Modern bathroom decor essentials

The colour scheme you choose plays an essential role in your bathroom’s design.

Soft and neutral colours promote relaxation and serenity, while splashes of bold and vibrant colours will bring energy and character to the space.

Ensure the colours you choose are balanced and harmonious and that they align with your personal preferences to create your desired look and feel.

The bathroom fixtures you choose play an important role when it comes to the aesthetics and functionality of your bathroom design.

Choose taps made from durable and attractive materials, such as stainless steel, chrome or copper. Conserve water by selecting models with flow reducers and thermostatic systems.

When it comes to washbasins, ceramic or modern composite materials are durable and need little maintenance. Select a design that complements your bathroom's space and style, ensuring it promotes optimal hygiene by being easy to clean.

Choose bathroom furniture made from moisture-resistant materials, like treated wood, water-repellent MDF or PVC, to ensure durability and a long lifespan.

A well-designed bathroom layout makes the most of the available space.

Design a layout with separate wet and dry areas that allows free movement between these spaces and incorporates a mix of hidden and open storage.

Consider a double sink in family or shared bathrooms for added practicality. Leave enough space between the sanitaryware to ensure easy access and if space is tight, include built-in storage under the sink.

A walk-in shower looks elegant and is easy to access. Transparent glass shower walls enhance the sense of space in the room, while recessed wall niches provide built-in storage for toiletries to keep them neatly organised.

If space allows, a free-standing bathtub can become a luxury statement feature. In smaller spaces, a combined shower and bathtub offers greater functionality — just ensure that both bathing areas are easily accessible.

How do I accessories my bathroom? Decorative touches and unique bathroom accessories can help you personalise your bathroom.

What can I decorate my bathroom wall with?

From abstract designs to black-and-white photographs or vibrant artistic creations, wall art captures the attention and can become a captivating focal point.

Incorporating wall art into your bathroom adds character and a personal touch.

Original artwork in oil, acrylic or watercolour could be damaged by moisture and heat. Properly framed to protect against moisture, however, these can be incorporated into the dry area of your bathroom if it’s well ventilated.

Reasonably priced framed prints or printed canvasses of classic artwork or photographs are good choices for any bathroom. They can always be replaced if water or heat damages them over time.

Sturdier decor, like metal wall hangings (without sharp edges), wooden signs and gilded mirrors, are also well-suited to bathrooms.

Always keep safety in mind when designing a bathroom. Don’t put unsecured vases or heavy ornaments on a high shelf. Make sure heavy mirrors and wall cabinets are securely fixed to the wall.

Besides having a practical use, towels, bath mats and shower curtains contribute to the theme or style of your bathroom.

Select quality items in colours and designs that complement the rest of your bathroom decor.

Small items like these can be easily replaced when you want to give your bathroom a quick refresh.

With a good lighting strategy and carefully chosen mirrors, you can make your bathroom feel brighter, larger and more welcoming.

Task lighting around the mirror simplifies daily beauty routines, particularly in the evening.

Positioning artificial lighting each side of the main bathroom mirror or integrating LED bulbs into the mirror itself are excellent ways to blend functionality with modern design.

A bathroom mirror serves a practical purpose, while also contributing aesthetically to the space.

Modern mirrors offer features, such as integrated lighting and anti-fog technology, and they can double up as medicine cabinets, seamlessly combining practicality with style.

Choose a mirror that fulfils your practical needs while harmoniously blending with your room’s overall design.

Sometimes you want a change, but your budget won’t allow for a full refurbishment. Replacing a few inexpensive items can transform your bathroom.

• Bathroom accessories: You can change what you display on your bathroom counter at any time. Add a new toothbrush holder, soap dispenser or makeup organizer to spruce things up. You could pick these items up cheaply at a discount store or charity shop.
• Shower curtains: Adding a colourful new shower curtain can have a huge impact on a bathroom. It’s also an easy opportunity to follow a decorating trend.
• Cabinet hardware and paint: New cabinet knobs or drawer pulls can add a designer touch to your space with minimal investment. You may be able to repaint your cabinet; chalk paint can be used to paint over many different surfaces.

Maximising the flow of natural light into your bathroom makes the space feel more welcoming and vibrant and promotes a healthier living environment.

Roof windows ensure an abundance of natural lighting without compromising on privacy.

Roof windows also improve ventilation making them an attractive and practical choice. They allow warm moist air, such as steam from the shower, to rise and escape to minimise humidity and prevent mould and mildew and, if they are combined with vertical windows, they create cross ventilation, which will flush out stale, damp-air more effectively.

Well-planned storage solutions optimise your bathroom space, maintain tidiness and make daily bathroom routines quicker and easier.

From under-sink drawers to wall cabinets, choose storage options that provide a mix of hidden and open storage solutions that blend in with your bathroom design.

Use drawer dividers, baskets and compartment organisers to keep toiletries and beauty products neatly stored away but within easy reach. In a small bathroom, you need to be particularly creative with your use of space.

For storing bath towels and other attractive items you’re happy to display, opt for shelving made from moisture-resistant materials, such as treated wood, stainless steel and tempered glass, that also complement the aesthetic of your bathroom.

When it comes to shelving design, it's easy to find something to suit all tastes and configurations. Floating shelves look modern and refined and, as they don’t take up any floor space, they are ideal for small bathrooms.

Corner storage units ensure that you don't waste any space in the corners of your room and they provide additional storage without encroaching too far into your bathroom.

If your bathroom is a particularly unusual shape, consider investing in bespoke units.

A modern bathroom design will help your bathroom be more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run and embrace the opportunities provided by the latest technologies.

Adopting sustainable solutions in your bathroom will help reduce your carbon footprint.

Solutions range from water-efficient toilets, to furniture made from recycled or renewable materials.

The digital era is transforming bathrooms so energy efficiency can work together with style and functionality.

Here are a few technological advancements that will improve your bathing space while promoting responsible energy use:

• Sensor-controlled taps: these allow you to control the water temperature and pressure, using movement sensors or voice commands.
• Programmable toilets: these boast advanced functions, such as heated seats, water jets for personal hygiene, automatic lids and water-saving flush systems.
• Voice-activated showers: these allow you to personalise and save your water temperature and pressure preferences.
• Smart LED lighting: these are not only for mirrors, they can be used across your bathroom. They allow you to control the intensity and colour of your lighting according to the time of day or your mood.
• Anti-steam mirrors: a must for maintaining visibility after the hottest shower, these mirrors use integrated heating technology to prevent condensation. Some models even feature a built-in touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can listen to music or check the news while bathing. 
• Connected underfloor heating: regulated by smart thermostats, these systems can be controlled remotely via an app, so you can maintain your ideal bathroom temperature.
• Bluetooth waterproof speakers: integrated into the shower, these systems allow you to enjoy music or podcasts without the fear of water damaging your speaker.
• Smart extractor fans: these turn on automatically when they detect high humidity, helping prevent mould and ensuring healthy air circulation.
• Automated roof windows: these can be programmed to open and close at specific times of the day or in response to climate conditions. They optimise fresh air circulation and control sunlight levels. Integrating them into a home automation system allows you to easily adjust the settings from your smartphone.