Interior Style

11 bathroom trends to turn your bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary

Article by Your Home and Garden

From high fashion to highly functional, here’s what we’ll be wanting in our bathrooms

Has there ever been a more exciting time to renovate a bathroom? Style watchers are spotting a plethora of stunning trends that seem likely to last well beyond 2023. The key to their longevity is that they’re all built around one key trend: the elevation of the bathroom beyond a practical space, to become a sanctuary of individual style.

Interior designer Nicola Ross from Nicola Ross Design says that this is a natural consequence of turmoil in the outside world. “To be able to live in homes that feel special and unique to us, that we can come back to after being out in the world and feel relaxed, is important. Our homes are our safe space, so taking our likes and dislikes and distilling that into a visual representation of who we are is key.”

Earthy tones

It’s time for terracotta to shine again. This classic material is the backbone of one of the strongest trends in bathrooms, the rise of earthy tones. A reaction to the sterile spaces that once dominated bathroom design, the new look bathroom is warm, organic and inspired by nature. Jess Brewer, general manager at TileHaus, explains, “We’ll see a continuation of earthy tones, moving away from beige and more into browns, sands, terracottas, burnt orange and even blush pinks, paired with natural stone/stone looks and complemented by the moss and sages tones that are still big this year.” For tapware, warm metals work beautifully with these toasty hues, and Paula Vargas of Abi Interiors predicts that “warm tones like brass and copper will continue in popularity”.

To the maximalist

If earthy tones are too low key for your taste, Nicola says, “The other [trend] is the push towards more fun with an individual bent, including colour, layering and a more maximalist style. People are being braver with colour, and not sticking to neutral schemes in the interests of resale.”

The watchword with this trend is individuality, meaning anything goes, if it’s what you love. If pastel tones are your jam, there are loads of sorbet-sweet bathroom products to choose from. Or, if you really want your bathroom to pop, Jess says, “Playful use of colour is set to be big this year. Bright oranges, yellows and mustards will feature highly”.

On the tiles

The subway tile has left the station – at least, in the standard format we’re familiar with – and experimenting with tiles is in. It’s not necessarily about going bold with colour, but it’s about being creative with the way tiles are laid, and using interesting patterns or grout effects to make a statement. “We’re going to see more and more people using tiles in interesting ways – whether it is coloured grout, or interesting grout spacing/lines, tiles on curved walls, or checkerboard patterns,” says Jess. If you’re after a low-key tiling effect, or a riff on the classic subway, Jess expects to see smaller subway tiles popping up as an alternative, as well as square tiles, which are still enjoying their moment in the sun.

Organic textures

The antithesis of high gloss tiles and wipeable surfaces, textured materials are migrating from cosy living spaces to traditionally functional zones like the bathroom. In the world of tiles, Jess predicts, “Texture, texture, texture. Lots of organic textures, and the handmade look will be big this year.”

Beyond tiles, matte surfaces abound, from brushed metal tapware to matte (rather than the usual gloss) ceramic basins. Walls are also getting the textured treatment, says Paula. “Textured walls have definitely been making their way into bathrooms, and we’ve already spotted a few New Zealand homes exploring this further. Textured wall ideas include Venetian plaster, otsumigaki [Japanese clay and lime plaster], and micro concrete.”

Curveballs

Curved surfaces have been inching into homes and taking the edge of our angles for a while now, and they work beautifully to visually soften hard surfaces in bathrooms – think gracefully rounded basins, baths and arched bath spouts. This year will see our bathroom spaces get even more voluptuous, says Jess. “Curves continue to be a big trend in 2023 and I think we’ll see quite a lot of the curved showers this year.” The curved shower is a standout statement piece, but other ways to rock your curves include custom rounded vanities, arched or circular mirrors, and arched doorways.

New wave sinks

Traditional white ceramic sinks once dominated, but now they have plenty of competition, with basins in an artist’s palette of colours and a range of exciting materials, from stone to concrete. If you’re looking for a statement piece for the bathroom, basins are poised to take the crown in any scheme, whether you’re after the elegance of marble, the moody seductiveness of black granite, or a pastel-pretty peach stone. Concrete basins continue to win fans with their subtly textured finish – each has its own unique variances – and extensive range of hues. “The versatile and durable nature of concrete basins will continue rising in popularity, especially as we see more moody and industrial schemes counterbalance the light, curved themes of recent times,” says Paula.

Softening a hard space

The old design adage ‘form follows function’, yet in bathroom design, form has often eaten function’s dust. But that’s not the case any more Nicola says, “Bathrooms are no longer just bathrooms, they are the place we start and end our days, so creating spaces that create an emotional response is key.” What this means in practice, is bathrooms are becoming warmer and more welcoming, places to linger rather than just shower and shave. “We see a softer approach with the inclusion of soft furnishings, artwork and plants in projects,” Nicola says. Harness the trend by looking to finer details – add art that speaks to you, soft furnishings like plush rugs (not just bath mats), and dress windows with fabric blinds or drapes.

Bespoke vanities

In line with the trend towards more personalised spaces, bathroom designers are reporting an increased demand for custom vanities over off-the-rack alternatives. This gives homeowners freedom to design bespoke solutions (think make-up stations or pimped up internal storage), and to embrace luxurious finishes, from stone to rich timber tones. “We have completed a few projects where we wrapped the vanity in stone to create monolithic structures, which has been really successful,” says Nicola. “The idea of creating vanities with a lot of detail, to create a piece of furniture within the bathroom, is an area that will only continue to grow.”

Shower luxe

Bye-bye poky shower cubicle. The new wave of showers are large and luxurious. Driven by practicality, they might include such elements as flat, walk-in access or even a built-in shower seat, which are fantastic inclusions for older or mobility-impaired users, or steam showers for an everyday spa experience. Beyond the useful, we’re seeing showers with eye-catching design features like multiple shower heads, statement tiles, picture windows and, of course, invisible glass shower screens to show off these features to best advantage.

Now you see it…

Storage is and always will be king, but we don’t want to see it any more. Nicola explains, “The need for the everyday storage is still there but the way we include it is changing. More and more it is becoming a concealed element within the overall design, so cabinetry is more likely to be clad to appear as part of the wall rather than simply a cabinet in the corner.” Take an outwardly casual attitude towards storage with a freestanding basin or slimline vanity – but then make up the deficit with secret or subtle cabinets recessed into the wall. After all, we still need somewhere to stash the spare towels and loo roll.

Feature lighting

Lighting has always been important, but often falls short in the bathroom – wrinkle-highlighting downlights as the only light source are woefully common. Lighting is finally starting to get the attention it deserves with practical lighting ideas, such as backlit mirrors and undercabinet sensor lights; a gorgeous range of wall sconces; and interesting feature lighting over key bathroom elements.