Popular bathroom design styles

The bathroom has evolved a lot in the last hundred years. Once just a basic tub set in front of the living room fire and filled with buckets of water, the bathing experience is now a luxury in almost every Western home. Back then, a “bathroom” was something only the wealthy and privileged could afford to have in their home. It was this trend that led to the mass production of bathroom products.

The Edwardian and Victorian styles of the time are still a popular choice today. They look exquisite in a villa or cottage bathroom, never losing their appeal in terms of design.

Today, thanks to advanced plumbing and modern technology, the bathroom may have evolved as much as possible. With luxurious steam rooms and hydrotherapy baths, it’s hard to imagine how bathrooms could get more sophisticated. That said, the bathroom, like any room in the house, is constantly changing when it comes to design trends.

Here we look at the five most popular styles of bathroom designs. Traditional, Country, Shabby chic, Contemporary and Fantasy.

Traditional

Traditional bathroom can mean traditional in Edwardian or Victorian terms, or in relation to a standard white bathroom with basic fixtures and a bathtub. Here, we will take a look at the bathroom design style where it all began. The Edwardian Bath.

Over the past decade, with the popularity of TV shows like Locker Rooms, the old-fashioned bathroom trend has seen a real boom. A rare gem of an old slipper bath or rusty traditional faucet can be found in a junkyard or dumpster, but luckily manufacturers are keeping up with demand with skillfully crafted traditional bathroom products.

Certain rooms only work in certain houses, so if you live in a modern high-rise apartment, the traditional bathroom won’t work for you. If you have an old cabin or villa retreat, this bathroom style is one that you should definitely consider.

Almost always, the bathroom is the main attraction of the traditional bathroom. A freestanding rolltop or slipper tub sits proudly on a dark polished floor, and only if you opt for a traditional continental-style bathroom will an alcove or sunken tub look appealing. Whether it’s a wall mounted faucet or a freestanding faucet it looks stylish. Deep ridges and curved angles are what make traditional toilets what they are: bold and masculine.

When decorating a traditional bathroom, both soft tones and bold colors can work well. Strong shades of browns, maroons and greens add a nice warmth to the room, but make sure the bathroom is well lit, perhaps with a luxurious chandelier. With the right colors, antique gold can look better than chrome. Opt for curtains, never blinds. If you’re opting for a vanity over a traditional sink and pedestal, choose an oak or cherry finish; or the white Cynk vanity works well with traditional bathrooms and toilets.

One of the most attractive things about the traditional bathroom is that clutter gives it a more vivid effect, thus enhancing the traditional look. Don’t be afraid to put lots of pictures on the walls: black and white family portraits in gilt frames are a good option. A dresser or corner table with scented candles, aromatherapy oils, or flowers will really bring the room to life. As a finishing touch, a set of antique-style weighing scales, a large framed mirror, or a bulky traditional radiator will give the room that cozy feel of yesteryear.

Country

The country-style bathroom is perhaps the easiest type of design to create, and like the traditional bathroom, it only works well inside the right home. The classic country look is best associated with floral wallpaper, high beams, sink ruffles, and a bathroom canopy. Following the traditional design, cast iron baths and deep grooved toilets are what give the country bath its nostalgic look.

Plaid, floral or plaid curtains are preferred over roller blinds, and shutters, although rare in England, offer a great form of privacy as well as contributing to the country effect. Wood plays an important role in this aspect, and almost all furniture works well in this environment, especially dressers and cabinets made of beech, maple, ash and oak.

Tiles or wooden floors can be used. The tiles should be a rustic color and can be used to create elaborate mosaics. Wooden floors must be varnished to match the furniture. The décor may see a stenciled pattern used as a border, and the technique of rubbing paint onto the walls with a sponge gives the room a worn, natural look.

High-flush, pull-handle toilets are a rarity these days, but a must-have for the country bathroom, as are traditional faucets for the tub and sink. Just about any type of freestanding tub will suit the country bathroom. If you want to take a shower, the advisable option is a brick shower with tiles and a curtain to hide the area.

