Bathroom Trend Focus 2022: Repurpose, Recycle, Reuse
Planning a bathroom is definitely one of the more tricky spaces to design and implement in our homes. We are bombarded on social media and online by inspiration and ideas and sometimes it’s hard to drill down to work out what we really love and what – if any of it – is applicable to us and how we want to decorate. With more emphasis on the way that we view the world ecologically and how we need to be living now, one of the most important elements of planning a new space is the sustainability focus and the need to create a room that isn’t just for now, but that will still be relevant, functional but still reflecting our own core style in the years to come. So how can we make sure that when looking ahead to the trends being forecast for 2022, that the choices we make will work hard for both us and the environment now and going forward?
Where Should I Focus My Budget?
When you are sticking to a budget on a bathroom project, it’s sometimes hard to work out where you should spend your money and where you should save. A new bathroom should last for many years and as such, investing in the key pieces – the ‘basics’ of the room – is a sensible decision. Research hard before you decide on your sanitaryware style and veer towards clean lines and classic styling which will keep your space looking current once current trends have faded. The same applies to hardware choices, such as taps or flush plates, which are also in it for the long haul and need to continue to work with the room if you decide to give the space a refresh in the future.
How Do I Incorporate Trends?
It’s easy to be smitten with new interior trends but you need to make sure that what you choose for your new bathroom will move with the times. You don’t want to overpower the room with too much pattern or colour; it’s a proven fact that the simpler the look is, the longer it will last. Take for example terrazzo and marble, natural materials which are timeless in their appeal. Metro style tiles were designed in 1904 to be used in the New York subway and are used time and time again in bathroom design due to their classic style. All of these choices are easily paired with newer trends when it comes to colour and accessories, meaning you can switch up the look without changing the base.
How Can I Repurpose In A Bathroom Space?
Adding individuality to our spaces is so important when we are creating rooms that reflect our personalities. Second hand or vintage pieces not only bring an element of history to your home but also layers, important when you’re styling and planning a functional room such as a bathroom. A small wooden stool is both practical and pretty; vintage cupboards or dressers can provide essential storage for towels and accessories. Charity shop glassware in the form of vessels or vases could be perfect for displaying smaller items such as toothbrushes or cotton wool and check out the second hand stores for preloved artwork. These extra touches may be small but they can make a real difference to the feel of the space without a huge outlay.
How Can Plants Make A Difference?
Bringing the outside in is so important in the way that we live today and adding plants to our home is amazing for both our own wellbeing and the environment. Surrounding ourselves with greenery is proven to improve our mood and lower stress and anxiety levels but that aside, caring for and keeping green things alive is a very positive experience! Using natural materials in both our furnishings and accessories reflects the outside world and makes us feel connected to the outside world and provides a contrast of textures in utilitarian spaces such as bathrooms. Think rattan baskets for storing essentials, woven pots for plants or bamboo containers for toiletries. Texture is everything.
How Can I Be Sustainable In My Decor?
The way that we decorate and furnish our homes is changing as we all become more aware of the importance of making choices that will, well, to be frank, change the world. Thinking long term, repurposing what you have and investing hard in the bones of the room is so important when it comes to making our homes sustainable for the future. Make choices that you love but also that will last the test of time and won’t have you rushing for the tile catalogue two years down the line as your love for the jewel colour or pattern clash dwindles. Look around your home to see what you can repurpose in the space and use what you already have before you rush out to invest in new accessories. ‘Fast’ interiors are becoming a thing of the past; considered décor that is kind to the environment is the real ‘trend’ and it’s not a fleeting one.
