You would have thought, of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom was the least susceptible to the whims of design trends. But think again: as well as needing tiles, a sturdy sink and somewhere to keep their cotton buds, homeowners are increasingly looking to make the most of their bathroom space.
And to that end, they are embracing a number of changes to bathrooms that haven't really been seen before.
That's according to Susan Quirke, managing director of Quirke McNamara Consultancy, an architectural and design practice which works on residential and commercial properties alike. And what has Susan learned on her travels through the offices and homes she has outfitted around the UK? A bathroom isn't a bathroom without a mirror.
"At the moment, people are looking to maximise the space in their bathrooms using lots of large mirrors and as much storage as possible so that everything can be clean-lined and put away," says the expert.
And it's not just creating the illusion of space that homeowners are looking to bring in to their bathrooms - the popularity of wet rooms is growing, too.
"Wet rooms are still very much in fashion, but now also having a bath area that has a luxury feel and a dramatic look whether using different levels where you step up to the bath or using dramatic lighting," said the expert.
Whether it's a modern wet room or a luxurious bathing area in which to recreate mid-'80s Flake adverts, lighting is an important consideration in the bathroom. Bathroom ceiling spotlights are flush and waterproof - perfect for wet rooms, where space is a consideration and everything gets, well, wet.
Similarly, bathroom wall lights offer moody illumination, which easily accompanies an unwind in the bath.
"Lighting is starting to becomes an essential feature," said Susan.
