The best new bathroom buys for stylish homes

Having started as a reclaimed-tile supplier in 2013, Bert & May’s new ‘Antique’ collection sees the brand go back to its origins. Four favourite designs from the firm’s archive of vintage designs sourced from across Spain have been reworked and reissued using traditional artisan techniques, giving a second lease of life to classic patterns. Richly decorative with deep colours and an authentic patina, they’ll bring a sultry, Mediterranean flavour to bathrooms in need of a lift. ‘Espiga’ (pictured), £180 per square metre bertandmay.com

Replete with pink or green sanitaryware and jazzy tiles, colourful bathrooms were all the rage during the art deco period. The look is making a comeback and, thanks to Burlington Bespoke’s ‘Colours Collection’, sourcing vintage-style sanitaryware in shades other than white is now possible. The capsule range sees a selection of traditional basins and WCs now coming in striking ‘Confetti Pink’, cool ‘Alaska Blue’ and subtle ‘Moon Grey’ (pictured). ‘Edwardian’ basin with standard pedestal, £798 burlingtonbathrooms.com.

Inspired by the mechanical perfection of an orrery (a model of the solar system), the ‘Orb’ light, part of a new limited-edition collection is composed of an illuminated spherical ball orbited by an adjustable magnifying mirror. Designed to be placed beside a bathroom mirror, its elegant lines mask a complex and robust engineering system within. £241.67, astrolighting.com

Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham of multidisciplinary studio Patternity have teamed up with Dekton to produce three new surfaces that marry the Spanish brand’s innovative technology with the duo’s research-driven design philosophy. ‘We were interested in the idea of interpreting different forms of movement into solid surfaces,’ says Murray. The result is the ‘Liquid’ collection, a celebration of nature that translates pattern and texture from water, shells and charred wood into Dekton’s ultra-durable scratch- and heat-resistant materials. £400 per square metre, dekton.co.uk

You won’t find many washbasins that reference the works of a pop-culture icon, but Ex.t is renowned for an experimental approach to bathroom design. Created by Italian architectural practice Marcante-Testa, the ‘Frieze’ collection takes inspiration from Roy Lichtenstein’s 1970s ‘Entablature’ prints, which depict classical friezes in his signature punchy style. The series comprises a system of sinks and accessories (from mirrors to towel hooks) that can be layered to create unique combinations. Basins from approx £882, ex-t.com

‘We designed the spout for my own house 20 years ago – not exactly like this, but similar.’ says architect and designer John Pawson. Built upon the proportions of the golden ratio (a mathematical equation found in nature), his series includes bath, basin and shower faucets. All reflect his love of detail – the spout’s diameter, for example, is the same width as the mixer handle, the latter taking months of development to hide its mechanism from view. Such precision is perhaps not perceptible at first sight, but it means nothing detracts from the simplicity of the pieces. From £500 for a wall-mounted basin mixer, exclusively at C.P. Hart, cphart.co.uk

Call off the search for the most flattering bathroom lighting. Bert Frank’s latest creation, the ‘Brace’ light, is made from white veined alabaster, which diffuses the light from the LED bulbs to create a soft, ethereal glow across walls. Brass elements add a touch of gentle glamour. From £1,380, bertfrank.co.uk

The gently enveloping shape and clean lines of Agape’s ‘Spoon’ bath made it an instant classic when it was launched in 1998, and more than 20 years later it’s still a bestseller. Now the brand has launched a tweaked, more eco-friendly design based on the original, ‘Spoon M’. Thanks to the latest in manufacturing technologies, the new version is less wasteful with thinner edges and is made from Cristalplant, a material composed of bio-based resin and minerals. From £4,772, agapedesign.it

Italian brand Antoniolupi has been at the leading edge of bathroom design since the 1950s. One of its most striking pieces, launched in 2018, is Carlo Columbo’s ‘Albume’ washbasin: its conical base and two sink shapes come in an array of materials and colours, which can be combined as desired. Now there are two new metallic options in the mix, with the ‘Bronze’ and ‘Brass’ finishes ushering in a warm, opulent feel. From approx £2,764, antoniolupi.it

Italian bathroom design brand Ex.t’s mould-breaking ‘Arco’ system, which saw basin, taps and hidden storage integrated with a lozenge-shaped mirror, has been extended into a full collection. The brainchild of Spanish design studio Mut, ‘Arco S’ reinvents the traditional bathroom, creating a wall-hung mirrored vanity unit and coordinating mirror encircled in a black or brass frame, with shelving tucked behind. ‘Arco S’ in black, from £4,082; ‘Arco’ mirror, from £584, ex-t.com

Drummonds’ generously proportioned ‘Grande’ floor-standing shower pipe is topped with a wide 30cm shower rose and features large knuckle joints, lending it a sturdy yet sleek air. All of the brassware can be mixed and matched, and each piece is made with the centuries-old ‘lost wax’ metal-casting technique, which results in precision detailing and a pleasing solidity. From £3,750 as shown: ‘Grande’ shower pipe; ‘Grande’ shower rose; ‘Grande’ hand shower and wall bracket; ‘Leawood’ thermostatic shower control, drummonds-uk.com

Dutch designer Hella Jongerius has created a collection of tiles that make up an intricate colour study. The ‘Diarama’ glazed porcelain range Mutina has a retro 1960s feel and comes in 13 chromatic combinations; bright tones in four palettes with dark and light variations, muted tones with the coloured glazes applied to black bases, and a monochrome selection. From £366 per square metre, Domus, domusgroup.com

With its lozenge-shaped silhouette, the ‘Separè’ is so much prettier than your average portable drying rack. Designed by Omri Revesz + Damian Tatangelo for Italian design house Mingardo, its curved frame and horizontal crosspieces – which are anchored by a cylindrical counterweight – come in varnished iron or in brass to developa natural patina over time. £1,560, Monologue, monologuelondon.com

Milan-based architect and designer Claudio Bellini has created an extensive bathroom collection for VitrA, full of urban-inspired lines for an industrial feel. The ‘Equal’ range’s rectangular basins, mirrors and storage units are edged with black metal rails that cross as they meet and extend to create shelves and towel racks, lit by a built-in tubular LED light. Washbasin unit with shelf, from £547; ‘Flat’ mirror, from £349, vitra.co.uk

Ever since its first Arne Jacobsen-designed tap launched in 1968, available in vibrant Orange, Danish brand Vola has been ahead of its time. There were eight bold hues by 1970, and today its palette stands at 14, ranging from zingy brights to smart monochromes. The latest addition is ‘Matt White’, a snowy, tactile alternative to the usual gloss finish. £1,214, vola.com