Bathrooms
March 9, 2017
10 Bathroom Trends You’ll See Everywhere In 2017
Planning a bathroom reno? Before you get started, discover what bathroom trends should be on your radar. From faucets to tiles, cabinets and more, these designer bathrooms are filled with ideas that are in vogue now, and will be for years to come.
Polished nickel and chrome reigned for decades but now unlacquered brass is having a moment in the sun. This finish develops a nice patina over time, which adds to the richness of this warm metal.
We called out the penny-round tile in our January 2017 trends issue because it’s a look with legs. Penny tiles have been a design staple for 100 years, but tiling the walls and floor for a cohesive look makes them feel fresh all over again.
The popularity of iron window frames and doors has naturally spilled over into the bathroom. The graphic contrast of the iron pops against pale marble. In this Calgary bathroom, a huge metal-framed shower mimics the dark window casements and has incredible architectural presence.
Artful floors are having a major moment in just about any room in the house, but in the bathroom high-impact tiles are practical, and a fun way to inject high-octane (waterproof) pattern.
Sometimes it’s the little things that have major impact. Whether they are tiled or backed by a contrasting stone (in this example Carrara marble), shower niches are getting a custom treatment so they stand out, in a good way.
The richness of wood grain is exactly the thing to warm up a bathroom. This floating vanity’s continuous grain is uninterrupted by panelling, or hardware — just simple finger pulls — for a luxury effect that highlights the beauty of this natural material.
Clean-lined, sculptural freestanding tubs in varying shapes offer a more modern look than drop-in tubs. Once considered a luxury splurge, they have become more accessible and their simplicity brings a spa-like serenity to bathrooms.
Book-matching (the practice of adjoining stone surfaces so they mirror each other, giving the impression of an opened book) gives the shower enclosure’s honed marble slabs a pleasing symmetry and fluid look, and makes the space look more expansive.
Consider this trend an extension of the dressing room. Lavishing the principal bathroom with a sophisticated wallpaper (in this case, a hand-painted Gracie wall covering typically seen in more formal rooms) turns a bathroom into an indulgent prep spot. If you’re hesitant about wallpaper in the bathroom, steer clear of fabric-based wallpaper, like grasscloth, keep the room well ventilated and use a good adhesive (such as Roman’s Pro-880).
A new breed of concrete tiles from Morocco typically pops up on floors, but they are inspiring designers to go a little bolder. In this case, H&H senior design editor Sally Armstrong had her eye on the ikat-style diamond pattern and couldn’t wait to try it in her own principal bathroom, noting it isn’t too trendy to stand the test of time.