How the Mediterranean-inspired bathroom trend helps create the ideal sanctuary

You could feel it at ISH and also at Cevisama – that warm, evocative Mediterranean vibe is taking over interiors in general, but bathrooms in particular. Emma Hedges finds out more.

It may have been in chilly March, but those who made it to this year's ISH in Frankfurt will have noticed a warm glow as they walked around the bathroom halls – a soft, sun-soaked ambience emanating from the stands, almost as if they had been transported to a small French, Spanish or Italian coastal town in high summer. If this was you, this was not your imagination, and it wasn't an accident either – it was because bathroom manufacturers have been getting on board with the Mediterranean trend, and it's actually something to get excited about.

The trend has been gathering momentum for some time, building on a growing appetite for earthy neutrals which resulted in the unveiling of Mocha Mousse as Pantone's 2025 colour of the year. So what's the appeal?

“The trend for Mediterranean-inspired design captures the region's vibrant culture, rich history and stunning natural beauty, transforming everyday areas into luxurious sanctuaries of relaxation and style," says Roca's marketing manager, Natalie Bird. "Mediterranean-inspired bathrooms often feature large windows, skylights and lush house plants. This design approach blurs the line between indoors and outdoors, enhancing the sense of tranquillity and openness. This ambiance directly influenced the design of Roca’s Tura collection, which draws inspiration from how Mediterranean light filters through the shutters that shade Spanish windows. As an homage to this, wooden slatted shelves were included in the Tura furniture." 

Designer Patricia Urquiola says she was drawn to an earthy colour palette when creating her new Balcoon bathroom range for Duravit. "This was a deliberate departure from the minimalistic aesthetic of pure White or Black," she explains. "Our aim was to use clay as a material to create a kind of canvas that lends the sanitary objects more depth. The new ceramic colour Clay Terra Matt is a true innovation within the range – inspired by traditional craftsmanship, it is central to the overall design. The earthy terracotta shade and the nature-inspired colour scheme of the bathroom furniture, with nuances of White, earthy shades of Brown, and Anthracite, herald a new openness to colour in the bathroom."

For a designer looking to capture a serene, nature-inspired aesthetic for their client's new bathroom, it's a colour scheme that has much to offer. "These gentle, earthy tones evoke a sense of calm and tranquillity, making them ideal for creating soothing, relaxing spaces throughout the home," says Fabrizia D'Autilia, UK marketing manager at Villeroy & Boch. "Integrating these grounding colours into an interior helps create a peaceful atmosphere, connecting the home with nature and enhancing the overall feeling of wellbeing."

"This wonderful tranquil trend takes the key traditional elements of Mediterranean style – focusing mainly on inspirational design from Italy, Spain and Greece – and fuses it with modernity that gives it a more sophisticated look. It’s ideal for minimalists who love the main interior design of their home to have clean lines, but for patterns to be incorporated on walls and floors,” says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at tile specialist Ca’ Pietra.

“Perhaps the most iconic aspect of this trend is the terracotta tile – perfect if you want to warm up a ‘cool’ room," she adds.

Maria D Arráez, director of Tile of Spain UK, agrees. "Synonymous with traditional, Mediterranean interiors, terracotta has been a longstanding popular colour and style choice," she says. "From geometric patterns to glazed accent features and textured reliefs, the latest tile collections take the classic warmth of the terracotta colourway and blend it with a contemporary twist, providing a fresh, new take on a European design classic."

But if a colour accent is all you're after, then a dash of terracotta in the form of a showstopping Kast concrete basin – large or small – could be just enough to bring a little of that sought-after Mediterranean sunshine inside.

Nevertheless, this is also a trend that you can have a little fun with, as Neil Curtis, Ripples Bath senior designer explains. "It's sun-soaked, stylish and playful. Clients are really drawn to that sense of effortless elegance, where luxury doesn't have to feel formal," he says. "What I love about this trend is how it brings warmth and character into the bathroom. It's about creating a space that feels uplifting and escapist, but still rooted in good design."