Tradesmen who have completed plumbing courses may find they are installing items in bathrooms featuring bold colours, according to one industry source.

Neil Partridge, design director at NGI Design, urged consumers to focus on one item in the room if they are going to introduce a new pattern into the setting, so as to avoid conflict between pieces.

He said: "2011 is set to be a year of contrasts and will see bold colours return with a vengeance to furniture; but they will be balanced by beautiful, clean, white sanitaryware."

Mr Partridge pointed out that individuals may also opt to use accessories in their bathrooms to jazz them up, while zesty shades of furniture could be popular among "brave" homeowners.

Recent research by MTW showed that bathroom retailers could improve their sales performance by trying to sell more higher-end items, while also keeping in mind the environmental concerns that are in vogue at present.

Want to know more about our plumbing courses