Trends to inspire your next home renovation project

Our bathrooms and ensuites are now more important and personal to us than they have ever been. Think about it, a lengthy soak in your bath after a hard day at work; a warm shower after a long run on a cold winter’s night or slow Sunday mornings spent pampering in front of the mirror - we are spending more time in the bathroom than the generations before us. This is why here at Balnei & Colina we see more and more, people really taking the time to customize and fit out their bathrooms to suit their individual needs and styles.

When it comes time to providing a recommendation to our clients undertaking a bathroom renovation project, we like to preach our eternal motto; keep the foundations timeless.

We encourage our clients to choose uncomplicated base elements - such as tile selection - to create a bathroom design that has a timeless base, then add personality through accessories like tapware.

Trends and fads come and go, that’s why a smarter approach to picking a more enduring style it vital. Having said that, there are some innovative bathroom design products that we believe will more likely stand the test of time. Here are some of our personal favourites.

Robert Fonti

Director, Balnei & Colina

 

Brighton Le Sands bathroom renovation in Sydney

Source: Balnei & Colina

 

Hero Baths

Choosing the right bath can greatly impact on your overall enjoyment of the bathroom space as well as its visual presentation.

Freestanding baths, or the ‘Hero Bath’ as we like to call them, have been trending over the last few years. It is only in recent times that the shapes, sizes, and materials have gone in a different and very exciting direction. From round to square to freeform, the choices are endless. However one of our favourite go-to bath brands is Victoria + Albert who are doing some extraordinary things with freestanding baths. They use a material called QUARRYCAST, which is made from finely ground Volcanic Limestone. The product enables them to produce some visually outstanding forms for baths. Some of our Balnei & Colina favourites include the Amalfi which looks beautifully graceful, the Napoli, Edge and Ravello designs which are an amazing centrepiece in any bathroom.

 

Hero bath AMALIFI by Victoria & Albert

Source: Victoria & Albert

ACS Bathrooms also have some stunning freestanding baths (the Lucia Matt Black is a real showstopper), while Reece have an excellent range as well.

 

This circular hero bath is a fabulous example of modern bathroom design.

Source: Salad Days

 

This free standing bath by Aquatica is the real hero in this bathroom design.

Source: Aquatica

 

Matt black is definitely here to stay. Bath by Lisna Waters.

Source: Lisna Waters

 

Large format tiles and wall panelling

The use of large wall panels or tiles is one of the latest trends when it comes to bathroom design.

Some of our Balnei & Colina clients are interested in using large format tiles or wall panelling for a feature wall, others like to use it for their entire bathroom.  Smartstone, has a number of beautiful collections that can be used for wall panelling including Paris, Milan, Toledo and Santorini. All these amazing finishes add elegance and grace to any bathroom and are also resistant to heat, scratches, chips, stains, chemicals, mould, and mildew.

One of the major benefits of using these oversized panels or tiles, aside from their impressive sleek finish, is the reduction in the amount of exposed grout. This reduces the work needed to keep it clean.

Something to keep in mind however is the cost - large wall paneling, in particular, is more expensive than traditional sized tiles. However, the team at Balnei & Colina think it’s well worth the additional investment given the amazing visual impact and reduced cleaning workload.

 

This Sydney bathroom renovation in San Souci boasts larger format tiles and a minimalistic, contemporary design

Source: Balnei & Colina

 

Large marble wall panels introduce a sophisticated, sleek look to this modern bathroom design by Studio Clark + Co

Source: Studio Clark + Co

 

Stone wall panels have been used as a feature in this luxurious space, designed by Minosa Design

Source: Minosa Design

 

Creating mood with lighting

For many, the bathroom has become another living zone as opposed to a place where you have a quick shower or floss your teeth. We’re spending more time in our bathrooms and ensuites, which means that setting the right mood and creating a space that is both relaxing and practical is important.

Lighting is a key component in designing the ultimate bathroom. Versatile lighting will help create ambience for day and night, as well as providing functional lighting for day to day activities like make-up application.

Beacon Lighting has a range of lighting solutions, with their selection of bathroom options vast and varied. One of the products we love and believe won’t go out of fashion is the gorgeous graphite pendant light, as well as the LEDlux Reflextion dimmable large mirror with integrated LED light. 

 

The lighting installed in this Sydney bathroom, Rozelle project gallery]] renovation really brings this space to life, whilst remaining functional

Source: Balnei & Colina

 

Consider natural lighting for your bathroom design, like this wonderful example.

Source: istome

 

The combination of marble with brass and matt black creates a luxurious space in this bathroom design.

Source: Curated Interior

 

Black Gold and Bronze Accessories

There has been a bit of a shift away from the traditional chrome bathroom and ensuite fittings of late. Whilst silver is still the simple choice when it comes to tapware and accessories, bathroom fittings in black, bronze, and rose gold are definitely in vogue at the moment.

Matte black has become increasingly popular with new bathrooms and ensuites and one of our favourites Reece have a gorgeous selection of black bath and basin mixers, along with their luxury line of bronze fittings. ACS Bathrooms have a range of sophisticated brushed rose gold tapware, with the bespoke tube series achieving a high-end look. The heated towel rail looks more like it should be in the National Gallery of New South Wales. It’s an outstanding piece. 

 

Matt black fittings feature against stunning marble wall tiles in this bathroom design by Dieter Vander Velpen.

Source: Dieter Vander Velpen

 

Gold fixtures and fittings inject a truly sophisticated look to this black and white bathroom by Holst Brothers.

Source: Holst Brothers

 

This is a fabulous example of how Dornbracht Rose Gold fittings can work classically in a modern bathroom design.

Source: Apartment Therapy

 

For more information about our custom bathroom renovation services or to book a design consultation, call 1300 450 320.

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