Monthly Archives: May 2022

Sustainable Bathroom Design Themes

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Sustainability. – A term that by now we are all familiar with as we look to reduce our negative environmental impact on earth. But how does it translate into designing interiors, and more specifically, how do we create earth-friendly bathroom spaces?

By minimising our energy usage, lowering the number of consumable items that we waste, and seeking out alternative, eco-friendly materials for our interiors, we can become more thoughtful about design. But where do we begin in our quest for seeking the best planet protecting bathrooms?

With all things eco-friendly in mind, we have pulled together some of our top tips for styling a bathroom sustainably:

Materials matter

The great news is that earth-conscious materials such as metal, porcelain and glass are often naturally go-to bathroom material selections. They also happen to be eco-friendly options for tiles, ceramicware and décor, so when it comes to the details of the bathroom elements, there is a wide variety of planet-friendly product to choose from.

When it comes to selecting sustainably sourced accessories, refill metal or glass bottles with your favourite (eco-friendly) soap. Not only do glass or metal bottles always look great in the style stakes, but they are also more durable than materials like plastic, which means less frequent requirements to replace, and in turn lower rates of raw material usage.

Bamboo is a great sustainable material as it grows quickly and can be made into all kinds of different items. From cotton buds and bath racks to towels and toothbrushes, bamboo makes a good, hard-wearing option for bathroom accessories. And if the time does come to replace? Bamboo is a fully compostable material!

Natural worktops such as stone and granite will last longer than acrylic or laminate, which by default makes the natural elements a far more planet friendly option for bathrooms.

When it comes to dressing windows, organic linen is a great eco-friendly option which will also offer a relaxed, cosy vibe to a bathroom interior.

Embrace mother nature

When choosing colour options for a sustainable bathroom theme, be inspired by the earth, sea, and sky. Muted and earthy palettes such as Terracotta, Clay, Apricot, Leaf green, Seafoam, Concrete and Olive green are all hues that work beautifully together or when paired with off white or beige.

To bring nature inspired colours into your bathroom, you could choose rustic, handmade tiles in these tones or to switch the palettes more frequently in the future, you could try neutral walls and flooring for more of a blank canvas, and instead pull the earthy tones simply through accessories such as towels, soap dispensers and artwork.

For a warm, slightly rustic, and raw effect, consider colour washing with these hues onto wood materials or dying fabrics with natural pigment dyes.

Positive paint

If you are looking for paint for your bathroom, seek out eco-friendly paint brands with low toxin levels, and use paint brushes and rollers that are made from sustainably sourced materials.

Rustically worn

The key to achieving an effortless and organic thrown-together look in sustainable bathrooms, is to embrace imperfection.

Shopping from preloved sites and shops means that you are helping prevent unwanted furniture reach landfill. Whilst the practical elements such as toilets, basins and showers are probably best to buy new, mixing them with retro or vintage items such as cupboards, artwork and shelves that have a slightly worn patina to them will add to the eco-friendly style overall and will create an authentic and original design. Bathroom furniture made from reclaimed wood has been growing in popularity in recent years for its more natural, imperfect qualities.

Mix and match items for an eclectic style. – As a general rule of thumb, if the colour palette is subtle or quite restricted, then you can mix styles within this to create a unique look and feel.

Reuse, recycle and refurbish

An alternative to buying second-hand, is to look around your own home or on marketplace sites for household items. Think outside of the box by giving new life to those items through repurposing them to create interesting bathroom elements.

For example, old metal buckets make fabulous planters, second hand wooden ladders can be hung from ceilings and used to hang botanicals and greenery, and vintage A-frame or lean-to ladders make great towel hanging rails. If you are into a little DIY, then Mid-century sideboards can make fabulous basin vanity units.

Upcycling also means that less new raw materials are being used. The addition of a splash of paint to some tiles can really give something a new lease of life. Tester pots and wallpaper samples are great ways of upcycling with items that might already be in your home.

Another benefit of upcycling things yourself means that you will get a unique and personal result; one which no other bathroom will have!

You can also consider what you will do with some of your old bathroom elements. Before you discard, consider refurbishment schemes such as ours where we strip out old components from mirrors to refurbish and reuse, therefore helping to reduce landfill.

Waste less water

From a practical perspective, cutting down your water consumption will make a significant difference when it comes to creating a sustainable bathroom that not only looks great but also does good too.

When doing your research, look for low-flow shower heads and dual flush toilets, which will save on spending as well as water usage.

