Lidia Cetrangolo from Multipanel delves into whether style and sustainability are really conflicting requirements in bathroom design, and how they can both be met using wall panel solutions
While their function is to service the basic daily needs of a household, bathrooms can be one of the two main spaces that make a property stand out. Whether it’s an ultra-modern space or an outdated eyesore in major need of urgent replacement, the bathroom can often be overlooked for its ability to be the key selling point in a property for a client.
When it comes to bathroom specification, architects need to be ahead of trends in order to meet the room’s current and future needs; a complex requirement that goes beyond aesthetics.
With modern methods of construction (MMC) slowly creeping up the industry’s agenda in a bid to meet net zero 2050, there needs to be growth in the number of materials that tick both style and sustainability boxes.
Modern alternatives
While bathroom wall panels aren’t necessarily the ‘new kid on the block’, increasingly they are becoming the smart choice for stylish and sustainable specification. Offering a myriad of design options, they are fully recyclable, waterproof and offer a 30-year warranty.
Applied simply using adhesive, they eradicate the need for high-maintenance grout; a danger zone for water ingress and a feeding ground for mould and mildew. Providing sleek, uninterrupted aesthetics, bathroom wall panels can be the smart choice for ‘fit and forget’ wallcovering solutions.
An impenetrable idea
With so much focus on the cost of living and a wide-reaching demand for money-saving solutions, bathroom wall panels can help towards water-saving goals thanks to their complete impermeability. Available in a range of sizes, they are fixed with adhesive and usually connected with tongue and groove technology.
Maintained simply with hot, soapy water and without any grouting to upkeep, the panels are designed to offer 30 years of watertight coverage, meaning the difficult decision regarding specification comes only with choosing the finish.
Having recently undertaken some research into the latest trends, we understand demands from a consumer perspective, enabling needs to be met with various wallcovering solutions.
Here we take a look at the top trends in further detail.
Bold colour
Uninspired and generic greys have made way for more vibrant, even loud shades. While subdued tones like white and grey promote a sense of cleanliness and space, bold colours provide a platform to bring personality into the room.
Delivering a sense of originality, brighter shades – in particular green and pink hues – can lift the space and accentuate an area or feature.
For example, areas of form and function could be determined with a juxtaposition of different materials.
80s is retro
While many thought the ultra-common, retro avocado bathroom suites were a thing of the past, they’ve made an unexpected comeback.
Whether it’s feature cabinets, freestanding bathtubs or old-school radiators; ‘period’ features are increasingly in demand in the bathroom, with accents being accentuated with complementary design or furniture pieces.
Mix & match
Neutrality has been replaced with contrasting colours, patterns or designs; beautifully working against each other to subsequently work well together.
Whether it’s a variety of mixed-patterned wall coverings to achieve a bold, statement look or herringbone flooring against a ehoneycomb-finished bath, a client’s expression can be realised through
a blend of complementary and competing aesthetics.
Tile wall designs
The mixing of tiles and panel patterns is very on-trend, too, with the focal point now becoming a stand-alone feature wall in the bathroom. This can be a complex design of tile/panel, or a subtle contrasting wall.
However, you don’t necessarily need tiles to provide the desired look. Tile-look bathroom wall panels can deliver it, without the usual accompanying headache of grout and silicone maintenance.
Food for thought
While architects will always be at the behest of new legislation or updated guidance, creativity and vision doesn’t need to be dampened in order to accommodate forthcoming changes. Quite the opposite, in fact: product innovations and new materials can be the solution to outdated, cookie-cutter specifications and enable the delivery of both style and sustainability requirements.
Speedy to install (up to 15 times quicker versus traditional tiled walls), waterproof and with Forest Stewardship Council certification, wall panels may be the ‘no brainer’ solution for bathroom specification, providing future-proofed design.
Lidia Cetrangolo is marketing manager at Multipanel