This holds true of aesthetics and amenities alike. At the same time, a crossover effect is evident, too: Consumers bring trends from the world of hotels into their own homes, not least their bathrooms. And here, too, there’s a gradual trickle-down effect as new offerings and new designs become increasingly popularised. Below, we explore some of the recent trends in the hotel business. And look at how they affect
bathroom design.
In private bathrooms, the space issue is less pressing: most people can fit a yoga mat and similar equipment elsewhere in their home. From a spa perspective, advanced shower systems include steam and aromatherapy options – enabling homeowners to pamper themselves at the push of a button. Such sophisticated showers have digital interfaces with pre-set options that let you aim for either an energising or relaxing experience. In Denmark, these multi-jet showers have not yet become mainstream (we tend to be rather prudent about water conservation), but we do see a rise in their popularity, especially as subtler design options are becoming available.
A recent McKinsey report predicts that services to promote sleep will become even bigger business in future. And hotels are responding with offerings that go beyond pillow menus. One recent trend is so-called circadian lighting: the system adjusts light intensity and colour temperature to match the guests’ body clocks. This is particularly sought after by long-distance flyers, who use this trick to counteract jetlag. For example, you can set your hotel room to mimic the time zone you come from – or are going to.
In private bathrooms, jetlag is not a main consideration – but enhancing sleep and overall mood regulation is! Smart controls for music, ambient lighting, and LEDs designed to mimic sunrise and sunset can make it easier to handle morning fatigue (and grumpiness!) – and help you unwind at night. For those who have to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night, having the system automatically dim the lights to a low setting can be a lifesaver: we all know how bright those lamps can seem when we stumble from our bed bleary-eyed in the small hours of the night!
Moving on to other things that improve sleep, many hotels now actively use acoustic dampening to promote deep rest. White noise machines and sleep soundtracks are also popular with guests – and designing your own downloadable sleep soundtrack can be a great way for a brand to stay top-of-mind with clients. What better way to connect with clients than being the last thing they listen to at night?
Private bathrooms can also benefit from acoustic dampening – either as part of the original architecture or in the form of acoustic panels, possibly presented as art. Recent years have seen the emergence of many very attractive examples of the latter. As bathrooms tend to have very hard surfaces that reflect and augment sound, the introduction of dampening elements can add a surprising sense of cocooning comfort.
At Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland, guests can take the plunge directly into the river through a dedicated opening in the ice
The cold plunge fad has been picked up by many celebrities, but in fact the practice of dunking yourself into icy water dates back to ancient times. The ancient Greeks did it – and, of course, we Scandinavians still do it as part of our sauna regimens and in the wild. Many claim that cold plunges can boost your energy, metabolism and dopamine levels – internet drag sensation Trixie Mattel even experimented with
it against arthritis.
In hotels, the growing demand for cold plunges may mean that spa areas need to incorporate icy cold zones in their designs; alternatively, stand-alone tubs can be made available for clients who request them. At Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland, guests can take the plunge directly into the river through a dedicated opening in the ice – a striking example of how cold immersion is integrated into the spa experience. If the bathroom is spacious enough, you can even install cold tubs in the guest’s bathroom. But be warned: cold plunges in tubs usually generate a lot of splashing, so make sure the room has capacious drains!
In private bathrooms, the trend for freestanding wellness tubs supports cold plunging, too. In very high-end projects, the master bath may even include a dedicated cold plunge pool. For those wanting to dip their toes in the trend before committing to a major investment, plastic tubs intended for cold plunging are available online.
Examples of decluttered bathroom style – concept imagery
Moving on to the details, the decluttering trend comes naturally to most hotels: the interiors are usually pared-back and pristine. But we all know the feeling of rather spoiling a perfect hotel (bath)room by introducing our own clutter. Placing one or two empty trays or baskets in the room makes it far easier to group everything, letting aesthetic-conscious clients preserve the look. Keep these containers wipeable/washable for easier housekeeping; porcelain trays are an excellent option and come in a rich variety of colours and styles, letting you accentuate any look from rustic to sleek.
In private bathrooms, the amount of clutter on display is, of course, down to the individual person’s tastes and efforts. However, designers can help make it easier to keep the room tidy by incorporating plenty of built-in storage. Make the most of little nooks and crannies: build shallow cabinets around piping, under the sink and so on. And point your clients towards the benefits of baskets: grouping your bits and pieces into containers instantly creates a much cleaner look.
