What Will Our Bathrooms Look Like in 2021 and Beyond?
Get ready for more characterful, homely décor, home-spa touches, and plenty of colour
Kate Burt
6 December 2020
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Global and cultural influences – not least the enormous impact of Covid-19 on all our lives – are shaping our definition of the bathroom. According to these three design experts, the key takeaway is that we’re likely to feel bolder when renovating these rooms.
Already underway is a departure from the classic, functional white space towards more comforting rooms with spa-like touches and more personality in the form of colour, pattern and texture. What else will we see more of in the bathroom?
Professional advice from: Zoe Perks of No.54 Interiors; Caroline Wood-Robertson of Storylines Interior Design; Ana Rezende of Ripples Bathrooms
Already underway is a departure from the classic, functional white space towards more comforting rooms with spa-like touches and more personality in the form of colour, pattern and texture. What else will we see more of in the bathroom?
Professional advice from: Zoe Perks of No.54 Interiors; Caroline Wood-Robertson of Storylines Interior Design; Ana Rezende of Ripples Bathrooms
The bathroom as a sanctuary
Two of our experts talked about the design response to the stresses of 2020. “[There’s] a realisation that a bathroom is far more than just a space to shower and brush your teeth; it can be a personal sanctuary, a place to relax and unwind,” Caroline Wood-Robertson says.
“The turbulence of 2020 has definitely put wellbeing high up on the agenda,” Zoe Perks agrees, “and it’s seeing us looking at spaces we can create for relaxing, as a retreat from the day-to-day stresses of life.”
Each professional, however, highlights a slightly different route this idea could take. “Everyone’s idea of a perfect spa moment is different,” Zoe says.
Two of our experts talked about the design response to the stresses of 2020. “[There’s] a realisation that a bathroom is far more than just a space to shower and brush your teeth; it can be a personal sanctuary, a place to relax and unwind,” Caroline Wood-Robertson says.
“The turbulence of 2020 has definitely put wellbeing high up on the agenda,” Zoe Perks agrees, “and it’s seeing us looking at spaces we can create for relaxing, as a retreat from the day-to-day stresses of life.”
Each professional, however, highlights a slightly different route this idea could take. “Everyone’s idea of a perfect spa moment is different,” Zoe says.
The homely haven “We’ll start to see a much more personal approach to bathroom design,” Caroline suggests. “Rather than default, bathroom-specific furniture, we’re likely to see more repurposed vintage pieces, as well as wallpapers and fabrics being used, as people start to choose colours and patterns for their bathrooms as they would do another room in their house.”
The result, she feels, will be, “rooms in which people want to linger, relax and indulge”.
The result, she feels, will be, “rooms in which people want to linger, relax and indulge”.
The ‘spathroom’ Zoe can also see this need for a personal sanctuary manifesting itself in the shape of a luxurious, deep, double-ended soaking tub, a steam room or a jet shower.
“[It could also be] simple accessories, such as candles, scents and luxurious towels,” she says, “and bringing in natural textures, such as wood, stone and plants, to create a Zen-like feel.
“Or [it could involve] creating better storage to hide away the usual bathroom [paraphernalia], so when the time is right, it can become a restful, luxuriating sanctuary,” she adds.
This newly built bathroom in a renovated 1950s home in Scotland features a sauna – perhaps another spa-like bathroom luxury more of us will consider investing in this year.
Tour the rest of this Scottish home.
“[It could also be] simple accessories, such as candles, scents and luxurious towels,” she says, “and bringing in natural textures, such as wood, stone and plants, to create a Zen-like feel.
“Or [it could involve] creating better storage to hide away the usual bathroom [paraphernalia], so when the time is right, it can become a restful, luxuriating sanctuary,” she adds.
This newly built bathroom in a renovated 1950s home in Scotland features a sauna – perhaps another spa-like bathroom luxury more of us will consider investing in this year.
Tour the rest of this Scottish home.
Back to nature
“Biophilic design has been around for a while, but there’s certainly fresh interest this year, which is set to continue,” Caroline says.
“As well as lots of plants in bathrooms, we’ll see a resurgence of natural materials and textures, reconnecting spaces to the outdoor environment,” she says. “Think stone floors and marble washbasins, with a greater awareness of maximising natural light where possible.
