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Design Dilemma: Of the Moment Bathrooms

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Just like every other room of the house, the bathroom is subject to trends. And if you’ve ever walked into a pink and black-tiled bathroom or a powder room encrusted in silver lame` wallpaper, you’re well aware of that fact.

So what are the big trends happening this year?

Here’s a rundown.

Black, Black and more Black.

Now, we’re not just talking tiles, as in the uber-chic extra large subway tiles in the shower below. (By the way, unusual tile sizes, like 4 x 8 or 2 x 9 are very popular right now.)

Transitional Bathroom by Sausalito Architects & Building Designers Urrutia Design

We’re talking black tubs!

Contemporary Bathroom by Melbourne Architects & Building Designers Bagnato Architects

The bathroom above features a freestanding Caroma Noir bathtub. The black is picked up again in a Nero Tempest marble wall.

Here’s another example in a luxe traditional bathroom:

Traditional Bathroom by Bellevue General Contractors DESIGN GUILD HOMES

And a third, simpler bathroom picking up on this trend:

Transitional Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Palmerston Design Consultants

And finally, a very cool looking black stone tub:

Will we all cringe at this trend in a few years time? Maybe. But what you will notice is that all black tubs are freestanding tubs — some modern, and some the traditional clawfoot tub. Unlike the last time black made it’s way into the bathroom, you rarely see fixed tubs set into the wall in black.

Floating Vanities.

They’re baaa…ck! You may have long dispensed with the notion of floating vanities as being too impractical for your cramped little bathroom where you could use drawer and cabinet space for shampoos and towels and hair dryers. But nevertheless, floating vanities, no matter how impractical, are making a come back. And for those who love the look, there are advantages to this style. A floating vanity can open up floor space, making a small bathroom feel larger. It’s also so much easier to clean. Here’s a particularly nifty look below:

For those of us who can’t give up entirely on the notion of some storage, fortunately, more and more floating vanities also incorporate a little.

Curbless Showers

We’ve mentioned this trend in earlier posts, and it’s still going strong. Today’s showers move seamlessly from bathroom floor to shower floor.  This can be a great look particularly in small bathrooms, where an uninterrupted floor appears more spacious.

Neutral Matte Tiles in a Concrete Finish
Sure, shiny white subway tiles are a classic that will never go out of style, but this year, the rage seems to be in matte tiles in a neutral finish like concrete. Something like the tiles below: