As a sanctuary in the home: for the tired mum who wants to relax; calming an overactive toddler; or, if you're lucky, for a romantic escape. Our design ideas and products show you what's steaming up the bathroom. Gone are the days when the bathroom was simply somewhere to wash. Bathroom design now aims to achieve a spa-like sanctuary in the home. This season, the serious geometric and stark-white look of recent years is making way for organic shapes, modular options and the introduction of prints and patterns.

Colour

The prints and patterns prominent in interior design are creeping into bathroom design. Sinks with floral patterns, feature walls of solid colours like red and apple-green, mosaic tiles in intricate patterns – either as a feature wall, frieze or the entire room – and coloured fittings are all on offer. The neutral palette will always be popular but this time around, add a bit of finesse.

Vanities

Vanities are the perfect storage solution in the bathroom and, as a result, the shape of vanities has remained geometric. To soften the square shape of the vanity, offset it with a round basin and an interesting finish or colour. Prints and patterns are creeping into bathrooms – why not make your vanity a feature? Wall-hung vanities are popular as they maximise the use of space in the bathroom. Deep drawers and plenty of shelf space are also a drawcard.

Tapware

The all-in-one, single tap continues to be popular, with their ease of use and streamlined appearance appealing to many people. Square body tapware will also become more prominent. You can combine both trends – as in the picture.

Basin shapes

Basin shapes are noticeably softer: think egg-inspired curves cut out of a square sink. Designs are moving away from the complete geometric square shapes previously in vogue. Instead, basins are becoming more internally rounded.

Look out for basins with floral patterns and textures. The freestanding wash basin is also popular. These are great for bathrooms short on space.

Storage

The key to maintaining a bathroom that is both functional and attractive is storage. Minimalist free-standing storage and vanity units can be teamed with most bathroom features to great effect. One clever idea is to install shelving behind the vanity mirror.

Tiles

This season it is a tale of extremes. The trendsetting tiles are either very large or very small, such as mosaics. In larger tiles, rectangular shapes (250 x 400mm for example) will complement oblong-shaped bath and basins. Use mosaic tiles boldly to create a patterned feature wall.

Alternatively, use a mix of varying sizes in the same tone. Lay really large tiles on the floor, medium, brick-sized tiles on the walls and then mosaic-sized tiles as a border or frieze.

Toilets

This season, toilets are discreet and stylish. Slick and unobtrusive in-wall cisterns will be a favourite. Basically the cistern hides in the bathroom wall cavity and all you can see is the flush button. Back-to-wall toilets, which feature concealed pipes, are another minimal option. If an in-wall cistern is out of your price range, position your toilet behind a door, out of sight, or preferably in a separate room.

Bathtubs

Freestanding baths are the standout trend of the moment. The beauty of them is they are available in all price brackets and you can take them with you if you move. Deep soaker baths are prominent in compact bathrooms as they maximise space.

Another option for smaller bathrooms is a bath that looks like it's freestanding but actually sits flush against one wall. Look out for a new starter in bathtubs: we predict wood-veneer bathtubs will be big in the luxury market.

Showers

The shower is no longer somewhere just to wash. The idea that the bathroom should be a relaxing sanctuary has resulted in showers with lots of jets, huge shower heads on horizontal arms and double showers for couples to enjoy together. Although this sounds like a contradiction of the water saving ethos, all new showerheads on the market are required to have a water-efficiency rating.