Bathrooms
10 Bathroom Trends You’ll See Everywhere In 2018
Published on January 30, 2018
Refreshing a bathroom doesn’t always require a total overhaul: it can be as simple as swapping out a faucet or light fixture, wallpapering, or adding drapes. Click through for the latest bathroom trends on the style horizon guaranteed to turn your space into a chic retreat.
The shine isn’t off warm metals, particularly unfinished brass that changes its patina over time, but there’s a shift away from bright, reflective gold. Dark fixtures in a matte finish have a heritage appeal that represents the next evolution for bathroom fixtures, and offers a strong contrast against white countertops.
We’ve always been fans of statement wallpaper in powder rooms. While overblown florals in inky shades grabbed a lot of attention in 2017, there is a shift to more abstract repeats that resemble brushstrokes, watercolors or fine art prints. Schumacher’s Queen of Spain wallpaper in the powder room of Drake’s party planner, Catriona Smart, nails the unique, artisanal quality,
Industrial fixtures have been having a major moment, but the needle has shifted to more polished pieces that rely on sculptural shapes and a generous scale to deliver the drama. These warm brass globe sconces pack a punch, and balance the gutsy wallcolor and graphic floor.
Window treatments are necessary for most bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean they need to be workaday. Sheers doubled with lush, floor-to-ceiling drapes create an incredible feeling of softness, warmth and luxury to soften hard surfaces such as marble and porcelain.
Artworks elevate a bathroom and lend a beautiful focal point. (Plus, proper framing can help preserve prints in a humid environment.) In Lynda Reeves’ renovated bathroom, the herringbone floor and white walls create a gallery-like setting for framed works and a torso sculpture, set on a clear display plinth. The result is sophisticated and serene.
In our January 2018 trends issue, we identified color blocked tiles as a major trend, but mixing tiles in the same colorway is a low-key take on this trend. Here, a mix of white penny rounds and honeycomb tiles delineate the space and add interest, without the busyness. Sometimes it’s nice to tackle the morning rush with a quieter tile treatment.
The charm of global finds warms up bathrooms. In the bathroom of designer Sam Sacks, she loaded up an antique cabinet with Hammam towels, worldly baskets and pottery for personality and interest.
A bouquet of blossoms is always a welcome touch on a vanity, but bright bathrooms with a lot of natural light can get a major boost from larger, tropical plants. In this space, Brian Gluckstein carved out a special place for this spectacular palm, which gives the room a summery vibe even in the dead of winter.
It was only a matter of time before the popularity of mid-century modern style made its presence felt in the bathroom. In this standout example, it’s not just the furniture-like vanity, but the tub surround, which is clad in medium-tone wood for a look that’s warm and never fussy.
Rustic Japanese and African stools have been a spa bathroom staple in recent years, but now they are giving way to something a little more luxe and decadent. Petite cocktail tables in warm metals hold essentials, but add a bit of Hollywood indulgence to a morning routine or late night soak.
Alex Lukey
House & Home December 2017
Haddington Developments, Kirsten Marshall of Palmerston Design Consultants