Breathtaking bathroom ideas (will you make a colour splash?)

Artwork: Tom Hancocks. Interiors: Hannah Jordan

(Image credit: TBC)

last updated 28 July 2022

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Every year, Wallpaper* searches for the coolest bathroom designs from the world’s best specialist manufacturers. Here, we select the best bathroom trends for 2022, from freestanding minimalist bathtubs to modernist taps, funky sinks and exceptional surfaces. Have a splash in our 1970s-inspired bathroom.

Bathroom trends 2022: the Wallpaper* edit

Oversized colourful tiles

Mirror on wall, shelve, basin on counter — From left, ‘Rift Reverse’ radiator, from €652, by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba with Matteo Fiorini, for Tubes. ‘Delfo’ cabinet; ‘Tino’ washbasin; ‘Oval Box’ mirror, all price on request, by Andrea Parisio and Giuseppe Pezzano, for Ceramica Cielo. ‘Medameda’ mixer tap, from €345, by Alberto and Francesco Meda, for Zucchetti. ‘Anima’ soap dish, £160, by Yabu Pushelberg, for Salvatori. ‘Slanted’ cup, £35, by Justas Silkauskas, for Autotelic Objects. ‘Snoopy’ lamp, from £730, by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, for Flos. ‘Pro Architectura 3.0’ tiles, price on request, by Axel Buether, for Villeroy & Boch

Add a fun splash of colour to your bathroom and define the space with bold tiles in shiny hues. Villeroy & Boch’s ‘Pro Architectura 3.0’ collection combines form, function and colour throughout, and it’s designed with architecture in mind. Available in a variety of colours covering the full rainbow, these tiles are an invitation to play.

Minimalist freestanding bathtubs

Freestanding bath tub , seat, freestanding basin — From left, ‘BetteEve Oval Silhouette’ bath, from £5,598, by Dominik Tesseraux, for Bette. ‘Luxe Silk’ wall-mounted tap, £495, by Lusso Stone. ‘Working Tile’ coffee table, $15,000, by Max Lamb, for Tajimi Custom Tiles. ‘Waffle’ radiator, from €1,282, by Piero Lissoni, for Antrax IT. ‘Labyrinthe’ bath towel in Naturel, £235, by Hermès. ‘White Tulip’ freestanding washbasin, £2,833, by Philippe Starck, for Duravit. ‘111X’ wall-mounted tap, £1,187, by Arne Jacobsen, for Vola. ‘Grey Vavona’ wood flooring, price on request, by Alpi

A synthesis of organic and minimalist forms, these freestanding bathtubs are a sleek addition to a contemporary bathroom. Balancing the more colourful and decorative elements with their essential forms, these standout pieces are defined by generous volumes and practical elements. The ‘BetteEve Oval Silhouette’ bath is inspired by nature, with a two-seater capacity and enhanced comfort thanks to the oval-shaped, flowing interior.

Frequently collaborating with the likes of Piet Boon and John Pawson, Dutch bathroom brand Cocoon creates ranges that are both contemporary and timeless. Its ‘Purist’ range of baths and basins includes this freestanding tub, with recessed drain, available in a choice of nine natural stones and marbles. Perfect for those with an eye for industrial minimalism but a love of luxurious wallowing, its pure geometric form ticks a lot of visual boxes while the smoothness of the stone makes bath time a comforting treat.

Eclectic bathroom sinks

Green basin and stand, couch, green tiles — From left, ‘Diesis 40’ sofa, £21,207, by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava, for B&B Italia. ‘Trash’ bin, from £26, by Jasper Morrison, for Magis. ‘Arlo’ washbasin, price on request, by Mark Jankowski, for Formed Concrete Basins. ‘Axor One’ mixer tap, from £464, by Barber Osgerby, for Axor. ‘Ray’ wall light, from €300, by Decor Walther. ‘Amuleto’ shower tray, from £6,185, by Agape. ‘JP 37’ freestanding shower, from €2,520, by John Pawson, for Cocoon. ‘DR Cemento’ bath, from £9,282, by Studio MK27, Marcio Kogan and Mariana Ruzante, for Agape. ‘Meta’ freestanding mixer tap, from £1,205, by Dornbracht. ‘Calacatta’ marble, price on request, by Graniti Fiandre. ‘Nero Belgio’ marble, price on request, by Margraf. ‘Vetrina Glossy’ tiles, €190 per sq m, by Mosaico+ request, by Alpi

Black basin, white counter — From left, ‘Ohtake’ washbasin, from £406, by Ruy Ohtake, for Roca. ‘Elementa’ towel rail, £182, by Ritmonio. ‘Icon’ towel, €100, by Rivolta Carmignani. ‘I Balocchi’ tap, £553, by Paolo Pedrizzetti and Davide Mercatali, for Fantini Rubinetti. ‘Istanbul Rim-ex’ wall-hung toilet, £1,475, by Ross Lovegrove, for VitrA. ‘5114 Calacatta Maximus’ stone, from £550 per sq m, by Mor Krisher, for Caesarstone

The bold silhouettes of these bathroom sinks will enlighten any bathroom space. Designed by Mark Jankowski for Formed Concrete Basins, the ‘Arlo’ washbasin features a deep curved concrete wash area with matching base. A sculptural, eye-catching design, it is available in the company’s full range of bright colours, from Emerald Green (pictured above),to midnight blue, deep purple, apricot orange and violet.

