A Bathroom to Come Home To

Five ways to create a bathroom that feels like a retreat – in winter and all year round

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, home becomes a place to seek warmth, comfort and time to slow down. With considered choices in colour, form, lighting and functionality, the bathroom can become a retreat to enjoy throughout the year.

From deeper colour palettes to the restorative qualities of a bath or shower, these five ideas show how thoughtful, lasting design choices can create a space to pause and unwind long after winter has passed.

Tips attributed to Yiota Toumba, Senior Designer at Villeroy & Boch

1. Embrace deeper, cocooning tones

“While lighter bathrooms create an open and airy atmosphere, deeper tones can give the space a more intimate, enveloping character. Black and grey may seem cool and austere, but paired with muted furniture, tactile materials and fittings such as Silk Black, they can create a surprisingly warm and cocooning atmosphere. The key is to choose colours and finishes for their lasting appeal, rather than following a seasonal trend.”

2. Make the bath the destination

“Few things encourage you to slow down quite like a bath. In colder months, the appeal of warm water becomes especially obvious, but the desire to disconnect is hardly seasonal.

“The bath can also become an architectural focal point. Ideal Standard's i.life collection offers built-in rectangular and duo baths, as well as asymmetric, hexagonal and corner designs, while La Dolce Vita, Linda-X and Conca include freestanding options. From a statuesque centrepiece to a space-efficient built-in solution, there are designs for different layouts and spaces.”

“Whichever shape suits your bathroom, a bath can transform an everyday routine into a moment to pause, unwind and switch off.”

3. Make the shower a moment of escape

“Different shower spray modes can transform an everyday routine into a more immersive experience. Ideal Standard's SilkRain mode, available across collections including Alu+, Ceratherm, Ceraflow and Ceratwist, envelops the body in fine droplets for a softer shower experience. Solos offers Rain, SilkRain, 2nd Skin and Active Massage modes, alongside an extra-large overhead shower and hand spray. Its colour-changing overhead shower adds another sensory dimension.”

4. Let the mirror set the mood

“An illuminated mirror can provide practical light while also contributing to the atmosphere of the room. Ideal Standard's Conca mirrors and Mirror&Light collection integrate illumination into the design, working alongside existing light sources to create a soft ambience when it is time to unwind.

“It is a simple design consideration that can enhance how the bathroom feels without relying on seasonal accessories or temporary decoration.”

5. Create a space that helps you switch off

“A well-considered, uncluttered space can make it easier to leave the day's distractions behind. Storage plays an important role: i.life furniture comes in different sizes and three depths, with open storage and column units for organising everyday essentials. Alu+ beauty bars combine mirrors, shelves and storage, while asymmetric vanity basins in La Dolce Vita provide additional surface space. When everything has its place, surfaces stay clear and everyday routines become easier, helping the bathroom feel calmer and more considered.

“Ultimately, a bathroom retreat is built into the design of the room, through choices that balance aesthetics, functionality and comfort. While winter may make us appreciate warmth and relaxation a little more, a bathroom designed to help you slowdown is something worth coming home to all year round.”

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