Relax in a country-style bathroom
Once upon a time, the country bathroom was simply a neglected and functional place where the plumbing was ugly and complex, wet feet slipped on the linoleum, and winter drafts hissed under the door. Fortunately, all that has now changed. These days we appreciate comfort and love to kick back with a bit of luxury. Modern living has allowed those who love country-style bathrooms to choose from a wonderful selection of bathroom sets and accessories and, above all, to have a warm bathroom where the towels dry quickly and the floor is comfortable yet practical to live in.
Anyone with a little imagination can easily transform a drab bathroom into the perfect retreat that becomes a comforting and relaxing place to sink into the bath and forget about the outside world. By simply adding cute country bathroom accessories and using some creative decorating ideas, you can easily achieve this transformation, without incurring a lot of expense.
While the country look is all about relaxed rusticity, a country-style bathroom doesn’t have to be old-fashioned: You can easily create a contemporary country look with sturdy wood pieces and glass tile, then complement it with pretty bottles and toiletries. dresser that contribute to the color scheme. and an abundant supply of fresh flowers.
If you install a freestanding claw-foot bathtub, it will give your bathroom a sense of style. Rolling tubs come in a variety of sizes and can create an understated, sophisticated country look, especially when tied together with whitewashed floorboards, pastel colors on the walls, and open storage. White is probably the most elegant and relaxing finish for tubs with brass or chrome fixtures, but sometimes it’s worth considering other colors if you want a more dramatic effect.
For the sky bath that becomes the ultimate sanctuary, fit a cast-iron claw-foot tub (with ball and claw feet) paired with a period-style towel rack and Victorian shutters. This works particularly well if your bathroom is residing in what was once a bedroom or other living space. You can really go to town and play with the large proportions of the room by placing the bathroom in the center to create a focal point. Freestanding furniture is often the key to creating an authentic country style, so you could add dressers that also have a vintage look.
Choosing the right paint colors that suit and soften the theme of your bathroom is important, so soft pastel shades should be high on your list. Although darker colors will also work well if your lighting is good; For an even more relaxed look, pair your color scheme with rustic materials. You can use natural stone for the floors, glazed ceramics, uneven tiles for the walls, cotton for the windows, and possibly complement with wicker, bamboo, and scrubbed wood.
Aqua colors like soft blues, greens and aqua always work well in bathrooms as they are pale and calming; alternatively, you can introduce bright, cool colors for a more invigorating effect. Don’t forget to use towels and other linens to accentuate your bathroom’s color scheme. If you don’t like solid colored towels, look for plain white towels with embroidered motifs or braid trim.
Strictly speaking, country styling is more about mismatches than coordination, but in a small space, streamlining is important. This means that light colored matching pieces can work to stretch out your space. Warmer and less clinical than ceramic tile, try tongue-and-groove planks; these can create a simpler beach house or shaker style.
When space is an issue, opt for built-ins to create a simple, uncluttered look that makes the room feel larger and provides built-in storage. Get fixtures in different shapes and sizes to make the most of any space you have and keep in mind that a shorter bathtub can fit the width of the room to even out the proportions, while choosing a slim cistern can mean you can plumb your WC. in an otherwise wasted area.
Always choose a sink that suits the size of the room: a small sink or bowl on a tidy counter is often better when space is limited, while a more generously proportioned vintage design can add a sense of sumptuous luxury to the bathroom larger.
Remember that dual-purpose furniture will provide some much-needed additional storage space without appearing too functional. Lloyd Loom’s rather expensive, but beautiful linen baskets are a good example, while traditional blanket boxes, or even benches that have lift-up seats, can accommodate spare bedding or cleaning supplies. A really nice bathroom accessory, space permitting, would be a country-style wall or freestanding cabinet to store towels and other bathroom essentials.
Rugs feel more luxurious for bare feet in a bathroom, but they will eventually rot and need to be replaced from time to time. Marble and ceramic tiles certainly look elegant but can feel cold unless you install underfloor heating; they also tend to be slippery when wet. For a simple rustic effect, you can paint the floorboards white with a specialized water-resistant floor paint with a gloss or semi-matte finish. To make it more homey, you can throw a colorful rug or two, but not too close to splashing areas.
If your bathroom has a beautiful view of the countryside, you should make the most of it and not block the window. If you’re worried about being overlooked, cover the window with a simple panel of lace or gauze that you can partially tie back so you can look out. In a small room, blinds or shutters are usually more tidy than curtains.
Use vintage pitchers, basins, pretty vases, decorative wreaths, drawstring bags on hangers, plaids and prints to make your bathroom feel homey and inviting; A bathroom is often the perfect place for family photos or humorous country prints.
Other ideas to enhance your bathroom are to replace the standard bathroom lighting with country-style lamps, replace any plastic toilet seat with one made of oak, beech or pine, place a wrought iron or aged wood toilet paper holder, use wicker baskets for storage or magazines. – if you have space, you can neatly roll up the towels and place them in a fabric-lined wicker basket. Don’t forget to add a scented candle or two to the bathroom; they are very relaxing, especially when you are immersed in the bath.
Place a small, very pretty, upholstered or wicker chair in your bathroom to add character and an antique clock to help you keep track of time; and finally, for that true country bathroom feel, never underestimate the timeless appeal of plenty of fresh flowers and potted plants, strategically placed for maximum effect.