Black and white is a classic colour combination that can produce a stunning effect in interiors, particularly bathrooms. The bathroom has never been the place to really show off interior trends, styles and colours however black and white in the bathroom can produce both beautiful classic and contemporary schemes that will remain timeless.
The reason black and white is so effective in bathrooms is due to the impact the colour combination can make, particularly in a small space such as a bathroom. Black absorbs light, whilst white reflects it. The fact that bathrooms are often full of clean lines and bold angles lends itself further to these contrasting tones.
When we think of a monochrome bathroom we usually imagine a classic, traditional style bathroom with a black toilet seat, white metro tiles with black borders and a roll top bath resting on black ornate feet. However recently, black and white has come to the forefront of contemporary bathroom design too.
Luxury bathroom suppliers are now introducing black sanitaryware, with the Bette Loft Bath having launched in black at Ish earlier this year and Villeroy & Boch offering another contemporary bath in a combination of black on the outside and white on the inside.
However if you want to achieve the ultimate in contemporary monochrome bathrooms, choose black furniture such as the Villeroy & Boch Finion range with its matt black finish.
The bathroom set at this year’s Ideal Home Show also demonstrated how a black and white bathroom can produce a beautiful classic contemporary look. Classic chequerboard tiles combined with a contemporary freestanding bath and black countertop sinks create a bathroom that oozes design. The addition of natural materials and textures throughout from the wooden stool, wicker basket and foliage, bring in a softer element and warmer tones to reduce the harsh contrast of the black and white.
Another element to consider when going monochrome is pattern. With such high contrast, a black and white pattern can really complete your bathroom, particularly a patterned tile. However if you’re looking for something more subtle, choose a dark stone with a natural pattern or inject it through soft furnishings such as curtains or towels like this bathroom above.
A black and white bathroom is easy to achieve with the majority of sanitaryware being white, the success of the design comes down to where you will inject the black. From going all out and painting a wall black or choosing a contemporary black cabinet to simply adding in black details through your choice of towels and accessories, such as this bold black mirror above, a monochrome bathroom will always make a statement that will stand the test of time.
