House of Rohl: 3 Trends for 2023 from Victoria + Albert

Instagram and Pinterest often show beautiful bathrooms that are the size of most people’s bedrooms. Many of us have much smaller bathrooms, but there is still a desire to create a luxurious and indulgent space. The bathroom market has evolved to offer exciting new products that bring high style to the smallest spaces.

Amiata

LUXURY BATHROOMS

Nothing suggests luxury like a freestanding bath.

Victoria + Albert’s new collection of compact freestanding baths are no more than 1500mm long. With a typical inset bath requiring around 1700mm to fit, these are a practical alternative. They naturally enhance the sense of space by revealing more of the floor area.

New compact designs include the Toulouse, Amiata and Barcelona baths – three of the most popular designs in the Victoria + Albert portfolio. Don’t be afraid to add colour, even in small spaces, to add warmth and individuality to the room. All Victoria + Albert baths are available with a choice of 200 RAL exterior colours, and these can even be matched on any Victoria + Albert basin.

Freestanding Toulouse

THE NEW MINIMALISM

French architect and designer Philippe Starck began the trend for minimalism in the bathroom nearly 30 years ago. His insistence on clean lines, sculptural shapes and an absence of clutter have become the modern principles of bathroom design. Yet minimalism does not have to be cold and clinical. The new minimalism embraces different surfaces and textures to create a more inviting space.

Typically minimalist bathrooms are pure white, so consider matt finishes to diffuse the light and make the space feel warmer. Victoria + Albert’s baths and basins are all available in a matt finish that is velvety to the touch and feels warm against the skin. Rather than shiny chrome brassware, opt for matt black. Riobel’s award-winning Parabola collection offers this finish, and its sculpted body and geometric curves is perfect for the new minimalist look.

TWO IN A TUB

As the bathroom is increasingly recognised as a place of sanctuary and relaxation, not merely a functional space for washing, the idea of unwinding in a hot bath with your partner is less sensational than it once was.

There are practical considerations, of course. Larger baths will obviously be more comfortable for two, and it makes sense to choose a symmetrical shape so there is no argument about the best end. Anything over 180cm long and close to 80cm wide should work for most people. Victoria + Albert’s Toulouse 1800 fits this brief, and has a back rest angle of 23°, providing a relaxing, reclined bathing experience with enhanced lower back support for both bathers. If you’re going to the trouble of filling a bath for two, you don’t want your other half getting straight out complaining about lumbar pain.

Plan for the bath tap to fit in the middle, rather than at one end, so neither party is leaning against cold metal. You can also avoid gazing at an unsightly overflow. Victoria + Albert’s Kit 36 and Kit 40 work just like a normal ‘click-clack’ waste, however if the maximum safe depth of water is reached (around 36cm for the Kit 36 and 40cm for the Kit 40) then patented technology within the unit triggers the plug to open, helping to avoid a flood. No overflow required.

Finally, make it special. Select bubbly bath salts so you’re not looking at each other’s feet, and source a bath rack with two wine glass holders, such as Victoria + Albert’s elegant Tombolo range.