GLAMOROUS BATHROOMS TRENDS '11

BATHROOM TRENDS Spring/Summer 2011

Bathrooms are being designed with the style tips taken from the glamorous fashion industry/catwalks.  We are now seeing a move away from the stark minimalist design that has been so popular over the past few years.  Bathroom styling is more elegant and sophisticated with contemporary touches.  The key to creating this softer modern style is to combine traditional elements with modern unique pieces that draw upon a mixture of textures, colours and play with light.

Metallics will feature heavily in colour schemes seeing gold, bronze and silver mixed with whites and blacks to give a sophisticated look.  The key is to balance metallic and neutral tones so that the scheme doesn't appear too heavy.   There are some really interesting tiles on the market at the moment.  Try mixing decorative tiles with textured wallpapers to create a bathroom with added interest and sophistication.

We are seeing a number of interesting furniture pieces which take traditional styling and add a modern, contemporary twist.

The smoked glass vanity unit and mirror would be a captivating focal point to any bathroom and also provide the users with plenty of storage space.  Combining materials like mirror and glass with touches of chrome and gold help bring the scheme together.

The clever use of light layering is being used to help create a dramatic interior.  LED strip lighting in coffer ceilings adds an extra element to the overall design.  Decorative task lighting around the mirror can add an extra sparkle to any room.  Chandeliers can also be placed in bathrooms using a clever mix of LED spots and hanging Crystal pendants, but be sure to check they're suitable for bathrooms.

Layers of lighting with a mixture of spots, wall washers and decorative lighting controlled on separate circuits give a flexible light scheme to suit any mood.