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Bright Wonder

Harriet GoodacreHarriet Goodacre

July 03, 2023

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Maximalism has been en vogue for a few seasons now, whether it has focused on bold geometric pattern, florals or most recently “cottagecore”, the looks are typically cluttered with an abundance of accessories, heavily styled and although colourful, they’re quite muted and moody. Bright Wonder therefore is the peak of maximalism as we strip back the styling and use bolder, brighter colours.

This looks lends itself well to the summer seasons, however with a few key styling points it works all year round and really helps to brighten up the home in a way that feels trendy rather than directionless. This trend is all about immersing yourself in bold colour, tapping into your creativity and expressing your fun side.

Spicy Brights

L-R: Dulux’s Prom Queen, Satsuma Spice, Berry Smoothie, Sweet Citrus, Everglade Forest, Sapphire Salute

The colours in this trend are inspired by the 60s and 70s however they have a slightly muted undertone which provides a more modern sophistication whilst making them easier to use.

This trend works well with colour blocking as the colours bounce nicely off of each other, the sugary lilac with hits of spicy orange, a warm berry pink against a sweet citrus. But what makes this palette both usable and versatile is the mix of two heritage colours, a deep inky blue and a forest green. Both colours help ground the brighter shades and work harmoniously with them to pull each look together.

The colours work with most styles of home, from heritage and retro to contemporary. All you need to do is ground the colours using the right types of furniture and accessories.

The Tile Edit

Tile Choices L-R: Minton Hollins Country Rustic Raspberry, Matrix Primrose Yellow, Flute Bright Skies, Zellica Forest Green

Tiles are a simple but effective way to colour block as you can also play around with laying patterns to achieve the look you want. When you’re adding plenty of colour, it’s key to use a simpler tile, opt for a classic small format in a square or rectangle and then build the look using colour and texture. For a classic or retro touch, a rustic finish works well, if you’re opting for a bolder, darker colour counteract this with a glossy finish so it feels brighter. And finally, if you’re going for a lighter colour, try a matt finish for a contemporary feel.

Styling The Look

Pinterest Inspiration L-R: Peach & Green, Bold Contrast, Terrazzo, Orange Walls, Sugary Kitchen, Blue & Yellow

From our colourful Pinterest searching you can get an idea on how the trend’s colour palette works together, focusing on different elements will create different looks. A lot of the inspiration has a modern feel but placed in a heritage setting such as a typical Georgian home with its high ceilings and ornate features.

Here, we’ve created three looks that either feel classic, retro or contemporary to help inspire you, all of these looks can be used in any style of home, all you need to consider are the room’s proportions and its natural light.

Classic

Image Credits L-R: Orange Bath, Zellica Forest Green, Lilac Towel, William Morris Shower Curtain, Prossimo, Dunelm Pendant Light

The key to a modern take on a classic bathroom is to play with the proportions of your room. Typically, older properties like Edwardian and Georgian have higher ceilings which means you can introduce drama in your sanitary ware. Go for a statement bath with an overhead shower and canopy style curtain. Here we’ve been inspired by an orange bath; tile behind it with a dark green, we like the rustic style of Zellica, laid in a modern stacked pattern. To finish the feature, we’ve added a touch of traditional pattern with a William Morris print shower curtain in yellow leaf.

For the rest of the room, stick to a traditional style pedestal sink and toilet bowl with touches of walnut wood in accessories and furniture. Opt for a wood effect finish on the floor with Prossimo and add in a touch of lilac with your towels, we love this design from Dyke and Dean as the subtle yellow stripe brings the scheme together.

Retro

Image Credits L-R: Orange Terrazzo, PreKast Fern Green, H&M Home Bathmat, H&M Home Towel, Etsy Soap Dish, H&M Home Shower Curtain

Go bold with a feature sink, we love this orange terrazzo work top paired with a teak looking basin and brass hardware. Use the rest of your colour palette to inspire the room, the hint of forest green in the geometric PreKast tile, laid here in a semi-circle design, adds that retro 60s vibe. The playful bathmat in a sugary blue/lilac, the soft cotton pastel yellow tile and the decorative soap dish bring the colour. Then you can layer in texture using tonal or neutral colours, such as the fluted detail on the sink unit and an added flounce in the shower curtain, these combined with the colour palette creates the overall retro vibe. For final touches, opt for opaque or frosted lighting in simple designs like the Flos wall lights, brown glass bottles for products and ensure surfaces are kept clear.

Contemporary

Image Credits L-R: Dunelm Basket, Matrix Primrose Yellow Gloss, Piglet Towel, IKEA pine cabinet, Kast Basin

When looking at contemporary designs, particularly in the bathroom, using lots of colours against standard white sinks and tubs can look a little harsh and dated; look for coloured sanitary ware and revolve your scheme around it. Here we’ve taken inspiration from a blue toned sink that is grounded by a dark green wall and then created a contrast with yellow tiles. The use of untreated pine, rattan and metal hardware help to tone down the colour as they mix in plenty of natural texture. Opt for a natural looking floor tile to bring the look together and keep your accessories, like mirrors and shelving, streamlined and minimal.

So, have you been inspired to introduce more colour into your home? Make sure to tag us in your home transformations over on Instagram @toppstiles.

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