The bathroom isn’t usually a room where people take many risks in the design department .It’s often seen as a utilitarian room – you get in, you get out, you get on with your day, right? Others just look at their bathroom and say, “It’s a sink, a toilet, and a shower… there’s not a heckuva lot you can do with that.” Or, your spouse may hang up a shower curtain with a floral design to replace the one blue stripes and call it a major overhaul. To each of these scenarios we say, wrong, yes there is, and no… just no. While we don’t necessarily recommend updating the look of your bathroom after every other HGTV binge-watching session (seriously exhausting, not to mention expensive), it can be interesting to check in on the latest trends making the rounds.
Top Trends in Bathroom Design for 2018
Making smaller bathrooms more efficient. Traditionally, smaller bathrooms haven’t been shown much love. Many homeowners see the space as cramped, and thus devoid of possibilities. However, there’s a movement toward efficiency and small-scale luxury. Every inch is being put to good use. Freestanding single-person tubs are starting to gain in popularity, as are smaller but artfully designed toilets. Smaller, uniquely designed sink bowls are also starting to make a presence in the bathroom. Other companions to scaled-down bathrooms include space-saving walk-in showers, more shelving instead of cabinets, and large, floating vanities to increase the perception of space. As with large bathrooms, small bathrooms can also be decked out in wall patterns or interesting floor graphics, especially those that make the room feel bigger.
Hi-tech toilets…and more! Japan has long been lauded as the leader in toilet technology, but futuristic thrones are starting to pop up with more regularity in the US. Think seat warmers, automatic lid openers, an adjustable air dryer, built-in deodorizers, and so on. Perhaps the coolest feature is a wireless music player that automatically turns on when the lid is opened. It shuts off when the lid is put back down. Your favorite tunes are a good alternative if you forget your phone or a book for that trip to the can. You can also install a smart shower that automatically knows your preferred temperature and turns on your favorite tunes during shower time. Or you can add a small fridge within your bathroom cabinetry to keep medicine and drinks cool. There are also faucets that turn on automatically when you put your hands under them and turn off when you’re done.
Unique tile shapes. Technology is allowing manufacturers to create all sorts of designs using basic tiles, and now they’re going beyond the colors and graphics to change the traditional tile shape into something more interesting. There’s a resurgence of the once-beloved tiles of decades past, plus a few new designs. Homeowners are venturing beyond subway tile or a large format tile on the wall. There are lots of tile shapes to choose from: hexagon, arabesque, diamond, Moroccan fish scales, or chevron patterns in new colors and textures. These eye-catching shapes aren’t just for the floor either: they’re also being used as bathroom backsplashes, on shower walls, and ceiling accents to create bold accents.
Showers with metal frames. Designers expect 2018 to be the year when metal-framed showers really take over. Although this trend has been growing in the past few years, now is the time when we’ll see this popping up in every trendy bathroom. Metal frames make showers look window-like, with a touch of rustic and/or industrial feel to them.
The bathroom is becoming more of a living space. Homeowners are taking inspiration from boutique hotels and spas by transforming their bathrooms into “living spaces.” Bathrooms are no longer a space to simply wash and go, and people have been shifting their décor to soft fabrics and including luxurious vanities, while incorporating seating or specific areas to relax.
Brass or black fixtures. Brass fixtures are a blast from the past, in the best way possible. Statement brass faucets and major lighting fixtures bring a touch of nostalgia to the bathroom while still keeping it warm and contemporary. If brass isn’t your thing, consider black fixtures instead of the predictable chrome or nickel. These fixtures provide a simple, beautiful option that can be used in a wide variety of home decor styles. Also, they need far less cleaning than their metallic brethren, because they don’t show water spots in the same way.
Whether you’re interested in any, all, or none of these trends, we want to be your go-to resource for bathroom design questions. Ovation Design-Build is committed to making your remodeling dreams a reality. Contact us today to find out how.
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