‘Pretty’ bathrooms are everywhere right now, but how do you nail the aesthetic without compromising on practicality?
From introducing wallpaper, mixing and matching finishes, to playing with colour, KBB journo Charlotte Luxford shares five clever ways to create a pretty yet functional bathroom…
1. Prettify your bathroom with wallpaper
About five years ago, putting wallpaper in a bathroom would have been considered niche, but now it’s everywhere and we’re here for it. “Bringing in pattern and texture through wallpaper is a brilliant way to cushion the harshness of white sanitaryware; it adds charm and raises the overall look and feel of the space,” says Ali Johnson, director at Otta Design.
According to Ali, a properly ventilated bathroom can happily accommodate standard wallpaper outside of the wet areas, but if it’s closer to a splash zone, she recommends choosing a wallpaper with a vinyl coating or scrubbable finish to provide extra durability.
You can also apply decorator’s varnish (a clear matt varnish) by rollering it over the top of the wallpaper to help protect it against moisture, and Ali suggests using an extra-strong wallpaper adhesive to avoid any lifting.
2. Mix and match finishes
“To create a characterful bathroom, we like to mix finishes thoughtfully, so they don’t all feel overly matchy or prescribed,” reveals interior designer Anna Haines. “Embracing ‘live’ finishes that age naturally and develop a patina will add charm and individuality over time – unlacquered brass is a beautiful finish, with its warmth and classical appeal.”
Anna often mixes living brass with aged bronze on the towel rail or cabinet handles while reserving a brushed brass finish for more hardwearing areas. Another finish that’s becoming increasingly popular this year is nickel – blending cool silvery tones with a hint of warmth, it’s versatile, working with various aesthetics, and is generally more low maintenance than brass.
Keeley Sutcliffe, design manager at BC Designs, also suggests opting for more unexpected pairings when it comes to choosing fittings and sanitaryware, such as a modern, floorstanding filler with a classic roll-top bath, or pairing a traditional shower fitting with a contemporary enclosure to add interest.
3. Pay attention to details
A ‘pretty’ bathroom is about finesse – sloppy craftsmanship will immediately lower the tone of your design and it’s those smaller details that can really elevate the space. “It’s those finer elements that can make all the difference,” says Jelena Obradov of Obradov Studio. “For example, joining tiles at corners in a mitered manner rather than with a tile strip, or using coloured grouting to either match the tile or contrast with it; but definitely avoiding bog-standard white or grey.”
Laying tile patterns can be tricky too, so make sure your tiler is on board with your chosen design, and take the time to get it right and map it out first, so it doesn’t end in disappointment. The same goes for the placement of fittings and ensuring your proportions are correct – a vanity mirror that’s too small or positioned incorrectly, for example, can throw off your scheme.
4. Be creative with colour
Choosing a more imaginative colour scheme or being bolder with paint techniques is a very cost-effective way to add impact to a bathroom. “Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls creates a cocooning effect, making the space feel more intimate,” says Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook. “Two-tone walls, colour drenching, or painted panelling will add that extra flourish you often see in living spaces, creating an atmosphere that encourages relaxation and unwinding.”
Highlighting furniture or woodwork such as skirting, architraves, and doors in a bold contrasting shade is also a clever way to get a pretty look with little effort.
“We’re huge lovers of colour and we often find painting a vanity unit in a vibrant tone immediately creates character and strong visual appeal,” says Ali. “Our go-to vanity suppliers are Harvey George and Parker Howley. With them, you can choose whatever colour you like for the vanity unit to be painted in – there are no restrictions.”
Lastly, the right paint finish can help soften the bathroom; Anna suggests avoiding overly reflective, high-sheen, or glossy options, and choosing flat matt paints, instead. “Not only are they durable and suitable for higher humidity environments, but they also absorb light, reducing glare and contributing to a more serene, lived-in feel,” she says.
5. The finishing touch
Half-height ledges (which perhaps also hide the pipework) are great for introducing colourful pots, plants, and decorative pieces. Niches in the shower or above the tub are also perfect for adding pretty glass bottled toiletries, candles, and spa-style accessories to complete your bathroom look.
“Adding a small tray on top of the vanity to store things together that you need and love will also introduce some visual interest: soap, rings, cute hair accessories, or cotton swabs in a nice glass container… all these small visual cues contribute to the more lived-in, personalised look,” says Jelena.
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