Although analyists see no end in sight for the credit crunch this year, the impact this will have on the home improvement industry may in fact be minimal. If anything, the credit crunch may even have a positive effect on interior design trends. As housing prices continue to spiral, more and more people will opt to remain where they are rather than move from house to house in order to climb the property ladder as before, making it more likely that they will spend on improving their home.

Following on from design trends in 2008 , we will see a leaning towards bathroom furniture, especially darker woods such as wenge and oak, a look which is ultimately reflected in more modern masculine bathrooms.

For toilets and basins more contemporary style sanitary ware is expected to be the choice in new bathrooms rather than traditional. The popularity of wall-hung toilets and basins grew measurably thoughout 2008 and this trend is expected to continue in 2009.

Walk-in showers were a big seller last year and 2009 promises to see the same style incorporated into new bathroom designs, as well as the popular steam/shower cabins.

Modern bathrooms are always pushing the boundaries in design, and this comes about from the users tastes and preferences. Remember, you don’t have to be an interior designer by trade to create a unique bathroom to your liking, just dare to be imaginative.