8 Bathroom Trends Designers Are Loving!

Ah, the bathroom. It’s often one of the smallest rooms in the house, and yet it serves so many purposes. Not only is it a place to wash up, but it can also be your own personal spa—and in a crowded home during a pandemic, a sanctuary.

If you’re in the mood to spruce up your beloved bathroom but don’t want to rip the room down to the studs, you could opt for a mini-to-medium update. By simply adding some zhuzh to a design you already love, your entire bathroom can feel like it got a face-lift.

1. Hooks instead of towel bars

It may seem like a small thing in terms of bathroom hardware, but we have seen a move away from towel bars and more interest in hooks. People are looking for a more casual and easy-to-use space, and hooks lend themselves perfectly to that.

Another reason people may be hooked on hooks? There are tons of unique hooks in all shapes and sizes out there, from vintage to metal to modern.

2. Wallpaper

I am a big fan of wallpaper in powder baths in particular. A good wallpaper is not cheap! One way to completely change your bathroom is to add some whimsy to the walls.

The cold industrial look seems to be as popular and warm, fun, whimsical wallpaper is a must for bathrooms. In using for a half wall with wainscot below or in a smaller room like a powder bath, if you get tired of the wallpaper in a few years, it’s a relatively small investment and easy to change out.

3. Bringing the outdoors in

Incorporating nature into your interior design has been a trend for a while now. But how does one do that in the bathroom, where things get steamy on the regular?

Bringing the outdoors in isn’t just about greenery; it’s also about using natural materials.

This could include slate, marble, limestone, travertine, granite, and sandstone.

Another key approach for getting in tune with nature entails embracing natural light.

For instance, creating a skylight or incorporating transom windows would allow light to generously flow through the space. If these options are not viable or too expensive, a dimmer switch can help replicate the effects of natural light.

Natural elements like wood cabinets, slate showers, bamboo mats, and a custom accent door can also bring softness in the bathroom.

4. Heated floors

Heated flooring used to be a luxury, but it’s now a more popular trend—and not just in the master bath. Electric radiant floor heating systems are generally very efficient and use as much energy—or less—than other heating systems. During cooler days and middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom, you’ll feel extra comfortable and rejuvenated when you set your foot on the warm toasty floor. The heated floor is great when you get out of the shower or tub, too.

5. Losing the tub

I am seeing more and more homeowners remove their sunken bath tub to make their bath more spacious, enlarge their shower, or in some cases exchange it for a free standing. If you are not a bath taker, losing the bath tub during a remodel to makes sense. People will ask if this hurts resale. It depends on the layout of your bathroom and if a bath tub makes sense. For some it is a must, while for others, they can take it or leave it....if you give them a dreamy shower.

6. Wood elements

Wood adds warmth, PERIOD. The use of wood in bathrooms—from vanities to dresser-style sinks—is a trend many homeowners are drawn to right now. Why is wood so popular? Wood can warm up what is typically a clean-feeling, white space. With wood-look tiles, you can have the beauty of wood combined with the durability of tile. Wood-look tiles come in porcelain or ceramic, making them impervious to water, easier to clean, and more sanitary than actual wood. Bamboo is a popular wood for bathrooms and it can be as simple as a small stool in the shower, a cabinet/basket, or a window treatment.

7. Smart shower systems

The new smart shower systems starting to hit the market to offer a fascinating new direction for both style, functionality, and efficiency in the bathroom. Smart showers offer digital control of water temperature through multiple outlets, sometimes with different temperatures between different fixtures. You can also start the shower through voice commands. And your shower will notify you when the water temperature is to your liking. Bonus: You can specify presets for different family members!

8. Personality-driven design

Where else in your home, besides possibly your bedroom, can you let your personality shine, but not have it be too overwhelming if you are a very colorful person? The bathroom of course! Some people have splashes of personality spread throughout their home, but a bathroom really gives you an opportunity to have fun or create a spa like feel depending what you prefer. This does not mean go crazy! It can also mean take a chance to try something different.....perhaps a unique tile or tile pattern....a wallpaper you LOVE, or a unique light fixture that doesn't quite work in another room in the house. Whatever it is, let your personality shine!

For unique ideas with gallery photos: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/g2000/decor-ideas-bathroom/

Contact me to discuss your bathroom ideas and let's bring it to life!