Bathrooms have changed dramatically over the past few years. It’s no longer all about functionality; the bathroom has become somewhere for homeowners to push interior design boundaries and blend different styles together.
While some favour all the mod cons of a contemporary bathroom, others prefer the rustic vibe of a more traditional setting. At Virtual Bathrooms, we’ve noticed a clear ‘mix & match’ trend starting to emerge, as more homeowners aim to incorporate old and new styles.
Our guide tells you everything you need to know about honing a certain style and the secrets of making opposites attract.
Should you choose modern or traditional?
One of the biggest bathroom trends of the last few years is the idea of creating a spa experience within the comfort of your own home, and technology is the secret weapon here. From power showers and sprays that simulate rainfall, to hot tub jets and even built-in saunas, all of this comes from innovative designs that homeowners can use to relax and rejuvenate inside their own four walls.
It certainly seems like the contemporary look is more favourable. Virtual Bathrooms surveyed more than 750 people, asking them whether they would prefer a modern bathroom design or a traditional one. An overwhelming 70% of people selected the modern look.
Classic, retro; however you choose to describe it, the vintage trend is showing no signs of slowing down. And while the modern bathroom may have topped the Virtual Bathrooms survey, we mustn’t forget that 30% of people were still drawn to a traditional look.
How to do it
The great thing about decorating your own home is that you can throw the rulebook out of the window. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and create a look that is perfect for your home!
We spoke to two interior designers and experts in their fields to get their views on how people who just can’t decide can blend the modern with traditional.
Consider your surroundings
The devil really is in the detail when blending two trends together, so interior designer Gwendoline Alderton of G.A. Interiors recommends that you take time to understand the features of your room:
“You want to understand what traditional elements of the room you want to retain and emphasise. Maybe you have a stunning Art Deco sink, a beautiful Victorian bath or a gorgeous Georgian window. If you take time and think about what it is that you love about the item, this will give you an indication of how you will incorporate it successfully into the new design. You can then take these thoughts and considerations into any new items that you add into the room.”
Mind your accessories
As with any room, the finishing touches are what bring the whole look together. For your bathroom, you may have the perfect tub, but what really makes it feel complete is accessories.
Jane Addis, New Products Coordinator and Designer at Original Style, added: “With regards to bathrooms, it’s always easier to have a neutral tile colour palette and then you can accessorise it up. You can change things like towels and other fixtures and fittings that go in there, as opposed to redoing the whole thing.
“It’s always easier to accessorise with vintage products as opposed to actually doing the whole bathroom in a vintage style, if you want to keep it slightly modern. Having an on-trend element with regards to your accessories will complement a traditional bathroom.”
Guidelines, not rules
Bathrooms may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be stylish. Whether you opt for a traditional design or a modern one, it’s important to put your own stamp on it. What our interior designers have suggested are guidelines on how to create a base for you to build on, but they have given you plenty of space to create something truly unique. Whether you’re going back to the drawing board or just having a mid-year revamp, there are plenty of ways to blend two trends together for the perfect style.