Do your research

When looking for bathroom fixtures and fittings, consider investing in items where the designers and brands are explicit about where their materials come from and how their products are manufactured. Look for information about their manufacturing methods and locations so that you can make informed and empowered decisions about the items you buy.

Seek out brands that repurpose or reuse packaging, and those that are always striving to use recycled (and recyclable) materials, too.

Made in Britain

Brands that not only design, but that also manufacture their products on homegrown soil are automatically reducing their carbon footprint.

All our mirrors are manufactured in Britain, as it helps us to have visibility over our manufacturing processes and complete control over quality and product lifecycles. In keeping the entire process local, we dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of our products, and in turn this has a positive impact on the planet.

Beautiful Botanicals

To complete a sustainable bathroom scheme, one way to add a further layer of eco-friendliness, is to introduce living botanicals.

Plants can clean the air by removing toxins that we breathe into it, which makes them a great option for enhancing a sustainably styled bathroom. As well as purifying, they also provide an array of other benefits including better mental health and help to create a natural, comfy bathroom scheme. Visually, they provide serene, spa vibes, which would fit right at home in a sustainably styled space.

Changing the way in which we approach bathroom design from the beginning is key, as is a holistic and open approach. – By making mindful, simple swaps that can have dramatically positive effects on caring for our planet, it helps us to create conscious, durable, and timeless bathrooms with the serenity that we are all seeking more of.

Should I buy a bathroom mirror or bathroom mirror cabinet?

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A bathroom mirror does so much more than just reflect, it helps brighten an interior and breathes style and sophistication into spaces too.

If you have wall space above your wash basin or vanity unit, the chances are that you are considering either a mirror or a mirrored cabinet to complete the fresh look. Since both mirrors and cabinets compete for the same wall space, the question of which to select comes up fairly frequently when it comes to designing a bathroom interior.

Acrylic 360 edge-lit bathroom mirror
Bathroom Mirror Cabinet with LED dot formation lighting

Whilst there are several obvious benefits to both options, we have pulled together some factors to consider when it comes to deciding whether to go for a mirror or mirrored cabinet, to help aid your own decision-making process.

  • How big is the bathroom?

Firstly, consider the room size. It may seem obvious, but smaller rooms more frequently require smaller mirrors or units, and for smaller bathrooms and en suites, often a slimline mirror is best suited to the space. Slimline mirrors provide bathrooms with a sleek and fluid look, which translates into both modern and traditional schemes, dependent upon the styling. Be sure to research slimline mirrors that offer other functionalities if this is high on your list of priorities.

Slimline bathroom mirror with a bevelled edge

For larger bathrooms, alternatively, mirrored bathroom cabinets offer the versatility of providing ample storage space to help keep spaces clutter-free and clean. For bathrooms with double basins, selecting two cabinets or mirrors will create symmetry and visual balance in the room.

  • Where will the mirror or cabinet be hung?

The wall on which the cabinet or mirror will be hung, needs to be big enough, and for cabinets, there should be ample space either side of the doors to avoid collisions with other items. For example, it is best to avoid positioning cabinets in the corners of rooms to enable the doors to fully open.

You may also want to consider that cabinets and basins are often located opposite a bathroom door. This helps to avoid the side of a cabinet being the most prominent feature in a room, which can often feel barrier-like from an interior aesthetics perspective.

When it comes to selecting the size of the cabinet or mirror, take note of furniture proportions within the room. As a rule of thumb, the mirror or cabinet shouldn’t be wider than the piece of furniture or basin that it sits above, to help create a streamlined aesthetic. Note that any misalignment will be more noticeable with straight edged mirrors and cabinets, so lining up with either the basin or vanity unit below, is key to a pulled together design.

Bespoke mirrors that are made to order based on your own space requirements and exacting dimensions, are great for trickier spaces, such as bathrooms within the attic eaves.

  • Do you require storage?

It’s important to prioritise whichever option works best from a practical perspective. For example, consider whether you need the mirror to be multifunctional or simply just a mirror?

If storage is high up in terms of importance, it may be worth looking at cabinets with shelves for storage of toiletries and accessories, to keep other surfaces clutter-free.

Bathroom mirror cabinets can give your bathroom much needed additional storage.

Once you have established whether you’re in need of storage, plan the items that will be housed in the cabinet, so that you have an idea of height requirements for your shelving. The ability to move shelving up and down is often overlooked, yet adjustable shelves enable you to tailor and flex your storage to your own requirements.

  • Multifunctional mirrors and cabinets

Before deciding, consider whether you need any other functions for example, shaver sockets, audio, or digital clocks. All equally handy features to have permanently in the bathroom without having to bring in extra elements that may become water damaged, such as mobile phones and external speakers.

