A mid-range or basic bathroom renovation can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. That may seem like a huge amount but bathrooms are amongst the most important areas of your home, and improving them could increase your property’s value by tens of thousands.
If you’re planning on renovating, you might as well do it right – keep 2018’s hottest bathroom trends in mind and you’ll have the most luxurious loo in your neighbourhood.
The average floor space of Australian homes decreased to its smallest size in 20 years in 2017, according to CommSec. As hundreds of apartment buildings continue rising around the country and space becomes even more limited, this trend will only continue.
That’s why modern bathrooms should always focus on maximising whatever room they have to appear more spacious. Floating shelves instead of cabinets can do wonders, while compact vanity units and walk in showers do the same job while taking up less room.
Get creative with your features and use the space economically, and your bathroom will look and feel bigger and better.
Generous use of colours
Australian bathrooms have included every shade of neutral grey, white and cream known to man. Thankfully modern bathrooms have started including splashes of colour, a trend which is expected to become more and more popular in future.
Colours such as blackened blues and blush pinks are making a comeback, while dark emerald greens can add a touch of class to any loo. You can incorporate colour in your tiling, vanities and mirror frames if you doing a full reno, or your appliances, accessories and furniture if you’re on a budget.
Underfloor heating
You can incorporate colour in your tiling, vanities and mirror frames if you doing a full reno.
In winter, your bathroom tiles feel like blocks of ice when you hop out of the shower. Solve that first world problem by installing under floor heating – a bathroom luxury that has become surprisingly affordable in recent times.
For $700 plus installation, you can get yourself a decent system with a thermostat for a small bathroom. The feeling of warmth on your feet in the bathroom is a small luxury that makes all the difference, and will certainly make your home more attractive should you ever sell.
Minimalist Scandinavian styling
Scandinavian minimalism has swept the world of interior design over the last 20 years, and it’s now become a popular feature in bathrooms. To get the look use light pastel or neutral colours along with pale bleached timbers and clean, impactful lines.
Less is more with Scandi design so try to limit the clutter on your vanity, shelving and benches. Go for modern-look toilets showers and fittings that complement the look.
Eye catching greenery
Even beautiful brand new bathrooms can appear a little sterile. Adding a little greenery is the perfect way to freshen up any look, and add some natural charm to your bathroom’s design. However, not all plants thrive in bathrooms and you have to be careful with what you choose. Here are a few of our favourites that are ideal for bathrooms:
- Orchid:these look beautiful on a vanity or shelf, thrive on the humidity and only need a few tablespoons of water every fortnight
- Peace lily:these bushy flowering plants need very little care and will also work to purify the air in your bathroom
- Devil’s ivy:this ivy is ideal hanging or on a high shelf so the vibrant green leaves can hang low. Thrives with little light and water.
- Aloe Vera: this plant looks great and is extremely hardy – barely requiring watering. Great to have on hand for its healing properties too.
Whatever plant you choose, make sure its pot fits with the rest of your design and that it’ll survive in the dark humidity of your bathroom.
High-tech features
Smart technology is taking over the Australian home and the bathroom needn’t be left out. In fact, the right tech can make yours a more functional, attractive and hygienic place to be. For example, smart toilets allow you to pick a temperature for the heated seat and they even clean themselves.
Smart bathroom lighting turns on automatically if you pop to the loo at night and even automatically adjusts its brightness according to the time of day so that your bathroom’s always perfectly illuminated. Our favourite smart feature, however, is Bluetooth connective bathroom shower heads that play music so that you can belt out show tunes while you wash.
Whatever you decide to do with your bathroom, keep modern design trends in mind, but always add a touch of your own personality to create a space you truly enjoy.