Bathrooms have become pretty predictable over the last decade. Whilst colour has gradually seeped into the rest of our homes, most British bathrooms remain a testament to cream and chrome.

Bathroom designers have long complained that every customer they meet asks for the same bathroom, namely a white contemporary suite, chrome accents and lots of limestone!

But history dictates that trends are cyclical. The colourful 1960's and 70's, which we fondly remember for Avocado and Burgundy, were a backlash against the staid 1950's and now again we begin to see colour and even more avant garde design, creeping back into the British bathroom.

Whilst most designers wouldn't risk launching dark coloured sanitary ware onto the British public European exhibitions have launched new ranges with coloured accents. We are starting to see a move away from the slightly clinical feel of some of todays taps and showers, towards a more glamorous effect, with some manufacturers even offering gold finishes! 

Neutrals and monochromes will most likely remain popular for some good while yet, but as we see now in our living and dining rooms, colour can be used to great effect in a room, so why not our bathrooms?

Expect to see very large, very boldly patterned wall tiles making their way onto our bathroom walls by 2010, and keep an eye out for gold - despite the somewhat tacky reputation it had built up previously, now that gold is on the catwalk, and the stars are wearing it again, it really can only be a matter of time!