Bathroom cabinets with heated demisting doors that never steam-up

Consider cabinets with built in demisters – this is especially helpful in shower rooms with no or small windows – it can be frustrating having to constantly wipe misted-up mirrors!

  • Add a little glow up

Many mirrors and cabinets come with lights pre-built in, which can be useful when it comes to seeing detail.

Keep in mind any mood lighting that you would like. Colour changing lights can create a bold design with a little spa-like luxury, with ambient lighting helping create can provide a calm and serene space.

Opting for a light that runs all around the edge of the cabinet or mirror will help frame it, and projects a balanced glow around the room.

Dot style mirrors create a more subtle glow, whilst bar lighting helps create a stronger illumination in one area.

If considering a cabinet, look for those with lights underneath to project an ambient soft light. This will help brighten any darkness created by the bottom of the cupboards and the countertop.

  • Materials matter

When researching your new bathroom cabinet or mirror, ensure to check the materials from which it is made. High-grade aluminium offers enhanced quality and won’t ever rust – pretty important in a bathroom!

  • Plan your overall styling aesthetic

Are you more interested in modern and minimal or do you quite like stylish, statement pieces? If you prefer a simpler look and feel for example, mirrors will provide a more sleek and seamless result whereas a cabinet will make more of a statement as it protrudes further into the room.

Mirrors can easily be tied into an interior scheme and furniture styling. For example, for a natural, more effortless look, select organic shapes with soft edges such as rounded or pebble shaped mirrors. For rooms that are more symmetrical, or that are designed around harder lines, straight edged mirrors are likely to work better stylistically.

If you are still wondering which option would be best for your own home, here is a little round up of the advantages of both:

Final Conclusions…

Why we love bathroom mirrors:

  • They don’t intrude into the room and only use up a small amount of wall space as there isn’t much depth to them (consider slimline options for more compact bathrooms).
  • There are a wide variety of mirror sizes and shapes available, so they can effortlessly tie into an existing interior scheme.
  • Mirrors can make smaller rooms appear bigger by reflecting light around the room.
  • They can draw attention to a specific space and create a focal point in boxy rooms, particularly when selecting shaped mirrors.

Why we love cabinets:

  • Mirrored bathroom cabinets are handy for rooms that lack storage and can hide away all the clutter that we don’t want anyone else to see, offering a clean and sleek appearance.
  • They visually help balance a row of bathroom furniture underneath, creating a symmetrical room.
  • You can tie the cabinet finish in with the materials in the rest of the room to make a cohesive interior scheme.
  • They provide the best of both worlds, without compromise, reflection, and storage!

Biophilic Bathrooms – 2021 Interior Design Trends

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Biophilic Bathrooms

Biophilic design is all about connecting humans with nature and creating interior environments that inspire wellness and wellbeing, so that we can feel and sense health benefits in a more present and grounded way.

For the past two years, we have seen a growing trend in the way in which people use bathrooms as a haven in their homes. – A space in which to de-stress, boost moods and relax.

Biophilic design enhances practical spaces with all things natural, and so in our homes, the bathroom is an obvious candidate for styling in this way.

If you are considering a bathroom inspired by nature and tranquillity, there are some key aspects to consider first.

Materials Matter

Materials that come from, or that are inspired by natural elements, are a great place to start when it comes to designing biophilic bathrooms.

The continuity, blend and subtlety of material usage is one of the key elements in creating a cohesive, organic style. Everything needs to tie in together, without distracting or drawing the eye to any one part of the design.

Some materials to consider as part of biophilic design, include:

Concrete

With more of a masculine and modern edge with a slight nod to the current industrial trends, concrete makes a great option for organically styled bathrooms. The imperfect qualities of this material give it a look that will create a standout bathroom design, particularly for elements like free-standing basins and seamless concrete flooring.

Natural stone

Natural stone is a warm, durable material to opt for, and makes a very hardwearing floor. It has an understated elegance that elevates bathrooms, with many of us now opting for stone slab worktops as a growing trend. It looks fabulous when used as tiles on feature walls, for example in shower enclosures and as other visual accents in bathrooms.

Non-toxic, sustainable materials

Bamboo is quite tolerant of high temperatures, and can take a fair amount of steam too, making it a wise choice for natural looking bathrooms. With a softer, more rustic aesthetic, the introduction of other sustainable materials such as cork and wood will also create an effortless, relaxed look and feel.

Keep in mind these materials throughout the process, including in the selection of worktops, furniture, and accessories too.

