Is the reign of the grey bathroom finally over?
After many years hogging the design spotlight, is The Great Age of Grey finally over? Joe Hurles, senior bathroom designer at Tec Lifestyle in Maldon, certainly believes so.
For years, bathroom design had been dominated by a palette of greys, whites, and neutrals, with chrome fixtures reigning supreme.
These choices felt safe, clean, and timeless to many clients, and I certainly saw the appeal.
As a bathroom designer with over 15 years of experience, I saw the rise of the “grey and chrome” trend firsthand. It was an era where bathrooms leaned toward minimalist designs, muted tones, and a reliance on neutral colours.
Clients were often hesitant to take risks and opted for what they believed would provide a timeless, universal appeal. But with the repetition of grey tiles, white walls, and chrome taps, we eventually reached a point where bathrooms started to feel somewhat sterile, cold, and lacking in personality.
The truth is, grey and chrome created a sense of uniformity. While these bathrooms certainly weren’t offensive, they also lacked vibrancy.
You could step into ten homes, each with stunningly beautiful interiors, but the bathrooms would almost always look the same. There was no spark or personality, and as a designer, it sometimes felt like my creativity was being stifled by the constraints of these safe choices.
Clients didn’t want to be too adventurous; after all, they were making a significant investment in their homes and feared that a bold decision might not stand the test of time. It was easier to opt for a neutral design, one that wouldn’t divide opinions or raise eyebrows.
But recently, particularly in the last 12 months, I’ve noticed a refreshing shift. Colour, boldness, and personality are making a comeback in bathroom design, and I couldn’t be more pleased!
Both clients and manufacturers are embracing this shift, with suppliers offering a range of vibrant fixtures, exciting patterns, and luxurious materials that we simply didn’t see five years ago. Brass and bronze fixtures, once considered outdated, have surged in popularity, replacing chrome as the go-to finish. Brushed brass, gold tones, and even matt black have breathed new life into bathroom fittings, adding warmth and elegance that chrome could never quite deliver.
Clients today are more confident, more willing to experiment, and, most importantly, they’re trusting me as a designer to push the boundaries of what a bathroom can be.
Bold colours, like deep greens, navy blues, and terracotta, are being introduced in tiles, wall paints, and even cabinetry. It’s a far cry from the greys and whites we’ve become accustomed to. Statement pieces, such as patterned tiles, vibrant vanities, or coloured basins, have become common requests, with homeowners seeking to make their bathrooms a reflection of their personalities rather than simply a functional, utilitarian space.
One of the most exciting developments is the growing variety of textures that can be incorporated into designs. Where everything once felt smooth and uniform, we’re now mixing materials – from natural stone and textured tiles to wooden accents and metal finishes.
Brave new world
Clients are craving bathrooms that feel more organic, layered, and tactile. It’s not just about what you see; it’s about what you feel when you enter the room. It creates a more immersive and enjoyable experience, one that can be both energising and calming.
I’ve noticed that clients today are not just focusing on aesthetics but also practicality. They still want features that make their lives easier, like ample storage, easy-to-clean surfaces, and durable materials that offer value for money. The great thing is that we can now achieve both – beauty and functionality – without sacrificing one for the other.
The current manufacturing processes allow us to create bespoke, luxurious bathrooms with innovative solutions that cater to both design and convenience. Whether it’s seamless, integrated storage solutions or durable, low-maintenance materials that are also visually striking, today’s bathrooms can truly offer it all.
I believe that this newfound bravery in bathroom design is driven by a combination of factors. The competitive nature of the market has encouraged manufacturers to diversify their offerings, leading to a surge in innovative, design-led products. This has made it easier for designers like me to present clients with a wide range of options that break away from the predictable, while still offering quality and value.
At the same time, social media and design platforms have made it easier for homeowners to gain exposure to a world of design possibilities (I know this firsthand through my own Instagram profile), encouraging them to be bolder with their choices. Seeing the success of others who have dared to be different is giving people the confidence to do the same.
Showrooms are also changing from rows of lifeless grey bays, to flourishing dynamic spaces where clients can interact with products and experience the possibilities now available to them.
In my opinion, this trend toward colour, texture, and individuality in bathroom design is here to stay. We are moving away from the cold, neutral tones that once dominated the industry. I foresee that as manufacturers continue to push the envelope and as clients continue to embrace more adventurous designs, the grey-and-chrome era will become a thing of the past.
The bathroom is evolving from a mere functional space into one of the most dynamic, expressive rooms in the home – a canvas where colour, texture, and personality can truly shine.