Soak it up: the latest looks in bathroom design

The Maku satinjet rail shower adds a touch of shine to a matt gray shower. Products available from Methven. Pictures: Methven

Want to know what the hottest look in bathroom design is?

Well, it’s becoming increasingly popular, so you might be personally acquainted — it’s the industrial look!

If you’re interested in your bathroom being on trend for 2019, think concrete, metal, mesh and matt black.

According to Andy Grigor, head of design and innovation for bathroom tapware and shower manufacturer Methven, exposed building materials, which give a raw, honest feel, are at the heart of the look.

“It’s all about showcasing how a space has been built and celebrating the inner design and materials used,” Mr Grigor said.

Raw appeal

Charcoal-gray concrete underpins the industrial aesthetic.

It can offer the sophisticated feel of a smooth, sanded surface or the rugged charm of porous, unrefined features.

It can take the form of a soft backdrop or a striking talking point.

“We are seeing concrete being used more for floors and walls and even whole basins,” Mr Grigor said. “It’s also a great material for built-in shelving and hollowed-out niches to hold towels and other accessories.”

Benefits include it’s durable, reasonably cost efficient and quite low maintenance. It also comes in a range of styles and finishes.

“In many cases, you can customize the finish to suit your space, such as adding aggregates or dyes to the mix, staining or perhaps stamping textures into the final finish,” Mr Grigor said.

He added concrete was a heavy, robust medium, so check your base or foundation can support the weight and thickness of a concrete bowl, bench or floor.

The Waipori basin mixer smartly complements this industrial-looking vanity.

Back to nature

To soften the look of concrete, Mr Grigor suggested teaming it with natural materials such as wood or stone to add design balance to the room.

He had noted a trend towards using timber such as recycled wood that was rougher and less refined than the norm, celebrating the natural imperfections.

“Reclaimed wood gives a great rustic and worn-in charm while creating warmth and softness when juxtaposed against colder industrial materials such as metal and concrete,” he said.

Timber adds design balance. Pictured are the Satinjet overhead and Left hand showers.

Metal works

Metallics are typically associated with industrial spaces, but steer away from using large amounts of cold, sterile metals in bathrooms as it diminishes the inviting tone.

Instead, Mr Grigor suggested opting for warmer metal tones, including copper, gold or bronze, and using them in ways that form an eye-catching statement, such as tapware, a large metal-framed mirror or even a hair-dryer holder.

And think outside the square for bathroom accessories.

“You can use antique-like cake molds as storage containers, or metal tins combined with mesh and raw string, to get that rough, yet repurposed look,” he says.

In the black

Matt-black tapware and shower fittings aren’t going anywhere. They’re still popular and are likely to dominate bathroom style for the year ahead.

“Matt-black tapware is very popular due to its ability to pair well with different design and style trends,” Mr Grigor explained. “And it complements natural features like stone and timber so beautifully.”

The Aio shower system in matt black makes a designer statement.

Look back

While the industrial look is strong, another design style is also set to be popular this year and it’s a real blast from the past — mid-century Miami design.

The gentle curves of the period are being reinterpreted through artwork, organic-shaped basins, furnishings such as stools and chairs, and dusty pastels including mint and powder pink.

Mr Grigor suggested using light-colored woods to complement the style.

“Pale woods beautifully match the soft, pastel colors of the mid-century Miami look,” he says.

Handy hints

Here are Mr Grigor’s tips on bathroom design:

• Opt for a raised or stand-alone basin if you want greater flexibility when choosing tapware. Both these basin styles will allow for either wall or hob-mounted tapware (whereas, you’re limited to just hob-mounted tapware if you choose an integrated basin).

• Juxtapose square or rectangular tiles with round basins, tapware, shower heads and bathroom accessories for a more dynamic look.

• Ensure timber bathroom features are properly treated and finished to protect them from water. Some wood types, such as cedar and cypress, are more resistant to moisture than others.

• Create a feature wall using interesting-shaped tiles. Hexagonal tiles are definitely on trend.

• Introduce a floating basin to add an illusion of space in a small bathroom. Combine with backlighting for extra atmosphere.