BATHROOMS STEP INSIDE


simple scheme, they can create a real ‘wow’ factor, with all the focus on the floor. Mosaics, on the other hand, tend to be more delicate and intricate, and are often used as borders or to create features. Homeowners are tending to steer away from very fussy designs, with lots of grout lines, in favour of larger insets. There are some fabulous options to choose from, including multi-facetted mother of pearl designs and stunning fabric, timber and metal effects.


Whichever floor material’s chosen, colour will change the mood. Pale shades will give a light airy feel, whilst darker tones will create a more opulent, cocooning effect. A colour wheel is one of the safest ways to work out which shades work well together. Tones that sit side-by-side will create a harmonious or ‘analogous’ effect, whilst colours at opposites side of the wheel will contrast. To contrast without being too bold, choose the shades either side of the colour opposite. There are also some great apps available, where you can lay different floors in virtual roomsets, to see how different colours work together.


“To create pattern and


inject colour, encaustic and mosaic tiles are great options.”


more stable than solid boards – and there are some great sealants on offer - but any water slopped onto the floor will create a challenge! Here, wood-effect porcelain offers a sensible alternative and brings the desired natural look, in minimal and rustic grains and shades spanning from a beach-inspired whitewash to rich walnut.


For homeowners looking to create a genuinely natural look, and wanting to be authentic, stone is still incredibly sought after and, like porcelain, there are many more options to choose from. For a traditional feel, there’s the ever-popular flagstone, but more contemporary designs tend to lead the way. Even in very traditional homes, homeowners are up- scaling the bathroom to be a little more modern. Chic, large format limestones with straight edges are widely chosen to create an elegant, contemporary look, with pale grey shades – the “new neutral” - proving very popular. And for that truly, luxurious boutique look, it’s hard to beat marble. White Carrara, in particular, is incredibly popular; its bright white base colour, combined with delicate grey veining, creates a real style statement and it’s also very dense and hardwearing.


To create pattern and inject colour, encaustic and mosaic tiles are great options. Encaustics are offered in many different designs, from vintage curlicues to modern geometrics with a distinct 70s vibe. They can be mixed up for an eclectic look and, when they’re used in an otherwise


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And whilst aesthetics play a huge role, practical aspects are very important too. Thankfully, all of these fabulous floor options are offered with different surface finishes; as well as honed and glossy tiles, there are also many textured and brushed options for a safer grip! Materials like slate can again work really well, as they have inherently good non-slip properties. This is particularly important in family homes and should also be considered in terms of ‘future-proofing’ any design.


Our bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, from lofty spaces with glamorous freestanding tubs, to neat ensuites. And let’s not forget wet rooms, which continue to be very popular. Here, surfaces can play a key role and materials are often used across floors and walls, to complement a minimal, seamless design. But there’s also the option to mix things up. The growing trend of ‘zoned flooring’ works really well in all bathroom settings, where it can be used to create a feature or clear distinctions between different areas. Different materials or colours can be positioned to create tiled ‘mats’ and fabulous linear effects, or mixed up so that one design melts into another. The effect can be stunning.


Today, the choice is endless. There are bathroom floors to suit every conceivable taste, from safe and neutral, to bold and eccentric. Options should be carefully considered, alongside the rest of the interior scheme, so that the floor complements the design - whether it’s going to blend in beautifully, create a cosy cocoon or steal the show!


www.indigenous.co.uk/bathrooms Tomorrow’s Retail Floors | 27


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