A more organic direction is offered by Brazilian architect Ruy Othake’s eponymous design for Roca. Featuring a sinuous edge, the architect was inspired by waves, the horizon and the purest shape in nature, the egg, to create this collection of bathroom sinks.

Dramatic stone surfaces

Orange bath tub with storage shelves, marble swirl flooring — From left, ‘Edge’ bath, $5,318, by Victoria + Albert Baths. ‘Giotto’ wall-mounted mixer set, from €2,520, by Natalino Malasorti, for CEA Design. ‘Luxury’ backrest, $470, by Victoria + Albert Baths. ‘Mullunu’ side table, price on request, by Ian Felton, for Unno Gallery. ‘Panthella Mini’ table lamp, £495, by Verner Panton, for Louis Poulsen. ‘Equal’ illuminated mirror, £398, by Claudio Bellini, for VitrA. ‘Eclissi’ taps, $578, by Rohl. ‘Borghi’ washbasin, from £3,210, by Gumdesign, for Antonio Lupi. ‘Sound-Rack’ shelving system, from £418, by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, for Kartell by Laufen. ‘Baies/Berries’ candle, £140, by Diptyque. ‘Townhouse’ candle in Wild Berry & Bramble, £90, by Jo Malone. ‘Pure Gold Radiance Cream’ moisturiser, $850, by La Prairie. ‘Core Collection’ tiles, price on request, by Mosa. ‘Explosion Blue’ quartzite slabs, price on request, by Antolini

A dark stone surface forms the backdrop to a white minimalist bathtub — Grafite marble, by Margraf

Marble basin with silver plumbing — From left, ‘Rooms’ bin, from €240, by Decor Walther. ‘Marble Look’ slabs in Elegant Black, £140 per sq m, by Marazzi. ‘Miena’ washbasin, £803, by Anke Salomon, for Kaldewei. Metal-framed mirror, price on request, by Armani Roca. ‘Reflet’ tap, $648, by Riobel. ‘Polar ‘lounge island, from €2,020, by Moritz Schlatter, for Karimoku New Standard. ‘Ombre Nomade’ perfume, £275, by Louis Vuitton. ‘Liquidish’ bowl, €500, by Vincent de Rijk, for Rira Objects. ‘Montalcino Noce’ flooring, from £359 per sq m, by Bisazza

Natural stones are bathroom classics, and in their bolder interpretations they can make a plain surface stand out. The material is an ideal all-over surface solution, like in the case of this floor of Antolini’s ‘Explosion Blue’ quartzite slabs (top) or the sensual black Grafite from Margraf, seen on the wall. But marble can be an option for mixing and matching too, like in the case of Bisazza’s latest collection of tiles; titled ‘Marmo’, it celebrates the richness of natural stone through bold geometric compositions (like the Montalcino Noce, above, combining Avorio Perlino, Marrone Emperador and Giallo Reale marbles).

Modernist taps

Gold and silver tap arrangements — Left, ‘Allure’ three-hole basin mixer, price on request, by Grohe. Right, ‘Langbourn’ freestanding bath filler tap, from £2,340, by Perrin & Rowe

Forming part of Grohe’s new ‘Spa’ collection, which launches in September, the ‘Allure’ tap range matches cylindrical bodies with square or rectangular base plates, and comes in a choice of different colours and finishes, including chrome, brushed cool sunrise, brushed warm sunset, and hard graphite. The line includes floor-mounted taps and waterfall spouts for the bath, as well as this three-hole basin mixer, which combines state-of-the-art water technology with German craftsmanship in an elegantly slim and sleek package.

The signature piece in the comprehensive new ‘Langbourn’ bathroom collection from Perrin & Rowe is this handsome freestanding bath mixer and hand shower, which reflects the British brassware brand’s principles of proportion, balance and detail. Cast by hand at Perrin & Rowe’s Black Country foundry, it takes a skilled craftsman around five hours to polish, and is available in a choice of seven finishes, including chrome (pictured), polished brass and gold.

Adjustable silver shower head — ‘Pulsify’ shower range, from £1,208, by Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe’s ‘Pulsify’ hand and overhead showers, available in chrome, matte black and matte white, are all equipped with the brand’s innovative microfine PowderRain, Massage and IntenseRain spray modes, as well as a spray disc with an adjustable inclination of 10-30 degrees for a more comfortable showering experience. This sleek and slim range is also designed to use less water, thanks to its EcoSmart technology, and features a QuickClean function, allowing for the easy removal of lime and calcium deposits.

Black basin and counter with matching tap arrangement — ‘Parallel’ tap collection, from $550, by Kohler

Harmoniously blending flat surfaces with sharp angles, this striking collection of taps, from American bathroom brand Kohler, oozes sophistication and refinement. The range can be wall- or deck-mounted, and comes with multiple body height and spout length options, allowing it to be paired with a wide range of bathroom styles and configurations to create a unique look. Available in polished chrome, brushed nickel and matte black, the range features a lasting finish that resists corrosion and tarnishing.

Anne Soward joined the Wallpaper* team as Production Editor back in 2005, fresh from a three-year stint working in Sydney at Vogue Entertaining & Travel. She prepares all content for print to ensure every story adheres to Wallpaper’s superlative editorial standards. When not dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, she dreams about real estate.

With contributions from

Rosa Bertoli