The bathrooms of 2023 really are the place to be: self-care is top priority and design trends are following suit.
‘There is no doubt that the bathroom has changed from being a strictly functional room in the house to a space with masses of design potential,’ says Zoe Jones, Senior Content Producer and Interior Designer at Roper Rhodes. ‘The demand for stylish and trend-led bathroom fittings and fixtures will continue well into 2023 and beyond.’
In design terms, this translates to bolder choices in colour, an investment in feature items like freestanding baths, a dip into our design past with nostalgic chequerboard tiles and the rapid rise of the ‘spathroom’.
Barrie Cutchie, Design Director at BC Designs, acknowledges that homeowners will be financially stretched in 2023, and rather than undergoing a full bathroom renovation, many will save money with smaller touches. ‘What we may see is people choosing to update part of their bathroom through the use of tiles, brassware or paint to give it a refresh and to bring it on trend, rather than re-doing their whole bathroom.’
Read on for seven of the biggest bathroom trends.
1. Warm metallics
A brushed metallic is a fail-safe finish in a bathroom – softening the shine from brass or gold fixtures mitigates the risk of your space appearing gaudy.
‘Warmer tones are most likely to dominate bathroom trends in 2023 as well as more neutral and earthy tones, so a brushed bronze finish is the perfect complement to these design schemes thanks to its contemporary design and warm contrasting tones,’ says Jeevan Seth, CEO of Just Taps Plus.
‘In terms of metallics, new colours, such as brushed bronze, as well as existing colours in gold and brasses, are becoming especially popular,’ says Paul Wells, Showroom Manager at Sanctuary Bathrooms. ‘Many customers prefer brushed gold because it is not as bright as polished gold, making it more suited to modern spaces.’
2. Chequerboard tiles
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Chequerboard flooring is part of a wider trend towards vintage references in the home – low-slung 70s style sofas are becoming increasingly popular, rattan used in abundance in homeware, and sweet nostalgic accents like pantries and breakfast bars are returning to our kitchens.
In bathrooms, this is translating to scalloped edges on towels and accessories, sugary pastels and avocado-toned enamel, and a resurgence of chessboard tiles.
‘Chessboard and chequerboard floors can be seen in both bathroom and kitchen designs in classic Victorian palettes, while chequered mosaic wall tiles are embracing softer, more feminine colours,’ says Zoe.
3. Black bathrooms
While neutral bathrooms are still a great way to create a spa-like sanctuary, black bathrooms are on the rise – note the 33,000 #blackbathroom Instagram posts for inspiration.
‘Colour will continue to make an impact, we’ve seen a distinct increase in the sales of black, from accessories right through to taps and showers, whilst nickel and brass tones are beginning to make an impression,’ says James Sketch of KEUCO.
‘A moody black bathroom can create a cosy, yet contemporary feel,’ says style expert Rikki Fothergill from Big Bathroom Shop. ‘The neutral tones allow accessories to stand out too. To start with, we’d recommend painting one area black to see how it affects the lighting in the room. If you’re happy with how it looks, commit to the full room.’
4. Freestanding baths
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The popularity of the freestanding bath gives a sense of how luxurious bathrooms are becoming – this is a design choice geared towards self-care, encouraging more time spent in a state of rest and relaxation.
‘When it comes to renovations, high up on the list of “must haves” for consumers are larger bathtubs, including freestanding models, tying into the five-star, luxury bathroom theme,’ says Barrie Cutchie, Design Director at BC Design.
‘By placing a freestanding bath by the window it gives the illusion of more space and helps ventilation to prevent mould and mildew,’ says Rikki.
5. Spathrooms
Spa-inspired bathrooms, or ‘spathrooms’, will be one of the leading bathroom trends in 2023, influenced by the growing popularity of spaces within the home created to support rituals of self-care.
‘Bathrooms are arguably the most ritualistic room in the home and we have seen a surge in demand for spa-inspired spaces that can double-up as a private sanctuary,’ says Rosie Ward, Creative Director at Ward & Co. ‘Within a master suite, we like to consider the en-suite as an extension of the bedroom, incorporating the same colour palette to create a seamless flow between the two.
‘Bathrooms are naturally clinical spaces so we like to balance this with materiality, using warmer textures and fabrics for a luxe feel. Outdoor fabrics work particularly well as a pretty patterned shower curtain or upholstered on a chaise longue, and on-trend scalloped blinds or artworks add softness to the room.’
6. Colour drenching
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For those averse to the black bathroom trend, we’re also seeing the polar opposite emerge in the form of colour drenching – saturating a space with intense colour full of impact.
‘Customers have turned away from all-white bathrooms in favour of colour and experimentation,’ says Paul. ‘Furthermore, statement items like freestanding baths are being used to inject personality and colour, continuing to be an aspirational product.’
‘Bright and uplifting colour is back for 2023,’ adds Zoe. ‘Adding a rosy tint to conventional Nordic design, Danish pastel interior design is at the forefront of this movement and is characterised by sorbet colours, curves and abstract, whimsical shapes. Homeowners can embrace this uplifting style with square tiles, terrazzo, novel grouting and colourful finishes such as seafoam greens, warm pinks, and clay colours.’
7. Small space solutions
Maximising our ever decreasing floorspace with clever storage solutions, floating vanity units, and narrow bathroom furniture will be a priority for homeowners in 2023.
‘Searches for “small bathroom design” have exploded on Google and Pinterest, as homeowners are making the most of the space they have, while conserving heat and water – this will be an important consideration in bathroom design for 2023,’ says Zoe.
If floor space is of a premium, make the most of your vertical space and mount larger fixtures onto your walls. ‘Traditionally in bathrooms a lot of space is taken up by having fixtures and fittings floor-mounted or freestanding,’ says Richard Roberts, Director at Sanctuary Bathrooms. ‘However, many features – from the toilet and basin to accessories like toilet roll holders and toilet brushes – now come in wall-mounted styles. Lifting everything up off the ground provides extra space and extends your floor outwards, making it look bigger.’
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