Award-Winning Bathroom Design Trends of 2017
The year 2017 saw a surge in innovative bathroom design trends, pushing boundaries and redefining what a modern bathroom could be. This period witnessed a shift towards more personalized spaces, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal, and embracing sustainable practices.
Key Design Elements
These award-winning designs often shared common elements that contributed to their success. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- Minimalism and Functionality: Award-winning bathrooms embraced a minimalist approach, prioritizing clean lines, simple forms, and a focus on functionality. This trend aimed to create a sense of tranquility and spaciousness, while ensuring each element served a purpose.
- Natural Materials: The use of natural materials like wood, stone, and bamboo was prevalent in award-winning designs. These materials brought a sense of warmth, authenticity, and sustainability to the bathroom environment, contributing to a serene and calming atmosphere.
- Smart Technology: Integrating smart technology into bathroom design was a key trend. From automated lighting and temperature control to voice-activated mirrors and self-cleaning toilets, these features enhanced convenience, energy efficiency, and user experience.
- Personalized Spaces: Award-winning bathrooms moved beyond generic designs, emphasizing personalization and catering to individual needs and preferences. This involved incorporating unique features like freestanding bathtubs, walk-in showers, and custom storage solutions, creating a truly bespoke bathroom experience.
- Sustainability: Sustainability played a significant role in bathroom design. Award-winning designs often incorporated water-saving fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, and eco-friendly materials, promoting responsible consumption and minimizing environmental impact.
Differing Trends from Previous Years
These trends differed from previous years in several ways:
- Emphasis on Wellness: Award-winning bathrooms in 2017 increasingly focused on creating spaces that promoted wellness and relaxation. This involved incorporating features like steam showers, aromatherapy diffusers, and mood lighting to create a sanctuary-like atmosphere.
- Blurring Boundaries: The lines between bathroom and other living spaces became more blurred. Award-winning designs incorporated open-plan layouts, seamless transitions, and integrated furniture, creating a more cohesive and integrated living experience.
- Personalized Aesthetics: Gone were the days of cookie-cutter bathroom designs. Award-winning designs embraced individuality and allowed homeowners to express their unique style through the selection of colors, textures, and materials.
Innovative Materials and Finishes: Award Winning Bathroom Designs 2017
The year 2017 saw a surge in the use of innovative materials and finishes in bathroom design, pushing the boundaries of aesthetics and functionality. These materials not only enhanced the visual appeal of bathrooms but also addressed practical considerations such as durability, water resistance, and hygiene.
Natural Stone and Its Applications
Natural stone, a timeless material, experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in bathroom design. Its unique properties, such as durability, water resistance, and natural beauty, made it a desirable choice for both floors and walls.
- Marble: Known for its elegant veining and luxurious appearance, marble was a popular choice for countertops, floors, and shower walls. Its durability and water resistance make it suitable for high-traffic areas.
- Granite: Granite, another durable and water-resistant stone, offered a more rugged and rustic aesthetic. It was commonly used for countertops, floors, and shower surrounds, adding a touch of earthy elegance to bathrooms.
- Slate: Slate, with its distinctive layered structure and earthy tones, provided a unique textural element to bathroom design. Its water resistance and slip-resistant properties made it ideal for floors and shower walls.
The Rise of Engineered Stone
Engineered stone, a composite material made from crushed natural stone and resin, gained popularity as a cost-effective alternative to natural stone. It offered similar durability and water resistance while providing a wider range of colors and patterns.
- Quartz: Quartz, a popular engineered stone, boasts exceptional durability, scratch resistance, and stain resistance. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing for customization and design flexibility.
- Porcelain: Porcelain, a durable and water-resistant ceramic material, is often used for bathroom tiles. It offers a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes, making it suitable for both traditional and contemporary designs.
The Integration of Wood
While traditionally considered a less-than-ideal material for bathrooms due to its susceptibility to moisture damage, wood made a comeback in 2017, thanks to innovative treatments and finishes.
- Teak: Teak, a naturally water-resistant hardwood, was often used for bathroom furniture, such as vanities and cabinets. Its rich color and durability made it a popular choice for creating a spa-like ambiance.
- Reclaimed Wood: Reclaimed wood, salvaged from old structures, offered a unique and sustainable option for bathroom design. Its rustic charm and character added a touch of warmth and authenticity to the space.
The Use of Metallic Finishes, Award winning bathroom designs 2017
Metallic finishes, such as brushed nickel, chrome, and gold, added a touch of sophistication and glamour to bathroom design.
- Brushed Nickel: Brushed nickel, with its warm, understated tones, offered a versatile finish that complemented a wide range of bathroom styles.
- Chrome: Chrome, a classic and reflective finish, provided a sleek and modern look to bathroom fixtures and accessories.
- Gold: Gold, a luxurious and opulent finish, added a touch of elegance and sophistication to bathrooms.
Functional and Luxurious Features
Award-winning bathroom designs in 2017 not only prioritized aesthetics but also seamlessly integrated functional and luxurious features, creating spaces that were both visually stunning and incredibly user-friendly. These features aimed to elevate the overall bathroom experience, offering comfort, convenience, and accessibility.
Smart Technology Integration
The integration of smart technology into bathrooms became increasingly prevalent in 2017, offering a range of features that enhanced convenience and comfort. Smart toilets, equipped with features like automatic flushing, heated seats, and personalized settings, provided a touch of luxury and improved hygiene.
- Voice-activated controls allowed users to adjust lighting, temperature, and even play music with simple voice commands, enhancing the user experience by making the bathroom more accessible and intuitive.
- Smart mirrors, incorporating features like built-in speakers, touch-screen controls, and even defogging capabilities, transformed the mirror into a multi-functional hub, offering entertainment, information, and convenience.
These technological advancements not only added a touch of luxury but also enhanced the functionality of the bathroom, creating a more efficient and enjoyable experience.
Luxurious Materials and Finishes
The use of luxurious materials and finishes was another key aspect of award-winning bathroom designs in 2017. The selection of materials not only contributed to the overall aesthetic but also played a significant role in enhancing the user experience.
- Natural stone, such as marble and granite, brought a sense of elegance and sophistication to the bathroom, while its durability and resistance to water damage made it a practical choice for wet environments.
- High-end wood finishes, such as teak and walnut, added warmth and richness to the space, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. The use of waterproof finishes ensured durability and longevity in the bathroom environment.
- Metallic accents, including chrome, brass, and copper, added a touch of glamour and sophistication, reflecting light and creating a sense of spaciousness.
These luxurious materials not only enhanced the visual appeal of the bathroom but also created a tactile and sensory experience, adding to the overall comfort and indulgence.
Accessible Design Features
Award-winning bathroom designs in 2017 increasingly incorporated accessible design features, catering to a wider range of users. These features not only improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities but also enhanced the user experience for everyone.
- Walk-in showers, eliminating the need for a step-over, made the bathroom more accessible for people with mobility limitations. The open design also created a more spacious and inviting showering experience.
- Grab bars, strategically placed near the shower and toilet, provided additional support and stability, enhancing safety and accessibility for all users.
- Height-adjustable vanities allowed users to customize the vanity height, ensuring comfort and accessibility for people of all heights.
By incorporating accessible design features, bathrooms became more inclusive and welcoming for everyone, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all users.
