Warming up the Bathroom Palette with BAGNODESIGN
As bathroom design becomes more emotionally driven, warmer metallic finishes are offering a softer, more expressive way to specify brassware. In her own words, Katy Olsen, Brand Manager at BAGNODESIGN, explores the growing appeal of warmer tones and what they bring to commercial interiors.
‘In recent years, bathroom design has shifted from the purely functional to the experiential, particularly in commercial spaces where creating moments of calm and comfort is now seen as essential. Whether in boutique hotels, high-end offices or wellness-focused hospitality environments, the bathroom is increasingly being designed as a place to slow down and recharge.
This evolution has prompted a rethink in the materials and finishes being specified. While chrome has long been the standard, it is cooler-toned and often lacks the nuance that today’s spaces demand. Designers are now turning towards warmer, more characterful metallics to add depth and softness and to help shape more inviting interior narratives.
The Bristol Deck Mounted 3 Hole Basin Mixer without Waste is seen here in PVD Oyster
Why warmer finishes?
Warmer metals such as brushed bronze, soft gold and champagne tones lend themselves to more tactile, sensorial interiors. These finishes pair easily with natural materials like timber and stone, as well as with more experimental palettes, making them particularly useful for designers looking to create layered, expressive schemes without compromising on cohesion.
M-Line Floor Mounted Bath Mixer with Hand Shower in PVD Soft Burgundy
In commercial environments, where emotional connection and visual differentiation are increasingly important, they offer a way to balance practicality with subtle storytelling.
New tones: Oyster and Burgundy
As this palette evolves, new finishes are emerging that push the warm metallic trend further. Two examples are PVD Oyster, a soft, neutral-toned metallic with a pearlescent quality, and PVD Soft Burgundy, a rich, warm-toned surface with a bold, design-led edge.
Mezzanine Deck Mounted Mono Basin Mixer with Pop Up Waste in BAGNODESIGN’s PVD Soft Burgundy finish
These tones offer an alternative to the more commonly used brass and bronze, and bring a new level of nuance to bathroom fittings and fixtures. PVD Oyster, for example, works well in light-toned spaces where designers want to maintain a clean, airy aesthetic without the starkness of chrome. PVD Soft Burgundy, meanwhile, introduces a deeper note, ideal for moodier schemes where atmosphere and intimacy are key.
Both finishes are part of a broader shift towards specifying products not only for how they function, but also for how they feel and how they contribute to the overall tone of a space.
Form meets function
In commercial spaces, durability remains non-negotiable, which is why finishes like brushed bronze are proving so popular. Their warm, tactile appearance not only brings softness and depth to a scheme, but also disguises water spots and fingerprints, making them a practical choice for high-traffic environments.
Soft Bronze is the Orology Mono Smooth Bodied Basin Mixer
And where additional durability is needed, other warm finishes applied using advanced coating methods, such as Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), can provide enhanced resistance to scratching and corrosion.
A design tool for modern spaces
Used thoughtfully, metallics like Soft Bronze, PVD Oyster and PVD Soft Burgundy can act as accents or anchoring tones within a space, whether through brassware, accessories or detailing. They also support the broader move towards wellbeing-focused design, where softness, tactility and material richness are increasingly being prioritised over high-gloss minimalism.
For designers working across the hospitality, leisure and high-end commercial sectors, these new metallics are part of a wider toolkit for shaping spaces that feel grounded, elegant and human.
Soft Bronze Bristol Wall Mounted Concealed 3 Hole Cross Head Handle Basin Mixer
Where timeless elegance meets modern design, the Bristol collection by BAGNODESIGN brings mid-century charm into the contemporary bathroom. Bold brassware, statement basins, and urban spa vibes come together for a look that’s both industrial and indulgent.
Timeless elegance meets modern precision: discover the Orology collection by BAGNODESIGN. Inspired by luxury watch bezels, this versatile range brings tactile beauty, bold finishes, and seamless functionality to contemporary bathrooms.
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