Admit it; your bathroom needs a little love. Those dated fixtures and that tired wall color make it look sad rather than spa-like. Maybe 2012 is the year you need to give it a swift kick in the pants with a fancy redo.
This year is all about making the bathroom a serene and inviting retreat. From calming colors to incorporating elements you’d normally find in other rooms, 2012’s hottest trends turn the bathroom into a space you want to hang out in.
Neutral Colors
Gone are the days when bathrooms were done in an icy white or a bright hue. This year’s color palette is focused on warm neutral shades like sand and ivory, or pale greens.
Don’t worry, color hasn’t completely gone out the window. Bold accent colors like red, light blue, black and orange are in as well.
Wallpaper
Your eyes are not fooling you; wallpaper in the bathroom is big for 2012. Don’t feel the need to stick to the traditional stripes or flowers — this isn’t your grandma’s powder room. Get crazy and go for over-sized, unexpected prints or bold geometric patterns. Make sure to use water-resistant wallpaper or you’ll have a huge mess on your hands.
Interesting Tiles
2012 is all about using tiling as a serious design element. Great tiles can make your shower a show-stopper or spruce up a bathroom floor. That said, why not go a step further and use them to cover the bathroom counter or even an entire wall?
Mosaics are particularly hot this season, especially if they are made from natural glass, quartz, or metal tiles. Not only do these types of tiles add a sparkle to your bathroom, but often they are created from recycled materials, making them super green.
Glass Bathtub
The bathtub is back! This is great news for those who enjoy a good soak over a long, hot shower. However, standard porcelain tubs are so last year. Opt instead for a bathtub made of glass. A glass tub is sleek, streamlined and gives your bathroom a no-frills, eco-friendly appeal. As a bonus, installing this type of tub will definitely give your guests something to talk about.
Chandelier
Skip the sconces and go for a little mood lighting. Installing a chandelier over your tub can really up the romantic ante in the bathroom. The trend is to choose a piece that would look more appropriate over the dining room table than in the powder room. Go decorative or minimalist, as either is appropriate — just make sure it’s eye-catching.
When all is said and done, indulging in one or two decor trends is going to make your experience in the bathroom that much better. Not only will it look just as good as the rest of your house, but you’ll have a stylish retreat you may never want to leave.
By Megan Mostyn-Brown
