What do UK consumers want in their bathroom?

As bathroom installers know, what pleases one customer is not necessarily going to please another, but there are certain design trends that are likely to be a cornerstone of any current refurbishment project. Here’s a guide to some of the latest ideas that should help to ensure your customer’s bathroom is bang up to date.

While many UK households may have had to tighten their budgets this year, most consumers still want their bathroom to be more than just a functional room to dash in and out of before getting on with the day. They will be happy to invest in products that will help to add style and comfort, and take up design ideas that will enhance one of the most important rooms in the home. So what are some of the key trends to look out for?

1. Natural Materials

With most consumers looking to minimise their impact on the environment, it is not surprising that sustainability and the use of natural materials, such as ceramics, wood and stone, are viewed as being increasingly important to any bathroom design project. Marble and wood are two tactile materials which offer an opportunity to showcase unique markings and details and work well together, with wood providing texture and warmth while contrasting with a cold marble surface. The use of plants and foliage represents another popular bathroom trend, helping to create a sense of sanctuary, as consumers recognise the psychological benefits of being closer to nature.

2. Smart technology

As in other areas of the modern home, smart technology is likely to be a big feature of both current and future bathrooms, enhancing the user’s experience and providing extra comforts and convenience. Much of the technology is already available, of course, including LED mirrors with integrated touch screens, voice-activated lighting and temperature control and music devices which can be safely operated from the comfort of a hot bath or shower. For those who want to save on water and keep track of their energy bills, the latest smart showers can help to limit time under the showerhead and will also provide facts and figures on hot water usage.

 Featuring soft curves and smooth lines, Lily is a new ceramic range from PJH’s Bathrooms to Love brand

 Duravit’s HygieneGlaze and open rim design ensures that toilets are hygienic and easy to clean

3. Paint it black

Whether designing showers, brassware, shower enclosures or bathroom furniture, manufacturers know that they would be missing out on a sizeable slice of the market if they were not to produce a black coloured option. Matt black has been the dominant colour of numerous product launches in the last few years as consumers and designers appear to have finally tired of the all-white aesthetic. And now other bold colours are predicted to come on stream as UK consumers look to mix things up with more striking and uplifting finishes.

4. Warm metallics

Offering a further touch of colour in the bathroom are brushed metallic finishes, such as brushed gold and bronze, which provide an alternative to polished chrome and produce warmer tones and a softer style to rooms which can otherwise look too bright and clinical. Having gained popularity in kitchens, gunmetal is another finish that is set to feature more heavily in the modern bathroom, said to represent a soft industrial style and providing a foundation for other more vibrant colours.

5. Wall panelling

Quick to fit and easy clean, wall panelling is an increasingly popular alternative to tiles and presents another opportunity for homeowners to make a style statement that reflects their individual preferences. The grout-free solution, which can be fitted over existing tiles if required, can help to create a feature wall in the bathroom and come in a wide choice of patterns and intricate designs which would be something of a challenge to replicate with tiles.

6. Improved hygiene

Reflecting the lasting impact of the recent pandemic, it is not too surprising that many consumers are taking hygiene more seriously throughout the home, and the bathroom is a natural focus of attention. Manufacturers have responded to concerns by offering an increasing number of products that come with an anti-bacterial glaze, while there has also been a growth in demand for bidet-style toilets or smart WCs which promise the user the ultimate in cleanliness, hygiene and comfort.

7. Curved design

Linked to a desire to create more welcoming interiors, there has been a general trend that favours softer flowing lines around the home, and the bathroom is no exception. Moving away from linear lines and sharp angles, the modern bathroom is characterised by more curves and rounded edges which offer a softer feel and help to create a more inviting space. The trend towards gently rounded sanitaryware has been supported by similar curvaceous designs in brassware and bathroom furniture.

8. Freestanding baths

Perhaps not an option for every home, but a freestanding bath is an easy way to add a touch of luxury for properties blessed with a more spacious bathroom. For those favouring a more traditional look, one of the most popular freestanding options is the claw-foot bath, which stands on four feet, as opposed to some contemporary freestanding baths that sit flush on the ground or on a pedestal. Larger bathtubs are also proving to be a popular investment, inviting the user to stretch out and relax in the sanctuary of a steaming soak.

9. Japandi aesthetics

Japandi bathroom ideas are said to be bigger than ever as homeowners strive to create calm and minimalist spaces. Japandi style, a blend of Scandinavian and Japanese interior influences, encourages the use of natural materials and combines minimalist design with faultless functionality. The use of clever, hidden storage solutions results in less clutter in the bathroom and helps to create a calmer, more relaxing environment.

10. Chequered tiles

An increasingly popular feature on either floors or walls, the two-tone checkerboard look appears to be back in fashion. The classic design staple adds pattern and colour to a bathroom, whether using traditional white and black tiles or contrasting, more muted shades that can help to achieve a softer, warmer look. Large tiles are another big bathroom trend. Not only do they make a small space appear bigger, but they also provide a luxurious, hotel feel and offer the additional practical advantage of being easier to clean than smaller tiles.

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