If you are planning to refresh your bathroom, stay ahead of the curve with these stylish ideas.
From brass accents to tactile finishes, individualism is the overarching theme that links the different trends set to influence bathroom design in 2018. Customise your bathroom to meet your exact needs, whether those focus on accessibility or simply creating a more beautiful space in which to relax.
Accented with an intricate geometric pattern, Omika by Vado unifies strong clean lines with a slim minimalist silhouette to perfectly complement a wide symmetrical body and spout.
1. Bring on the brass
Brass is the accent du jour for bathrooms in 2018, revealed on everything from taps, handles and towel holders to soap dishes and mirrors. The good news is that hints of brass can be incorporated into almost any decor style. Think dusky pinks, glamorous marble and brass accents for a soft feminine vibe. Experiment with rough timbers, inky accessories and aged brass for a moody vibe.
Top picks include the handsome Acme range from Aston Matthews, comprising taps and mixers, shower fittings, cistern controls and accessories in a scuffed living brass finish that develops an attractive patina with age.
Acme’s design is also of interest, suggesting that the trend for industrial-inspired design is still relevant to the conversation in 2018. Cue this three hole wall-mounted basin mixer, featuring an industrial-style wheel control with a tactile knurled grip.
Three hole wall-mounted basin mixer from the Acme collection at Aston Matthews, shown in a living brass finish (£336).
2. Make it matt black
Dare to dabble in the dark side with matt black fixtures and fittings that lend a dash of drama to the bathroom. Master the monochrome look by contrasting moody blacks with crisp white to create a timeless scheme that packs a punch. Alternatively, pump up the drama by mixing matt blacks with industrial touches.
Abode introduces a matt black finish to its popular Harmonie bathroom range. We are coveting this wall-mounted 2-hole basin mixer.
Gessi darkens the mood with an updated version of its Rettangolo collection of basin, bath and shower mixers, launched over 15 years ago. The new ‘K’ style shape – from which the redesign takes its name – softens the classic block shape of the original Rettangolo and is available in chrome, nickel and copper as well as stunning black (shown below).
Gessi Rettangolo K brassware, from £339 for a single lever mixer at CP Hart.
3. Stay in touch
Advances in manufacturing means pattern can crop up in the most unexpected places. Tap into the latest trend for texture on brassware with Italian manufacturer Stella 1882, which has upped the ante by using a decorative engraving technique called guilloche to add intricate patterns to the surface of its brassware.
The guilloche finish by Stella 1882 is hand-engraved by craftsmen at its workshop in Milan and is available across its complete range.
The observant among you may have noticed that texture is often reserved for parts of the tap that don’t come in regular contact with water, such as the handles. Trust Gessi to go against the grain with its gorgeous 316 featuring pattern that punctuates the body of brassware.
Pattern gives this fixture from Gessi’s 316 collection originality and warmth, available at West One Bathrooms.
4. In the frame
Inspired by the metal framed windows popular in the 1930s, crittal-style shower enclosures and panels are finding favour in the bathroom, perfectly complementing the trend for matt black fixtures as well as our love of all-things industrial.
A favourite of ours is this new, art deco inspired Victoria shower enclosure from UK manufacturer Drench, an excellent example of how industrial and classic design influences are merging to create show-stopping pieces. Cue the juxtaposition of straight and circular lines, which add a decorative edge to what would otherwise be a very utilitarian-looking product.
The Victorian shower enclosure by UK manufacturer Drench is crafted from toughened glass and 3mm-thick metalwork and exclusive at C.P. Hart.
Shower screen brand The Majestic Shower Company is also bang up to date with its much-anticipated MetalCraft, its first new collection since the release of its pioneering Frameless portfolio in 1993.
A fixed-frame design made by hand and comprising a minimalist aluminium frame in an impeccably finished matt black, MetalCraft comes in three variations: Frame, Horizon and Trellis (shown below).
Need more inspiration for your bathroom? Get the most for your money with our expert tips.
Prices start from £2,800 for MetalCraft Trellis by Majestic Shower Company.
5. Smart wc’s
Japanese-style washlets are nothing new, but they have failed to make their mark on the British market primarily because of their bulky, almost spacecraft-style aesthetic. That’s all set to change as the worlds biggest sanitaryware brands have come to the realisation that success lies in redesigning the washlet to look like a regular WC.
Cue Cleanet Riva by Laufen, defined by a streamlined aesthetic but packed full of high-end engineering including a shower function operated using the button located on the side of the WC bowl or via a touchscreen remote control, which allows its user to set personal preferences, including a choice of various spray modes, based on pressure, temperature and timing.
Laufen’s Cleanet Riva boasts various spray modes that can be personalised by pressure, temperature and timing. Priced around £3,990.
Arguably, the arrival of the slimmed-down washlet is a perfect fit for our smarter world where technology is incorporated into many elements around us, improving our overall quality of life and becoming an essential part of our day-to-day.
In-Wash Inspira by Roca is an excellent case in point, featuring in-built technology for exceptional personal hygiene that provides complete cleaning, care and comfort. What’s more, its soft curves and minimalistic design mean In-Wash will adapt perfectly to the interior design of any bathroom space for ultimate well-being.
Roca is revolutionising the bathroom with its new In-Wash Inspira smart toilet, priced around £2,399.
6. Ageless design
As multigenerational households increasing become more common, makers of the modern bathroom demand accessible designs that don’t sacrifice good looks. Manufacturers are responding with a range of products to suit all ages and levels of mobility.
Hansgrohe’s Unica Comfort shower bar is just one example, doubling as a sturdy grab handle for those less steady on their feet. The hand shower can be easily positioned at the desired height using just one hand, and an additional hand shower holder at the lower end of the bar is ideal for children, wheelchair users and those who like to shower sitting down.
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The Unica Comfort by Hansgrohe doubles as a shower bar or a convenient grab handle with integrated shower caddy for toiletries.
7. Living Bathrooms
As people spend more time in their bathroom to rest and recuperate, manufacturers are increasingly seeking to make products that strike a balance between style and function. The upshot is a space that moves beyond basic hygiene purposes with the help of statement pendant lights, storage that echoes the aesthetic of living room furniture and soft furnishings in the form of rugs and accent chairs.
We think the best example from 2017 is by German manufacturer Bette, which has developed a freestanding bath and floorstanding washbasin in glazed titanium-steel upholstered in a water-resistant woven fabric.
The BetteLux Oval Couture collection includes a freestanding bath made from glazed titanium-steel and upholstered in a water-resistant woven fabric. Priced around £6,872 from Bette.
Time to design your new bathroom:
Planning your project accurately can save you time and money. Try the new B&Q bathroom planner and see how your ideas will transform your home.