lives. We’ll see more organic shapes and textures by way of raw and unfinished wood, natural fabrics like wool and linen and the use of materials like cork. House plants will remain popular into the next year as well. Handmade ceramics will also continue to trend with soft curved shapes and organic form in even utilitarian objects.”

Industrial Revolution

Tiles may be moving further away from the subway chic that has dominated for the past couple of seasons, however not everything is heading for luxury trappings. Exposed and old fashioned plumbing is definitely desirable, with all copper accents polished to a high shine. Boxy cabinets and sparse furnishings are all on trend, but they can be made more vibrant by a sing colour accent brought in to warm up what can be seen as stark. Alternatively this works well with the outdoor trend. Ferns and succulents soften the hard edges and a couple of rush mats bring texture and warmth to the floor.

Eleanor Joslin from Mirage Ceramics thinks industrial is here to stay: “One of the most influential trends in bathroom design is “industrial”, with the gritty aesthetic of concrete, brushed metal and exposed structural elements. However, in our bathroom sanctuaries the look is less ‘rough and ready’ and more ‘industrial-chic’, with polished concrete walls and floors. It’s rumoured that resin-effect tiles will cement themselves as favoured options for floor and wall coverings, especially in 2017.” 

Image Credit:Max Pixel

This news article is from Handicare UK. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only.