The fifties
The rise of colourful bathrooms saw the rise of colourful toilet paper (as well as the rise of toilet water). Pastel tiles and tubs were popular, particularly pink, green, yellow and blue. People’s tubs, sinks, toilets and towels matched. Toilet paper was the only element left to coordinate. Thus people began to view toilet paper not only as a very handy way to wipe, but an interior design accessory. And while some design trends of the fifties have made their way back into the mainstream (how many mid century desks and sofas have you seen on Facebook Marketplace?), colourful toilet paper was left behind.
The sixties and seventies
The colourful loo roll trend continued, as did colourful bathrooms. Bolder colours started popping up, as well as colourful patterns. Picking out your toilet paper was a serious decision, like choosing what towels to hang on display or which hand soap to align your identity with.
The eighties
Colourful toilet paper began disappearing from shelves and toilet-roll holders around this time, with a few speculated reasons why. The first is that doctors began warning people that the dyes used in the loo roll could be harmful to our skin. The second is that the use of dyes could be harmful to the environment. The third? It was no longer aesthetically pleasing, according to the design police. More neutral palettes took preference, especially in the bathroom.
Now
White loo roll reigns supreme, although brands are still getting creative. There’s scented, quilted, 3 ply, even glow in the dark. Personally, we like to keep our loo rolls pretty simple. But that doesn’t mean packaging needs to be boring. Loo roll, in my honest opinion, is as much about form as it is about function. The interior design of your porcelain parlour can still be elevated with the right loo roll. Like this one!
As a seasoned design enthusiast with a deep understanding of historical interior trends, I can confidently delve into the fascinating evolution of bathroom aesthetics, specifically the progression of colorful toilet paper as an integral part of interior design. My knowledge extends beyond mere recollection of facts; I possess a profound understanding of the cultural and design shifts that have shaped our perception of bathroom decor.
The fifties marked a significant era in the world of interior design, witnessing the advent of vibrant bathrooms adorned with pastel tiles and tubs in shades of pink, green, yellow, and blue. This era laid the foundation for a meticulous coordination of bathroom elements, where tubs, sinks, toilets, and towels were thoughtfully matched. It was during this time that people began to view toilet paper not merely as a utilitarian item but as an accessory contributing to the overall aesthetic of the space.
The sixties and seventies saw the continuation of the colorful toilet paper trend, paralleling the vibrant hues and patterns prevalent in bathroom design. The process of choosing toilet paper became a significant decision, akin to selecting towels or hand soap to align with one's identity and taste.
However, the eighties brought about a shift in this trend. Colorful toilet paper started disappearing from shelves and roll holders for several speculated reasons. First and foremost, doctors began warning about potential harm to the skin due to the dyes used in these colorful rolls. Additionally, concerns about environmental impact arose, as the dyes were deemed potentially harmful to the ecosystem. Lastly, aesthetic preferences evolved, and more neutral palettes took precedence, especially in the realm of bathroom design.
As we fast forward to the present, the dominance of white toilet paper is evident, albeit with creative variations such as scented, quilted, 3-ply, and even glow-in-the-dark options. The departure from colorful toilet paper in the eighties has not deterred brands from exploring innovative possibilities. The current consensus seems to favor simplicity, but the allure of well-designed packaging underscores the belief that toilet paper is not just a functional item but a form of expression contributing to the overall design of one's space.
In conclusion, the trajectory of toilet paper in bathroom design reflects broader shifts in aesthetic preferences, health considerations, and environmental awareness. From the colorful and coordinated bathrooms of the fifties to the neutral tones and innovative features of today, toilet paper has journeyed beyond its utilitarian role to become an unexpected yet significant aspect of interior design.
