Our latest blog looks back at the top trends for bathrooms in 2021 and casts an eye to the future by looking at the styles we expect to be in demand over the next 12 months.
INDULGENCE WILL REPLACE SIMPLE COMFORT
Last year, our homes became more important than ever before. Lockdown made home comfort a priority, with sales of home furnishings increasing. For many, when it came to bathrooms, this meant small investments like fluffy towels, quality bath mats, scented candles, and luxury toiletries. But, while last year saw us prioritise comfort in our homes, in 2022, we expect to see some braver design choices.
Over the next 12 months, people will give their bathrooms a refresh with bold wallpapers, stunning showers, deep tubs, and quality taps to create indulgent, stylish, and luxurious spaces where they can escape from day-to-day life. So, while homeowners gave other parts of the home (such as kitchens and living rooms) the most love in 2021, we expect bathroom renovations to become a priority this year.
DISTINCTIVE BRASSWARE REMAINS A KEY TREND
Over the last few years, unique finishes for brassware have become increasingly popular. And we don’t expect this to change over the next 12 months. Indeed, black has been appearing as a critical bathroom trend for a few years now, with black fixings, tiles, and walls having the power to add impact instantly. At the same time, contemporary metallic fittings remain hugely popular with people who want to create an elegant and affluent look.
With the trend for bold black and marvellous metallic fittings likely to continue in 2022, people will seek taps that don't look out of place in the most inspirational bathrooms. Whether you want a modern, distinctive look that adds a natural infusion of style or a beautiful, traditional, and timeless feel with a contemporary lift, our range of coloured taps include Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Black, Gunmetal, Antique Brass, and Copper.
CURVES ARE BACK IN STYLE
Sleek, modern taps were very fashionable in 2021, and they won’t go out of fashion this year. Single mixer taps were especially popular as people created a simple, elegant vibe with a statement piece.
In 2022, this love of all things contemporary continues. But rather than sharp lines, straight edges and hard angles, many homeowners are turning towards taps that boast smoother curves and profiles for a softer look.
MORE THAN ONE DEFINING STYLE
Using soft shades to create comforting, clean spaces is a well-established interior design trick. In 2021, gentle greens and natural hues continued to dominate as people used nature to inspire their choice of bathroom materials, finishes and colours. This trend will continue, although you might see it get an update over the next 12 months with coloured sanitaryware adding an eye-catching pop of colour to neutral bathrooms.
But, while we don’t expect the desire to make our homes feel natural, calming, and fresh to go away (cool white marble and hidden streamlined storage will be key trends in 2022), the “neutral show home” aesthetic is already being contested.
Challenger designs we expect to see more of this year include using sumptuous dark colours (navy and green are especially popular) to create decadent and far more extravagant bathrooms. Indeed, maximalist bathroom design is very much on-trend. Think black walls, colourful tiles, bold wallpapers, and glorious brass taps paired with antique mirrors and storage units.
Alternatively, industrial materials and textures will also be popular this year with Crittall shower doors, black taps and showers, and stripped back walls delivering real wow-factor.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY WILL BECOME EVEN MORE POPULAR
An elegant, stylish bathroom is something everyone wants. But a bathroom can’t just look great; it must be functional too. After all, a bathroom is used every day and needs to be well-designed to meet the needs of modern living. As such, it’s essential to understand both the latest practical and aesthetic bathroom trends if you want to make the most out of one of the smallest and most important rooms in your home.
Last year, more and more people bought eco-friendly fixtures and fittings. And, in 2022, with all of us aware of the importance of sustainability, energy efficiency will become even more important. Indeed, when buying taps, homeowners will prioritise issues such as efficiency, waste and eco-friendly material when purchasing bathroom fittings and sanitaryware.
The interest in intelligent showers will also continue to grow as people seek to combine their commitment towards environmentally friendly products with the desire for added convenience. With remote control technology, pre-set programs, the ability to calibrate and activate the perfect shower wirelessly before stepping in, and warmup features that hold water at the desired temperature until they are ready, smart showers will be increasingly in demand in 2022.
