Bathing belles - swap your plain white suite for character and colour

There comes a time when a chaste white bathroom with not an impeccable towel out of place just won't cut the mustard. It has a place, make no mistake, but just occasionally it's good to embrace a more adventurous path and to break away from what is safe and classical.

So if you thirst for a little pizzazz, try these creative touches…

If the thought of using colour in a bathroom is too daunting, then start by introducing a few colourful accessories, such as towels, bath mats, pictures, soap dishes and vases. If all goes well, move on to a few vibrant tiles - such as a splashback or a chic little band of mosaic tiles. Next, try painting a feature wall in your chosen vibrant shade.

Flooring is a good way to add texture and interest - there are certainly plenty of vinyl floor coverings, offering a wide choice of wood, stone or marble effects. A striking chequered floor used with a neutral scheme can add a massive wow factor to a bathroom.

The metallic trend can be used to great effect in a number of ways. For starters, there are some fabulous roll-top baths out there in copper, silver or gilded finishes. Or incorporate some beautiful metallic tiles, which can look incredibly sophisticated when used strategically with bold colours. Try a combination of large rectangular matt black tiles teamed with smaller square gold tiles. Or opt for delicate shimmery silver diamond patterned tiles, which can look amazing as a feature wall behind a plain white freestanding bath.

Mirrors can really open up a bathroom, making them appear larger than they are. They also have the advantage of intensifying the effect of colours both on the walls and in the furniture/accessories, particularly when an entire wall is covered with a single mirror panel or mirrored tiles with a burnished metallic finish, which has a warming effect.

Patterns are ideal for making big bold statements in a bathroom. Geometric patterned wallpapers and tiles, especially in monochrome will give your bathroom incredible depth and definition. While mosaic tiles used on the main wall in a wet room will create a striking focal point, particularly if the shower head is a modern oversized type. A clear glass screen, which appears to float without fixings, will also open up the space and enhance the tiles.

Images:

1. The deep blue sea and all its mystery is the theme behind this dramatic teal and black bathroom, Vittone freestanding bath in black, £799, www.bathrooms.com

2. A striking black and white geometric marble tiled floor underpins this elegant art deco style bathroom, www.devon-devon.com

3. A glamorous pink and white freestanding bathtub is the focal point in this sleek contemporary bathroom, Bettehome Oval Silhouette bicolour enamelled steel bath in violet and white, £6,980, www.bette.co.uk

4. If your heart is set on wooden flooring in your design led bathroom, then opt for a luxury vinyl version, which looks just like the real thing, Maritime Pine 24854 from Monuleo's Select range, from £19.99 per square metre, www.moduleo.co.uk

5. Victoria suite, from £1,594, Hylton metallic effect acrylic bath in copper, £2,550, Heritage Bathrooms