Bathroom with green walls and colourful pictures. (Photo: Nuvue Interactive)

Bathroom in a California condominium (Nexus Companies, photo: Nuvue Interactive)

Colour stirs up emotions

The perfect home needs colour – this is evident in current interior design trends

We cannot imagine life without colour. It creates atmosphere and defines the way we perceive room space. Strong colours are currently gaining ground, following a long period of time where white and natural tones were the dominant colours in interior design. Colour is taking over furniture, fabrics, walls and floors, and has now reached the bathroom.

Show off colours to give off more energy – using yellow, red and pink

Energy and power, but also intimacy: this is what is denoted by the fiery colours red and orange. In home décor they are more likely to be used as accents, as is evident in trendy furniture and accessories. Since too much red is rather aggressive, a completely red living room would feel constrictive. Conversely, sunny yellow makes a room appear larger. The loud yellow that is seen at lots of trade fairs is more likely to be used to provide a dash of colour: in this way fresh accents can be integrated into the living space or bathroom ambience.

Get colourful!

Colour can emphasise the type of interior designer you are

Use better accentuation rather than full colour

Love keeping up with the trend? Just change the colour

Yellow, red and pink: stimulating

Images

It's best to use vibrant colours sparingly – they are most effective when used as accents

  • The glass room divider filters amber/yellow light and makes the bathroom look sunny. (Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Barcelona)
  • The small yellow vase immediately attracts attention in this modern bathroom, and goes with the wooden floor. (Hansgrohe: Metris Classic)
  • Sunny yellow on the walls and floor – a powerful stimulus that we discovered at furniture manufacturer Interluebke.
  • The cushion with the yellow pattern is perfectly accentuated on the dark sofa. As seen at Interluebke.
  • Completely yellow open compartments form a vibrant contrast in this modular furniture. As seen at Karat.
  • Invigorating pink to illuminate the bath tub in this spa, as seen in the Romantik Hotel Sackmann, Germany.
  • Pink, red and orange were the trend colours used for these bathroom accessories: beautiful colour accents for bathrooms. (Lineabeta)
  • Living space and bathroom are gradually merging, and red is a feature here: in the seat cover and on the window. (Hotel The Scarlet, UK)
  • In the lounge bar at the new W Hotel in Taipei the focus is on fiery red, creating an impressive ambience.
  • The bathroom/living space requires a comfortable seat: red upholstery contrasted with black/white oozes style. As seen at Devon & Devon.

Create a cosy atmosphere – using blue, turquoise and green

This also applies to the blue shades between sky blue, royal blue and shades going towards green: turquoise and teal are back in, as is lavender. A purple accent can be grippingly eye-catching, while most blue shades have more of a soothing effect. The colours remind us of verdant nature, meadows and springtime or of the ocean, which is always captivating. Blue contrast is particularly attractive in combination with wood. That's another trend.

Blue, turquoise and green: soothing

Images

The colours of water and of the ocean are perfect for the bathroom – even for wall surfaces.

  • The blue/green of this wall in the bathroom is complemented by the delicate green of the decorative plants. As seen at Teuco.
  • Bright green tiles in the shower: a perfect contrast to the brown of tiles and marble. (W Hotel, Taipei)
  • Blue is a home décor trend: these innovative chairs display a pastel interpretation. As seen at Ligne Roset.
  • Blue upholstery at Porada too, as seen at a trend exhibition this year. The colour is a perfect accompaniment to natural wood.
  • The spa area in the Romantik Hotel Sackmann, Germany is enhanced by verdant green on images of nature.
  • These Flexform sofas feature a soft green similar to the colour of reeds, as seen at the Milan Furniture Fair 2012.
  • A green tile design adds an element of surprise to this purist bathroom. (Prizeotel Bremen, Germany)
  • Coloured acrylic design to adorn a table – or for a wash basin, used as a beaker when brushing teeth. (Artedona. Image: Mario Luca Giusti)

Colours change rooms – and how they do it is up to you

Colour awakens memories: of holidays, or of favourite childhood haunts. And it's a quick and cost-effective way of bringing fresh new ideas into your home. There's nothing more effective than colour accents in combination with white – whether it's in the form of furniture or on the wall. Lighting quality and surface structure are important factors in the effects of colour.

Colour mix: lots of colourful accents

Images

A colourful mix brings a sense of cheeriness to any room, including the bathroom.

  • Green walls and colourful pictures in a California condominium. With PuraVida from Hansgrohe. (Nexus Companies, photo: Nuvue Interactive)
  • Small decorative items such as these yellow, blue, red and pink vases and bowls brighten the mood. As seen at Interluebke.
  • Colour contrasts transform this linear arrangement into a charming mix: blue and yellow, brown and purple. (Janua)
  • An innovative bucket seat with no feet sways back and forth – ideal for a colourful indoor or outdoor lifestyle. (Dedon)
  • The colourful world of digital pixels was the model for this rug (photo: Albert Font; ©nanimarquina)
  • Trendy wall decoration: a collage of pictures and personal treasures livens up any bathroom. (Rolf Benz)
  • Patterns and colours are also setting the tone in home décor, as seen in these rugs. (Gandia Blasco)
  • Pink, yellow and green shades: a lively mix for a young hotel with cool furniture. (Prizeotel Bremen, Germany)
  • A bold mix of colours contrasts with the linear architecture in this modern hotel. (The Scarlet, UK)
  • Colours for guidance: anyone will be able to find his/her seat (again) here. A wide variety of seating colours at trendsetter Kartell.

Literature on the trend towards colour

The book market offers numerous sources of inspiration:

  • Terence Conran, Farbe – das Wichtigste: Wirkungsvoll einsetzen & kombinieren
    (German, DVA / English: Essential Colour, Conran Octopus)
  • Ilex Neß, Farbe! Das große Schöner Wohnen-Farbwohnbuch
    (German, Callwey)
  • Emma Callery, 1001 Ideen und Tipps – Farben für Ihr Zuhause
    (German, Moewig / English: 1001 Ideas for Colour & Paint, Publisher Creative Homeowner)
  • Alice Buckley, Entspannt wohnen mit den richtigen Farben
    (German, Bassermann / English: Home colours sourcebook, Apple Press)

Tasteful colourful bathroom & living area accessories:

online shopping at Artedona