A field guide to choosing bathroom materials that age well

Stone, tile, timber, plaster and metal — a practical guide to specifying materials that improve with time.

The most beautiful bathrooms we have built are the ones where the materials were chosen for how they would look in ten years, not ten weeks.

Stone

Honed travertine, marble and limestone all develop a patina. Embrace it. Seal correctly, accept the etching, and the room will only deepen with time.

Timber

European oak, American walnut and Australian blackbutt all perform well in bathrooms with proper ventilation. Avoid veneers in wet zones. Solid timber with a marine-grade oil finish will last decades.

Metal

Brushed brass and unlacquered finishes patina beautifully. Chrome stays the same forever — which is its own kind of dating. Match metals across tapware, accessories and lighting for a unified room.

What we would avoid

• High-gloss porcelain in large slabs — shows every fingerprint
• Veneered timber in wet zones — delaminates within five years
• Cheap chrome from unknown brands — pits and dulls quickly
• Trend colours in fixed elements (tiles, vanities) — bring colour through accessories instead