After years of pale minimalism and spa-like simplicity, the design world is embracing a richer, more emotive palette. Dark romanticism – defined by its deep hues, opulent materials and quietly dramatic atmosphere – has become one of 2025’s most alluring interior movements. In bathrooms, it signals a shift from pure functionality to something altogether more expressive and sensual.
The look is steeped in contrasts: polished nickel against veined marble, unlacquered brass framed by deep green or oxblood walls, the soft gleam of candlelight playing over cast-iron and stone. These are spaces that evoke old-world grandeur and modern intimacy in equal measure.
“Bathrooms have always been a place of ritual,” says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds. “The rise of darker, more atmospheric palettes speaks to a desire for immersion and privacy. We’re seeing clients move away from stark white minimalism towards spaces that feel cocooning, layered and emotionally resonant.”
Drummonds’ collections lend themselves naturally to this darker mood. Cast-iron baths with raw or burnished exteriors, aged brassware, and richly toned marbles such as Black Marquina, Verde Guatemala or Nero Portoro all embody the aesthetic’s tactile depth. Each piece, handcrafted in the company’s foundry, reveals the subtle beauty of patina and time-honoured techniques.
“Darker schemes allow craftsmanship to take centre stage,” Lentaigne continues. “A hand-polished spout against black marble or the textured surface of raw iron catching low light becomes a focal point in itself. These materials celebrate imperfection – they age beautifully and grow more characterful with use.”
Why dark romantic bathrooms are trending
More than a stylistic phase, dark romanticism reflects a wider return to emotional interiors – spaces that tell a story through materiality and light. In the bathroom, this translates to a retreat-like atmosphere: enveloping colours, natural textures and an appreciation for the handmade.
Rooted in 19th-century sensibilities, dark romanticism finds its natural home in Drummonds’ world. The brand’s freestanding baths, high-level cisterns and solid-brass fittings echo the grandeur of Victorian engineering – designs conceived in an age that prized ornament, weight and permanence.
Reinterpreted for contemporary interiors, these heritage forms reflect a renewed appreciation for authenticity and craft. Their sculptural lines and richly worked finishes lend a sense of permanence and depth, aligning seamlessly with the darker, more atmospheric mood shaping today’s most considered bathrooms.