Despite being one of the most frequently used rooms in the house – as well as one that most guests will visit during their stay – the bathroom is often the most neglected when it comes to decor and layout. This is largely because of the smaller space they occupy, and the perceived need for ‘function over fashion’.
At Barratt Homes, we take great pride in our bathrooms. We understand that they need to provide a space of sanctuary for a home’s inhabitants, whether they be an early morning commuter, a busy mum, a wellness warrior or a gym addict. This is why we are so careful when designing our layouts and choosing our sanitary ware: we know that today’s house buyer wants a modern, high-quality finish that with any interior, whatever their tastes.
But how do you turn a confined space with a fixed layout into a statement that’s distinctly your own? It’s easy. Here are some of our top tips to transform your bathroom, whether you want an oasis of calm or a picture-perfect retreat you’ll show off on Pinterest.
1. Get back to nature
With its watery setting, the bathroom is a particularly appropriate room in which to bring the outdoors inside and celebrate the calming effects of the natural world.
If you want to paint or paper your walls, start with a neutral, earthy tone – sand, stone, moss for example – and use this as your base. Accessories will then bring this look to life. Choose bamboo or wood for mirror frames, toilet seats, bathroom units and other storage objects such as soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. You can enhance this look further by choosing natural sponges and loofahs, and avoiding synthetic materials for mats and laundry baskets – seagrass, wicker and chunk cotton rope materials look great!
Finally, your bathroom wouldn’t be a shrine to nature without some greenery! Many plants thrive brilliantly in the warmth and humidity of the bathroom, many of which are known air purifiers too.
Aloe Vera plants, for example, needs some light, so it is best placed on a window sill, however the mist from a shower will in most cases be enough for it to thrive. Bamboo, on the other hand, needs very little natural light, nor does it require soil! All you need to do is place the stalk into a decorative container filled with pebbles and water and change the water every two to four weeks.
Other great bathroom plants, depending on the light and shade provided in your bathroom, include Begonias, Dragon Plants, Mother-in-Law’s tongue, Peace Lilies and English Ivy.
2. Be bold
Due to its size, a bathroom is a fantastic place in which to be bolder and try out ned trends. Even better, there are numerous ways to explore this trend, ranging from ‘easy for beginners’ to ‘not for the faint-hearted’.
And, even if you’re not so brave, or have an idea that you’re unsure will work, the bathroom is a great place to start as it is easier and cheaper to change the colour scheme in a smaller space. It’s also easier to get away with bold designs in small spaces such as walls with half height tiling or shower cubicles.
One simple way to achieve this trend is to hang statement wallpaper. It is now relatively easy to find some really exciting prints ranging from full murals and jungle friezes to eye-catching geometric designs and lifelike outdoor textures such as industrial brick and ancient marble. To ensure the effect lasts, avoid hanging paper directly behind a bath or hand basin and seal your new walls with matt decorator’s varnish.
For those with a bigger budget and a braver disposition, bold geometric tiling is filling the pages of style magazines and Pinterest feeds alike. These should be paired with contemporary angled sanitary ware to avoid overloading the space. Alternatively, oversized tiling with a marbled finish or bold colour can create an equally exciting backdrop for more interesting bath and basin shapes (vntage styling is becoming increasingly popular), bold artwork, statement taps or daring plants or ornaments.
For those feeling bold, coloured baths and basins are back! Not the avocado kind though – stick with bold, luxury hues such as navy and black.
3. Metallic luxe
Finally, if you want to add a bit of decadence to your daily bathroom routines, this is the trend for you – and you can be as restrained or as fabulous as you like with it!
For a look that echoes classic opulence, opt for brass or copper taps and fixtures. These warm metallics offer a warm, vintage feel unlike more modern cool, chrome finishes. They also work well with luxurious hues such as deep navy, racing green and deep purple, which will immediately transform your bathroom into a sumptuous space for pampering bath time rituals. Gold and brass also pair beautifully with an array of accessories, from elegant chandelier styled light fittings and period candle holders, to plush velvety mats and robes, ornately framed mirrors and decadent art prints.
If you don’t want your bathroom to look too dark, then you can achieve the ‘luxe’ look by pairing dark tiles with pure white walls and gold finishes. The result is timeless and effortlessly elegant and wouldn’t look out of place in the trendiest boutique hotels. This look works especially well with monochrome ceramics – think full black or geometric patterned tiles, black bath and basin and chessboard flooring – and minimalist accessories.
For those who want to maximise their cool chrome fittings, silver and pewter can be paired effectively with nudes, pinks and greys to achieve a more modern environment that’s equally as luxurious. Make sure that you fill your bathroom with cosy textiles, however, to ensure it feels warm and inviting. Thick fluffy towels, bath mats and robes will do the trick!
Why not check out our website for further inspiration? We work with many of the nation’s trendiest designers to create our show properties, and many of them are available to see online at www.barratthomes.co.uk