Stick with neutral tones for timeless appeal.
"Modern" is one of those styles that changes by the year as fashions come and go. Figuring out design a bathroom that won't feel dated in just a few years is one of the more complicated parts of designing a house. An important aspect of the process is knowing exactly what you want, need and can do without. The bathroom, like the kitchen, is one of the trendier rooms of a home. But since trends change by the season, designing a bathroom that will remain fashionable over time demands that you go beyond what is fashionable right now.
Instructions
1. Analyze your design aesthetic. Figure out what you like by going through magazines, books or websites and acquiring pictures of things that attract your attention. They do not have to relate to the bathroom, although that would be helpful. After you have assembled photos -- and bits of fabric, tile samples, paint chips and anything else that catches your eye -- set them out together on a table or the floor. Look for things that keep coming up: a certain color, a theme, a kind of architecture. Take one representative image of each of these things and put them together. This should give you a realistic idea of your design aesthetic.
2. Use your design aesthetic to choose a color palette and design style that best represent your interpretation of "modern." For example, if you are attracted to blues and ocean scenes with Mediterranean architecture, a color palette of blue, sand and ocher may be perfect for you. You can bring it in with the fixtures and types of counter tops you choose.
3. Choose your toilet and sink carefully. Avoid using colorful toilets or sinks. While black may seem stylish right now, it can become dated very quickly, like the pinks and greens of the 1970s. White, off white and cream remain your best bets in terms of colors, since they go with anything, even if you update the bathroom again later on. You can also use colored glass sinks, cut stone, metal and even wood. The sink and counter are generally where most people spend their money since this is the area most people see. A plain and functional toilet, although not cutting-edge, is still acceptably modern, although if you can, spend more for a higher-end one.
4. Explore bathtubs, showers and whirlpools carefully. This is important because the bathing amenities can make or break your style. For example, a sleek bathroom full of metal fixtures will not look modern with a shallow plastic tub. A pair of rain heads over sleek tile, on the other hand, would go quite well. A Zen-inspired style might require a bamboo wall mural, with a wooden Japanese bath tub as the perfect final touch.
5. Aim for simplicity with the basics: choose neutral walls and ceilings. Essentially give yourself a bare canvas in which to create your modern bathroom.
6. Use the fixtures to go all out with your aesthetic. For example, to incorporate your love of nature, bring in plants or a floor mural of river stones. You could also use natural touches such as a cut stone basin or photos of forests.
7. Avoid going overboard. Don't clutter by adding tons of do-dads or making it hard to move around. The bathroom should be simple, not overly ornate. Make sure everything is functional and has a purpose. For example, a wicker laundry hamper can double as a decorative table.
Tags: design aesthetic, your design, your design aesthetic, bathroom that, color palette