To kick-off the new year and mark our return to the office after the holidays, we take a look at some of the current trends in bathroom design. In this post we focus on lighting and showers. In the next post we look at storage and accessories, materials and eco-conscious products.

Lighting
The latest trend in lighting is to use wall sconces flanking the mirror. These serve the dual purpose of décor and appropriate lighting for the face. Brass and gold finishes are predicted to be the most sought after in bathroom lighting. Adding an item of vintage lighting to the bathrooms is also trending – for example, a single chandelier or a pair above the countertops (as shown above).

Natural Light
People want bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than ever before. From skylights to floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light is a hot trend for bathrooms. This is ideal for bathrooms that face natural scenery. Bringing in the outdoors to your bathroom helps emphasize a spa-like, personal retreat.

Showers
Showers will continue to go luxury in 2014. And, marble is the last word in luxurious stone. Adding milky white marble to your shower room will give it a spa-like look. It can be added in the form of slabs, mosaic or large tiles. Whatever you do, you can never go wrong with the choice of marble in your shower area.

Perfectly integrated ‘invisible’ floor surfaces with a concealed water outlet provide the ultimate spa like space. Alternatively shower and wall channels (see above) from companies such as Geberit also create the perfect shower floor.

Photo credits: Bespoke Bathrooms