Wood Hot Bathroom Trend in 2011

Homeowners eager for their washrooms to be the epitome of high fashion may want to make note of this predictions for the bathroom trends of 2011.

Wood - in particular oak - will be used for bathroom furniture, accessories, Venetian blinds and other window treatments, with traditional palettes coming to the fore, combined with splashes of bright colour.

Neutrals such as creams and browns will be in evidence, as will blues and reds, although other more unusual hues will also be seen, ranging from bright orange and green to purple.

Wood is definitely making a comeback this year, especially in the guise of wooden blinds. These are often considered the perfect feature of any part of the house, since they let in the perfect amount of both heat and light.

Those looking to give their bathroom suites a more natural look may be inclined to take note of Cheryl Gurner, who is the creative director of Bathrooms International, which has designed washroom interiors around the world, including 300 in the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

She said she loves the use of wood in panelling and vanities, noting that it is part of a trend that allows the more traditional leanings to come into play. She gave several examples of how old and new styles can be combined using the element.

"Dark and mysterious timbers running floor to ceiling and coupled with sleek chrome brassware keeps the contemporary faction happy," she observed.

One of the pieces created by Ms Gurner's company is the Quattro wash basin. Its bamboo finish allows for sharp corners and visible panels, which run horizontally around the unit.

People shopping online for the right bathroom furniture to bring their bathroom up to date with this hot trend of 2011 may be interested in this year's IMM Furniture Fair in Germany. Where those in the know have claimed glossy surfaces are no longer the most favoured look.

The 'all-round hero of the moment' with this trend is to show the essence or history of the material, not to cover up any imperfections.

The Bostonian beach house effect has also been cited within this trend, this is created by grooving with light-coloured wood. In particular, it could work well with a variety of taps, from traditional to modern.

Sustainability continues to be a pressing concern when it comes to furniture, - which may be something those in search of bathroom accessories might want to keep in mind.