“Natural materials make sense from an environmental and sustainability perspective, too, as well as inviting texture and warmth into previously clinical bathroom spaces,” she continues. “So wooden shelving or furniture, stone accessories and softer textiles will all start to find their way into more bathrooms.”
“Biophilic design has been around for a while, but there’s certainly fresh interest this year, which is set to continue,” Caroline says.
“As well as lots of plants in bathrooms, we’ll see a resurgence of natural materials and textures, reconnecting spaces to the outdoor environment,” she says. “Think stone floors and marble washbasins, with a greater awareness of maximising natural light where possible.
“Natural materials make sense from an environmental and sustainability perspective, too, as well as inviting texture and warmth into previously clinical bathroom spaces,” she continues. “So wooden shelving or furniture, stone accessories and softer textiles will all start to find their way into more bathrooms.”
Colour and personality
If ever we needed a little more colour in our lives – and in our bathrooms – it’s now,” Caroline says. “People want to inject a little more fun into their homes and, having spent so much time in them over the past year, they’re feeling a little braver, too.
“We’re already seeing the return of coloured sanitaryware, and I think it will continue,” she says. “There are even rumours of the avocado suite trending, although I have my reservations about that one! But whether it’s a full pink or floral suite or just some colourful tiles in the shower, I think we’ll be seeing a little more colour in bathrooms in 2021.”
If ever we needed a little more colour in our lives – and in our bathrooms – it’s now,” Caroline says. “People want to inject a little more fun into their homes and, having spent so much time in them over the past year, they’re feeling a little braver, too.
“We’re already seeing the return of coloured sanitaryware, and I think it will continue,” she says. “There are even rumours of the avocado suite trending, although I have my reservations about that one! But whether it’s a full pink or floral suite or just some colourful tiles in the shower, I think we’ll be seeing a little more colour in bathrooms in 2021.”
Zoe adds: “We’ve been moving away from the traditional clinical white bathroom for a while. At one time, a brave colour choice was adding a bright towel or toothbrush holder; now we’ve moved on to patterned, textured and colourful wall paints and tiles and colourful baths and basins, which are also super-curvy, silky and organic.”
She also predicts that bathroom lighting and accessories will get bolder, that we’ll embrace decorative panels and colourful, bathroom-friendly wallcoverings, and also incorporate tapware in bold finishes, from nickel to black and gold.
Read reviews of bathroom designers in your area on Houzz.
She also predicts that bathroom lighting and accessories will get bolder, that we’ll embrace decorative panels and colourful, bathroom-friendly wallcoverings, and also incorporate tapware in bold finishes, from nickel to black and gold.
Read reviews of bathroom designers in your area on Houzz.
Three-dimensional texture
“There are a lot of new surfaces coming onto the market that have three-dimensional texture,” Zoe says. “Geometric patterns, curves and ribs are forming on the surfaces of tiles to create a highly tactile look and feel, adding a whole new dimension to the space.”
The tiles that cover the panel on this bath are a good example from a recent Houzz Tour we published (note, too, the vibrant blue basin and gold tapware…).
“Ribbing and fluting on glass panels and lighting are adding a softness and tactility, with reeded surfaces on vanity units and furnishings creating a wonderful point of difference and visual layers,” Zoe says.
“There are a lot of new surfaces coming onto the market that have three-dimensional texture,” Zoe says. “Geometric patterns, curves and ribs are forming on the surfaces of tiles to create a highly tactile look and feel, adding a whole new dimension to the space.”
The tiles that cover the panel on this bath are a good example from a recent Houzz Tour we published (note, too, the vibrant blue basin and gold tapware…).
“Ribbing and fluting on glass panels and lighting are adding a softness and tactility, with reeded surfaces on vanity units and furnishings creating a wonderful point of difference and visual layers,” Zoe says.
Matt white fittings
Echoing Zoe’s tapware predictions, Ana Rezende says, “Brassware is moving away from chrome towards special finishes. Matt versions, especially, are becoming huge – clients are aware of it now and want it more and more.”
She goes on to say that matt white, in particular, is taking the lead. “Last season, matt black brassware was the star of the show, but matt white is creeping into the top spot,” she says.
“We love how versatile it is,” she adds, “particularly in modern bathrooms with contrasting, painted or tiled walls.”
Echoing Zoe’s tapware predictions, Ana Rezende says, “Brassware is moving away from chrome towards special finishes. Matt versions, especially, are becoming huge – clients are aware of it now and want it more and more.”
