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ALONE TIME

Annabelle Hunt, Colour Consultant, Bridport Timber & Flooring

As the old year has now blurred into the new, once again we find ourselves trying to juggle work, home schooling and childcare, whilst coping with anxiety, isolation, and loneliness, all within our own four walls. Many of us have wrangled, repurposed, and commandeered spaces within our homes to help us find space to work, study, exercise, and play. Since open-plan living became de riguer in the 70s, nothing has had such a profound effect on the way we use our homes. Whilst communal living has its benefits, the desire for privacy has increased. According to a John Lewis survey conducted last year, one in five of us has created spaces in our homes for ourselves or others to be alone, whether that is a comfortable chair for reading in, in a hallway, or a cushion on a quiet windowsill. One of the most surprising statistics is that nearly one in ten of the people surveyed said they have even tried working from their bathroom.

This started me thinking. Bathrooms are often one of the smallest rooms in a house and an awful lot of functionality must be worked into a tiny space. They can end up feeling rather clinical and lacking in character, but if you’re thinking about creating your own private little sanctuary you can retreat to, to de-stress and unwind, colour is by far the easiest way to add personality. There is absolutely no reason why a bathroom can’t feel as inviting as any of the other rooms in your house.

As far as trends go, it should come as no surprise that with the rise in popularity of more rustic, cosy interiors, all-white bathrooms are out, and decadent statement bathrooms are definitely in. Think bold, patterned tiles and walls painted in saturated or moody colours. We are even seeing a revival of the coloured suite in soft pinks, greens, and blues, even black. I realise for some that may be a step too far, but if you like the idea even though it scares you just a little, you could dabble in the downstairs loo rather than taking the plunge, as it were, with the bath.

For those who prefer a more relaxed, pared-back feel, but want to avoid a sterile atmosphere, natural pigments will warm up your bathroom scheme. Soft, warm tones of terracotta, caramel, and biscuit with tiles in earthy colours and tactile finishes provide an antidote to cold and clinical. The use of natural or vintage wood and lush foliage plants will add textural interest and create a direct link with nature and a warm, nurturing mood.

Finally, never underestimate the importance of window-dressing in the success of any interior scheme. As long as your room is well ventilated, you can add drama and elegance to a bathroom, as well as warmth, with curtains or a blind in a gorgeous fabric that will really add the wow factor.

Whether you are stumbling out of bed on a cold, dark morning or indulging in a relaxing soak at the end of the day, a space that reflects your style and fits with the colour scheme of the rest of your house will have a much more positive influence on you than a stark, soulless box. The bathroom after all is where we start and end our day.

bridporttimber.co.uk