3 minute read
2018 Trends by Ideal Standard
IDEAL STANDARD’S INTERNATIONAL DESIGNER ROBIN LEVIEN REVEALS HIS BATHROOM TREND PREDICTIONS FOR 2018
“With busy lifestyles creating a lack of available leisure time, combined with a growing desire by consumers for their homes to reflect their own unique personality means that trends are likely to be more unique than ever before. The next 12 months will follow these closely aligned patterns:
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BACK TO BLACK
2018 will see a rise in popularity of darker designs in British bathrooms. Expect to see more home owners opting for black flooring and dark grey walls. These brave design choices can actually make smaller bathrooms appear larger, provide a luxurious finish, and allow white ceramics to ‘pop’ against them, highlighting the design of the bathroom furniture itself.
MAKE IT MATTE
Complementing this trend for darker shades, many householders will opt for matte finishes on ceramics and bathroom storage. Gloss has reigned supreme for a long time but can appear too brash when paired with the simpler, more minimal looks which are rising in popularity. Matte effect finishes are a sleek and a simple way to create a striking look without purchasing unnecessary accessories or adding fussy items to the room’s design scheme.
JUST FINE WITH EDGES
Design simplicity will see consumers look to create slimmed down finishes in their bathrooms. This trend will particularly encompass bathroom ceramics, which are set to have finer edges than ever before. Not only does this create a sharp, dynamic look; it
Robert Levien
New metallics and bold colours, this trend is manifesting itself in hues of copper, rose gold and brass. This ‘patinated’ look which is becoming popular sees an intentional antiqued aesthetic coming back into fashion..
also makes optimum use of the room space, a key consideration in increasingly small UK bathrooms. These fine edges could be achieved on the rim of the basin, bath or even the WC.
WALL OF GLASS
Minimalism looks set to increase in popularity and this applies to showers too. Fuss-free plain glass shower screens will facilitate that walls and other décor details can take centre stage. Expect to see more consumers opting for seamless pieces of glass, with no join, folds or detail.
OUT ON THE TILES
Luckily for those who enjoy more creative designs or quirkier finishes, 2018 won’t be entirely minimal in its appearance. Tiles will continue to grow in popularity, especially those which can be arranged in geometric designs on both walls and floors. These glazed areas are also a great way to introduce colour and many consumers will use tiles to add millennial pink, soft greens and baby blue into their bathroom.
PUT UP THE PAPER
Lovers of print will be glad to learn that wallpapers for bathrooms have come on leaps and bounds and are set to come into their own during 2018. Whereas in the past, the damp conditions of a bathroom could see wallpaper peel all too easily, new technologies mean that wallpaper with real staying power can be purchased. These wallpapers allow homeowners to introduce everything from geometric prints to florals and even trompe-l’oiel designs into the bathroom for a truly unique finish.
TURN THE LIGHTS DOWN
Our lives are becoming increasingly busy, often resulting in fewer opportunities to take a long soak in the bath. So when the time does present itself the correct lighting will be necessary to create the perfect ambiance; subsequently, homeowners will install a combination of adjustable mood and task lighting including low voltage and LED lighting. Adding a dimmer switch to an existing bathroom can make an enormous difference to the whole bathing experience.
BATHING WITH BEATS
Whether it’s listening to relaxing tunes during a bubble bath or blasting some beats while taking a morning shower, many people enjoy music when they use their bathroom. The latest technology can make this even more enjoyable, as surround sound speakers can now be installed beneath baths to offer optimum quality when listening to favourites tunes.
NEW METALLICS AND BOLD COLOURS
This trend is manifesting itself in hues of copper, rose gold and brass. This ‘patinated’ look which is becoming popular sees an intentional antiqued aesthetic coming back into fashion.
Bold colours have been coming gradually for some time, but on walls, accessories and towels. Brits are now getting braver and are demanding that colour appears on the outside of freestanding bath tubs and washbasins - a statement wall of the bathroom world.”
