Make a big splash in your bathroom

Stylish solutions you can bring in to give your bathroom that luxurious spa-like quality.

When it comes to making our rooms work harder, perhaps it’s time to stand back and see the bigger picture in the bathroom.

A place where we can escape the day-to-day and take time out for ourselves, this haven also has the potential to be pivotal in our decorative prowess – but all too often they’re last on our list when it comes to home improvements.

“I ask clients to start by looking at the bathroom with their living room eyes,” says Emma Merry, director of Emma Merry Styling and an interior designer on Houzz.co.uk, the home renovation and design platform.

“Think of it as a place to relax with luxe touches. A space that evokes the feeling of rest and rejuvenation, but you can definitely still have fun with the design.”

Many of us have taken a step away from the functional all-white space over the last few years, with homeowners and designers on Houzz making bolder design choices, investing more in their wash space and embracing a more varied palette.

“In 2021, the term ‘blue bathroom’ shot up by 170% in searches and the term ‘pink bathroom’ doubled in popularity, while ‘green tiled bathroom’ saw an increase of more than a third,” says Victoria Harrison, editor at Houzz.

“Dark tones are also proving popular, with searches for ‘black shower’ rising significantly.”

Blending function with flair, if you’d like to dip your toe into a more maximalist bathroom design, professionals on Houzz recommend starting with the cloakroom or downstairs toilet (if you have one).

“This smallest room is the perfect place to have some fun, whether you choose a dramatic wallpaper, interesting tiling or a gold ceiling, the options are endless,” suggests Harrison.

“Just as living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms become hybrid spaces to enable working from home, our bathrooms are also spaces that should work hard and offer versatility,” says Lauren Kavanagh, Hovia’s creative designer.

“Consider flexible, multi-use pieces for your bathroom to optimise the space you have,” Kavanagh adds.

“Cater for more compact bathrooms by opting for

vanity units that feature removable storage baskets, or boxes that can be moved or adapted with use over

time.”

Remember, there might be pockets of space that can be used up more wisely – like beneath a sink or basin. Depending on your budget, don’t feel like everything needs to focus on the bath, even though we’d all love to slip effortlessly into a luxurious freestanding bath. But there’s a whole room to play with. “I’ve built a design around a sink before,” says Merry. “We started with a oneof-a-kind terrazzo basin, which we wall mounted with satin brass taps, and we let this be the focal point for the room. Paired with a muted colour palette of soft sage and creamy taupe, we laid the tiles in a stripe pattern in key areas of the room.

“The overall effect is still a calming space,” she adds, “but the design is that little bit more exciting and allows the beauty of that key piece to shine.”

Focusing attention on the walls is a perfect way to jazz up a bathroom, with scope to really create an impact.

“Incorporating a tile with a striking print can instantly refresh your bathroom space,” says Kavanagh. “Pair bold tiles with colour block walls, for a contrasted look that excites the eye but isn’t overwhelming in a small space.”

Patterned geometric, botanical or texture effect wallpaper is a great way to bring in personality, warmth and character.

“Also, experiment with cork for its natural beneficial properties for this room, such as its resistance to mould and mildew.”

And if the budget is tight and a complete restyle is out of the question, there are lots of ways to update a look by switching up accessories.

“If you’re low on cupboards, try hanging storage,” suggests Kavanagh. “Hanging baskets in the shower and on the walls is a fun way to keep all your toiletries and towels tidy.

“It’s also a much simpler DIY option than putting up shelves.”