As you consider the bathrooms for your new home, there’s one question you need to ask first. Who is the bathroom for? Depending on the answer – your family, you and your partner, an older family member – it will guide you in every aspect of the design.
Mico Category Manager for Bathrooms Louise Cook says there are so many products and trends available that this one question will narrow down your options, making the process smoother.
What’s trending?
Freestanding baths always seem to top the list. While they are still popular, bathroom designers are getting creative to fit them into smaller spaces.
Louise says that with more people living in smaller homes, such as townhouses, and still wanting that luxurious look of a freestanding bath, they’ve made adjustments such as sizing and placing freestanding baths against a wall to use the space in a smarter way.
It’s not only the bath that may become a statement piece – the vanity is a big drawcard in any bathroom and needs to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. “Customers are looking at the use of different textures for materials on their vanities, and we’re seeing more fluted and tongue-grooved materials used. There’s also the option of having a feature vessel basin on top of the vanity,” Louise says.
Wet room vs shower?
Wet rooms are gaining popularity and can be a great option depending on your personal situation and lifestyle needs.
“Wet rooms are great if you want the walk-in style shower and to open up your bathroom space,” Louise says. She adds that New Zealand does have an ageing population, so it is a great option to help people stay in their homes longer. “Wet rooms are very functional, especially if you need a walker, wheelchair or just space for extra assistance. We are seeing that movement towards more accessible functionality in bathrooms.”
What about colours?
With an array of bathroom colours available, trends tend to come back around and no one colour goes out of fashion too quickly. “Ten years ago, we talked about introducing black tapware, and were worried it could be a fad, but it’s still in the top two of finishes and gives a dramatic effect to any bathroom,” Louise says.
While black is being used to make statements, white seems to be coming back into trend as well, paired with contrasting colours on walls and vanities, she says. “Earthy hues of blues and greens can complement a white bathroom and using colours with it has made white come back into fashion.”
When it comes to tapware, there is a shift away from brassy golds to more of a brushed/deeper brass. More organic colours in tapware are starting to emerge as well.
Staying on trend with a budget
In this economic climate, splashing out on product upgrades may not be at the top of the list, but it could be if you do your research. Louise says that it’s best to look around first to get some inspiration.
Once you have an idea in mind, you can always have a play on Mico’s free design planner online to generate a 3D image of what your bathroom would look like. Not only can you see it, but you can choose products within your price range.
It’s always best to speak to a bathroom design expert who knows how to achieve what you want for your budget. “Sometimes bathrooms can be tricky, because the space is smaller, and it all depends on what each person wants from that space. There are a lot of products to choose from, but that also means prices can be competitive,” Louise says.
If you have a specific design in mind, budget or simply want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends – it’s all achievable.
For more home design inspirations, check out our Gallery today.