Contemporary bathrooms evoke a sense of calm. Some are nature-inspired and are all about quiet relaxation. Many have splashes of opulence, similar to bathrooms in resorts or hotels, while others boast clean lines and a minimalist ambience. Many modern bathroom designs are a blend of contemporary styles with unique bespoke features.
What’s new in bathrooms
A sense of flow
Bathrooms and ensuites are more connected to other spaces in the home. Grant Vandenberg, general manager of marketing at Caesarstone, says designers aim to create a beautiful connection between the client’s sense of style and the home’s aesthetic. “This is achieved through colour palettes and materials that flow from the heart of the home into the wet areas,” he says.
Charis Lane, Cosentino showroom consultant and colour expert, agrees. Charis says designers are using the same, or complementary stone colour as the kitchen benchtops to achieve that beautiful sense of harmony. “They’re favouring the timeless style, high durability and stain resistance of engineered stones such as Caesarstone for bathroom surfaces,” says Charis.
Focus on flooring
It’s a long-held belief that timber can’t be used as flooring in bathrooms, but according to The Australasian Flooring Association, it can. Times are changing as new technology emerges, however, minimum performance requirements need to be met — and preparation is key. Timber needs to go through processes to ensure it’s protected from moisture, so choose carefully and always buy a product fit for your purpose and have it professionally installed.
Tiles, of course, are the most popular option in wet areas. As for what’s new in tiles, Janna Moore, Beaumont Tiles design specialist, says slab tiles are gaining momentum with early adopters. “They make bathrooms feel bigger, with fewer grout lines giving the illusion of a larger space,” she says.
Janna adds that using the same floor and wall tile is a timeless approach. “It always creates a sleek and cohesive look. Just be sure to check the technical qualities so it suits the desired application.”
Image courtesy of Beaumont Tiles. beaumont-tiles.com.au
Versatile vanities
Concrete benchtops create an organic earthy feel to a space. Concrete is robust and offers flexibility in design. These days you can opt for a concrete benchtop, vanity and basin — the one product for the complete package.
The same applies to some other materials. Charis says designers are embracing the non-porous nature of engineered stone and are now creating the entire vanity, including the basin from Caesarstone, and softening traditional straight edges with beautiful curves. “The design staple for bathroom design, engineered stone is hygienic and versatile, offering designers plenty of options,” he says.
Tempting tapware
When it comes to tapware, Grant says it’s beginning to take centre stage. “Feature faucets are really coming into the limelight and a minimalist vanity allows for other details to shine,” he says.
Like the jewel in the crown, the right tapware can give your bathroom a polished look that finishes it off with finesse. Brushed gold and brushed nickel are hot new looks in tapware to give the bathroom a clean, modern look. Designer demand for brass tapware remains strong — it adds a touch of glamour and a bespoke design element.
Luxury bathroom lighting
With most rooms in a home, lighting is derived generally from two sources: natural light through windows and doors, and supplemental lighting through light fittings. Jessica Gombault, interior design associate at Alexandra Kidd Design, says more lighting options are now being approved for wet rooms, which of course adds a whole new dimension to the concept of bathroom lighting. “There is so much variety; you can have a beautiful chandelier in the bathroom now. It’s amazing what you can achieve through modern bathroom lighting,” she reveals.
Task lighting is important in a bathroom. Sconces work well to shine the light on what you need, while backlit mirrors introduce a warm glow, turning a bathroom mirror into a focal point. Pendant lighting in bathrooms is also becoming more prevalent as demand increases for bathrooms that take their inspiration from luxury boutique hotels.
Generally, bathrooms don’t have large windows, but you can create natural illumination by positioning a skylight to invite in natural light. It’s something designers are introducing more and more to create a beautiful ambience.
The ensuite in the spotlight
The ensuite serves the same purpose as a bathroom, however, there some very unique differences. Interior designer Meredith Lee says an ensuite can be tailored more to specific users of the space. “An ensuite can have personal touches such as individualised storage,” she says. “Clients are also often happy to go with something a bit more special or unique that they like, rather than a design that’s broadly appealing.”
