Dolphin Bathrooms always likes to keep one step ahead – not just with products and service – but also by being the first on the high street with the latest trends.

Geoff Wells, bathroom planning expert at Dolphin, looks at the key emerging trends for the bathroom in 2010:

A palette of colour
Used correctly, colour not only transforms a faceless room into something spectacular but it can also change our perceptions of its actual shape and size. Whilst natural colours are the most versatile colour choice for the bathroom, 2010 will see adventurous homeowners opting for a palette of more decadent coloured tiling.

Loved by fashionistas, bright, vivid hues such as red, blue, emerald green, terracotta and rust, which ooze charm, will start to take the centre stage. Bold, inviting and elegant colours can transform a shy flower of a bathroom into a head-turner, so homeowners should choose the colour that suits their own personality but also fits the type of environment they are looking for. Certain colours affect the natural light: others enhance or diminish space, so be guided by the qualities of the room itself. With these considerations in mind you’ll have the confidence to create a truly individual scheme.

Modular furniture
Modular furniture will play as much a part in the bathroom in 2010 as the bath, basin and toilet, as storage becomes a priority. Bathroom furniture won’t be about cramming as much storage in to the space as possible, it will be about choosing beautiful, practical key pieces and utilising them in a stunning and effective way.

Not only do cabinets hide the sink plumbing, but they’re excellent storage spaces and are also another way to bring style and originality to a bathroom. It won’t matter the style of the bathroom, the addition of some well thought out wall-hung furniture is an extremely good way at creating a modern minimalist look, especially where space is limited.

With more people choosing mirrors that lay flush on a wall versus traditional-style medicine cabinets, selecting a piece of furniture to house toiletries, cleaning supplies and other items will be the key important factor in 2010.

Texture
2010’s all-important look will be sophisticated and more about texture than accessories. As well as colour it will be all about texture and this trend looks set to run and run. Textured bathroom wall tiles will add depth, definition and interest to any room, creating a finish that looks great in either contemporary or traditional settings.

With increasingly longer working hours and busy family lives, the bathroom has become an important area to create a relaxing environment and truly enjoy some 'down time'. Moving towards elegance and glamour, inspired by palaces and stately homes, with an emphasis on comfort, Damask designs and floral pattern repeats are currently the most popular look as they can create a boudoir look. Texture for the walls is both bold yet delicate and will create a desire to ‘touch’.

Baths
The fashion for freestanding baths is one that just keeps on going and going, making it still a hot trend for 2010. The key is to choose one that'll make a stunning statement in the bathroom, as it’ll give any room an incredibly indulgent feel.

Bathing has always been about more than just personal hygiene, and the modern bathroom is no exception with a freestanding bath creating the perfect excuse to turn your bathroom into that much craved after spa-style space.

If you don’t have the budget for a freestanding bath, why not try and create the look by positioning an inset bath in the middle of the room but add some stunning and eye-catching tiling to the sides to make it standout as a real centrepiece.

Wetrooms
The hot trend for 2010 is to create an experiential bathroom and at the forefront of this is the wetroom – the ultimate in bathroom opulence and relaxation. With style conscious homeowners increasingly taking the opportunity to pamper in their own pad, luxurious shower fittings and features such as body jets, shower columns and sophisticated showering controls are set to be introduced to create a ‘home spa’.
Still best fitted by experts and more versatile than just having a shower tray / enclosure, the wetroom allows the showering area to blend in, creating a feeling of space and openness. Plus, by truly making the most of the room available wetrooms can often also add value to the home.

2010 Trends Ebook

Click on this link to see the trends mailer online, view images relating to the above trends and also find out what’s hot in bedrooms and kitchens.