How to: Add a Splash of Colour to Your Bathroom

 Bathrooms may commonly be filled with lots of white sanitary ware, but the overall feel of your bathroom shouldn’t have to feel sanitised and cold. Bathroom brands and designers are including more and more colour in their designs with colourful vanity units, bold brassware and bright baths to bring a unique and fresh feel to that cold white bathroom scheme. Adding colour to your bathroom may seem scary and you’re probably unsure to add it because the colour might go off trend (just like the avocado bathroom suite craze), but adding colour to your bathroom doesn’t mean going overboard. Don’t think about bright and garish reds, neon greens and vibrant oranges, or complicated and overwhelming colour schemes. Think less is more and don't focus on trends, or colours of the year, unless you love them.Most of the time just a splash of colour combined with a few neutral colours will do the trick. Colour works wonders to bring your bathroom away from the cold feeling that sanitaryware gives and into that long awaited feeling of rejuvenation and warmth. Colour can be added to your bathroom in a variety of ways and it’s also the perfect way to stamp your bathroom with your own personal style.  

COLOUR THEORY

Colour is a key element in interior design. It offers spatial perception and can balance different elements of any room. If you want to make sure that you’re picking the right colours for your home, to enjoy for years to come, then take some time to collect and play with colour samples, or simply create a mood board on Pinterest for an easy way to gather colours options and interior design inspiration. Also, take a look at seasonal colour palettes and see which direction you want to go in setting a mood for your room. For example, does your bathroom often feel cold and uninviting because it’s so large? Or, does it feel dark and gloomy because there’s a lack of natural sunlight?Some colour palettes will always remain classical, and some will always be associated to certain symbols or feelings. Colour symbolism in art refers to the use of colour as a symbol in various cultures. For example, red is used to communicate danger on sign posts, but it’s used to communicate the language of love. Often the best colour palettes use timeless colours and normally involve one main colour and then a mixture, shades and tones.   

COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY

Colour is often used to create feelings of coziness or spaciousness within interior design, but it can also be used to influence our mood and even our hunger levels. Similar to how different rooms in the home can influence our moods, which will ultimately change our state-of-mind, colours and rooms are often paired together to enhance certain feelings or perceptions.  An extreme example of how rooms and colours, when paired together, can influence behaviour is how the colour pink (specifically Baker-Miller pink) is used in prisons to calm down aggressive inmates. Project ‘Cool Down Pink’, implemented in Swedish prisons, uses the same design implementation in an attempt to calm down their inmates.A fun example of how colour positively affects our mood is how the colour red can cause hunger levels to rise. It’s often used in restaurants to stir customer apetities. Orange can also activate hunger sensations, as well as yellow, which activates our happy endorphins such as dopamine; high levels of dopamine = an increase to eat more.  So which colours work best in a bathroom? Forget the prison Baker-Miller pink for now, unless you really like it...

• Lilac is soothing and can create a stress-free sanctuary, which is perfect if you enjoy winding down in a bubble bath.
• Blue is calming and soothing, it can open the mind to promote intellectual thought and can also make you feel protected. It’s great if you want ideas to flow when you’re taking a shower, or if you want to feel calm after a long and stressful day.
• Pink, though often avoided because it’s too ‘girlie’, is also a good choice because it can be used to promote feelings of peace, leaving you feeling rested and rejuvenated. It doesn’t need to be a hot pink or baby pink. Think muted pastel pink tiles, even the slightest hint of pink will do the trick.
• Yellow orange!, as mentioned above, activate our happy endorphins. Not the biggest morning person? Then yellow and orange could be the colours for you. They also look great in modern bathroom designs.

