Bathrooms & Laundry

7 ways to bring the outdoors into your bathroom

Clever tips on enhancing your bathroom's natural beauty.
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Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the home, therefore it’s important you have surface materials that are durable and easy to maintain.

That means you want to make it family-friendly and functional — which is easier than you think if you look to the outdoors for inspiration. Whether it’s a relaxing stroll by the ocean, the tranquility of the sun rising over the mountain ranges or the soothing quietness of the forest, nature has the ability to calm and revive us like nothing else.

Small changes, such as utilising materials inspired by nature, stripping back a wall or simply adding a plant, can make all the difference to the look and feel of a space. Here are, seven ways to inject the great outdoors in to your bathroom without stepping outside.

Use hard-wearing materials inspired by the outdoors. While natural materials look beautiful, they are also susceptible to scratching, can get damaged from excessive moisture and will show wear overtime, especially in high traffic areas.

If you’re trying to keep costs low, without compromising on quality or design, look for materials that are inspired by nature that tick those boxes: price, functionality, durability and of course, style. Laminex® AbsoluteGrain® is the latest innovation from the surfaces brand that gives access to the appearance and feel of natural timber, enhanced with the exceptional durability and low maintenance qualities of laminate. An ideal choice for families, it is antibacterial so will help to keep germs at bay.

Photography: supplied. Image features Laminex AbsoluteGrain in Aged Walnut, Laminex AbsoluteMatte in Oyster Grey and Essastone in Limestone Cape

Let there be light. Lucky enough to have a window in your bathroom? Make it the focal point of the room to instantly add instant wow factor (and depth), especially to a small space. If you’re renovating, opt for a high window away from prying eyes so there’s no need for blinds. When natural light isn’t an option, switch to soft lighting and use under-cupboard bulbs and vanity touch lamps to add extra brightness where needed.

Photography: Bo Wong / bauersyndication.com.au

Colour yourself happy. A splash of outdoorsy colour can make all the difference to a tired or cramped space. Look for shades that mimic the tranquil colours found in nature, such as like stress-soothing green and rustic hues. This pale fern green is warm enough to feel welcoming but also calming when paired with cool accents and tapware.

Photography: Chris Warnes / bauersyndication.com.au

Make your space work harder. Dreamy outdoor showers shouldn’t be reserved just for tropical resorts. Here, an Aussie bathroom has been transformed in to a private paradise complete with mood-enhancing greenery. By using Laminex® Impressions™ textured surfaces for your cabinetry, you can ensure the tranquil rainforest vibe flows throughout.

Photography: supplied. Image features Laminex Impressions textured surfaces in Scribe Riven finish.

Style like a pro. On a strict budget? Keep the design sleek and simple, and stock up on purse-friendly plants (with pots that compliment your colour scheme) to add depth and texture. Seek out something hardy that thrives in humid conditions. Air-purifying aloe vera or low-light loving Chinese evergreen are both great options.

Photography: Martina Gemmola / bauersyndication.com.au

Strip back. Feature walls are tricky to get right in bathrooms and can quickly date. Exposed brickwork, on the other hand, is a striking option that only looks better with age. This brick-red wall gives a nod to the rich tones of the Australian landscape while injecting some much-needed warmth in to an exposed space.

Photography: Annette O’Brien bauersyndication.com.au

Seek out special touches. Hand-carved wooden bowls, woven hessian baskets and organic linens add to the overall aesthetic. Imperfections are welcome here, they inject charm and texture into an all-white canvas. Scour local artisan markets for the best pieces.

Photography: Maree Homer / bauersyndication.com.au

Brought to you by Laminex

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