Maximalism has found its feet as one of the core interior trends of 2023, and with the hot-pink hype of the Barbie movie has come a love for all things pink and gorgeous. However, what DreamHouse would be complete without a luxurious bathroom sanctuary to reset and pamper yourself in?
With searches for ‘Barbiecore’ up by +488% on Pinterest since the end of March1, bathroom specialists, Sanctuary Bathrooms, have pulled together some tips on how you can decorate a perfectly pink bathing space.
1. Go pink, or go home?
It goes without saying that no DreamHouse is complete without the Barbie’s signature pink – Tiktok hashtags for #PinkDecor have increased by 85%2 since mid-june. In fact, in Architectural Digest’s video showing the DreamHouse movie set, Director Great Gerwig explained that even the white shades used in the house are not white – they are a very pale pink.
James Roberts, Director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, says: “Pink is an inviting colour and can be great for a bathroom because it creates a feminine, luxurious sanctuary.
“If you’re going full Barbie-mode, incorporate pink furniture in the likes of a vanity or storage unit to give it a dollhouse feel. If you want to open up the space and create an even bolder look, consider installing pink tiles in your flooring.”
“Avoid bright whites where possible, as this can stray too far from the DreamHouse look which uses varying shades of pink in one room. However, don’t be afraid to mix contrasting colours in the room to make it pop, such as bubblegum blue or sage green.”
2. Life in plastic (or similar textures) is fantastic
Obviously, the Barbie DreamHouse is made from plastic – but you wouldn’t want your own bathroom to be made entirely of the stuff! The key is to replicate the shiny texture using other materials.
James advises: “For a high-quality, shiny finish, opt for porcelain tiles. These look expensive and are the perfect texture for the Barbie look you’ll be going for. Additionally, metallic finishes will add a nice texture contrast and mimic the painted gold accents seen in the DreamHouse.”
3. Barbiecore bathroom: Luxury bathing is a must
James says: “Your bathing space, whether it’s a bath or a shower, can be a fantastic focal point for the bathroom and therefore a great place to incorporate bold colours.”
In the DreamHouse tour, we saw a huge, pink, freestanding bubble bath and a walk-in shower with striking pink marble on the walls.
“Consider a pink freestanding bath for a wow-factor, and couple it with gold tap fittings for an added touch of grandeur. Alternatively, for an easier change, add pink tiles to the inside of your shower to create a shower haven fit for a Barbie.
“Don’t forget to add a space for all of your bathing essentials; glass shelves provide a sleek touch to your bathroom and won’t impose on the bold pink tones used elsewhere. You could even purchase pink shower gels or shampoo and decant them into glass or clear plastic bottles to display on them!”
4. Barbiecore bathroom: Finishing touches
To bring any Barbiecore room together, you’ll need to finish up by adding whimsical, maximalist touches.
James says: “There are plenty of ways to dress up your bathroom with finishing touches. Consider adding colour changing LED lights so you can program pink lighting over the bath (if you have one), and around your vanity station or sink.
“You can also incorporate some more soft feminine touches through features such as a fluffy bathmat and some plush towels on display. Look for vintage Barbie-inspired prints for the wall and add touches of gold through trinkets, picture frames, and mirrors.”
