For anybody living in New York City, synonymous with its chic (yet often compact) urban apartments, maximizing space is a way of life. And it seems that nobody, not even Julia Roberts, is immune from clever decorating techniques.
While we're almost sure the Pretty Woman actress isn't working with a tiny space, her city bathroom still exhibits an all-neutral color palette – tapping into a scheme that's consistently favored by designers for its space-enhancing qualities. Whether Roberts is working with a compact space or not, there's no denying that her bathroom color choices make her space feel larger – but there's even more to this palette than its spacious qualities.
Louisa Alice, the creative director of the Mosaic Factory, explains that neutral-hued tiles are fronting bathroom design trends for 2024 due to their eternally calming qualities. 'It is important to ensure your bathroom is a space for rejuvenation. Creating a natural, calm, and neutral environment can be achieved by selecting the right materials and color palette,' Alice says.
'The bathroom is a sanctuary, and we pride ourselves on being able to bring our customers’ designs to life. Neutral bathrooms will remain a firm favorite for those looking to achieve a pared-back, minimal environment where they can unwind and relax.'
Decorating with neutrals is at its most powerful in small homes and apartments, but as Jo Oliver-Singh, the director of SACW explains, it's equally beneficial in an en-suite.
'En-suites tend to be smaller than most family bathrooms, so selecting a tile that will enhance that space is key. Light-colored tiles can make a small room look bigger as they reflect more light than darker colors, giving an airy and spacious feel. To create a restful spa-like en-suite, opt for large-format slab tiles, as they can also be used for splashbacks and countertops to create a sophisticated, uninterrupted look.'
Bathroom tiles aside, Oliver-Singh encourages us to introduce mirrors to further enhance the feeling of space.
'Another great way to increase the feeling of space in a bathroom is to use mirrors and glass. A clear glass shower screen effectively reflects light and opens up the space, allowing you to see it without any barrier, instantly making it feel larger.'
When combining these soothing with reflective surfaces, we can enjoy a sanctuary-like space where we 'can steal a few calm, precious moments' while preparing for the day ahead. And if it's how Roberts starts her day, we're certainly willing to follow suit.
