Black As A New Popular Alternative For The Bathroom

As I discussed in a recent article on color projections for 2020, gray and white have been the popular standard colors for years – throughout the house. Even bathrooms have been gray and white. This was true,  particularly when paired with other minimalistic or farmhouse-chic accessories. For bathrooms, subway tiles began to gain popularity, and in the later years, gold accents became popular as well. However in the last two or three years, there has been a move toward black being used in bathrooms. 

Some people say black’s emergence as a color of choice for bathrooms is an outgrowth of popular designs seen in commercial offices, renovated industrial spaces and hospitality venues, like the décor in the most trendy restaurants and nightclubs right now. Other people say it’s a direct reaction to the recent fad of all-white interiors. Also, in recent years, bathrooms have transformed from purely functional spaces to rooms where homeowners want to make a statement, which is why black is a perfect choice; it’s always sophisticated and enduringly chic, and it makes a strong impression in a small space. Black is a very elegant color and has long been a staple in clothing and accessories.

According to Lenora Campos, Senior Manager of Public Relations for TOTO USA, “TOTO has seen an upsurge in the demand for black bathroom products.”

Black is also classic and extremely versatile. It creates a clean aesthetic and a very soothing mood making a space feel welcoming when one wants to just relax in a warm bath. Black also stands out and feels unique and is a nice accent to marble or other stone countertops in bathrooms. Black offers an alternative to the traditional silver and gold metal accessories in bathrooms.

Black is appearing in bathrooms in several of its features; sometimes just in the cabinetry, fixtures, fittings or lights. At times there is a preponderance of black in fittings and fixtures. For those that are nervous about using too much black, some of the walls can be painted black or just accessories done in black. Black ceramics on the walls or flooring can work well even with white fixtures. Black can create a great contrast with other colors, such as white, blue or greens creating a very inviting and warm space.

More and more homeowners are keeping an eye on resale value when renovating, and black is timeless – it never goes out of style – which means it will be appealing to prospective buyers for years to come.

Kohler, Moen, Delta and other fixture and fittings brands currently offer many products in black, and many more are expected to be unveiled at next week’s [Jan. 21-23, 2020] Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. 

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.