If you’re going to be updating a bathroom and want your design choices to hold up over time, the first step is to figure out which styles will be timeless for you in particular.
“People tend to fall into one or two camps,” says interior designer Michael Winn of Winn Design and Build in Northern Virginia. “They want a very classic bathroom, or they want something contemporary and spicy, like the Four Seasons.” Translation: For many people, the bathroom might not be the place to get in the water with the trends.
But what if you love bold colors and patterns? “Sometimes the most timeless things are the things you love,” says Katy Harbin, a designer based in North Carolina. “There are people who redo their bathrooms every 10 years,” and for them, picking a paint color of the year and a current hardware store might work.
For those who want to get it right and get it done, however, Winn, Harbin and Boston-based interior designer Erin Gates, author of “Elements of Family Style,” have agreed on five bathroom updates. which are truly timeless.
An entirely white palette
Whether you prefer a classic-looking bathroom or a sheer retreat, Winn says, “white never goes out of style.” Think white paint, tiles, countertops, vanities, and textiles.
If you fancy some color, you can add it with window treatments and napkins, suggests Gates, or wallpaper and art. “Just beware of installing wallpaper in an often used bathroom with a shower, as the steam can sometimes peel the paper.”
Harbin likes white towels with a contrasting border “in a perky color”.
Choosing the right paint color can be tricky, Harbin says, so it’s important to order larger color swatches from paint stores rather than relying on paint cards. “You can have an earthy bathroom, like a really pretty travertine. . . and if you put a stark white with it, it falls flat, but rich creams “will work,” she says. If you can’t find larger samples, get a sample jar and paint a poster board to see what everything looks like under your bathroom lighting. Place the paint next to the tile and countertop samples to make sure they all work together.
Mixed metals
Mixing two types of metals in the space can hold up better than going with a trendy finish throughout the room. When it comes to particular metals, “polished nickel is timeless,” says Winn. Gates also prefers polished nickel; in her bathroom, she associates it with a golden mirror.
When using two different metals (and no more than two) Harbin says to “repeat them enough and it will look good.” Try using gold on knobs and a mirror and nickel on faucets and hardware, and maybe your lighting, for example.
Investing in better quality metal hardware will also contribute to longevity. A faucet with brass fittings and water-efficient technology “may be more expensive at first, but you’ll be thankful for it later,” Harbin says.
Marble worktops
“Marble, or a faux marble, like quartz with a marble appearance, will never go out of style,” says Winn. Gates agrees, with a vote for Carrara marble.
Soft, porous stone requires semi-annual resealing to maintain its appearance, says Winn; the new generations of countertops in more robust materials give this aspect of marble without maintenance. “These counters are great in heavy-use bathrooms, like those used by children,” he explains. Solid slab marble typically costs $ 100 to $ 200 per square foot; “The marble-like material” costs around $ 45 to $ 75 per square foot, Winn says.
Traditional tile patterns
White subway tiles in a shower or tub will never get old, Winn says. For floors, penny tiles – white or black and white – are still found in homes built in the 1950s and 1960s in North Arlington., Goes.Winn says, but customers are asking for it in the new bathrooms as well. Other classics include hexagonal and wickerwork patterns.
Choosing these tiles in white will “age a little better,” says Winn, than tiles in bold colors or patterns. (If you like the pattern and color, instead of a super bold tile pattern, try a rug that can be easily changed.)
Winn suggests a white grout with white tiles for a classic look. For a more modern feel, try an anthracite or black grout with white tiles. As for size, larger floor tiles, such as 8 by 8 inches or 12 by 24 inches, can make a room appear larger, “since the grout lines are less noticeable,” says Winn. Smaller tiles – 1 by 1 inch or 2.25 by 2.25 inches – are also good for powder rooms “to create a full, repetitive look.” They can also be beneficial in the shower, as more grout lines help prevent slipping, Gates says.
A cabinet style vanity
Winn recommends a “furniture grade freestanding vanity,” which “will make the bathroom less utilitarian,” he says.
Gates loves freestanding vanities with Shaker doors and undermount sinks – a style she has in her bathroom. The Shaker style is simple, she says, with no ornate details, and it’s rooted in history. Gates recommends a custom vanity, if the budget allows.
White, gray and limed oak wood are all safe bets for a classic look that won’t age, she says. In a powder room, Gates recommends a simple pedestal sink and freestanding cabinets or baskets to hold extra toilet paper and hand towels.