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3 different materials to give your bathroom a quick but pretty update

Give your bathroom design an instant style upgrade with 3 high-luxe materials and finishes

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By Yashna Balwanth | December 12, 2022 | Bathroom

1. Stone

With its timeless finish and luxurious appeal, stone is always on trend for bathrooms. Marble is a popular choice for the powder room due to its subtle shade range and deeper-coloured veins. While natural stone can be expensive, there are alternative engineered solutions that achieve the look without the hefty price tag. Go bold by extending the slab beyond the vanity countertop and running it as high or low as possible for a standout feature sure to amp up your bathroom credentials or introduce burnished metallic sanware and finishes for added glamour.

This bathroom, designed by Banda Property, runs the same marble throughout - from shower to vanity - to create a high-impact, unifed space, Photograph: Ben Anders

2. Tiles

The most popular choice for a bathroom finish, tiles are easy to clean and can withstand extreme moisture while being quick to adapt to even the most classic design schemes. They can be cost-effective (when compared to natural stone and timber) and come in various colours and finishes. High-gloss, patterned and patinated designs are having a moment this year, and so are asymmetrical shapes, as our approach to bathrooms becomes more experimental and personal.

Graphic ‘geotiles pawn’ tiles from Stiles give this otherwise minimal bathroom a playful edge, Photograph supplied
Patinated, non-uniform tiles give this bathroom by La Grange Interiors a rich, timeless feel, Photograph: Elsa Young

3. Timber

Contrary to popular belief, wood is completely safe to include in your bathroom space, provided that it is properly treated to withstand water damage and there is sufficient ventilation to avoid moisture build-up in the bathroom. The use of timber imparts warmth, both visually and to the touch, making it ideal for barefoot spaces. Hand-grooved oak vanity drawers with aged-copper handles add just the right amount of detail, personality and texture to an otherwise highly functional room. From mirrors to corner chairs, wooden accent pieces are a great way to add a timber touch to your bathroom - and can easily be changed when revamping. Also, add warmth to clinical all-white spaces by incorporating more wood from ceiling to floor - yellowwood or oak works best. And if you are looking at fluted wooden panels instead, they serve a dual purpose to allow enough daylight to filter through yet provide adequate privacy.

The generous volume and soft curves of the ‘ominia’ freestanding bath from flush bathrooms perfectly suits this all-timber space, Photograph: Supplied
A light-filled, relaxed bathroom by Play Associates, Photograph: Greg Cox