
CONCRETE
While traditionally viewed as cold and industrial, the sustainability and durability of concrete combined with an increased appreciation of its stylishness has led to it becoming a big player in bathroom design.
Commonly seen in flooring – both as polished slab and within tiles – as we move into a new decade, expect to find plenty of vanities, basins and baths cut from concrete in a rainbow of soft colours. When paired with earthy materials it delivers a modern, clean look that will stand the test of time.
Trending looks: Concrete and timber make stunning bedfellows, especially in a space accessorised with living plants. It’s beautiful as a backdrop to fresh white baths and basins, especially those warmed with soft gold tapware, hooks and towel rails.
WOOD
Timber, as well as timber-look materials, have become the go-to in New Zealand as a way of bringing the outside in, adding texture and warmth, and creating the sense of a sanctuary. In the new decade sustainable options, using materials such as bamboo, cork and hemp, will become more popular, as will the use of reclaimed timber. Extremes are the key when it comes to colour, the currently popular dark woods are being joined by lighter, brighter pale oak colours, with more pronounced grains and knots.
Trending looks: Using pale wood vanities, cupboards and shelves breathes life into a minimalist light bathroom. Timber will add dimension to a monochrome colour scheme, and is also being used to ground spaces featuring bold patterned tiles.
MARBLE
The lush sensuality and elegance of marble has made it perennially popular among designers, and demand for this smooth, indulgent material is only growing, as its use increasingly spreads from walls into furniture. This year new shades will join the whites and creams, as oversized slabs in grey and soft pinks appear, often with prominent veins. For those who want the luxury of this look but with a lower price tag and more versatility, engineered stone products are flooding into bathrooms, delivering the likes of thin-rimmed basins and baths that hold heat well and recreate the opulent feel of marble.
Trending looks: Pale grey marble across the floor and in the shower makes an impression in a white bathroom, especially when given depth through earthy accents. Black marble works beautifully with copper, and is sensational offset against pale blues and greys.