WORDS Robyn Alexander PHOTOS Steve Herud/25Hours Hotels; Stephan Lemke/25Hours Hotels; Iego Padilla for A-G Studio; Benoît Linero; Dook; Greg Cox/Bureaux; Neil Vosloo; Courtesy of Akashic and Turquoise Interior Design; Supplied
Go bold or go home, they say – but we prefer to go bold at home, thanks. Playful and clashing colour has finally returned to the bathroom, and we are most definitely here for it.
COLOUR CONCEPTS: THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
After years of greige, all-white and monochrome bathrooms, colour is very much back in vogue. But colour usage circa the 2020s is very different from the muddy tones that somehow made their way into bathrooms in the 1970s. And thank goodness for that, we say! This time around, we’re seeing a few key trends: one, a penchant for colour blocking with multiple shades used in a single space; two, plenty of pink; and three: the full gamut of greens.
Adding a touch of colour to the bathroom can be done in a variety of ways, however, from adding plain or patterned colourful tiles to using a botanical wallpaper or even taking the plunge with a marshmallow-pink basin. And, of course, you can always use accessories to add pops of colour to a monochromatic or stark- white look.
THE COLOUR CONCEPTS LOOK IS FOR YOU IF…
- You’d really like to live in fashion designer Halston’s 1970s apartment
- Pop-street artist Keith Haring remains your fave.
- Wearing one colour head to toe (hello, digital lavender!) is your top fashion trend
- You rather wish that traffic lights came in a wider range of shades.
- You’ve always wanted to visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India.
COLOUR CODE
Almost every expert we spoke to has confirmed that colour is a big trend for bathrooms – including striking combinations of bold shades and tone-on-tone versions of a single shade (green is a particular favourite) as seen on these pages. But they also qualified this on a practical level, saying that as updating this particular space represents a big investment, South African homeowners tend to shy away from overly bold colour statements in bathrooms.

That said, the images we’re featured here demonstrate that combining classic white sanitary ware with colourful tiles, paint and accessories makes this a good way to get a colourful look in your home. And taps – relatively easy to change up if need be – are also available in a variety of colour finishes these days.
“I love love love seeing colour in bathrooms,” says Zimkita Sidumo, interior stylist and co-founder of Blaque Pearl Lifestyle. “But it doesn’t have to be a disco colour palette. Muted tones work well in breaking the grey or cream tiles that we may naturally gravitate towards when renovating a bathroom, so consider a pastel colour palette if you’re a shy adventurer like myself. Darker (rather than primary) shades are also great for creating a sexy, moody bathroom – using a mix of black, dark grey and deep green, for example.” | blaquepearllife.com
TO BOLDLY GO
Architect André Krige of Two Five Five says colour is in the ascendant. “Many residential projects are using bathrooms as an opportunity to create something unique within the larger scope,” he says. “Traditionally, we would see the same finishes of a home replicated in the bathrooms, but lately we are seeing bathrooms that are completely fresh, and often removed from the main design language – and suddenly there is freedom to experiment with colour.” At Two Five Five, he adds, “We like this idea, because a bathroom can be a fun thing to experiment with. Suppliers are welcoming this trend too, with the availability of amazing colours in classic VOLA taps, the new Axor One colour options and various Toniton ranges.” twofivefive.co.za

Where best to spend on your bathroom? And who else has cool colour options? We asked Zimkita Sidumo to advise.
Invest in eye-catching details.
A great quality bath, a pretty vanity and at least one statement tile can all take a bathroom from blah to beautiful. And remember – even a classic tile can be laid out in
an unexpected pattern to create visual interest.
To get your colour fix, go to…
- Tile Africa – it’s great for renovations on a budget.
- Bella Bathrooms, which has a huge range of taps and sanitary ware.
- Laufen, available from Italtile and other local suppliers, for cool basins in unusual shapes.
- TIC Bathrooms for high-end mixers in a variety of finishes.
PAINT PICKS
Plascon senior brand manager Asheer Jaganath weighs in on bathroom paint.
What are your picks in terms of colour trends for interiors right now? Plascon’s 2023 Colour Combinations include some of the colours that we’ve seen gain popularity and that are predicted to be among the most popular. These colours were inspired by vibrant South African landscapes; they follow a seasonal palette, and are easily tintable in most Plascon product formulations.
When it comes to the practicalities of paint in the bathroom, what should we keep in mind the next time we renovate? Velvaglo Water-Based is our silky and satin sheen enamel that is specifically formulated for high-moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Also worth considering is Plascon Kitchens and Bathrooms, which has a matt finish while being steam-, moisture- and chip-resistant, making it perfect for bathrooms. Both of these types of paint are water-based products, with zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) formulations; they have quick drying times and come with a Plascon guarantee. | plascon.co.za
TAP THAT
Nicole Russell, marketing manager at Italtile, talks trends in taps – and bathroom budgets.

What are the key trends that you’re seeing in domestic bathrooms right now? Matt black is still huge when it comes to taps, accessories and so on. We have seen this trend grow over the past two to three years, and do not foresee it fading any time soon. Consumers are also moving towards tap colours other than the normal chrome, such as brushed bronze and my personal all-time favourite, gold.
What is the most common mistake people make when renovating a bathroom? Plumbing must be considered from the very beginning of the process. It is often forgotten, which can be costly.
Where do you suggest spending be prioritised? Tiling should take up a large portion of the budget and focus when planning. And remember to include all items of the project – including practical necessities such as adhesives, grout and labour. It’s no fun to have to adjust your wish list for taps, fixtures or accessories because the essentials for installing finishes or plumbing were not included in the initial budget. | italtile.co.za
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