2008 bathroom trends

9 January 2008

Want to know what's going to be big news in bathrooms this year?

Bold looks

In 2008, bolder is better in the bathroom.

'Lacquered furniture is going to be really popular,' says Melinda Hill from Ripples, 'with bold colours and geometric patterns making a big impact, too.'

Our top tip is to keep your eyes peeled for gorgeous tiles in a rainbow of colours - they're perfect for making a feature wall or panel in the bathroom.

Get the look Square marble cast basin, from £273; Teak worktop, £373; Base unit with drawer, £585; Mirror, £358; Tall unit, £711, all Ripples.

Metallic touches


Last year, metallics were a big hit in living spaces, and 2008 will see the trend move into the bathroom. But don't worry, it's not bling for the bathroom - it's a more subtle version.

'Bronze and nickel are going to be very popular,' says Cheryl Gurner, director and head of creative design at Bathrooms International.

Our top tip is to use bronze and nickel in the finishing touches like the taps and handles.

Get the look Iridescent Glass Mosaic tiles in Incense Rectangle, £31.24 per 30x30 cm sheet, Fired Earth.

Green style


Thinking green and using less water is going to be a key factor in what we buy for our bathrooms in 2008.

'Large basins with shallow bowls will grow in popularity, as they give the illusion of being indulgent, but allow us to use less water,' says Georgina Spencer, UK Marketing Manager for Roca. 'Look out too for Roca's Eco-disk cartridge, it allows you to restrict the flow of your taps, so you can choose between reduced or full flow water, and you can control the temperature as well,' says Georgina.

Get the look Thesis (from the brand new brassware range) equipped with Eco-disk, £232, Roca.

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