Bath decor makes bold statements in 2019

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Published Date 3/20/2019

The lavatory. The water closet. The “rest” room. The loo. All these euphemisms refer to one place where the most urgent matters regarding personal hygiene occur. But today’s bathrooms are much more than the quick in-and-out once depicted by scenes in TV shows where kids lined up for their home’s single throne. The latest bathroom design trends offer a way to express your unique style and indulge yourself as well.

“This year, experts say, homeowners are focused on making the bathroom a place you'll want to be—not just where you have to go. From statement furniture (yes, really) to bold decor pieces, the bathroom is the new ‘it’ space of the house,” says lifestyle writer Jane Chertoff.

According to Chertoff’s recent report in Realtor.com, here are the biggest, boldest, and most beautiful design trends to expect in the rest of 2019.

Half-baths are going crazy. No longer the hidden door under a set of stairs, designers are transforming this small space into something that everyone will want to see."The underrated half-bath/powder room will be forgotten no more," one expert says in the article. One of the reasons it’s so much fun to dud out a half bath is the (comparably) modest cost of remodeling something so small. You can go nuts with wallpaper, a gorgeous sink and a state-of-the-art toilet with lighting to rival any Las Vegas casino. "High contrast and large scale will actually make this usually forgotten, but important, room in your house be heard," he says.

Black is back. Then again, it never completely disappeared to begin with. Black-and-white decor is trending (again), and looks especially fierce in a small interior space like a bathroom. Paint the walls a matte black, buy a charcoal vanity, and tile the floor with white. Says Elizabeth Bolognino, a New York-based interior designer: ”Black accents command a sense of respect and sophistication because the lack of color equates to a timeless design. "You can also easily incorporate accent colors with accessories that can be changed out at a later date without breaking the bank."

Furniture in the loo? Absolutely! Chertoff says, “If you have the space, a beautiful piece of furniture can create a lounge feel in your bathroom—and give you a legitimate reason to retreat there when you need to get away.” This includes free-standing chairs, couches, and benches in bathrooms. Not sure why you’d need a couch there, but evidently someone does….Best to choose pieces that have extra storage for towels or toiletries and fabrics and surfaces it’s okay to drape a wet towel over.

Homebuilders have been following the bathroom trend for years, offering his-and-hers sinks, separate closets and even showers with dual shower heads for couples. "Self-care" has been the catch-phrase with lifestyle gurus preaching the endless benefits of taking time to nurture yourself. This year is all about adding some relaxing touches to make the whole space one where you can truly indulge, says one expert, whether that means a TV screen embedded into your mirror, a light dimmer that can be set to relaxation mode, or eye-level lighting so you don’t frighten yourself when looking in that mirror every morning. Why eye-level? Because for years we have mounted the light above our mirrors, offering us dark shadows under our eyes that make us look more tired than we actually are.

While carpet isn’t usually welcome in bathrooms, there is a trend now to include vintage rugs. Look for very worn ones, the extremely low pile, and wool-cotton blends like the hand-knotted Turkish rugs, say experts. Pre-faded and distressed, they will hold up well in baths even if they get wet from time to time.

Source: Realtor, TBWS

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