Evolution of the Bathroom Evolution of the Bathroom

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Evolution of the Bathroom

The Evolution of the Bathroom: From Classic to Contemporary

ANCIENT ORIGINS

The earliest known bath is over 4,600 years old, and was found in Pakistan as part of a 1920s archaeological excavation, however bathrooms as we know them today weren’t established until the Victorian era. The industrial revolution introduced new manufacturing processes and sparked an era of ingenuity during Queen Victoria’s reign, which led to the invention and modernisation of many of the key requirements of the modern bathroom, including updated water systems and plumbing, indoor taps, showers, flushing toilets, and gas boilers. Although we take hot water for granted today - and even have freshly filtered boiling water in our homes thanks to innovations like the Lusso Filtrata 4 in 1 tap - these inventions were crucial milestones in the modern bathroom story.

While most new houses were now being built with bathrooms as standard, even as late as the 1950s many families in the UK still used public baths or tin baths in front of the kitchen fire, but in the following decade, this was all set to change.

DESIGN EXTRAVAGANCE

By the 1960s, many people had more disposable income than ever before which kickstarted a cultural revolution focused on modernity, hedonism, and raised living standards. Homes were given vibrant makeovers, and bathrooms became opportunities to showcase both affluence and imagination. Intense colours and striking patterns inspired by pop art and op art - two emerging art movements of the time - featured on walls, floors and fixtures, coupled with shag-pile carpets and plastic moulded cabinets. Jacuzzis and sunken baths also became incredibly fashionable.

Bold colours and geometric prints were still prevalent in the 1970s, but usually in more muted tones. Wall to wall carpeting or patterned linoleum was fairly common in bathrooms, and coloured plastic bathroom suites remained popular in shades of baby pink, baby blue, harvest gold and the now notorious avocado green. This continued into the 80s, along with a brief Victorian revival with oversized bathroom cabinets, etched glass, and an explosion of chintz, and although electric showers had been available to the wider public since the 60s, they were now embraced by the masses.

TODAY, MANY CONTEMPORARY BATHROOMS ASPIRE TO EMULATE THE UNDERSTATED LUXURY FOUND IN FIVE STAR HOTELS, AND ARE OFTEN REGARDED AS PRIVATE HOME SPAS.

Constructed in around 70AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex, the Roman Baths is one of the best preserved Romain remains in the world.

Coloured plastic bathroom suites remained popular in the 1970s with shades of baby pink and avocado green.

UNDERSTATED LUXURY

The 90s heralded a new era of neutral with beige walls, blond wood, and almond rose bathroom suites. Although there were still some questionable decorative techniques in heavy use across British bathrooms at the time - including rag rolling and stencilling - in general, a clean Scandi style was increasingly popular and this eventually evolved into more minimal interiors over the last three decades.

Today, many contemporary bathrooms aspire to emulate the understated luxury found in five star hotels, and are often regarded as private home spas - a far cry from the hustle and bustle of bathhouses. Freestanding soaking tubs such as the coveted Lusso Stone Picasso model, waterfall and power showers, integrated lighting, natural materials, and brushed metallics are all used to create comfortable, indulgent sanctuaries, finished with carefully curated accessories and botanical elements. We now also have instant access to endless sources of interior inspiration, encouraging individual styles and self-expression mixed with global influences and subtle nods to heritage styles.

As well as a greater focus on design, quality and craftsmanship, technology is increasingly important too. Waterproof media systems, auto demisting mirrors, heated toilet seats, no touch lighting, and intelligent bidets, such as Lusso’s Intellismart Toilet Bidet, are just some of the ways that bathrooms are becoming smarter, creating the ultimate spaces for rejuvenation and relaxation that we enjoy today.

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