Although we knew dark shades could create a striking look, they were far from our first choice for a bathroom renovation—until this year. After exploring the ideas below, you may find your view of the growing dark-bathroom trend changing too.
Bathrooms dominated by neutral tones remain a wonderful way to create spa-like retreats, yet the unstoppable rise of darker shades, particularly black, has brought a new direction. The #blackbathroom hashtag has already appeared in 40,000 Instagram posts. Here are a few ideas for creating a practical, comfortable bathroom with dark colours.
Colour is having an extraordinary impact on our living spaces this year, with bursts of colour appearing in almost every part of the home—and the trend is set to continue. In bathrooms, attention is increasingly turning to anthracite, grey and black, from vanity units and sanitaryware to taps and wall and floor tiles. Warm metallic finishes are becoming more popular alongside these shades.
Introduce dark colours all at once or gradually. You could start by replacing the taps, then move on to the walls. Wherever you begin, our suggestion is to start now, as dark colours appear to be here to stay. The Kalesinterflex catalogue offers a wide choice of wall finishes.
A dark bathroom can feel comfortable and contemporary rather than gloomy. Dark accents and accessories, for example, stand out beautifully against a neutral bathroom. To begin, paint, wallpaper or tile one area in a dark shade and see how it affects the light. If you like the result, extend it throughout the room.
Alongside avant-garde, classic, modern and minimalist bathrooms, where dark colours are already familiar, these shades also suit American cottage and French Provençal styles. Combining warm wood tones with darker, more saturated surfaces creates a richer look and brings a variety of textures into view.
The arrival of dark colours has also brought a Gothic trend, expected to gain real momentum in 2023. Gothcore, the more dramatic sibling of cottagecore, has been reinterpreted for contemporary bathrooms through more accessible design elements. Traditionally associated with ornate details and dark, rich colours, modern Gothic appears to embrace complementary styles such as industrial design and Scandi noir, creating a mood that is as invigorating as it is dramatic.
Although modern Gothic may initially seem intimidating, it can be introduced through dark colours, layers of brass and linear details. For an opulent, mysterious feel, choose black marble effects with gold veining from Kalebodur's Royal Marbles collection, or the 20 × 20 cm Allure series from Çanakkale Seramik's Formart collection. Simple, modern taps can bring a contemporary note even to a traditional Gothic setting.Complement dark shades with honey tones to add warmth. Together, they create an inviting, cocooning space rather than a gloomy one.
Pair black walls with brushed-copper effects and a large round mirror—a recurring feature in new mirror trends—for a contemporary bathroom. Even with sharply modern forms and finishes, the right textures can create a comfortable atmosphere.
If black and its shades are not your preferred dark palette, try deep browns instead.