She goes on to say that matt white, in particular, is taking the lead. “Last season, matt black brassware was the star of the show, but matt white is creeping into the top spot,” she says.
“We love how versatile it is,” she adds, “particularly in modern bathrooms with contrasting, painted or tiled walls.”
Integrated storage
Being able to tidy toothbrushes, grooming products and bottles out of sight can help to create a calming space, whether in a minimalist bathroom or one where vintage pieces are on show.
Building on this theme, which is integral to several of the trends here, Ana thinks streamlined, integrated storage will be seen in more bathrooms in the coming year. “We have a new range of integrated/recessed products – ie, built within the wall cavity – which we think are going to be very popular.”
Flush cabinets, like the wall cupboard seen here, trick the eye into seeing a larger space, as they don’t protrude into the room. Look out for even less noticeable frameless mirrored versions that also contain charging points, LED lighting and cleverly organised storage for maximum streamlining.
Being able to tidy toothbrushes, grooming products and bottles out of sight can help to create a calming space, whether in a minimalist bathroom or one where vintage pieces are on show.
Building on this theme, which is integral to several of the trends here, Ana thinks streamlined, integrated storage will be seen in more bathrooms in the coming year. “We have a new range of integrated/recessed products – ie, built within the wall cavity – which we think are going to be very popular.”
Flush cabinets, like the wall cupboard seen here, trick the eye into seeing a larger space, as they don’t protrude into the room. Look out for even less noticeable frameless mirrored versions that also contain charging points, LED lighting and cleverly organised storage for maximum streamlining.
It doesn’t have to be restricted to over-basin storage, either. Here, a discreet drawer has been designed into the dead space at the end of a bath.
For loo brushes, we’ve also spotted narrow, flush cabinets (pardon the pun), built into a wall, meaning they don’t need to take up floorspace. Cabinets like this could also be used to store loo rolls.
For loo brushes, we’ve also spotted narrow, flush cabinets (pardon the pun), built into a wall, meaning they don’t need to take up floorspace. Cabinets like this could also be used to store loo rolls.
Japandi
“This trend is a natural fit for the bathroom, where a peaceful and relaxing space is a must,” Ana says, picking up again on a running theme.
The style is exactly as it sounds – a combination of Japanese and Scandi design, resulting in clean-lines, crisp finishes and a muted, monochrome palette. “Minimal and natural styles are making a comeback – particularly wood, pebbles, stone and lots of texture,” Ana adds.
To build this style, look out also for clean lines, clutter-free solutions and a calming colour palette.
Tell us…
Which of these styles do you most relate to – and will you be incorporating any of them into your bathroom? Let us know in the Comments.
“This trend is a natural fit for the bathroom, where a peaceful and relaxing space is a must,” Ana says, picking up again on a running theme.
The style is exactly as it sounds – a combination of Japanese and Scandi design, resulting in clean-lines, crisp finishes and a muted, monochrome palette. “Minimal and natural styles are making a comeback – particularly wood, pebbles, stone and lots of texture,” Ana adds.
To build this style, look out also for clean lines, clutter-free solutions and a calming colour palette.
Tell us…
Which of these styles do you most relate to – and will you be incorporating any of them into your bathroom? Let us know in the Comments.
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Okay, I suppose I'll be in the minority - but - I like the Pabio Sanz! You see over the years fashions come and go and so does my decor. Then there are things that I'm fond of. I'm widowed now and the kids have left. I have items picked up over the years through a random routine-less life and I would consider putting some in a bathroom - why, you ask? Because then in the morning I could wake myself thinking "Wow, that's from Monrovia, what an amazing experience we enjoyed there - better than the bright white canvas I have, which only inspires the morning thought "Oh Lordy, what's the time, am I going to be late?!" Or worse, "Oh, no! Another dull day working from home again, I miss my workmates' chatter!"
An Italian boyfriend enthusiastically told me once: "You English girls, you are so pale, you must surround yourself with colour" Yes, let a bathroom bring colour into your mornings, folks!
@Pat I love the fact that we all have different tastes, and these do indeed change over the course of time and experience, along with needs - my hip replacement for starters! Half of our family is Italian so we're olive-skinned to various degrees; but I worked in Mexico and Central America for many, many years, so our paintings and embroderies bring considerable colour and cherished memories – so I'm with you there all the way!
I fell in love with the bathroom in the 4th picture!!!