Transforming Your Restroom with Colorful Toilet Trends: A Practical Guide
Delving into the realm of maximalist home design, a refreshing approach dubbed "more is more" is gaining traction. This design philosophy embraces an exuberant use of color, texture, and unique elements, even extending to bathroom fixtures, such as patterned or painted toilets.
Interior designer Steven Favreau, founder of Favreau Design, views this bold approach as a testament to individuality and creativity. "For those ready to take the plunge, a painted or patterned toilet offers a unique opportunity to personalize a traditional utilitarian item while making a striking statement," Favreau shares.
To encourage those considering this colorful trend, we have compiled expert advice from design professionals:
- Feature the Toilet: Treat the toilet like a functional piece of art for a harmonious aesthetic, suggests Hugo Volpei, founder of Trone Paris. By integrating it thoughtfully into your palette and materials, the toilet becomes a central design feature rather than an afterthought.
- Consider the Color Palette: People have the freedom to experiment with contrasting or subtle tones, according to Florence Bourel, artistic director at Florence Bourel Design Studio. Careful consideration should be given to the overall harmony, including materials, textures, and colors, to achieve a cohesive look.
- Balance Form and Function: Incorporating patterned or painted toilets requires a careful balance of aesthetics and practicality, warns Favreau. Intricate designs can hide grime, so a design-conscious approach that prioritizes both visual appeal and functionality is key.
- Add Color Subtly: While painting the entire toilet may not be practical due to high humidity and the toilet's delicate operating system, there are alternatives. A new tank or seat cover or a replacement toilet seat and lid can add a pop of color without a full renovation.
The idea of colorful toilets is not entirely new, having its roots in the mid-20th century and even further back in design cultures worldwide. In the United States, the '60s and '70s saw the prominent use of avocado greens and pastel pinks in bathroom fixtures, emblematic of the era's bolder design statements. Global influences, such as the traditional use of painted toilets in Mexico, Eastern Europe, and South Asia, also play a role in this revival.
Modern twists have given the trend a contemporary edge, with improved materials, refined finishes, and a focus on design-conscious choices. This trend is part of a broader movement toward infusing personality and joy into interior design, according to Bourel, a welcome departure from minimalist trends and neutral tones.
Colorful toilets, while still somewhat controversial, invite creativity and help redefine traditional design boundaries. "Great design reimagines every detail of the space as an opportunity for beauty and emotion," Volpei muses. "By embracing unexpected trends like colorful toilets, we allow more creativity and self-expression into our daily lives."
- Martha Stewart recommends exploring bathroom design ideas that include patterned or painted toilets, as they offer an opportunity to personalize a traditional utilitarian item and create a striking statement within a home.
- To achieve a cohesive look with a patterned or painted toilet, consider the color palette, balance form and function, and integrate it thoughtfully into your home design decor, as suggested by Florence Bourel.
- For those who wish to add color to their bathroom design without a full renovation, options such as a new tank or seat cover, or a replacement toilet seat and lid, can be utilized to incorporate a pop of color into interior-design styles, as advised by Steven Favreau.