Considered colours

Because the aim of biophilic styling is to create a tonal, relaxed, and natural environment, it’s best to avoid strong and dark colours, which tend to draw the eye to specific elements and create bold and more harsh schemes.

Instead, select paler, warmer colours and consider using harmonious and tonal colour palettes.

If white and sand colours are a little too bland for your tastes, inject further interest with textured tiles and towels, or add hues inspired by nature like ocean blue, slate grey and botanical greens.

Muted versions of colours also work well in natural schemes. This is where the colour itself is slightly desaturated or has an addition of grey mixed in to tone it down a little.

Light it up!

Due to the enhanced connection with the outdoors, creating a natural source of light is a key aspect in terms of successful biophilic design.

But not all bathrooms have big windows, so how can you obtain a (false) ‘natural light’ effect if you do not have one?

  • If space allows, use large mirrors to bounce any light that there is around the room, and reflect the illusion of space. The bigger the better, and when it comes to organic styling, select mirrors with rounded edges for a softer, flowing feel. Place them opposite doors or to the sides of small windows to help reflect light into the room. Mirrors with an illuminated edge will further help provide the impression of more light.
Shaped bathroom mirrors
  • Alternatively, illuminated mirrors or cabinets will help give a brighter glow to an otherwise dark room.
  • White, polished finishes can help make a bathroom brighter
  • Select white or neutral tiles, with soft tones to help reflect more light around the room

Accessorise meaningfully

Whilst not the most obvious choice in a bathroom, considering wicker and rattan storage boxes will help obtain a relaxed and homely vibe. When opting for items like these, it is wise to position them on shelving that sits away from the wet areas such as showers and baths

Bamboo accessories such as trays and soap dispensers add a natural element to further support the organic styling.

In bathrooms where children aren’t bathed, a simple bamboo bath rack with a soy wax candle and plant can really help pull an organic scheme together, as well as add a little feeling of wellbeing and luxury.

Textural textiles

Fabrics help soften bathroom spaces, which is an important aspect in terms of Biophilic design.

Consider sustainably sourced, neutral-coloured towels with textural elements such as waffle, woven or fringing and tassels for a natural, more bohemian scheme.

Layer up different coloured tonal towels and roll a few into a basket for a homely aesthetic.

Drapes and panels help soften the harsh edges of windows. – Use simple wooden knobs as tie backs to assist with ventilation.

Plant life

One major aspect of biophilic design, and one which will immediately transform a bathroom from dull to dreamy, is the addition of a few plants.

En masse they can provide a real sense of bringing the outdoors inside, and they work well to help break hard lines and angles, which bathrooms are notorious for.

They also provide numerous health benefits, including air purification, improving the atmosphere, and enhancing mental health.

Our top tips for styling with plants in a bathroom:

Consider using plants of differing sizes and display them at various levels within the room. – Corners are great for hanging plants like Spider plants and Air plants and help if space is at a premium. Choose macrame style hanging planters to reinforce the natural element.

If space allows, a floor standing plant like a Fiddle leaf fig is a great option for a bathroom.

For pots, avoid strong colours and manufactured materials, choosing wooden, bamboo and concrete options instead, that’ll help blend into the scheme and stand the test of time.

Lastly, have fun! The aim is to end up with a bathroom space which brings you joy and boosts mood and wellbeing.

nvironments that inspire wellness and wellbeing, so that we can feel and sense health benefits in a more present and grounded way.

Bold & Boundless Design – Bathroom Trends of 2021

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Love creating show-stopping rooms for your home? Read on to hear all about little interior tips and tricks that can make a big impact, visually.

This confident trend is all about showing personality and adding style statements in your bathroom to bring wow factor and pizzazz. Being one of the smallest rooms in the home where you spend the least amount of time means that it can pay off to be a little more daring when it comes to decoration. Why not create a bathroom that will turn heads and provide a talking point for guests?

Here are a few ways to embrace the trend of big impact bathrooms that deliver brilliant design as well as functionality. – Sometimes the smallest switches can create the biggest style transformations.

Colour crush

One of the easiest and most impactful ways to add impact to a bathroom design, is with colour. Colour helps ignite emotions and the senses and can transform an interior almost instantly.

So, what are the most effective ways to bring a little hue boost to your bathroom?

Bathroom paint is a cheap and easily changeable way of adding an instant colour hit, whereas colourful tiles provide a solution with greater longevity. Whichever option you select to add colour to your bathroom, the principles on how to use colour are always the same.

When it comes to using colour, creating one colourful feature wall will always provide a pop, and helps create a focal point in a room by drawing the eye.

