5 bathroom inspiring styles for fresh new look
1. SCULPTURAL TAPS
While the best bathroom taps have become increasingly elegant, beautiful, and exciting in recent years – think elongated spouts, unexpected material choices, and experimentation with bold finishes – 2022 will be the year that tap design truly shines. The hottest (and coolest) tap shapes of the moment are challenging and reimagining classic design’s most fundamental features. The bathroom revolution appears to have begun at the handle, with two design superstars
unveiling a new, sculptural version for the new year.
‘I think of taps as the jewels of the bathroom,’ says VitrA Design Director Erdem Akan. ‘Taps complete the bathroom atmosphere, just as watches, necklaces, and bracelets do for our personal style. Rather than being unobtrusive,
2. SPA SPACES
The desire to transform a home bathroom into a spa isn’t particularly new, but following the turmoil of recent years, homeowners are doubling down on their desire, making it a big bathroom trend for 2022. To go along with this, expect to see a rise in grey bathroom ideas.
‘Now, more than ever, the bathroom is a place for retreat and self-care,’ says Patricia Urquiola, the designer. ‘We spent so much time at home over the last year that our bathrooms have turned into a personal spa, a place where we can truly enjoy moments of privacy and wellbeing.’ The re-discovery of this pleasant domestic space is beginning to influence the design of bathroom objects.
3. ART IN THE BATHROOM
For the year 2022, the way people choose to decorate – and personalise – their bathrooms is changing. If there is enough space, expect to see gallery wall ideas translated into this space, or large, overscale prints hung.
‘The bathroom is becoming more and more like any other living space,’ says VitrA’s Erdem Akan, “becoming a domestic landscape rather than a cold white laboratory-style environment.” ‘In the coming years, incorporating art and/or sculptural designs into these spaces will become more common, and taps like Tom Dixon’s timeless cone-shaped design will become decorative objects of desire.’
4. ARCHES
Arched doors have become popular as an extension trend, and they’re now making their way into bathrooms as well.
‘The pandemic forced us to examine things in the home that make us feel good, such as a relaxing bathroom where we can take care of ourselves, both mentally and physically,’ says Monica Born, CEO and Co-Founder of Superfront. ‘What could be more relaxing than a classic arch shape like those found in ancient Roman baths? The large, airy rooms required in the popular Roman imperial baths were created with these three-dimensional arches.’
5. CURVED SHOWERS
Arches aren’t just for openings; their soft cocooning curves are also being incorporated into shower room designs.
‘I’ve seen showers built into archway-shaped recesses that look fantastic – it’s a clever way to add design clout to even the tiniest of spaces.’ I also like curved entrances to walk-in showers because they give the impression of entering a cocooning space and add visual interest to the bathroom,’ says Lee Thornley of Bert & May.
