The importance of light, colour, form and materials

Distinct shapes and forms, plus the well-balanced use of materials create a calm and structured environment

Light and colour can influence the atmosphere in the room

Clearly sectioned areas support daily routines

The bathroom is one of the few places that we have all to ourselves. The space where the day begins and where it draws to a close. The way in which we experience this can be determined by the surroundings in which we find ourselves. The shapes, light, materials and colours subtly influence the space creating an atmosphere perceived as being calm, clear or instilling a sense of composure.

Minor rituals can become significant: A moment under warm water or an established routine to start the day can feel different when a bathroom’s design creates an appealing environment in which you enjoy every minute.

Forms & materials

Gentle radii, clear lines and the well-coordinated use of materials and colours contribute to a coherent overall impression. Many current bathroom ranges take up these principles, with organic contours, matt textures and warm tones used to define the character of the design. Designers such as Philippe Starck, Christian Werner or Sebastian Herkner deliberately apply a restrained design idiom which appears well balanced and precise.

Light & colour

Light influences how we perceive a room. For example illumination – bold and bright in the washing area can make you feel alert and awake whilst indirect light conjures up a subdued, calm atmosphere.

Colours reinforce this impression: Warm beige and wood tones can impart a sense of calm; and green shades have a serene effect. Lighter shades make rooms appear more spacious and open. Darker items introduced through furniture or coloured backgrounds provide focal points which can bring stability to a space.

The bathroom in everyday life
The bathroom is both a calm retreat and the scene of daily use and recurring procedures. The extent to which design influences the way the room is perceived becomes particularly apparent in this context: When areas are clearly structured and items are arranged in a perfectly orderly fashion, this gives rise to a feeling of calm and dependability for the user. Particularly in the washing area, as a scene of ever recurring procedures, this order provides for a calm environment that supports everyday routines without any fuss.

A new approach to bathroom design

Clear forms, well-balanced proportions creating a harmonious effect overall are increasingly coming to the fore in bathroom design. Rooms are being conceived that combine a clear orientation with a pleasant atmosphere. Various bathroom ranges from Duravit show how style of design and patterns of use can be united to create coherent solutions – resulting in bathrooms which are visually compelling whilst exuding calm and harmony.