Timeless Bathroom Design Trends
Fashion comes and goes, but style lasts forever.
We concede Coco Chanel wasn’t talking baths and bidets here, but her seminal quote rings true for bathroom design trends in 2021. And, if you’re planning to refresh, redesign, or renovate your entire bathroom any time soon – we’ve got you covered, as many of these styles can be achieved using bathroom wall panels and some clever accessorising.
In this article, we collate some of our favourite bathroom design concepts that’ll never go out of style, from elegant period designs to novel and new bathroom ideas - these themes can be applied to any room in your home, too! Use our kitchen wall panels, bedroom wall panels, or living room wall panels to add timeless style to your interior design.
Contemporary
Clean lines, clutter-free space and minimalist décor are all hallmarks of contemporary bathrooms. Expect to see plenty of polished hardwood, metal accents, and a bright, simple colour palette.
Simplicity – with a sharp focus on detailing and accents – underpins contemporary styling, while contrasting light and dark elements can create a visually appealing contrast. Go for white wall panels or black wall panels, for a contemporary look.
When shopping for contemporary bathroom fixtures, look for high-quality door pulls, and knobs made from muted brushed metals, countertops, and flooring constructed from durable wood, stone or tile.
Tropical
Tropical style bathrooms feature a simple design aesthetic – à la Japanese style bathrooms – but emphasise lush green foliage and high-end materials. Our stone effect wall panels might be the perfect inclusion to this theme. Expect to see an exotic stone or polished wood floor, open ceiling beams, raw detailing, and plenty of greenery.
Tropical bathrooms are often bathed in light, courtesy of their open layouts and space-saving storage. And if you want to make beach bathing a daily thing, head over to our dedicated blog on tropical bathroom design.
Eclectic
Eclectic style bathrooms include a little bit of everything – expect the unexpected. Eclectic bathroom décor comprises a carefully curated collection of design elements. Offbeat schemes, colour clashes, and a mix of textures and materials are commonplace – let your imagination run wild! Our decorative wall panels are perfect for any eclectic bathroom - consider creating a bathroom feature wall for the perfect amount of kitchse.
Fleur-de-lis patterns (French for flower and lily) are especially popular and offer limitless design possibilities. Consider incorporating a fleur-de-lis pattern in a rich yellow hue or a crystal chandelier with gold patina accenting.
Traditional
Contrasting with the eclectic smorgasbord above, traditional style bathrooms emphasise comfort and practicality. Neutral colours, like our beige wall panels provide the backdrops to traditional bathrooms, making them relaxing, inviting sanctuaries – but don’t be afraid to mix things up with a custom twist.
When it comes to the fixtures, polished wood, complementary colours, and the use of glass, tile, and marble are all integral parts of traditional bathrooms.
Beach style
Taking design cues from the ocean, beach style bathrooms are ideal for those seeking a tranquil, aquatic-inspired sanctuary. Cool shades of watery blue and aqua are prevalent in beach style bathrooms, creating a soothing ambience and bathing retreat.
Decorative ornamentation can include jute fabrics, seashells, sand, ocean-themed art, and various complementary colours. Crisp white accents lend a fresh burst of vitality to the bathroom, highlighting the cool, subdued blue and green hues. Adding wood effect wall panels can transport you to the sea side every time you step into your bathroom!
Farmhouse
Part rustic, part country with a dash of modern flair, farmhouse style bathrooms are full of unique details, and while they’re far from the latest bathroom trend, they remain a firm favourite with designers and DIYers alike.
High ceilings with open beams, ample polished wood, and plenty of white, glass, and contrasting details typify farmhouse bathrooms. But if you’re going all in, consider fitting a set of sliding barn doors on tracks – they’ll complete the scheme and wow your guests!
Shabby chic
A timeless bathroom trend, shabby chic bathrooms are replete with sweet, romantic details. These bathrooms are ideal for creatives and artists – think lacy materials, floral patterns and artwork, brushed metal accents, and ribbon detailing. Brick effect wall panels are perfect for creating this effect.
If you’re considering a shabby chic bathroom, it’s best to emphasise air, light and open space to evoke calm and relaxation. And when it comes to your pots of paint, distressed white walls work exceptionally well – especially when punctuated with soft pastel colours.
Transitional
Transitional style bathrooms encompass the best of both worlds, utilising old and new design elements that straddle several decades.
Wood, stone, and glass are standard finishes, but distinctive details like patterned floors, dark metals, and artisan door handles are ideal for putting your stamp on the space.