As the end of the year approaches, this is often the time homeowners start to think about what decorating project they want to undertake from January.
If renovating your washroom has been at the top of your list for a while, 2024 could be the perfect time to finally book a bathroom installation.
However, before you schedule a plumber to fit the shower and toilet, you need to decide what design you are going for and buy all the relevant parts to enable them to get started as soon as they are available.
Here is our pick of the hottest bathroom design trends for next year to help you choose the fixtures and fittings.
High-tech soaking
Homeowners aren’t just looking for stylish showers and bold tiles when they redesign their bathroom. They often want a complete upgrade, which includes adding lots of smart features.
You could soak in a tub with smart temperature control; fit mirrors with built-in LED lighting and voice-activated music controls; or enjoy the luxury of touchless toilets and shower systems with programmable settings to personalise your shower experience.
Whether a built-in virtual assistant is what you’re looking for, or something simpler like motion-activated taps, you’ll be able to really bring your bathroom into the 21st Century with next year’s technology features.
Spa experience
For many people, there’s nothing quite as relaxing as going to a spa, which is why 2024 is all about recreating this experience in the house, so homeowners can unwind whenever they want.
Bathtubs with hydrotherapy jets, smart temperature control, and aromatherapy dispensers are becoming increasingly available.
Alternatively, you could opt for walk-in showers with multiple shower heads so you and your partner can wash at the same time, much like at a spa.
Heated towel racks and freestanding bathtubs will also be popular, as well as surround sound to play relaxing music, and automated lighting systems to support natural circadian rhythms and encourage better sleep.
Lisa Schwet, founder of Innate Studio, told Vogue: “We’re incorporating elements such as steam showers, infrared saunas and cold plunges into primary bathrooms and home gyms.”
This is due to people placing a bigger emphasis on recovery these days, with Ms Schwet noting this is “an increasingly significant trend in the health and wellness industry”.
Natural materials
To encourage this relaxed state of mind, natural materials are the best choice, as they feel grounding.
So next year, consider incorporating wood, stone and bamboo into your new bathroom design. Live plants also add to the sensory experience, while some even have therapeutic benefits.
For instance, lemon balm and snake plants are known to help ease the mind, and aloe vera soothes skin irritations.
Plants also help to improve the air quality and absorb excess moisture, so there is less chance of your new bathroom becoming mouldy.
Warm colours
Homeowners next year will be decorating their bedrooms in warm colours, as these are comforting and provide a nice ambience to start the day.
Stark whites, greys and navy blues are being swapped for richer tones, such as clay, sage, and even brown. A light rose shade will also be popular, as it makes a bathroom feel warmer, as well as gives a rosy complexion when looking in the mirror.
Using a mix of metals
Next year, not everything in the bathroom has to match, including the type of metal you choose for shaver plugs, taps, light pull, and door handles.
Charlie Inglis of Inglis Architects told Vogue: “Recently, we’ve seen a willingness from clients to embrace more bold combinations of mixed metal finishes that are classic and contemporary.”
He stated that when they are combined with other metals this really accentuates their “individual characteristics”.
You could pair stainless steel with oxidised brass for a contrasting combination, or zinc with oxidised steel.
Minimalistic
When it comes to bathroom design, the minimalistic approach will become popular next year.
Homeowners will want to see clean lines, and contemporary features in their washroom, allowing them to have a space in their house that is free from clutter and chaos.
To achieve this, consider wall mounted vanity units, hidden storage solutions and floating shelves, as these will help keep products off the counter and bathtub, making it feel tidier and more spacious.
Statement lighting
It is usual for homeowners to want to play it safe when choosing their bathroom suite, ensuring it can still look stylish in years to come.
However, if you want to add some character to your washroom without having to change appliances or furniture, why not pick a statement light fixture?
Eye-catching fittings, from chandeliers to elaborate pendant styles, can really bring a room to life, and sets the tone of the design.
For instance, a crystal chandelier will inject old-school glamour to a bathroom, which would look great with a vintage vanity and wallpapered walls, while a wood-effect pendant ceiling light would suit an eco-friendly bathroom with sensor-controlled taps, stone tiles and lots of natural textures.
Wall murals
Long gone are the days where bathroom design is simple and uniform. Instead, homeowners increasingly want to be able to express themselves with their interior choices, even in their en suite, which may never get seen by anybody else.
That is why wall murals, statement wallpaper and bold artwork will become huge among bathroom trends next year.
The artistic among you could create your own personal murals on the wall, or there is a huge variety of bright, patterned wallpaper that could be used for statement walls.
Although many people might be worried their wallpaper will be ruined by the moisture in the air, you can get waterproof versions these days, which repels any water from the splashes and steam.
This could also be an opportunity to hang up that artwork you weren’t sure where to put, as it will help to create another focal point in the room, aside from the mirror.
However you choose to design your bathroom, it is essential you check the availability of fitters first, as there may be a long waiting list. In this case, it is a good idea to get your name down as soon as possible and choose your smaller fixtures and fittings later down the line.