Alternatively, applying colour to just the bottom half of the bathroom walls can help ground the room but also by sticking with white at the top, the room remains bright and airy. – Perfect for more compact spaces. Choose stronger colour saturations if you want to go bigger and bolder or stick to pastels and more muted tones for a more subtle effect.

Popular bathroom colours for this year include all manner of nature inspired greens such as Olive, Leaf and Eucalyptus. Strong colour choices can still create a calming and restful space when used as part of a harmonious scheme.

Earthy tones are big news this year, particularly when used in combination together. Terracotta, muted pinks, and greige/creams have replaced the classic grey and white coupling that has been so popular in recent years. These warmer colours help create cosier, welcoming, and friendly bathrooms, further supporting the notion of moving away from the cool, clinical design of years gone by.

Deep and dark hues such as navy, peacock and charcoal are also popular and add instant drama to a space. Contrary to popular belief, dark colours can be used successfully in smaller rooms, and particularly so when fully colour drenching the space, resulting in an enveloping of colour. – Get the look by using the same or similar tones across the floor, walls, and ceiling.

For colour confidence that is a little more subtle yet still creates a bold scheme, select strong blue hues as highlights to an otherwise neutral space.

Other than on the walls and floor, an alternative way to attract attention with colour in a bathroom is through the selection of painted furniture.

Bold and beautiful vanity units can really enhance a bathroom and create a distinctively styled space. For a DIY update, use matte furniture paint to revamp your units, and source interesting handles to replace standard ones.

Mirror, mirror…

From pill shaped to circular, and demisting technology to colour-changing ambient lighting, mirrors are no longer just for reflections. They are also a sure-fire way of finishing off a bold bathroom scheme with enhanced design.

To create a bold and boundless appeal in your bathroom, look for statement mirrors that have added features and extras to add additional wow factor and update functionality.

Pretty in Print

Surface prints are a brilliant way to create a bold bathroom that oozes both style and personality.

The great thing about using them, is that you can introduce prints in a cost-effective and minimal way if you want to test just a little boldness before committing.

One way of doing this is to select statement patterned tiles to cover just one feature wall, or splashback. Then pull in the colours with towels and accessories to create a cohesive room scheme. Highly patterned tiles have been popular for a few years now, with the trends emerging for 2022 focussed on soft geometrics and all over finishes such as marble, terrazzo, and wood.

Another, more cost-effective way to add print to your bathroom design, is to introduce small bursts of pattern through accessories like towels, window treatments, accessories, and plant pots.

Or for something a little more illustrative, consider selecting statement wallpaper or artwork. When it comes to bold bathroom wallpapers, it’s really a case of anything goes. Big pattern trends for 2022 include jungle/tropical prints, large florals and all over prints featuring animals.

Top Tip! – When using wallpaper in the bathroom, it is best to avoid close proximity to bathing areas, but just in case of any splashes, you can also use a thin layer of decorator’s varnish on top to help prevent stains, water damage, peeling paper and mould growth.

Wonderful windows

Window treatments such as curtains and blinds are often a last-minute consideration, particularly in bathrooms, but a bold roller blind or artfully draped curtain panel can really help frame a bathroom window and add another layer of interest to the room.

If opting for curtains, consider light-weight fabrics that are flowing and hang nicely. From a practical sense, they should be easy to move along the pole to aid fresh air flow into the room.

In recent years, wooden shutters have been popular in the bathroom for a modern finish. Consider bringing strong colours through onto these by painting to tie them in with other accessories in the room such as towels and accessories.

Beautiful basins

This year, ornate and perfectly patterned basins have been gaining popularity as an instant way of creating an outstanding bathroom space by changing just one element of the overall design.

From block-coloured basins, through to those with intricate detailing, a bold basin is a sure-fire way to add instant impact in a bathroom, no matter the size.

For a clean, minimal look, try colour-blocking with a simple basin design in a saturated colour.

For a more maximalist style, choose hand painted basins that create a show stopping focal point. For extra style-stake points, select printed wallpapers to complete the look for an eclectic and bohemian feel.

Pleasing panelling

Adding architectural details such as interesting architrave or panelling can really uplevel a bathroom design.

Traditional panelling painted in a bold hue will create a timeless yet contemporary backdrop for your bathroom suite. Suitable for any home, but especially effective in period properties and country style interiors, classic panelling adds an element of luxury and homeliness.

If the idea of panelling is a little too classic for your own tastes, consider fluted or ridged panels for a more modern aesthetic. Vertical ridges on the wall really help add texture and interest to more clinical spaces such as bathrooms. They also break up substantial amounts of wall space for a more homely feel.