Professional bathroom designers are masterful at merging both function and form to create breathtaking results. In this eight-part series which I call “Understanding Bathroom Design,” I draw on my experience working with some of London’s top bathroom designers to explain this exciting field. This second article reveals the secrets of bathroom colour schemes.
In crafting a new color scheme, most London bathroom design professionals start by pulling out their colour wheel. The wheel can help choose tuneful combinations of colours, regardless of whether the palette is subdued and relaxed or exciting and dynamic. For example, some larger London bathrooms might be great candidates for a high-contrast complimentary look. This will normally pull in two colours from opposite sides of the wheel, maybe combining a yellow base with navy trim for high impact. However, smaller London shower closets would not be compatible with this bathroom design scheme because it might be too overwhelming. In such cases, a monochromatic approach that focuses on a single colour but uses various hues for interest could be perfect. Imagine the same bathroom design as previously discussed, but with powder blue in place of the yellow ... exactly the same dimensions and accessories, but an entirely transformed atmosphere. Perfect perhaps for a North London flat or a West London studio loft.
Sophisticated Londoners can be desperate for that spa sensation which is so popular these days. Bathroom designers can make that happen by using cool, restful colours that include blues and greens. These often combine fabulously with the cream and two-tone brushed metal fixtures that are commonly found in spas and salons.
For centuries, the fashionable ladies of London have used makeup to bring out the beauty of their features while also covering up the tiniest imperfections. Similarly, colour can bring a bathroom design to the next level – perhaps by showcasing interesting architraves, cornices or other features.
In the olden days, bathroom design instructors in London used to teach that painting a small bathroom a darker hue will make it seem cramped. However, today’s top bathroom designers know how false that can be. Using different shades of a deep colour in a smaller room can in reality make the bathroom seem more spacious. Adding texturing detail to the paintwork can add extra dimensions and bathroom designer flair.