When designing an ensuite, space is often at a premium. Utilising wall space rather than floor space is a good idea. A wall-hung toilet with a concealed cistern will take up less room than a floor-mounted one. A wall-hung vanity with drawers also increases usable floor space. Meredith suggests inserting cabinets into wall cavities. “Think shaving cabinet style,” she says. “It’s useful to maximise storage without taking any extra space from the room.”
Overhead cupboards are a great storage option — add a row of them higher on a wall as a space saver and opt for a smaller vanity.
Meredith says a mirror can make an ensuite feel much larger as well as provide a decorative feature. “A mirror can maximise light reflection and the feeling of space,” she says.
For ensuite floors, Janna suggests opting for a darker shade of tile from the same range as your wall tile, if possible. “The two will complement and contrast each other in a way that is quite sophisticated and easy to achieve,” she says. “The darker-coloured floor tile will also anchor the space, while lighter walls give an illusion of height and increased space.”
If you have a larger ensuite and space permits, dual showers are the ultimate indulgence. A freestanding bath also adds a luxurious feel. If you don’t have space for an indoor bath and it’s high on your wish list, take it outside.
An outdoor bathtub can be positioned in a private space and you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while you bathe.
When decorating an ensuite, Meredith says there are some basic guidelines that will really add the
wow factor. “Keep it simple and don’t add too many accessories,” she advises. “Also remember that cool
colours such as blues and greens make rooms feel more spacious because they visually ‘recede’, and warmer colours such as reds, oranges and pinks pop out and can feel claustrophobic in smaller spaces.”
Luxe bathroom and powder room touches you’ll love
There are so many ways to give your bathroom a splash of luxury, including simple additions such as a bathroom caddy, potted plant, wall art or mirror. Interior design associate Jessica Gombault at Alexandra Kidd Design says mirrors are a simple way to add a beautiful design feature.
“Scale the size of mirror accordingly — if it’s a large space choose a big mirror, and for a smaller space such as a powder room use a small round or symmetrical mirror,” she suggests.
Who doesn’t love the soft pitter-patter of rain on a tin roof? Rain showers take the concept indoors; the gentle feel of a rain shower is sumptuous and soothing. Swap out your shower mixer and enjoy a rain shower. While you are at it, replace any dated tapware. Modern tapware is all about luxury and according to Jessica, it’s also highly durable.
“Contemporary tapware is life proof — it’s resistant to scratches and UV rays. Raw brass is designed to develop a patina as it ages and a gunmetal finish is very masculine. Both look wonderful,” she shares.
Art in a bathroom can give the space an instant touch of luxury. Jessica cautions that there needs to be adequate ventilation given it’s a steamy environment. Framed prints behind glass are also a good idea. Shelving is another opportunity for simple designer touches. “Shelving gives you space to add plants, artwork and other accessories that make the bathroom very personal and unique,” she says.
You can also bring the outdoors in with living greenery. “Some bathroom materials such as tile or stone are ornate and beautiful, but can appear cold,” says Jessica. “Plants are organic; they’re a living thing that grows and changes, and they’re also a natural air purifier.” Even a single-stem flower, such as an orchid, brings warmth and life to a bathroom.
When decorating your powder room, Jessica suggests adding special touches such as candles or scent sticks. “These create sensory memories, making the space personal and very special,” she says. Beautiful towels also add instant luxury. “Try strong graphics or go understated and play with earthy colours and texture,” she adds.
In the powder room, lighten the space with wallpaper. “Powder rooms can be dark,” notes Jessica. “Vinyl wallpaper is humidity-resistant; it’s suitable for bathrooms and powder rooms and there are many beautiful shapes, patterns and textures. To finish off your powder room, add a few little accessories. Choose two or three things that are strong enough to make a big difference, and let those tell the story.”
Article featured in Grand Designs Australia Magazine Issue 10.1