Achieving a stylish bathroom can sometimes be a simple black and white issue.
We asked Helen Powell from the popular Design Hunter blog to give us her top tips for a monochrome bathroom.
From the catwalks to our interiors
Monochrome has been particularly popular on the catwalks for the past few seasons now, and it’s a trend that has filtered down to interiors too. But although very current right now, it’s also a look that is timeless, which means that it’s a great choice for a space like the bathroom. Once you’ve invested in a new bathroom suite you probably won’t want to update it in a hurry so it’s important to choose a décor scheme that will endure. This is particularly true if you are going to be tiling the space as well, as tiles aren’t something you can cheaply and easily replace.
Black and white are soul mates, like yin and yang—seemingly opposite "forces" that are actually interconnected and interdependent. Black absorbs while white reflects. Put them together and they pack a punch, creating design schemes with real impact.
The Harrison bathroom suite from Mode Bathrooms is highly contemporary, working wonderfully well with a monochrome colour palette
Here are a few reasons why black and white works particularly well for bathrooms:
It never goes out of style
Black and white is a timeless combination that won’t date. It will look good for years, and you won’t need to update it in a few seasons when colour trends change.
It suits functional spaces
The graphic simplicity of monochrome works well in a functional space like the bathroom where clean lines and strong angles tend to dominate—as opposed to "softer" rooms like the bedroom or living room.
There are so many reasons why a monochrome bathroom is a great choice
It can be calming
Most of us want our bathrooms to be a relaxation zone as well as a practical, functional space. I know lots of people will argue for the calming properties of other colours (blue for example, is usually seen as a serene and soothing colour, but it can feel cold), but for me there’s actually something quite zen-like and calming about the absence of hue. If you see your bathing ritual as an opportunity to empty your mind and be free of distractions of the day you could do worse than opt for a black and white bathroom.
It’s versatile
Black and white is a versatile combination—you can choose from stripes, patterns or use blocks of ‘colour’. You could, for example, create stripes, chevrons or geometric patterns with tiling, or even introduce more playful patterns like spots or florals through towels, bathmats or shower curtains.
You’re already halfway there
When decorating a bathroom the starting point is usually a white bathroom suite so you are already halfway towards creating a monochrome scheme. Consider a striking black feature wall—the perfect backdrop for a white bath or basin. Black flooring will have a similar effect.
It packs a punch
Even if you aren’t confident about working with colour it’s relatively easy to pull off a design scheme that has real impact with black and white. It’s bold, exact and never half-hearted.
It works well for lots of different décor styles
From minimalist to art deco or industrial, black and white suits a multitude of different styles.
You can do it on a budget
Plain white or black tiles tend to be cheaper than coloured or patterned options, so this is one look you can pull off successfully on a budget.
Here are 3 different ways to do monochrome:
- Opt for a designer bathroom with dark grey tiles, a pristine white suite and gloss white storage like those pictured below from the Hale white bathroom furniture range.
Conjure up some monochrome magic—by picking out white furniture and heating on a dark background
- Go for a soft industrial look, with light and dark grey walls, a feature floor and chunky metallic finishes.
When it comes to monochrome bathrooms, let industrial style do all the hard work
- If a black and white bathroom just feels a little too austere you could always opt for grey instead, like this Harrison slate bathroom furniture from Mode Bathrooms.
Cool and curvaceous: the Harrison slate bathroom furniture range from Mode Bathrooms
More monochrome bathroom ideas
The key to pulling off a monochrome look successfully is to remember to introduce lots of textural contrast with different materials. For example, choose flooring that is naturally textured to contrast with the smoothness of the sanitaryware or perhaps add a wooden stool or shelving to introduce softer, warmer tones.
Finally, complete the look by adding a little pattern. A stripy bathmat or chevron print towel will create an eye-catching focal point. Go on, get graphic!
Need some more ideas? You’ll find lots of inspiration in this Monochrome inspiration Pinterest board.
Helen Powell is a freelance writer and editor of the award-winning design & lifestyle blog Design Hunter.