From bringing in some vintage flourishes to fully embracing a period aesthetic, traditional style in bathrooms is enduringly popular – Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs, considers why.
Traditional bathrooms have a charm like no other style of bathroom – they offer comfort and familiarity at the same time as being timeless and elegant. They go beyond trends and will stand the test of time, making them well worth investing in.
This doesn’t mean they can’t have modern elements – on the contrary, they can have beautiful marble tops, cutting-edge designed basins, stunning brassware that incorporates ceramic disc technology and high-quality paint finishes.
So what makes a traditional bathroom? The beauty is that they’re always full of character and have a charm that a modern scheme doesn’t have. One of the most quintessential pieces of a traditional bathroom and one that will never go away, is the roll-top bath. Its sheer opulence is what transforms your client's bathroom into a fabulous space that oozes elegance. The key shapes within the roll-top family are slipper and boat in acrylic or our metal bath range of copper, antique copper, nickel, brass, tin, verdigris and patinata and matched to our countertop basins. We can paint to order the outside of these baths if your client wants to add a personalised touch.
You can style up your client's bathroom to make it look more traditional by choosing a few interior design tricks. Wallpaper works really well in a traditional bathroom – think beautiful floral designs that will add colour and pattern to the scheme, and not forgetting tiles – you can opt for classic style bevelled designs that tie in with your colours and use on both walls and floors.
To achieve a truly timeless bathroom, the key lies in subtlety and sophistication. Start by selecting high-quality, classic materials – marble, stone, and polished wood never go out of style. Once the core elements are in place, the finishing touches bring the space to life. Consider vintage-inspired mirrors with ornate frames, soft, luxurious towels, and carefully chosen lighting fixtures, such as elegant wall sconces or even a statement chandelier.
Incorporate greenery with simple plants to add freshness and life, and don’t forget the details – brass or chrome hardware, stylish soap dispensers, and a well-placed vintage-inspired rug can make all the difference. It’s these thoughtful accents that create a bathroom that feels both timeless and welcoming.
Generally, traditional bathrooms have a more muted, elegant colour palette like cream, stone, duck egg blue, plaster pink, monochrome and a gentle green. These shades are like neutrals and allow you to add in other colours and textures in the form of flooring like terracotta tiles for example, authentic wooden floorboards or flagstones.
Changing up brassware is a good option if you want to give a traditional bathroom a new lease of life. We believe that warm finishes like copper, brushed copper, gold and brushed gold look best in a characterful bathroom as they add warmth and charm which is just the look you want to create. For a truly timeless feel consider the Victrion range that includes pillar and mixer taps, deck- and wall-mounted shower mixers, valves and accessories like soap dish holders and towel rails. All these elements together make for a beautifully styled bathroom that will look great for years to come.
