Popular Styles of Bathroom Design

In the last century, the bathroom has come a long way. Once merely a basic tub positioned in front of the living room fire and filled with buckets of water, the bathing experience is now a luxury in practically every western home. Back then, a "bathroom" was something only the wealthy and privileged could afford to have in their residence. It was because of this pattern that a large number of bathroom accessories were mass produced.

The Victorian and Edwardian styles of the past are still popular choices today because of their timeless appeal. They look great in a villa or cottage bathroom, and never loose their attractiveness in terms of design.

Today, thanks to superior plumbing and modern technology, the bathroom may well have developed as far as it can. With luxury steam rooms and hydrotherapy pools, it's tough to conceive how bathrooms could get any more sophisticated. As a result, much like any other room in the house, bathroom design is constantly evolving.

Here we look at the five most common forms of bathroom designs. Traditional, Country, Shabby chic, Contemporary and Fantasy.

Traditional

The term "Traditional bathroom" can refer to a white bathroom with basic sanitary goods and a bath in Edwardian or Victorian style. Here, we'll be looking at the style of bathroom design where it all started. The Edwardian bathroom.

Over the past decade, with the popularity of TV shows like Changing Rooms, the taste for old-fashioned bathrooms has seen a genuine upswing. In spite of the rarity of an ancient slipper bath or an unreliable conventional faucet found in an abandoned building or dumpster, producers are keeping up with the demand for finely produced reproductions of these venerable fixtures.

The typical bathroom won't work in a modern high rise apartment because certain rooms only operate in specific houses. Bathrooms in this type are ideal for older homes, such as cottages and villas.

Almost always, the bath is the centre piece attraction of the traditional bathroom. A free-standing roll-top or slipper bath sits boldly on a dark polished floor, and only if looking for a typical european style bathroom would an inset or recessed tub hold appeal. Either a wall-mounted faucet or a free-standing one looks nice. The traditional sanitary ware is bold and macho because of its deep ridges and curving angles.

When decorating a traditional bathroom both soft tones and strong colours can work effectively. Warm colors like browns, maroons, and greens are ideal for the bathroom, but make sure it's well lit, perhaps with a glitzy chandelier for added ambiance. In the appropriate lighting, ancient gold can rival chrome in terms of aesthetic appeal if the right colors are used. Never use blinds, always curtains. For a more traditional style, go with a wood or cherry vanity unit, or the white Cynk vanity unit looks well with traditional bathrooms and toilets.

Clutter lends a more lived-in feel to a conventional bathroom, which is one of its most appealing features. Make use of as many images as possible; black-and-white family portraits with gold frames look particularly nice. With fragrant candles, aromatherapy oils, or fresh flowers, an end table or chest of drawers can become a focal point of the room. As a final touch an old style pair of weighing scales, a large framed mirror or hefty antique radiator will give the space that warm old-fashioned vibe.

Country

The country style bathroom is possibly the easiest form of design to build, and like the traditional bathroom only really works effectively within the correct house. The classic country look is best linked with floral wallpaper, high beams, basin frills and a bath canopy. Cast iron baths and sanitary ware with deep ridges, following the traditional style, give the country bathroom its nostalgic appearance.

Check, flowery or checkered curtains are favored over roller blinds, and shutters, though unusual in England, give a superb source of seclusion as well as adding to the country atmosphere. Wood plays a large part in this aesthetic, and practically all furniture works well in this environment, notably beech, maple, ash and oak vanity units and cabinets.

Tiles or wood floors are both acceptable options. Extensive mosaics can be created with tiles that are painted a rustic color. Varnish wood floors to match the rest of the room's decor. As a border in decorating, a stenciled motif is often employed as well as the sponge-rubbing technique to give the room an aged, natural appearance.

Traditional bath and sink taps, as well as toilets with high level cisterns and pull chains, are becoming increasingly unusual in modern homes, but they are essential in country bathrooms. Just about any style of free-standing bath will suit the country bathroom. If wishing to have a shower a tiled walk-in shower is the suggested alternative with a curtain to cover the area.

Wicker baskets stuffed with potpourri, wire basket shelves, and chic wall lamps complete the look.

