The design of an establishment's washroom plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience of employees, customers, and visitors. As businesses across the UK increasingly recognise the importance of well-designed facilities, staying ahead of the latest washroom design trends has never been more essential. Whether you're planning a full-scale fit-out or looking to refresh your existing facilities, understanding the key trends in commercial design can help you create spaces that are not only functional but also visually appealing, sustainable and support business demands.
Depending on your property type, budget and personal preferences, there are a wide range of trends circulating the market, offering different aesthetics to different industry types.
Here are just some of the latest trends making their mark in commercial washroom design.
Sustainable washroom design
Although visually diverse, sustainable washroom design is a huge trend that is being incorporated in many industries and commercial environments. Ranging from water waste to automation and sensor equipment, your washroom facilities are the ideal place to add a more eco-friendly approach. Some popular sustainable washroom ideas include well-organised waste management routines, incorporating recycled materials, automation, censored lighting, taps and hand dryers and water waste systems.
Compact solutions
Successful commercial design and space planning is all about using the space you’ve got and using it to its full potential. Not only does this make sense in terms of space utilisation, but compact washroom solutions also look the part and allow for easy maintenance and user experience. For example, many modern washrooms will have soap dispensers and hand dryers installed above each tap to allow customers to wash and dry their hands in one spot, without any hygiene risk or use of extra wall space. Similarly, features such as IPS units or vanity units with storage allow washrooms to have more than one use out of a fixture.
Moody colour palettes and dark interiors
Providing practical solutions, dark colour palettes are a popular choice amongst commercial washrooms. Colours such as black, grey, brown and navy are the ideal options for creating a modern space that offers a timeless and classic appeal. Suitable for any industry type, moody colour palettes can be applied to walls, flooring, fixtures and even incorporated into lighting. One of the biggest benefits of going for a dark theme is also the maintenance that comes with it. Even though you will still have to have regular cleaning schedules, black fixtures won’t pick up or show dirt and grime as much as the lighter options.
Natural wood
Warm, rich and timeless, wood not only processes many practical benefits but also offers a classic style which can be paired with a range of other materials, colours and textures. The natural patterns and appearance of wood can stimulate a sense of warmth and comfort, creating a washroom in which employees are visitors feel welcomed and relaxed. Wood is also a super durable material and can be used for a range of different features including doors, windows, vanity units and flooring.
Adding a personal touch
If you’ve recently been to a high-end restaurant or stayed in a luxury hotel or gym, you may have noticed that many of these places are now adding more personal and practical features to their washrooms. This can range from hair straighteners to sanitary products, showing customers they care and providing an experience which goes on the basic toilet cubicle. Other personal touches may include selfie pods, makeup stations and seating areas.
Backlit mirrors
Backlit washroom mirrors provide clear and balanced lighting across a mounted surface and indirectly light the items in front. Traditional lighting in commercial washrooms can often create a yellow or blue tone, whereas cool white LED mirror lights illuminate the vanity unit area in a modern way, making them especially popular in restaurants, bars, clubs, gyms and hotels. These trending accessories are the ideal way to add a modern twist to your washroom without breaking the bank.
Biophilia
Seen amongst homes, workplaces, leisure facilities and any other commercial space, adding nature to an indoor space is a great way to add a sense of positivity, productivity and tranquillity. Connecting staff and visitors to nature, biophilia in washrooms is a trend which has been around for many years, offering both practical and emotive benefits. There have been many studies around how plants can impact a humans mental well-being, creating a sense of calm in their day and influencing a spa-like feel.