The latest bathroom trends straight out of Europe

Current interior trends reflect a sharp turn away from minimalism and monochromatic colour palettes, as designers embrace maximalism through bold colours, textures, patterns and eclectic furnishings.

While these trends are showing up in every room of the house, bathrooms — typically simple, clean, and understated aesthetically — are experiencing a revival of colour, texture, and unconventional materiality that harks back to the vibrant bathrooms of the 1970s and 80s.

Modern designers are also choosing to focus more on the experience of the bathroom, with a noticeable increase in products centred around wellness, comfort, and sustainability.

Having recently returned from ISH, one of Europe’s largest bathroom trade shows, the team at Metrix — New Zealand’s home of European bathroomware — are bursting with insights on the latest styles, colours, and materials dominating the European market. We caught up with Metrix National Specification Manager Grieg McGrannachan to learn more.

Bold colours and playful textures

From bright, block-coloured toilets to basins with swirling, polychromatic patterns, European designers aren’t afraid to think outside the box.

“Unlike the pastels that are popular in New Zealand at the moment, we’re seeing lots of really strong colours on baths, basins, tapware, and toilets coming out of Europe,” McGrannachan says.

“Bright yellows and blues on toilets, and dual-tone or patterned vanities, rather than your standard white porcelain. We’re also seeing this reflected in showers, where the shower tray is available in a range of colours rather than your standard white or silver.”

These pops of colour aren’t restricted to bathroomware, with bold tiles, art glass, stone, and wood also making an appearance.

Matte finishes

Gloss finishes have loosened their grip on the design world as new textures step up to the plate.

“Matte baths were particularly popular at ISH, and we’re seeing those satin to matte finishes start to replace the traditional gloss,” McGrannachan says.

This texture is coupled with darker hues, as matte black bathtubs, sinks, and tapware are being noticeably favoured over their glossy white counterparts.

Freestanding baths and minimalist rain showers

While not a new trend, freestanding baths remain a popular choice for high-end bathroom designers, McGrannachan says, as do minimalist showers.

“A lot of people are choosing freestanding baths, and you can get them in a matte or coloured finish if you want, or opt for the traditional gloss.

“Showers are becoming quite simple, with just a shower rail or a head. Shower roses are still in, but people are now adding a rain head over the top,” McGrannachan explains.

Designers are also choosing to forgo the shower enclosure for a built-in nook, or simple pane of glass, with colour and texture expressed through tiling, tapware, and glazing.

Sustainable design

As sustainability remains a key issue for suppliers, designers, and homeowners alike, the Metrix team noticed a real focus on recycled materials and product life cycles at ISH.

“Suppliers have been paying a lot of attention to the production and design of products from a sustainability perspective, so that’s looking at recycled materials but also what happens at the end of a product’s life,” McGrannachan says.

This included a variety of zero-waste and modular products, water-saving fixtures, and rimless easy-to-clean toilets that save on water and reduce the need for harsh chemicals.

“One particular water-saving feature we noticed was tapware with ‘cool start’ technology, which means the tap runs cold water when the mixer handle is in the middle position, saving hot water.”

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