1. INSTALL A SHOWER NICHE
'We love to include an enlarged custom niche in our modern bathroom projects,' says designer Gretchen Murdock of Modtage Design. 'Try to take into account the selected tile layout and the desired size of the niche to work within the tile pattern where possible – this takes some planning and effort.'
2. COMMIT TO BESPOKE CABINETRY AND VANITIES
'We've found that in order to achieve a modern look, we like to custom-build bathroom vanities that are simple and made of one material,' observes Lexie Sokolow, designer and brand manager at Studio LIFE/STYLE.
3. TRY OUT MICROCEMENT
'Look for alternative materials to use,' advises Barrie Cutchie, design director at luxury bathroom company, BC Designs. 'A big bathroom trend is concrete, but this can be expensive and heavy, especially in upstairs bathrooms. A great alternative is to use microcement, which is a specialist coating that can be applied to any hard surface and replicates the design aesthetics of real concrete for a modern, minimalist design.'
4. FOCUS ON SPA-LIKES CLEAN LINES
In this calming bathroom, designer Abbie Naber of A. Naber Design, chose to forego texture wall tile for a plaster application that felt unstated and spa-like.
5. EMBRACE A WARM COLOR PALETTE
Let this be your sign to try out a bathroom with a warmer palette. 'Modern doesn’t mean it has to be stark white,' says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca' Pietra. 'With a rising trend for warm neutrals, this new bathroom color palette provides the opportunity to create a modern bathroom but with a richness and homely feel.'
6. CREATE TEXTURE WITH TILE, STONE AND PLASTER FINISHES
While most of the hallmarks of a modern bathroom design include clean lines and a pared-back color palette, in order to really make neutrals sing you're going to want to introduce texture.
7. INVEST IN A STATEMENT MIRROR
'An easy way to help make a bathroom more modern is to hang large mirrors from the counter to the ceiling,' advises Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. 'This helps any space reflect light more and make a space feel larger than it is.'
8. SWITCH UP YOUR HARDWARE
'While unlacquered brass is here to stay, silver metals such as polished nickel are making a statement in our projects this year,' observes Emily Brown. 'Polished nickel is not only timeless and classic, but the warm tone beautifully complements other raw metals like unlacquered brass and oxidized bronze.'
9. ADD EXTRA LIGHTING
'The choice of finish on lighting can make all the difference to the look of any room in the home, with bathrooms no different,' says Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky.
10. PAINT THE UNEXPECTED
'For an on-trend look consider painting the walls, ceilings, and doorframes in one block hue to enjoy the joys of full-on color,' advises Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore.