A white bathroom is guaranteed to make a statement. From timeless and classic, country chic, cool contemporary to modern glamour – white can do it all. When well-maintained
and kept clean, it will never date. So why is this? Well, we tend to associate white with lightness, cleanliness, safety and calm. Let’s look at how white can be used in bathrooms to brilliant effect:
The key to an all-white bathroom
Texture reigns in a predominantly white bathroom that certainly isn’t boring! You can play with texture so much more with a white bathroom than you could otherwise, without it becoming overwhelming in a small space. Work with shiny glass-like surfaces like glass tile, mirrors, pendant lighting and even glass canisters on countertops. Add matte features like ceramics with a matte glaze or matte tapware. Woven baskets also make interesting textural additions.
How to incorporate pattern
Pattern is another excellent design element which can elevate a white bathroom. Hexagonal tiles have been trending lately, and they breathe life into a bathroom with a Marrakesh-like influence. Penny round tiles and the use of pebbled surfaces is not for the faint-hearted and creates fashionable impact. For a subtle look, you can turn to narrow mosaic-pattern tiles which look stunning as a backsplash. Marble can be used to break up all the geometric aspects with a more organic pattern. Not to mention what you can achieve with homewares like towels and rugs, where stripes and chevrons can take the room to new heights.
What to team with white
If an entirely white bathroom isn’t for you, and you feel like it’s crying out for a touch of colour, there are a few stunning colours that will pair perfectly. Whether you choose to use it for floor tiles or to paint the walls, charcoal grey will ensure your bathroom is the envy of your most fashionable friends. That’s because charcoal grey lends a cool sophistication and very contemporary appeal when teamed with white.
If you’d like to soften the room for a comfortable but fresh feeling space, take a cue from nature. Hues from nature like greens, beiges and muddied blue-greys add moodiness, without overwhelming the white aspects.
For a more luxe feel, be adventurous with metallics. Glitz is best incorporated in tapware but is also beautiful in more unexpected items like wallpaper. Look out for bright stainless-steel, rose gold, or burnished copper for tap fittings, cabinetry handles and tub feet to heighten your bathroom.
Bathroom features that always work in white
There are particular bathroom features that, when done in white, simply can’t go wrong. So, if you need a little more guidance, follow these cues and your bathroom is guaranteed to be a success. White subway tile has resurfaced, and it’s very much loved for the nostalgic association it has, as well as being linked to cleanliness and newness. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a more versatile tile. White beadboard can be incorporated in many ways, from floor to ceiling, as a feature, or as wainscoting. It creates subtle visual contrast in bathrooms ranging from rustic country to sleek contemporary. If marble is in your budget, you won’t regret using it, whether for floor tiles, wall tiles, vanity, or even marble-look wallpaper.
Of course, you can never go wrong with white bathtubs, toilets and sinks. Why? These white fixtures have a timeless appeal, and our brains automatically associate clean and white with good hygiene. Be sure to use quality plumbing fixtures to complement the design of your bathroom.
You see, white doesn’t have to be boring. Use texture and pattern to surprise guests and stun with a timeless white bathroom.
