What's Trending In Bathrooms

Shiny and New

Brass and brushed gold among this year's bathroom trends

By Ted McIntyre

The bathroom remains near the top of the charts of home remodelling projects. And upcoming trends forecast that both warmer colour palettes and industrial hardware will play a huge role this year, according to Kenana Al Yakobi, Pfister Canada Channel Manager for Spectrum Brands Inc. While polished chrome finishes and modern minimalist aesthetics inspired bathroom design throughout last year, this year has been showcasing classic brass finishes, vintage fixtures and natural elements.

“With living spaces becoming smaller, people want to maximize bathroom space, yet still achieve a luxurious feel,” says Al Yakobi. “Functional fixtures combined in classic hardware finishes can help to provide this sense of luxury.”

Here’s what Pfister cites as trending for the new year:

Brass and Brushed Gold Finishes

One of the biggest comebacks in bathroom design is the re-emergence of brass. Reflected in the jewellery industry, there has been a slow transition from silver and nickel, to gold-toned finishes. Use subtle brushed gold touches in cabinet hardware or faucet features to bring depth and classic luxury into any space.

Matte Black

The use of darker hues in bathroom design started becoming popular in early 2018 and will continue to impact trends. Specifically, matteblack light fixtures, tiles, vanities and mirrors will bring a polished pop of contrast to modern room designs. Swap traditional showerheads with matte black fixtures to create dimension.

Industrial Elegance

Combining industrial sinks and vanities with classic colour palettes and organic materials is an urban trend we've seen increasingly this year. The sleek and modern edge of industrial fixtures complements a variety of traditional finishes and woodgrains, and works well within smaller apartment spaces. Expect to see exposed pipes and other metallic touches as focal points in the modern bathroom.

Greenery and WoodGrain

A home decor trend that is sure to impact bathroom design is the tendency to bring natural elements indoors. Rather than incorporating plastics and disposable goods into a living space, environmentally conscious materials such as unfinished woods, exposed bricks and greenery continue to be popular.

Bathroom Innovations

Technology will have a definite impact when it comes to the practicality of bathroom features this year. From smart mirrors to bluetooth systems, this year has delivered new and innovative devices that make life more convenient. Hands-free technologies are increasingly popular, as they allow you to turn the water on and off with ease.

“Small, relatively inexpensive projects such as swapping a faucet or Roman tub with new hardware can make a significant impact,” says Al Yakobi. “Selecting the right trend that works with your (client’s) space and desired budget is essential to creating a bathroom that is both luxurious and efficient.”