  

COLOUR IN THE BATHROOM

You may be leaning more to redecorating your walls with colorful tiles, paint, or wall panels, but there are other options if you don’t want to redecorate your entire room.Beautiful Bright Baths: Let your bath do the talkingWaters Baths of Ashbourne allow you to personalise your bath by customising the outer shell with any colour from the Farrow & Ball colour palette. Each bath is hand painted by their artisan craftsman ensuring a perfect finish and attention to detail for a charge of £295.00 Inc VAT which, if you think about it, isn’t a lot for you to have a personalised bath (that you will love!) which is perfect for your bathroom.   Bold Brassware Accents: Let the brassware do the talkingFor those of you with love for bold design, Crosswater’s Union range offers a striking red lever in the ranges exquisite knurled surface. This confident pop of colour complements all brassware finishes in the industrial looking collection and will add a touch of sophistication to any bathroom. The red lever is available with all of the Union collection so it’s entirely possible to match all your bathroom’s brassware with this confident pop of red!If you're looking for something more colourful check out Tres tapware for bathrooms where basin taps, shower heads, shower valves and shower handsets are available in the following Loft colour finishes: violet, amber, orange, red, fuchsia, green and black. Even their kitchen mixer taps are available in the same colours!  Colour Match: Let your whole bathroom do the talkingUtopia bathrooms have some amazing co-ordinating furniture, fitted, wall mounted and freestanding, in a variety of sophisticated, classic and on trend, colours and shades. The Lustre range offers wall mounted units in sea green, powder grey, indigo and copper. The Star Range offers dramatic bursts of colour highlights. The Opula range offers sweeping lines and straight curves in three colour finishes; grey, sea green and indigo. The Symmetry range offers more colour with beautiful vibrant teal. The Roseberry range offers a more traditional style with a peacock blue or London grey finish. The Halo range offers a more contemporary feel with a wide choice of co-ordinating colours, such a denim blue and concrete grey.Bisque have a passion for colour and exciting finishes. They believe that customers should have the optimum variety of choice when it comes to their choice of radiator. In addition to their colour range some Bisque radiators are also available to be painted in international colour ranges such as RAL or NCS colours. Fancy a pastel lilac radiator? Bisque can do that! Bisque also offer iridescence finishes for their iconic ranges, such as the classic radiator, the classic towel radiator and their hot spring radiator. The 5 striking iridescence colour finishes have a two-tone effect when viewed in different light or seen from different angles.Doccia shower trays are also available in colours from the RAL color chart! Some you could match your shower tray to your Bisque radiator!  Powderey Pinks & Pastels: Let pastels do the talkingIn modern homes and 2018 interior trends it’s becoming increasingly popular to see pastel colours. This visually calming, chromatic range balances the surrounding space to bring inner peace. The most popular pastel in 2018 is pink, a powdery pastel pink. It’s soft yet vibrant personality works really well in interior design as it can increase the light capacity in each space it’s used. It’s also highly versatile because it pairs well with various colours and finishes, such as black and gold, and even natural finishes to add a touch of warmth and emotional wellness.Bathroom Brands such as; Fiora, Villeroy & Boch, Dansani, Bisque, Vitra, Britton, Crosswater, GSI and catalano all feature pastels within their bathroom designs, some even offer furniture and sanitaryware in various pastel finishes. 

 Fun & Funky Tiles: Let your tiles do the talkingWhatever the style, tiles are a great way to add a creative and colourful touch to your bathroom, plus there are many different designs to suit all tastes. Tiles will speak for themselves, so if you want your new bathroom to be creatively colourful and you’ve found just the right tiles to do the job then your new bathroom may not need any additional colour. This is helpful when it comes to thinking about the other areas in your bathroom as you won’t need to think too much about an overly complicated matching colour scheme (unless you do!). Why not take a look at our tile page where there's plenty of colourful tiles to choose from?  Not as creative as you think? We don’t judge! There’s actually a lot to think about when you start to involve colour schemes in your home. Why not let us have a go for you? Visit an Island Bathrooms showroom when you're next free, or book a free 30 min consultation with one of our bathroom experts and let them know you want to add a splash of colour to your bathroom!  

How to: Create a Tropical Bathroom with Houseplants

In this article, Ciara Sheridan, buyer for houseplants at Wyevale Garden Centres, looks at why more people are including plants in their tropical-style bathrooms, and how you can too!  Bringing the outdoors in has been a growing fascination for homeowners in recent years. And in 2018 we're set to see this continue, as last year's tropical-inspired décor heads into our bathrooms. While the trend was previously all about vibrant colours and patterns, this time around there will be more focus on deep, luscious greens: more Amazon rainforest than Rio carnival.  

