In Focus: Organic Bathroom Design Trend

WORDS Robyn Alexander PHOTOS Greg Cox/Bureaux; Elsa Young/Frank Features; Supplied; Courtesy of The Hoxton; Courtesy of Cara Saven; Courtesy of Veelvlak; Courtesty of Victorian Bathrooms; Warren Heath/Bureaux

Combining elements of cocooning with sleek yet curvaceous design forms and lots of natural texture, the Organic Oasis bathroom is a quiet feast for the senses that also soothes the soul.  

ORGANIC OASIS: THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS  

While this trend for bathrooms also has a sleek look, it is centred on the abundant use of natural materials. Wood, for example, might seem like an unexpected material for a bathroom, but we’re seeing it used everywhere from floors to walls – and, of course, for vanities and storage. Whether wood works in your space or not, there are many other natural materials – marble, stone, glazed terracotta tiles – available to add that crucial sense of visual and tactile texture to the Organic Oasis bathroom. The ongoing resurgence of indoor planting is also key to this look, with bold floral wallpapers and leafy decals being used to add a botanical feel where spaces aren’t suited to living plants. Colour-wise, think naturals: creams, rich browns, foliage greens – and perhaps a touch of moody maroon.  

YOU KNOW YOU NEED AN ORGANIC OASIS IF…  

• You think no interior is complete without lots of leafy plants 
• Stand-up paddleboarding is the next sporting activity you’d like to try  
• You only (and always) wear natural fibres – and prefer them at home, too 
• Your dream holiday destination is North Island in the Seychelles  
• Tapestries and ceramics are your favourite forms of art  

NATURAL RHYTHM  

Making a bathroom a tranquil oasis is all about balance, says interior designer Kim Stephen. “Glossy finishes need to be juxtaposed with texture,” she says. “Given how much white glossiness one finds in a bathroom, natural materials and tactile finishes are the perfect counter to standard sanitary ware.” And while she agrees that functionality can’t be compromised on, she notes that “mixing materials has become a common practice. People are getting braver with creating bathrooms that are multidimensional in their finishes – wood, tiling, stone – and adding wallpaper, artworks and often, if there is space, furniture that we are used to seeing in other areas of a home.”  

Here are Kim’s key pieces of bathroom design lore: 

• Never tile all the way to the ceiling anywhere other than in the shower You’ll end up with a “tiling jail cell”. 
• Consider what will suit your lifestyle and preferences. Many people automatically put in a bath, but only use it once a year – and the space could be used for a luxurious, walk-in double shower instead. When space is not at a premium, create a separate, closed-off area for the toilet.  
• Prioritise spending on the vanity and countertop stone these are a focal point for most bathrooms, and you can create a truly opulent feel with them, so spending on these areas is always a good idea. kimstephen.com  

Wooden elements are experiencing a surge of popularity in bathrooms. Lucia Murray, marketing and media strategist for Oggie Hardwood Flooring, reminds us that wood is very much a sustainable option that “adds warmth to every room”. And of course, you should ensure that any wood used in the bathroom is finished in a manner appropriate for a space that tends to have higher humidity than other areas of the house. | oggieflooring.com  

LAYER UP  

Interior designer Wendy-Lee Douglas of Douglas and Douglas says her own bathroom dreams include the ultimate luxury of “a freestanding bathtub carved from a block of marble”, and stresses the importance of choosing all finishes and fixtures with multiple criteria in mind. “Sustainable materials should be high on the list, but functionality and quality are important too,” she says. “If you invest in quality fixtures, fittings and sanitary ware, you won’t need to replace them too soon.”  

Asked about current trends in bathroom design, Wendy-Lee emphasises the ideal of making it feel like a cosy room rather than a sterile space. “It needs to be a place you retreat to, a place where you unwind. Consider more freestanding pieces,  and introduce rugs, plants and curtains. Natural materials are an excellent choice when it comes to making things cosy – think wood, metal and natural marble, as these give character and soul to a space.”  

These are Wendy-Lee’s top design tips:  

• Avoid too much built-in cabinetry to the floor. Keep storage elevated and functional.  
• Spend money on good-quality fittings such as Hansgrohe, Geberit and Meir – all have backup service and warranties. 
• Don’t stay too safe! Have fun with the space, and allow it to reflect your personality.

Geberit’s marketing director Kyle Jones concurs that the bathroom has very much moved on from its previous incarnation as a purely functional wet room. “The bathroom has evolved,” he says. “Today, people are trying to create an atmosphere that reflects their own personality, even in the smallest spaces. It’s all about achieving a more natural ambience in the bathroom that appeals to the senses. This approach calls for a combination of conventional bathroom equipment such as a WC, washbasin and shower, as well as a wide variety of materials on the ceilings, walls and floors, and a selection of accessories.” | geberit.co.za

EARTH AND SKY  

According to Kyle Jones, marketing director at Geberit, “Ceramic, wood, natural stone, tiles, glass, wallpaper and metals are just some of the many materials found in the bathrooms of today. And bathroom designers agree that this is not a bad thing. If one thing is clear, it’s that a mix of materials makes it easy to create a cosy ambience, and a place for relaxation with a personal touch.”  

Kyle’s top three trends to note in bathroom design are:  

• Minimalism, with clean lines, simple shapes and neutral colours dominating the space.  
• The use of natural materials such as wood, stone and marble, which has become increasingly popular in bathroom design, and adds warmth and texture.  
• Statement lighting, which is a great way to create a unique atmosphere in the bathroom. This can be tailored to the individual user’s taste and preference.

Asked what he would install in his own bathroom if budget were no object, architect André Krige of Two Five Five says, “A skylight above a shower would be amazing!” He also says he would “install colourful VOLA mixers, taps and showerheads. They cost a fortune, but I just love their range of colours.”  

We asked André for some ultra-practical bathroom design tips:  

• We always recommend a large-enough shower to have two showerheads in the main bathroom – it’s practical for any couple getting ready for work.  
• Spend the money on the things you tend to touch and interact with the most – the mixers, the flush actuator, the shower door.  
• When creating more than one bathroom in a home, avoid using black fittings in one, chrome in another and copper in the third. Stick to one standard throughout – unless you really know what you’re doing.  
• Lighting is important: most often, renovations keep the old light points intact. But there is an opportunity to implement new lighting when renovating, so use it well. And pay attention to lighting design. It’s not fun if you are in the bath and a bright light is shining down on you, for example.  
• Don’t buy fittings by walking around a shop. Wait until you have planned thoroughly and know for sure they are the right size. There is nothing worse than sitting on the WC and feeling as though the basin is in your lap.  
• Toilet paper holders should be on a side wall within reach, not on the back wall next to the pan – because frankly, no-one bends that way! | twofivefive.co.za 

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