Do you need to renovate or plan a bathroom? In today’s article, I would like to share with you 5 ideas and trends to do it in the best possible way.

It’s incredible how the perception and experience of the bathroom have changed over time.

Initially, the bathroom was located outside the house because it was considered a dirty and unhygienic place.

Then, it became incorporated into the house for convenience but remained a secondary space.

Over the years, the bathroom has acquired increasing importance, evolving into a mini spa.

Today, the bathroom is actually one of the most crucial elements people consider when buying or building a home, and even the smallest ones are designed for maximum functionality.

Let’s look at the trends for contemporary bathrooms, which are highly functional and absolutely on-trend!

1 – WALL-MOUNTED FURNITURE

For a few years now, countertops or built-in sinks have been trending.

And this trend continues this year!

Wall-mounted furniture is an excellent way to make a bathroom appear larger than it actually is: the space underneath visually expands the area.

Moreover, they serve a practical purpose because they make floor cleaning easier!

(credits: Sonia Meneghin; rénovert)

You can find wall-mounted furniture in various shapes and sizes on the market, so you can definitely find something that suits your needs and style.

You can place or embed the sink on a support shelf in small bathrooms where a full-sized cabinet might be too bulky.

That will be a minimalistic yet highly impactful decor!

With boards made of wood or any material you prefer, you can definitely get creative and design something that fits perfectly into the available space.

(credits: leroymerlin.it; vogliadiristrutturare.it)

One original idea is to incorporate LED strips UNDER the furniture or the boards.

That creates unique and captivating atmospheres: it emphasizes the elevation of the furniture, defines the volumes, and enhances diffused lighting.

(credits: deghishop.it; screwfix.com)

Be CAUTIOUS of the floor surface when adding lighting under the furniture: if they are glossy, they reflect the light, which can be actually annoying!

In this case, make sure the light is not directed towards the floor; instead, you can aim it at the wall, or at the very least, use an LED strip with a diffuser!

2 – INTEGRATED LIGHTING

We already know lighting is essential everywhere, and the bathroom is no exception!

The trend for bathroom lighting is to incorporate it into the architecture, illuminating the geometry and volumes of the space instead of relying on the traditional central light fixture and mirror lights.

This type of lighting makes the environment more sophisticated, clean, and modern; it produces a soft light that creates a beautiful atmosphere!

(credits: pinterest; screwfix.com)

This kind of lighting is becoming increasingly popular because technology and LED lighting are becoming more accessible and versatile.

It’s great to use this type of lighting, not only under the wall-mounted furniture we discussed earlier but also behind the mirror, in potential niches, recessed in the ceiling, or along his perimeter.

(credits: ernesto.it; artheco.it)

Of course, you can add, as well, decorative wall or ceiling lights according to your style!

(credits: screwfix.com; medium.com)

A good lighting design combines various types of lighting (I explain it here), and playing with different lights in the bathroom can create truly enchanting spaces!

3 – MIXING TEXTURES AND MATERIALS

Mixing different materials and textures is crucial in interior design in general, as it creates contrast and movement, and contrast is a fundamental aspect of interior design (I discuss it here).

That holds true for bathrooms as well!

You could use different materials or colors to distinguish two distinct areas within the bathroom.

(credits: anword.com; leroymerlin.it)

For instance, the shower area could have a floor made of the same material but with different colors than the rest of the bathroom.

Alternatively, you could use entirely distinct materials that still complement the colors of the overall flooring.

You might decide to make the sink area and mirror the focal point of your bathroom by using tiles that contrast with the rest or even opting for wallpaper!

(credits: il-bagno.it; milanuncios.com)

As for the floors, of course, be careful that it is not a slippery material to avoid possible accidents!

A timeless combination is marble, either in white or black, with wood, combining the elegance of marble with the warmth of wood.

(credits: screwfix.com)

For an ultra-modern bathroom, you can combine concrete with wood and satin-finish elements.

Don’t be afraid to use wood; specially treated woods exist, which endure the moisture present in bathrooms.

You can mix highly patterned tiles with neutral colors and uniquely shaped elements for a more relaxing atmosphere.

(credits: obi.de)

There’s a wide array of choices available in the market when it comes to materials, and making decisions can get quite complex.

You can find a lot of examples for tile combinations, but remember, a bathroom isn’t just about tiles!

You have to consider lighting, furniture, sanitaryware, faucets, and various elements, and the risk of picking things you like individually but don’t work well together is quite significant.

HELP YOURSELF WITH A MOOD BOARD

So, how do you go about it?

As discussed in the 4 steps to furnish, creating a mood board can be immensely helpful for the bathroom as well.

A mood board is a sheet where you assemble all the pieces together.

(credits: saniweb.com)

You can easily find images of what you like online, perhaps on the retailer’s website.

Take these images and place them close together to see if the overall look is balanced and harmonious.

If not, you may need to change the mismatched piece.

Mood boards are an indispensable tool for interior designers, and I highly recommend using one when renovating or planning a bathroom!

4 – LARGE TILES

Contemporary spaces favor clean and minimalist lines, so using large-sized tiles in the bathroom is a winning choice!

The fewer interruptions in the lines, the more spacious the room will appear.

It’s also important to try to place the tiles as close to each other as possible and use grout material that matches the tile color as closely as possible.

(credits: kylandkara.com; lightslightslights.com)

That will make everything look more linear, uniform, and elegant, and, most importantly, it will reduce dirt buildup in the grout lines!

5 – TOUCHES OF BLACK

We’ve seen it in the 2021 trends: in recent years, touches of black are a beloved trend that continues to be popular!

Black details, typically matte, are widely used.

It could be the faucet, the cabinet handles, the mirror frame or shower enclosure, or even the sink itself!

Black details add a certain visual weight to the space, helping to bring strength and movement to the environment, especially when light colors dominate.

(credits: Rubinet Faucet Company’s; verticalclimb.it)

The contrast created is truly unique and captivating.

Black complements just about any material, but before incorporating this touch of black, consider how it harmonizes with the rest of the space so you can use it in the right proportions!

I hope this article has been helpful and enjoyable for you. If so, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I would be honored, and it will help me gain more exposure.

If you feel that your home, or any specific area of it, doesn’t reflect your personality enough, don’t wait any longer and book your consultancy!