Features by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
Combining utility with space-saving design is key when it comes to creating a modern bathroom space. Functionality and aesthetics must go hand in hand as consumers favour everything from sleek, minimalistic vanities to practical modular storage systems; the winning formula is to balance good looks with efficiency and durability.
In addition, today’s consumers wish the bathroom to function as a personal retreat where style and customisation come together to create spa-like luxury. In this case, the selection of bathroom furniture is fundamental to the overall design since it greatly impacts the mood and tone of the space.
Julie Lockwood, furniture product manager for Bathrooms to Love by PJH, agrees. “As we continue to spend more time at home, the desire to create warm, cosy, and inviting spaces is set to evolve further and become more refined during 2025. In the bathroom, this translates into a growing preference for spa-inspired spaces that promote well-being and relaxation. Luxury, opulence and sophistication remain key influences in bathroom furniture design. Consumers aspire to bespoke designs that showcase standout features, reflecting their individuality, such as statement vanity units and basins.”
True colours
Colour significantly influences the temperament of a new design; in recent times, the shift to darker, bolder shades adds depth, character, and an indulgent sense of luxury. These moody tones perfectly complement natural texture, as well as highlighting details such as metallic accents, evoking a sense of warmth while creating a contemporary aesthetic.
Martin Carroll, MD for Duravit UK, explains, “Colour and texture continue to play a key role in bathroom furniture design. The careful use of colour can transform a space; it all depends on the chosen tone. Incorporating different textures, from smooth surfaces to tactile finishes, further enhances the finished aesthetic.”
VITRIUM by Christian Werner for Duravit brings a bold splash of colour into the bathroom. The new series includes vanity units and a tall cabinet, working with matching washbasins, toilets and bathtubs from other series.
Ahead of the curve
Curvy or sculpted elements add a touch of artistry to the bathroom, and when combined with textured surfaces, they create visual interest and a sense of elegance. Sculpted furniture, in particular, delivers an architectural style that turns everyday bathroom fixtures into works of art. The result is a space that feels luxurious and on-trend.
Richard Shore, head of product design at Utopia Furniture Ltd, outlines the growing popularity of curated design, confirming, “2025 will be the year when the home once again becomes our hero. Project home will be bold and ambitious, with colour, curves and texture as the defining trends. Texture will embolden furniture, accent walls, and define accessories with a confidence not seen before.”
Beautiful by design, Chic is Utopia’s brand-new modular collection. Stylish and elegant, it’s the perfect fusion of form and function, featuring delicate sculpted shapes and sensational colour options. With countless different variations possible, Chic can be built to suit individual preferences and budgets.
Get into the groove
Sally Bettison, product manager for Tissino, agrees with Shore and Carroll, “Colour and texture is big news in the bathroom as we head into 2025, and we are seeing a shift in the colour hues and shades we are choosing. Reassuring and calming warm neutrals have replaced cool, stark whites to the point that we are being adventurous with deeper and richer shades, including terracotta.”
Bettison adds, “Fluted and reeded furniture brings the texture by the bucket load. Add colour into the mix, and you’ve got a stunning trend-focused vanity unit that will transform your bathroom with multiple trends in one.”
Stratto, the new bathroom furniture collection from Tissino, is a trend-led range of wall-hung vanity units in various sizes and hues. Featuring clean lines, a sophisticated textured fluted finish, and practical storage, the collection has been designed to be a focal point of any bathroom space.
Pushing the boundaries
Tactile furniture, whether designed with bold handles or seamless drawers, help to engage the senses. This adds comfort and visual appeal that also encourages users to engage more intimately with the space. These dopamine-boosting elements play a key role in neuro-responsive design since they help create a relaxing and uplifting feel. Alongside texture, there is also something extremely satisfying about drawer handles that function intuitively, delivering a subtle but impactful detail to the design.
The latest push-to-open technology eliminates the need for manual handles and provides ease of use whilst fostering a sense of convenience. One example is the new modular furniture family in PJH’s Bathrooms to Love Collection, which includes its premium range Push, an exceptional design that combines flexible storage with thoughtful attention to detail.
Luxurious throughout, the Push range – named after its push-to-open drawers and doors – is available in wall-hung vanity and midi-boy units, featuring a beautiful, chamfered edge detail. Its sleek, handleless form makes it an effortlessly stylish furniture choice, perfect for contemporary bathroom spaces.
Boutique style
Hotel design is all about creating a sensational space with maximum visual impact, and since today’s homeowners are quick to embrace the latest trends, the boundaries of hotel versus residential design are more fluid and interconnected than ever before.
Thomas Crapper is all about quality, colour and technical expertise. The iconic brand is well known for cisterns, which can be customised with colours and script, and 2024 saw the team introduce complementary coloured furniture portfolios. Its latest designs bring a touch of luxury that effortlessly complements both residential and hospitality settings.
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