RANGE REVIEW: PAINTS & FINISHES


DARK SHOWERING: THE INTERIORS TREND TAKING OVER TIKTOK


Interiors experts share five ways to turn a bathroom into a moody sanctuary this autumn. D


itching the dreaded ‘big light’ could transform


rushed


evening showers into one of the most relaxing parts of the


day. Bathrooms are usually designed to be bright, white and practical. But TikTok users are turning their backs on harsh spotlights and clinical- looking rooms in favour of ‘dark showering’. The trend involves switching


off the main bathroom light and showering using a much softer glow from a dimmed wall light, waterproof lamp


or carefully


positioned ambient lighting. Rather than showering in pitch black, the idea is to create a calmer atmosphere that helps separate the working day from the evening. It also ties into a much wider move towards dark, dramatic bathrooms filled with deep colours, warm wood and hotel-style finishes. Bathroom expert Waleed Shahid of Royal Bathrooms says: “The bathroom is one of the few rooms where we can shut the door and have ten minutes ourselves.


floor beneath your feet, experts have revealed how to bring the look home...


Banish the big light Few things ruin a relaxing shower faster than a row of bright white spotlights shining directly overhead. While strong lighting is useful when cleaning, shaving or getting ready for work, it can feel far too harsh when you are


trying to


unwind before bed. The key is not to remove useful lighting altogether, but to give yourself more than one option.


Pick colours that come alive after dark


Painting every surface black is not the only way to create a dark bathroom.


In fact, using one flat shade everywhere can leave the room looking cold and lifeless rather than calm and cocooning. Deep green, navy, chocolate


completely to


“People no longer want it to feel like a purely practical space. They want a room that helps them slow down, and softer lighting and darker finishes can completely change how an ordinary shower feels.” From the tiles you choose to the


brown, burgundy and charcoal all create a moody feel while offering more warmth and character than solid black.


Stop a small bathroom feeling like a cave Homeowners


are often warned


that dark colours will make a small room appear even smaller. But covering a compact bathroom in several contrasting light shades can chop up the space and draw attention to every corner.


The dark showering trend embraces dark wall tiles and different layers of lighting. Image shows Albert’s Olive Green Tiles from Porcelain Superstore.


A more consistent dark scheme


can sometimes make the edges of the room less obvious, creating a surprisingly snug and seamless effect.


Warm it up with wood A bathroom filled entirely with grey or black surfaces can quickly begin to feel hard and unwelcoming. Adding wood brings warmth and stops the darker colours from making the room feel


like


can destroy the relaxed atmosphere you are trying to create. The simplest approach is to keep


an


underground nightclub. A wooden vanity unit, slatted bath panel, stool or shelf can break up all those solid surfaces, while a wood floor creates a softer foundation for the entire scheme.


Use shine sparingly Dark bathrooms need a little reflected light, but covering the room in highly polished finishes


the largest surfaces matt or softly textured, then add smaller flashes of shine through mirrors, taps, handles and glazed tiles. This allows the room to glow gently without becoming dazzling when the lights are switched on. Dark showering does not require a full bathroom renovation or a room painted from floor to ceiling in black.


Changing the type of light you use in the evening is the quickest way to test the trend, while deeper towels, a dark shower curtain or a richer wall colour can build the mood without a huge commitment. For those planning a larger makeover, carrying warm dark tones through the tiles, furniture and flooring will create a more convincing sanctuary. Just remember that atmosphere


should never come at the expense of safety.


Keep pathways, steps and shower


controls clearly visible, use suitable bathroom lighting and make sure every floor and electrical product is appropriate for a wet room. Done properly, the big light can stay off, and an ordinary evening shower can feel escape.


like a genuine


Brushed brass, as seen on Royal Bathrooms’ Luxor Walk-In Shower Screen, brings warmth and depth.


Layered lighting, such as illuminated mirrors, is key to the trend. Image shows Woodpecker Flooring’s Echo Oak Wood Design Flooring.


www.diyweek.net


• For more information on the products and finishes mentioned in this feature, please visit porcelainsuperstore.co.uk, royalbathrooms.co.uk, or woodpeckerflooring.co.uk.


AUGUST 2026 DIY WEEK 15


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