Thinking Of A Dark-Coloured Bathroom?
Are you currently picking your colours for your new home and are loving the dark-coloured bathroom trend? Senior Write from Houzz Australia, Georgia Madden, spoke to three experts who reveal how to pull off the look below.
From black taps and hardware to floor-to-ceiling charcoal tiles, we’ve noticed a growing number of dark bathrooms cropping up in design-led homes on Houzz. And it’s easy to see the appeal: bathrooms decorated in rich tones feel cosy, unique and a little bit exciting. We spoke to three bathroom designers to find out how to create the dramatic look in your own bathroom.
Moody & Dramatic
“Dark bathrooms make a wonderful statement in a home – they are elegant, grand, moody and dramatic,” says Justine Wilson, director at Vault Interiors Property Styling. “They create a feeling of elegance and sophistication – like when you go to a bathroom in a really cool restaurant or bar,” says Jasmine McClelland, principal designer at Jasmine McClelland Design. “Layered with beautiful lighting, textures and rich colour, a dark bathroom is about creating an experience and a mood.” “They also create a pleasing contrast with the light and airy spaces in your home,” adds Wilson.
A Growing Trend
“Dark bathrooms have had a resurgence, and with there being more finishes and materials available from suppliers and retailers nowadays, designing a dark-toned bathroom is easier than ever,” says Amber Edwards, interior designer at Smarter Bathrooms+. “Over the past 10 years, people have been drawn to bright and open combined living spaces. This style creates flow throughout a home, but it can often be lacking in those smaller and more intimate cosy spaces. So going dark in a naturally private room such as a bathroom is a great way to have the best of both worlds.” “We are seeing an increase in clients wanting a bathroom or often a powder room that is a little bit elevated, which can really impress visitors,” says McClelland. “Powder rooms are often positioned in a part of the house where there is less natural light, so going dark and dramatic is the perfect way to use this as an advantage.”
Different Ways To Add Dark Touches
Use dark tiles throughout, complemented with a contrasting vanity and tapware (think brass, chrome, brushed nickel, copper or rose gold).
For a more balanced and pared-back look, consider lighter tiles with a dark vanity, fixtures, fittings and tapware.
Play with darker tiles or tiles with a dark pattern.
Gloss finishes are great for dark spaces too as they add a richness and depth.
Consider stone tiles or vanity tops that are rich in colour or have a dark pattern or veining.
Use dark hardware or tapware
Embrace dark-toned joinery.
Choose dark paint colours.
Have fun with elements such as mirrors. Consider bronze- or smoky-toned mirrors or mercury glass mirrors.
Up the drama with interesting artworks in dark gloss or metal frames.
Look to add soft furnishings, such as curtains and blinds in dark tones and interesting textures.
Dispense with simple overhead LED lights and add decorative wall sconces or pendants for a magical and moody feel.
Set lighting on dimmers so you can change the illumination levels and mood of the space.
Insider Tips For Making It Work
Use paint to create a dark space without having to completely redo your entire bathroom. For instance, you may be able to paint your existing cupboards charcoal or black, or paint the walls above the tiles or ceiling in one of a number of rich tones.
Wallpaper is another great way to introduce dark tones to a bathroom without having to change everything.
You don’t have to go all-out dark; black or dark-tone copper tapware is a clever way to introduce a touch of richness to a bathroom.
Add in dark pops with accessories such as black towels, bathroom caddies, dark-coloured candles and soap.
Remember, black isn’t your only option: deep muddy colours such as emerald, dark green, olive, greys and navy will also create depth and interest in a bathroom.
Select a palette that you naturally gravitate to, whether it’s black, charcoal or a dark shade of olive or emerald. Then work out how far you want to take the transformation.
Ask yourself if this is a full bathroom renovation or a quick refresh. Answering this will help you decide which elements you’ll need – tiles, paint, hardware or all of the above.
We recently used a combination of dusty pink, coppers, charcoals and accents of black steel in a dark powder room. The overall feeling was warm and striking. We sourced a custom concrete basin to finish off the design, which created a lovely balance of light and dark.
At our design studio, we absolutely love black with green. It is a colour combination that continues in a timeless way. The black is striking and there are so many shades of green that are drawn directly from nature. Paired with some brushed nickel or brass finishes, it makes for a lovely moody palette.
Lighting is very important to consider when designing a dark bathroom. It is lovely to have the option to have wall lights or cabinetry lighting on dimmers to create that moody effect. But it’s equally important to have the option of brighter lighting (that is also flattering) for all the practical things you do in the bathroom, such as putting on make-up and shaving.
Texture is key with a dark bathroom if you want to prevent it from feeling flat. Play around with textured tiles, metals and maybe even a wallpaper or something visual to showcase your beautiful lighting. You want to make the feeling experiential, so have some fun.
Here at Hurst Homes we offer complete customised homes that can be as individual as the owner. We guide your through the entire process including your selections to ensure you create your dream home. Just another reason why we are considered Waggas best builder. With over 30 years in the industry as a Wagga Builder you can trust Hurst Homes with your dream home. For a free no-obligation preliminary estimate contact us today on 0438 692 962 or fill out the contact us page on our website.
For more tips from the Houzz experts visit Houzz.com.au