Why should I add houseplants to my bathroom?

One of the best ways of adding a splash of greenery to your bathroom is by working in some bold and beautiful houseplants! Not only is this a great option for those who've recently revamped their bathroom in the tropical style, but it's also a smart choice if you're not planning to remodel but want to enjoy the look of this trend.What's more, the benefits of having plants in your bathroom extend beyond just aesthetics. For one, they are very good at improving the air quality in your home, filtering out many particulates and outputting lovely, oxygen-rich air. Not only that, but they can absorb excess moisture and eliminate bacteria that can cause problems further down the line.Finally, if you are trying to create a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, plants can help there, too. Studies have shown that surrounding yourself with greenery can have a calming effect that can boost wellbeing and lower levels of anxiety, among other benefits (Psychology Today). So, what better way to turn your beautiful bathroom into a green haven?  

What types of houseplant will thrive in my bathroom?

Before you go ahead and rehome some houseplants, you need to think about what type of environment your bathroom provides, as this will affect the species you should choose. For instance, many bathrooms have smaller windows than the rest of a house, so levels of natural light can be lower. While plants that can live on just a little light will thrive, those that can't will struggle.You will also need to think about temperature and humidity in your bathroom. Though there will be lots of warmth and moisture when someone takes a bath or shower, your bathroom will likely get a lot colder when no-one is using it. Some plants don’t deal well with fluctuations in temperature and humidity, so you'll need to take this into account too. Finding the right plants to suit your bathroom can take a little effort to get right, but here are some suggestions below to help you get started:

Bamboo

This plant is a low-light specialist that can thrive in low-light bathrooms. Bamboo doesn't need much maintenance, either, as it's able to take root in a container with just some pebbles and water. The only thing to remember is to keep it well-hydrated, which shouldn't be an issue in a room with such a plentiful supply.

Orchid

Orchids are flowers that really take to humid environments, so a bathroom or wet room is an ideal choice. Their favoured lighting condition is bright but indirect sunlight, such as near a window that doesn’t get direct sun through the day. Orchids also like cooler temperatures at night, so unless you are a big fan of midnight showers, a bathroom should suit them well.

Asparagus fern

Do you have a window that gets a lot of sunlight in your bathroom? Then an asparagus fern is a great pick, due to its love of bright light. Asparagus ferns also thrive in humidity, so they won't suffer in a bathroom or wet room. You should aim to keep them moist but not overwatered for the best results.

Cast-iron plant

As its name suggests, the cast-iron plant is all but bomb-proof. It's a great low-maintenance choice for a bathroom as it will grow just as well in low or indirect light, and only needs to be watered intermittently — simply check for the soil going dry. This hardy plant will grow well in the humid conditions of a bathroom or wet room.  

If you are looking to incorporate some tropical style into your bathroom this year, you can't go wrong with a houseplant or two. Just be sure to choose the right species to suit your home. Looking for tropical bathroom inspiration? Take a look at our latest tropical bathrooms Pinterest board or our tropical inspired Houzz Ideabook!

On Trend: Grey Bathroom Ideas

Grey bathrooms have been increasing in popularity over the years. Around 8 years ago grey started to become popular within interiors, especially in bathrooms and kitchens and it’s been a growing trend ever since. It’s now the go-to colour choice when it comes to bathroom design. One of the main reasons grey is still so popular is because it’s a neutral colour, also known as a achromatic colour. Which means it’s a colour without colour. It’s the middle man for colour schemes and balances out the surroundings it’s in due to its neutral personality.  Grey is a practical yet stylish option with many positive design effects. It lets colour shine, flatters period features, works with stone and marble textures and instantly makes any setting look contemporary. But most importantly it’s a colour which won’t go out of fashion and this is ideal for bathrooms... there’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on a design that will look outdated in a few years time. Grey can be used to enhance any look in any room and makes any bathroom design a timeless one.  When incorporated properly grey is used as a base or an enhancer for other colours, patterns or themes. It’s rarely used on its own, and if it is, it can often be seen as boring and visually one dimensional. If you’re thinking about having a grey bathroom don’t assume that everything in the room should be grey, it shouldn’t overwhelm the whole room. Using a little bit of grey here and there will go a long way!  Grey is normally featured in certain aspects of the bathroom such as the walls or floors, or bathroom furniture. If used throughout the room it will be broken up by shades, tones, patterns, textures or even other colours.  It's rarely used in just one shade throughout the room. Take a look at the below ideas for how to incorporate this versatile colour in the bathroom!  

