Redoing your bathroom doesn't always have to be an expensive task. But, regardless of if you're going all out and remodelling or sticking to a tight budget, it's important to make sure you get the best value for money, and that means doing your research ahead of time.
Whether you’re planning a full renovation or just looking to spruce up what you already have with some on-trend accessories, why not make sure you’re ahead of the style curve and get up to speed with the looks we’ll be loving in 2021.
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We caught up with our experts to discover next year's hottest decor trends!
1. Instagram-friendly features
There once was a time when you, your family, and maybe - just maybe - a select group of friends, were the only people likely to see your bathroom.
For years, many of us hid battered tiles and dated suites safely behind closed doors, but in recent years those of us who like to share our home decor on social media have had to reconsider this stance.
'Bathrooms are no longer exclusively private places, but spaces that may be shared on Facebook or Instagram,' explained the team at Victoria & Albert and Perrin & Rowe. 'This means that our choice of décor and fittings becomes ever more important, and 2021 will see bathroom furnishings needing to cater for personalised and unique tastes.’
'After spending so much time inside this year' adds Dominic Lees-Bell, an Interior Design Specialist at Drench, 'Brits will want to make their home a haven. So, in 2021, many people will be making their home luxurious as possible, with marble, monochrome tiling, and statement gold details.’
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Experts also add that we should expect the rise of statement sanitaryware, luxurious personalised features, and open storage to display your favourite toiletries for the world to see. Sofia Charalambous, Founder of Bathroom Origins, explains:
'Open bathroom storage is set to be one of the key interiors trends in 2021 and beyond. The minimalism mantra is over – at least for bathroom storage ideas.
'No longer must you hide everything away, hiding all traces of personality and pizzazz. In the past, luxury bathrooms have been synonymous with the bare and unembellished, so there has been no place (literally or figuratively) for beautiful display items. However, times are changing, and the opportunity to display stylish possessions in the bathroom is exciting for bathroom interiors.'
2. Biophilia - bringing the outdoors in
After spending so much of 2020 inside, it appears us Brits have missed the outdoors so much that we’re even planning on bringing it into our bathroom designs.
With wellness and self-care set to be huge trends in 2021, searches for spa-like bathroom features inspired by nature - such waterfall taps and wooden bathroom elements - have already increased drastically, and experts believe that materials such as slate and stone will also feature heavily in future bathroom designs.
'Bringing the outdoors in is set to be a big trend in 2021, with more of us actively seeking the benefits of nature' says Geberit's Mike Bennett.
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'The leading trends for the year ahead will centre on harnessing the home for happiness. Of course, houseplants are an essential accessory for any bathroom, but even using earthy colour palettes for towels, tiles and trimmings can further elevate that connection to the great outdoors.'
3. Hygiene-conscious innovation
It’s fair to say that 2020 has seen us all become a little bit more hygiene conscious. After a year of extra hand washing and mask wearing, our hygiene habits have definitely altered, and this new awareness will impact the bathroom fixtures and fittings we choose for a long time to come.
In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of tech-savvy bathroom accessories - self-demisting mirrors, bluetooth technology, LED lighting – but in 2021, touch-free and clean-conscious products will become our main focus when we choose our new suites.
Mike Bennett, Consumer Marketing Manager from Geberit UK, also adds: 'Understandably, hygiene is now front of mind for many homeowners.
'Even before Covid-19, we were seeing the growth of infra-red and touchless products, and we can expect to see this trend continue with products like sensor activated flush plates, automatic taps and toilet lids and sophisticated hand drying technology becoming the norm.'
4. Brass accents
2020 saw the rise of matte black bathroom features, and they certainly won’t be disappearing from your Pinterest feed any time soon.
But if you’re after a slightly softer look you’re in luck, as brass features are set to become a favourite in 2021.
'In recent years there has been huge growth in choice of finishes' explain the team at Victoria & Albert and Perrin & Rowe.
'More than half of luxury brassware buyers now choose a finish other than chrome. For Perrin & Rowe that has included 24-carat gold, "living finishes" such as Satin Brass or Aged Brass, and beautiful brushed metal finishes such as Pewter.'
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5. Eco-friendly accessories
As consumers, we’re beginning to see the benefits (and necessities) of making more eco-friendly choices, and it seems that this won’t stop when it comes to designing our dream bathroom.
According to research from Drench bathrooms, sales for rimless toilets and dual flush plates (which both use significantly less water than some traditional bathroom fixtures) are soaring, with a combined 189% rise since last year.
'Many more customers are sensitive to where their purchases come from, how and from what they are made, and what these factors contribute to being environmentally friendly' says Kathy Smith of SBH Radiators. Find out more in our feature on ways to save water in your bathroom.
Check out our guide to the new kitchen styles to watch in 2021 - or see all our features on decor trends for 2021 here.
