Imagine this: stepping into a washroom and being transported to a vibrant Tokyo street, complete with a pink vending machine, a blast of pop music, and magnifying glasses distorting your reflection. This isn’t a scene from a movie; it’s the reality at Mokai, a chic Asian coffee house in Mumbai. The washroom here is a whimsical escape, designed to make you question whether you’re still in the café or in a quirky, neon-lit world.
Beyond the Basics: Quirky Washrooms are the New Trend
Across India, restaurants and cafes are embracing a radical new trend: transforming the ordinary washroom into a unique, memorable experience. The days of boring, sterile restrooms are over. Instead, these spaces are bursting with personality, art, and even a little bit of unexpected whimsy.
Karreena Bulchandani, the owner of Mokai, found inspiration from quirky London establishments like The Breakfast Club and The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. She wanted to create a similar “wow” factor in her washroom, so she installed a vending-machine door, leading to a space adorned with oakwood air fresheners, a basket of feminine hygiene products, and a delightful selection of lollipops and chewing gum.
“These are essentials for a good customer experience,” Bulchandani says, highlighting the importance of thoughtful touches. She even draws inspiration from Japanese washrooms, which often include hairdryers.
A Feast for the Senses: From Jasmine-Scented Taps to Disco Balls
In Kolkata, Sienna Café embraces a more organic approach to washroom design. The cozy, home-away-from-home atmosphere extends to the loo, where fresh jasmine garlands adorn the taps, fragrant incense sticks fill the air, and upcycled newspaper-wrapped toilet rolls hang in a corner. Shuli Ghosh, the café’s founder, emphasizes the importance of meticulously designing every aspect of the space, including the washroom, which features ceramic sculptures crafted by local artists.
At Bengaluru’s Neon Market, the washroom experience goes full-on psychedelic. Shimmering disco balls dance in gigantic pentagon mirrors, surrounded by gleaming black tiles adorned with grinning cats. The result? A vibrant, party-ready space that transcends the mundane.
A Washroom Designed for Conversation (and Selfies):
In Kolkata’s Mexican restaurant Mehico, the washroom isn’t just a place to freshen up – it’s a vibrant space for interaction and photography. The walls are splashed with pops of neon, creating a playful, Las Vegas-inspired ambiance.
Nivedita Agarwal, the designer behind the space, explains that the bold color palette and fun wall scrawls encourage conversation and selfies. “The entire restaurant is designed as a Mexican cantina, so the neon blues and pinks are an extension of that theme,” she says.
Redefining the Male Washroom Experience:
Karan Nohria, founder of Silly café in Mumbai, noticed a stark contrast between the carefully designed female restrooms and the often-overlooked male counterparts. He wanted to create a space where men could feel relaxed and pampered, so he designed a men’s washroom with a bathtub filled with ice cubes.
“The ice technology eliminates odours and also streamlines cleaning processes,” Nohria explains. He also emphasizes the minimal cost compared to the buzz it creates.
The Future of Washroom Design: A Unique Experience for Everyone
As restaurants and cafes strive to create unique and memorable experiences, the humble washroom is becoming a focal point. The days of ordinary toilets and air fresheners are giving way to bold, whimsical, and even luxurious spaces that capture the imagination and create a lasting impression. Whether it’s a vibrant Tokyo-inspired space, a cozy haven filled with jasmine scents, or a disco ball-studded party zone, the washroom is no longer just a functional necessity. It’s an opportunity to surprise, delight, and elevate the entire dining experience.
