Leading Stylist Sophie Robinson Tells Us What's Hot in Bathrooms Next Season

To coincide with the launch of the first Bathtimes magazine, available free with The Times this Sunday, top interior stylist Sophie Robinson takes a look at the latest Autumn Winter trends in interior design and gives us her hot tips for creating a bathroom design that’s bang up to date.

MONOCHROME

A hot trend this season is the monochrome look and I particularly think this works well for bathrooms as black is the perfect partner for an all white bathroom suite. My hot tip is that this look is perfect for small bathrooms. Often people think small spaces should be decorated white to make them feel bigger and brighter. However all to often the effect is bland and characterless, whereas black instantly creates a sleek and dramatic look. Choose black high gloss tiles and team with effective decorative lighting and the overall result will be very Hollywood. I particularly love the Bathstore ‘Hotel’ range of lighting. The Deco inspired designs are perfect for a modern and glamorous bathroom.

For monochrome inspirations, visit the Monte Carlo, Wash and Paradox ranges

NEATLY NUDE

This trend borrows inspiration from the world of cosmetics and blends soft, delicate and tactile elements. It’s also a very futuristic look with clean architectural structures and repetitive patterns. The overall look is light, neat and minimal with modernist furniture alongside pretty decorative accessories softening the overall effect. To get the look include high gloss ceramic tiles, geometric prints and super soft towels in nude and gold colours.

To design a bathroom in this look it has to be super chic and simple. Minimalist designs also help to increase the sense of space and openness. I love the Bathstore Playtime range of shower screens. The frameless shower screen and walk in tray creates an amazing feeling of space and the pared down design enhances the neat and nude look.

Click here for the full Playtime shower range

NOMADIC

This trend is as eclectic as it is Nomadic, taking inspiration from far and wide. Mixed influences result in a mismatch of pattern and texture, simultaneously seeming exotic and yet the tribal homespun element gives it a comforting edge. The trend for crafted homewares continues to gain popularity as we value the hand made. You’ll see geometric zig zag patterns, tribal prints, patchwork, and highly patterned surfaces in bright colourways. I love incorporating natural materials in bathroom design as they instantly inject the feel-good factor. Try using handmade elements in your bathroom design like carved marble stone basins, hand cut mosaic tiles and embroidered or woven towels.

Visit the Euro Trio white furniture and marble washbowls for Nomadic bathroom inspiration

BIG PRINTS

Bold prints and bright colours have been a hot trend in interior design, and it’s become big news in bathrooms too.

You can easily get the wow factor in your bathroom with a dazzling designer wallpaper- yes your read that right, you CAN use wallpaper in the bathroom. For a successful outcome I’d recommend applying the wallpaper to a well-prepared wall with an extra strong wallpaper adhesive. Then seal the paper by applying a matt varnish over the top. However wet areas, inside the shower and around the bath and basin should still be tiled and make sure you install effective ventilation to prevent the damp air lingering. With my room designs I always find it’s best to go the extra mile, so never hold back and paper the entire room, but you might just want to choose a feature wall. For this choose the wall that will have the most visual impact as you enter the room and seems a natural focal point. Often this is the wall with the window, or the wall opposite the door.