How to achieve a timeless and classic bathroom design

Of all the rooms in a house, the bathroom is a room where trends are changing most rapidly. While it is stimulating for designers to be creative and constantly on the hunt for new ideas to top the latest trends, it is strategically not the cheapest option to design ultra-modern bathrooms. Trends come and go, style is eternal. A dated bathroom will not only feel overdone, but it could also take some top dollars off the real estate value. Along with kitchens, bathrooms are the most renovated of spaces, and part from the obvious wear and tear, the main reasons for a makeover are that they look tired and dated.

Classic bathrooms, if designed and executed correctly, can be the most beautiful of bathrooms. Classic does not equal old. Classic equals timeless. Combining comfort with luxury and a well-designed space almost always guarantees a good design outcome, and this applies to bathrooms as well.

Natural Stone

The main feature of a classic bathroom is the use of natural stone tiles. Porcelain is durable and low maintenance, but if you have the time and the will to maintain natural stone, choose travertine, limestone, marble or dolomite tiles. Using marble for tiles as well as countertops adds a level of luxury to your bathroom.

It is in the Details

Beautiful shower floors, walls and splashbacks can be achieved by creating classic patterns. Smaller tiles inside showers prevent it from being slippery, and using herringbone patterned tiles, or laying tiles in a brick pattern create a classic and timeless feel. For separating spaces in a larger bathroom, tile borders both look elegant and do the trick. Other patterns such as arabesque, or penny rounds can create interesting feature walls. The use of dado rails in classic interiors can extend to bathrooms and powder rooms as well. Stone dado rails and curved skirting tiles can be used throughout bathrooms, creating refined elegance and style. Powder rooms can achieve that old London-look charm with picture rails of painted timber. Arches or doors will look wonderful with architraves and skirts in robust stone, matching the floor and wall tiles.

Classic Colours

A classic bathroom will stay timeless with classic colours. As there are more marble trends going around today than ever before, the safest bet is to stick to classic marble colours and patterns. While some stones have magnificent veins that could be turned into great book matched feature walls, my tip is to go and visit the showrooms frequently and see if you are as enthusiastic about them on your fourth visit as on your first. Bold colours and patterns make a statement, however toned down and neutral stones tend to stay classy for a lot longer. Monochrome and neutral colours are good and will be easy to decorate with pops of colour with the bathroom accessories, towels and bathmats.

Tapware and toilets

Classic tapware is easier to come across today, as there are varieties of traditional taps and bath fillers to choose from. Classic tapware doesn’t have to mean the gold-plated Swan faucets from Ritz, there are a myriad of classy and timeless taps around. The beauty of timeless bathrooms is that you could go down the middle lane and choose a more neutral tap if the curved and classic ones seem a bit too old-fashioned for your liking. The colour selection makes a difference as well. I found that nickel tapware is such a classy option, it resembles that old-world elegance. Gold is better with warmer stone tones such as limestone, where as silver looks fabulous with cooler colours. It is worth paying attention to the toilet seat as well. You will find that there are toilets that come in traditional ranges that look timeless. A nicely designed freestanding stone resin bathtub, with legs or not, and a complementing bathtub filler with a traditional handle makes baths a bliss.

Décor

Ornate mirror frames, without going overboard add to the lavishness of your bathroom and should be matching the knobs and pull handles, towel hooks and toilet roll holders. While dimmable LED downlights can be fabulous mood enhancers in a bathroom, good lighting near the mirror is important. A classic chandelier in the centre of the room, or above the bathtub looks magnificent, and some classic wall sconces on the sides of the mirrors are not only functional but add to the overall aesthetics.

Generally, a healthy balance between the design elements is a good advice when it comes to timeless design. What might have looked refreshingly new at the time of Marie Antoinette rarely finds its way into our modern homes. A careful approach to your bathroom selection, letting the samples sit for a while before hitting the purchase button will assist in achieving that timeless look.

Architeria Architects and Interior Designers design classic, elegant and timeless bathrooms that compliment the overall feel of your home. For a chat, call us on 03 98945805.

Kate Gawi

Creative Director & Interior Designer

Architeria Architects