Shabby Chic

The term "shabby chic" was coined to describe a style of interior design that combines neglect with a certain amount of panache. It takes a lot of guts to go with this bathroom design, as it is one of the most hardest to execute. It almost likely realizes its full potential in a European residence, either a French chateau or old Spanish villa.

The shabby chic aesthetic is the polar opposite of a well-coordinated fitted bathroom. Putting a refrigerator in the corner is one example of something you can do. Nothing is supposed to match and piping and plumbing are on exhibit rather than disguised. This style is best suited to individuals who have inherited a bathroom and wish to modernize it a little rather than spend out on a full new bathroom suite.

The key to decoration is neutral tones with a few dark colors. For the walls use a matte or flat wall paint. Pale golds and yellows work exceptionally well as does floral or check patterned wallpaper.

As with the country and traditional bathrooms, cast iron baths are a necessary. Either a roll-top or slipper bath would fine, and although you don't want holes or corrosion, the more deteriorated it looks the better. Consider sanding the paint and claw feet down to bare metal. It's always worth looking out for ancient fittings at antique shops and car boot sales.

This environment calls for unusually ornamented counter-top basins, so keep your eyes peeled for those when shopping around for one. Place it on a washstand or run-down vanity unit. Decorative accents, such as ornately framed antique mirrors, should be used.

Modern

In today's restrooms, it's all about making the most of the available space. As a result of the limited space in many bathrooms, making the most of what you have is critical. This is why fitted bathroom suites are becoming so popular. When it comes to bathroom remodeling, one of the most practical design alternatives is to have custom-made furniture created.

A bathroom with a messy airing cupboard is a common occurrence. There's no need to cram all of your toiletries, towels, and cleaning supplies around the boiler in today's bathroom. You'll have plenty of room with custom-fitted vanity units, storage units, and cabinets.

It's impossible to discuss contemporary bathroom design without including wall-hung furniture. Furniture finishes like wenge, beech, and maple have recently seen a resurgence in popularity, while white gloss will never go out of style.

As well as the furnishings, wall-hung sanitary ware is a terrific space-saving solution while giving the bathroom a contemporary air. Also, concealed cistern units offer a more eye-pleasing design than the traditional close-coupled toilet.

Showerbaths are a terrific way to save space while still allowing you to enjoy the benefits of both a bath and a shower. Walk-in showers are also quite popular in the modern bathroom, and if selecting a shower enclosure for the modern bathroom consider one with a chrome construction over white.

Chrome and stainless epoxy are the most popular materials for modern bathroom fixtures, and instead of the old style faucets, you can get a wide variety of modern taps and bath mixers. Also, instead of using ordinary white radiators, consider installing chrome towel rails and matching chrome accessories.

Don't be afraid to decorate with vivid hues whether tiling or painting, getting the contrast correct with the chrome and the gloss. If you're going to use curtains, keep them simple in terms of pattern and color, but instead opt for sleek roller blinds.

Fantasy

The dream bathroom design allows you to be truly unique with your fantasies and tastes by daring to be anything other than conventional. With the emphasis on modern, this kind of bathroom is the antithesis of the traditionalist.

Like all futuristic interior design, the fantasy style works best in larger bathrooms where there are more open areas to work with. Steam rooms and whirlpool baths are the ideal alternative for showering and bathing. Alternatively, a well-designed bath screen and a glass shower panel can be used in conjunction. Walk-in showers are also well-suited to modern tiling, chrome fixtures, and elegant lighting in the shower because of their low impact.

Choose a wall-hung or standard close-coupled toilet and basin on a pedestal with acute angles and a modern design for your sanitary ware. Abstract multipurpose cabinet designs and wenge wall-hung furniture blend perfectly in the fantasy bathroom, giving it that peaceful almost strange air.

The ultimate luxury in a fantasy bathroom would have to be a waterproof TV. You may even consider of doubling the bathroom up as gym, replete with exercise bike and rowing equipment.

Ornaments should be subtle, so choose items like little mounds of pebbles and trendy wall posters over candles and nick-nacks.

DecorFolio