It’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice and many renovators play it safe with plain patterns and colours, missing out on an opportunity for some great interior design and decoration.
With the home renovation business continuing to grow there is plenty of guidance on offer from retailers and trade professionals - suppliers, designers and decorators all have plenty of experience and advice to take on board.
A great place to start is in the showroom. Look to the latest products on the market for innovation in design, as well as colour and texture options you may not have considered. Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to visit a number to compare pricing and alternatives.
“Bathrooms provide an opportunity to inject a fun dash of architecture into the home, that is hard to do to the same level elsewhere,” says plumber and The Block winner Simon Vos.
He and brother Shannon are Beaumont Tiles ambassadors and recommend starting with the 'What’s My Style' tool as a starting point – even before you hit the showroom.
“Choosing a style is one of the hardest jobs you’ll have to make because it’s incredibly subjective if you’re not certain of what you want, but there is help out there,” said Shannon.
"You can take your bathroom from safe to wow by adding colourful decorative tiles, or bathroom fixtures like tapware and showerheads that can inject luxury and make a statement."
Shannon Vos
Simon and Shannon’s Top Four Style Trends for Winter 2018 and how to achieve them:
Traditional
Inviting and hospitable spaces that transition from season-to-season without fuss.
“Dark to light colour palettes always work well within this style,” says Shannon; who suggests picking a deep-toned timber look tile for the floor, paired with a clean, light-toned Carrara marble mosaic walls to draw the eye upwards while adding a touch of theatre to the overall project.
Incorporating hints of brushed metallics through tapware and other fixtures are a fantastic way to add complexity to the space. Add a chandelier or oversized pendant light for a serious bathroom statement!
Coastal
Keep the colour palette neutral and understated. Then use blue hues and metallics to add depth and complexity.
“Opt for a light grain timber-look tile then couple with a monsoon shower for some wow factor that looks and sounds like rain,” says Simon.
Simon suggests clean tapware in either silver or matt and the inclusion of indoor plants and seascape artworks to bring the outdoors in. “To complete your Coastal bathroom, add textural layers with raw cotton bathmats, fluffy cotton towels and create ’never can have enough’ storage with natural fibre baskets,” adds Simon.
Modern
A modern look calls for clean monochromatic lines with hints of colour. A large format tile with either a lot of movement or bold vein features is always a strong starting point.
To create playful balance, Simon suggests installing a 3D tiled feature wall to draw the eyes upwards and out.
“Always remember to soften a Modern bathroom with organic elements styled in a structural way such as using a bonsai or orchid plant,” says Simon.
Scandinavian
The Scandinavian-look is all about simplicity and economic use of space that is as beautiful as it is functional.
“Keep styling modest by selecting a central feature in your area such as a free-standing bath tub, then add colour and layers to frame its focal point,” says Shannon.
“Geometric tiles in either white, black or marble look-a-like are always a spot-on choice for Scandi bathrooms. Or contrast the geometric tile with a fun coloured grout like blue, or forest green. “Complete your bathroom with a black and white wall print and round it out with the introduction of natural elements such as a timber stool and indoor plant to create a distinction of elements and all-important theatre,” Shannon adds.
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