Grey bathroom ideas:

Grey walls and floors...

Grey tiles...

Grey bathroom furniture...

Grey bathroom products & accessories...

Grey combined with colour...

Looking for more inspiration?

 Take a look at our grey inspired Pinterest board or take a look at our grey ideabook on Houzz.

You can also take a look at our customer's bathrooms and see how we've incorporated grey into their designs:

Mr & Mrs M - Romsey, Hampshire - July 2017

Mr & Mrs D - Bournemouth, Dorset - June 2017

Mr & Mrs O - Bournemouth, Dorset - May 2017

Ms P - Christchurch, Dorset - April 2017

Mr W - Golden Gates, Sandbanks - March 2016

Mr & Mrs F - Dorset - August 2014

How to: Incorporate Tiles in Your Bathroom

Tiles are an ideal way to finish your bathroom or kitchen. As well as completing the overall design of your bathroom or kitchen they’re also very practical because they protect your walls and floors from water damage or dirt. Tiles are easy to wipe clean so any mess created in the kitchen or any dirt left in the bathroom can be easily removed. But tiles don’t have to be limited to kitchens and bathrooms, they can be used to create a unique look in any room of your home. They’re also an easy way to update any room in your home without completely renovating the whole space.   Tiles are often placed around or behind areas in the home which are prone to dirt or splashes. For example, around the bath, shower or sink areas to protect the walls from water damage, or in the kitchen on the walls behind the hob, sink and worktops. But if you can afford to incorporate more tiles into your design you’ll notice how much of a difference they make to the design and durability of any room.  Deciding on what tiles to choose can be tricky because there’s so much choice out there! Often you’ll see a tile you like before you’ve decided on what design you want to achieve. Or You’ll see a design you like and then have to find the tiles to go with that design. However you start you should always take a look at interior design images online to gain inspiration from other homes. This way you’ll get a feel for the designs you’d like to achieve in your home and making decisions will become a lot easier.   

Looking to incorporate tiles in your home? Whether you’re looking to update the look of your bathroom or renovating your home consider these 6 tile factors:

1. Which room will the tiles go in: Bathroom, wet room, kitchen, living room, hallway, study?

2.Where will you tile in this room: Floor, walls, wall and floors, entire room, sections, borders, feature areas?

3.What type of style are you looking for: contemporary, traditional, feature, glamourous etc?

4.How many types of tiles do you want: only 1 type of tiles, 2 different types of tiles, a 3 tile combo (Will you be using the same tiles throughout, or 2 different contrasting tile designs etc)?

5.What tile material should you choose: Marble, stone, wood effect, concrete, glass, splashback, porcelain, ceramic?

6.What finishes & designs do you want: large, small, matt, gloss, pastel, vivid colours, single colour, multicolored, patterned, mosaic, neutrals, shapes?

  

Need some more inspiration? Take a look at the following tile design ideas:

2 tile combos (2 types of tile designs or finishes)

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3 tile combos (3 types of tile designs or finishes)

[gallery columns="6" link="file" ids="9801,9802,9800,9798,9799,9796,9797,9794,9795,9793"] 

All in one rooms (1 type of tile throughout the whole room)

[gallery columns="6" link="file" ids="9809,9808,9807,9806,9805,9804,9803"] 

Creative tiles (create your own design using however many types of tiles & finishes)

[gallery columns="6" link="file" ids="9810,9811,9812,9813,9814,9815,9816,9817,9818,9819,9820,9821"] 

Feature walls & floors (one wall or section that’s tiled just the way you want it)

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Mix & match shapes (mix and match rectangular tiles with square tiles or hexagon tiles)

[gallery columns="6" link="file" ids="9846,9847,9848,9849,9850,9851,9852,9853,9854,9855,9856" orderby="rand"] 

Need more inspiration? View our tile board on Pinterest or our tile ideabook on Houzz!