Turning a bathroom into a boudoir

Over a decade ago, trend watchers started noticing the first stirrings of furniture inclusion in the bathroom. Today, this is standard practice, with a wide variety of beautiful and durable bathroom furniture on the market.

“In the past, many homeowners took great care to convert valuable pieces of furniture into bathroom vanities – and they did so at no small risk. A steamy, moisture-drenched bathroom is not an idyllic location for any untreated wooden furniture,” says Jasmin Kraneveldt from Bathroom Bizarre.

“However, there is absolutely no need to go to such lengths these days, as there are a wide variety of vanities on the market today that look like pieces of furniture themselves. What is especially appropriate is that the materials used to make these pieces have been chosen and treated to withstand the typical hot and steamy conditions prevalent in any bathroom area – ensuring their longevity,” she explains.

Jasmin notes that in the perpetual quest for luxury, most homeowners are opting to transform their bathrooms into mini private retreats: “What was yesterday’s ho-hum utilitarian bathroom space can now resemble an elegant living room, complete with all the mod cons and luxurious trappings. As a result, top-end modern bathrooms are getting larger, measuring on average between 60m2 to 90m2, and increasingly more of the bathroom is being designed to include some kind of living area.

Due to the seamless flow between the bedroom and bathroom, not just any kind of furniture will do – pieces need to be chosen to complement the rest of the bedroom’s decor. “Aside from armoires, rugs and chairs, it is common to see vanities that are true pieces of furniture, rather than merely built-in cabinetry,” explains Jasmin.

Today’s bathroom cabinets are available in various kinds of designs,she says. “Well-made bathroom furniture is fashionable amongst homeowners of all ages and style preferences – from solid traditionalists, to those who prefer a sleek, unfussy contemporary look. However, the most popular style includes the more cubist and contemporary designs. Homeowners are approaching bathroom furnishing from an increasingly minimalist approach.”

“The contemporary design philosophy of ‘less is more’ is at the core of the latest bathroom design trends and this not only appeals from an aesthetic point of view, but from a practical one as well. The less cluttered your bathroom, the more space you will have to include other furniture or sanitary ware.

In many modern bathroom designs, the neutral floor and wall tiles are complemented with bright white sanitrary ware, polished chrome faucets and accessories, and of course, beautifully crafted wooden cabinets.

Jasmin says the juxtaposition of modern and natural materials is a recipe for success. ”This part of the contemporary trend allows the more traditional leanings to come into play – combining old and new design elements. Rich, dark wooden timbers, coupled with sleek chrome faucets and gleaming bright white sanitary ware keeps the contemporary and traditional factions happy, and creates timelessly elegant designs that won’t easily date.”

In celebration of the bathroom furniture trend, Bathroom Bizarre has announced a brand new Casso bathroom cabinetry range. Says Jasmin: “We are exceptionally excited about these new bathroom cabinets – they are unbelievably elegant and trendy, beautifully crafted and well priced in the market.”

More information: www.bathroombizarre.co.za, 0861 555 000