BATH AND BODY WORKS
Often overlooked in the style stakes, bathrooms reflect your personality just as much as any other room. David Kohler lists five trends to watch out for.
Not just a space to cleanse, wipe and dry, the humble washroom is now full of high tech products, bright colours and innovative ideas. Experts share all you need to know.
Our toilets represent those few moments of personal space everyday when we recharge ourselves before dealing with the world outside. Some of us like retreating with a book while some just want quiet time to introspect. So, whether you’re considering a full-fledged renovation or just looking for elements that can uplift your special space, these top bathroom trends of 2016 will come handy. Take a pick and choose one that fits the character of your home.
The White on White Bathroom
1There is a move toward simplicity in a cleaner, more contemporary way. That's not to say bathrooms are going to completely lose their cosy, rustic charm for all-out glamour, but they will have cleaner lines and more minimalist, modern vibe. A pure
white-on-white palette can create a total spa like ambience and have an extremely powerful effect on the mind, paving the way for total relaxation. A room with several shades of white captures and reflects light in a unique way. Bright and refreshing in daylight, it glows with warmth at dusk. White also works in any design style from traditional to contemporary. Adding gleaming metallic accents to an all-white bath is a great way to infuse glamour and sparkle. As with fashion, an easy way to get the look is with accessories—in this case mixing the silvery faucet and light sconces with glints of gold in the glass cages, all against a brilliant white backdrop.
Noir Bathroom
2Black never goes out of trend. Bold black, whether matte or glossy or slate, has the power to convert your bathroom from dreary to chic. From toilets and textures to fixtures and faucets, black can add elegance and sophistication to your bathroom. But every trend comes with certain rules. Black is never going to work for your bathroom if you apply it across every surface. You must carefully select the areas of application, and use other surface textures and colours as compliments. The most on trend combination is monochrome with crisp geometries and strong contrasts, it brings life to the bath. Accessories with glass bottles, framed art and white vanity with legs to personalise your space.
The Smoky Sultry Bathroom
3Having ruled the runway for being the hottest beauty trend, enigmatic, smoky shades are now making their way into interiors, adding warmth not only to the living spaces but bathrooms as well. All the key trends for 2016 have an element of gold in them. Look out for champagne golds, sun-kissed caramels, gleaming coppers and dusky greys. These lustrous hues translate across all elements and can result in a smoky, sultry effect. Combining these with warm mocha backdrop, marbled floors with metallic hues and antique mirrors gives a classic look to the entire space. Use of brass and copper is also wildly popular in cabinet hardware, faucets and lighting. Sultry stones and warm gold-tones especially in taps, sinks, heated towel rails and products like copper baths ooze opulence and longevity.
The Playful Pattern Bathroom
4When it comes to designing interior spaces, we love pattern everywhere, especially in the bathroom. Wheth-
er it is on the floor, or on the wall, pattern makes an unforgettable statement and adds dimension and visual interest to your space. From bright geometric motifs to subdued botanical prints and florals, pattern can bring any room to life. Today it’s all about uniquely tactile patterns, oversize scaled prints, and dramatically layered applications using out-of-the-ordinary materials. Go bold with larger than life motifs for bright wallpapers, complemented with neutral fixtures and faucets to strike a balance. If bold pattern makes you a little nervous go the more subtle route with one single pattern such as our Hexagon in one solid colour. Choose products with clean, modern style and strong design lines to complement the layered patterns in the bathrooms.
The Colour Blocked Bathroom
5A trend that has periodically come back into fashion since the 70s, colour blocking makes its way from fashion runways to the homes. Whether paired with white, the versatile black or the evergreen monochrome, blocks of colour energise the washroom. For an ultramodern look that oozes edginess with a playful twist, opt for a dark base colour and then introduce a colour block (like eye-popping bright hues) to cut through the moody overtones. Accented shower spaces also add an oomph factor to the bathroom. If you’re not confident choosing hues that will work together or would prefer a scheme that’s a little subtler, a simple solution is to layer your bath space with tones in the same colour family, rather than colours that clash. To add extra visual interest, introduce contrasting textures, including matte, glossy, metallic and tiled surfaces. Traditional-style countertops and vanities in deep walnut help tame a riot of colour.
It may be the smallest and most utilitarian room, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with the decor.
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