For the finishing touch, add pot pouri-filled wicker baskets, wire basket shelves, and elegant wall lamps.

shabby chic

“Shabby chic,” a relatively new phrase used to describe room designs, is a dark mix of sloppiness and style. It is one of the most difficult bathroom designs to create, and it takes a bold decision to go for this bathroom style. It almost certainly reaches its full potential in a continental home, be it a French chateau or an old Spanish villa.

The absolute opposite of a fitted bathroom, the shabby chic style is a mismatch of styles and products. You can even do the unexpected, like put a refrigerator in the corner. Nothing is expected to match up and pipes and plumbing are exposed rather than hidden. This style is best suited to those who have inherited a bathroom and want to update it a bit rather than spend on a new bathroom.

The key to the decoration is neutral tones with some dark colors. For the walls, choose a matte or flat wall paint. Pale golds and yellows work especially well, as do floral or plaid wallpaper.

As with rustic and traditional bathrooms, cast iron bathtubs are a must. Either a roll-top toilet or a slipper will do, and while you don’t want holes or rust, the more run-down it looks, the better. Even consider sandpapering over the paint job and claw feet. It’s always worth looking for vintage accessories at antique stores and trunk sales.

Countertop sinks are highly recommended in this environment, and very unusual decorated designs are sought after. Place it in a sink or on a shabby dresser. Add unique decorations and mirrors with antique frames.

Modern

Modern bathrooms are all about what you do with the space you have. In many bathrooms there is little space to work, so it is essential to make the most of the space. This is why full bathrooms are now so popular. Having custom bathroom furniture is one of the most practical design solutions when it comes to renovating the bathroom.

How many of us have had a bathroom with a messy ventilation cabinet? With the modern bathroom there is no need to pile your toiletries, towels and cleaning fluids around the boiler. With built-in vanities, storage units, and closets, you’ll have all the space you need.

When examining modern bathroom design, wall hung cabinets should be given a mention. White gloss will never go out of style, but more recently furniture finishes like wenge, beech, and maple have gained popularity.

In addition to furniture, wall-hung toilets are an excellent solution to save space and give the bathroom a contemporary touch. Also, concealed cistern units are more visually pleasing than the standard close-coupled toilet.

Shower tubs are a great practical way to optimize space, so you have the comfort of both bathing and showering. Shower enclosures are also very popular in the modern bathroom, and if you buy a shower enclosure for the modern bathroom, choose one with a chrome frame instead of white.

Chrome and stainless steel are the best choice in the modern bathroom, and bathroom faucets and mixers are available in various contemporary designs, rather than traditional style faucets. Also, choose chrome towel rails instead of standard white radiators, as well as matching chrome accessories.

Don’t be afraid to decorate with bold colors when you plier or paint, hitting the contrast with chrome and glitter. If you use curtains, be subtle with patterns and colors, but preferably opt for stylish roller blinds.

fancy

Daring to be more than conventional, fantasy bathroom design allows you to be truly innovative with your fantasies and tastes. With an emphasis on the futuristic, this bathroom style is the antithesis of the traditionalist.

Fantasy design is ideally unique to larger bathrooms only, as with all futuristic interior designs, large open spaces are what brings the room together. Steam rooms and hot tubs are the ideal choice for showering and bathing. Or combine the two with a well-designed shower enclosure and glass shower panel. Due to their minimal effect, walk-in showers also work well with modern mosaic tiles, chrome shower fixtures, and classy shower lighting.

For bathroom fixtures, opt for standard wall-hung or monobloc pedestal basins and toilets with sharp angles and a contemporary design. Abstract towel racks and wenge wall-hung furniture fit well into the fantasy bathroom, giving it that calm almost surreal look.

The ultimate luxury in a fancy bathroom would have to be a waterproof television. You could even consider turning the bathroom into a gym, complete with exercise bike and rowing machine.

Decorations should be understated, so choose things like small piles of pebbles and modern prints on the walls instead of candles and decorations.