Cut out the grey areas of washroom design – an article by Washroom Washroom

Trevor Bowers, director at Washroom Washroom, takes an informative look at the power of colour in interior design…

“COLOUR is an ideal way to add a bit of personality or reflect corporate branding to create a unique interior design. Appropriate use of colour can have a positive impact on the overall success of the design and this applies to all areas of a building. So when it comes to washroom and changing room design, colour shouldn’t be underestimated as a design tool.

Off the wall thinking

While white washroom fittings remain popular, other elements of a washroom or changing area can be created in a huge array of different colours to suit any design theme. Advances in materials technology mean that colour can be easily incorporated into all areas of a washroom or changing area including cubicles, vanities, wall panelling, benching and lockers – not just the paintwork or tiling.

Materials such as Solid Grade Laminate (SGL), Formica laminate and Fenix NTM are all available in a wide range of different colours and finishes, meaning manufacturers can create cubicles, lockers and other washroom elements to tone in perfectly with any colour scheme as required.

Additionally, solid surface materials such as Corian and Silestone, which are ideal for vanity units and duct panelling, are available in a number of non-solid and solid colours too. And due to the solid surface construction, the colour runs consistently all the way through for an attractive and seamless finish

Dark Night Sky Corian vanity in a recent office refurb

Likewise, specially toughened glass can be back-painted to almost any RAL shade to match any colours used in other aspects of the interior design or to create contrast. Whether it’s a full height toilet cubicle door, duct panel system or vanity splashback, back-painted glass is the ideal way to add a splash of colour and make a design statement. Washroom recently installed glass shower and toilet cubicles back-painted in a range of bright oranges, reds and yellows to complement a gym’s bold colour scheme.

Bespoke combinations

In addition, manufacturers like Washroom, who recognise the importance colour can play in washroom design and understand the need to find the perfect shade, have developed RAL spray-painted cubicles. This opens up even more possibilities and offers a virtually limitless choice of colours to add synergy to any interior design scheme.

Incorporating combinations of different colours for cubicle doors and pilasters as well as two of more colour variants within banks of lockers is also an effective way to add a touch of colour as part of a washroom or changing room. As well as adding an attractive feature to the design, this also creates sufficient contrast to ensure that facilities are DDA compliant. 

Digital screen-printed graphics, which offer virtually unlimited scope for design, are another way to add colour and a hint of personality to create a unique washroom space. Screen printing can be used to tie the washroom design in with the rest of the building, reflecting themes used elsewhere including corporate branding to create a sense of cohesion.

At the Borderline club in Soho, the new washroom design cleverly incorporates unique graphics, designed by the architect to reflect the personality and style of the club. The Solid Grade Laminate Concerto duct panel system installed in each cubicle features a different specialist graphic printed sheet to the face.

It’s all about finding the right balance and one or two bright colours combined with a neutral palette or monochrome design will add a simple pop of colour without overpowering the whole washroom space or changing area.