An updated bathroom can be a great return on investment because it is on every homeowner's and tenant's wish list, whether you are buying or selling or just want to renovate your bathroom for personal enjoyment. Other than the kitchen, many consider the bathroom to be the second heart of a home and most importantly, even after the pandemic, homeowners strive to make the bathroom spa-like because they are evolving into our personal retreats. Bathroom updates can even be achieved on a budget if a full renovation is not necessary or desired. This is why browsing through the latest and greatest bathrooms trends is a good idea.
Check out six key bathroom design trends, along with our tips for achieving them:
Colors and Materials
Greens, blues, and woody colors are becoming increasingly popular, while gray is beginning to sink. These warm and earthy tones give off that wanted feeling of comfort.
Earthy and natural hues, including the versatile midnight, sage, emerald, hunter green, navy, and teal, create a mood that’s both calming and striking and conjure a moody ambiance, particularly when paired with an abundance of natural light. For a deep and serene experience, consider incorporating deep blues reminiscent of the sea or embracing dark green on your walls. To introduce a sense of warmth and comfort, infuse your space with copper and rosy tones, complemented by plush textiles. Complete the indoor desert vibes by incorporating accents mahogany wood, honeyed hues, and opulent browns for a truly harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
It is always advisable to stick with neutrals when dealing with more permanent changes, but wall paint and wallpaper can be easily altered compared to materials like tile, backsplash, and marble. You can explore trends in decoration, such as updating the curtains, towels, and accessories, as this is an area where you have more flexibility. Due to the limited space, it’s recommended to use a single surface type for fixtures. Ultra-shiny finishes are no longer trending and are being replaced by more subtle matte finishes, including the very popular matte black finish.
Self-Care and Wellness
There is a growing demand to create a soothing ambiance in bathrooms, offering respite to those returning home from a stress-filled day. The desire for bathrooms to exude the tranquil atmosphere of a spa, gym, or beauty saln has intensified. One popular approach that homeowners and real estate developers adopt involves replacing conventional showerheads with rainfall showerheads, complemented by the addition of a multi-head shower. Moreover, many choose to incorporate a freestanding tub, where space permits, while also opting for simple fixtures and concealed hardware to achieve a cleaner, less cluttered, and more spa-like feel.
Natural Elements
Bathrooms are increasingly embracing the use of materials like concrete, natural stone, and timber, evoking a sense of nostalgia from the ‘70s but in a more contemporary form. These natural elements significantly contribute to a more relaxing bathroom environment. The combination of concrete and wood is trending, with the addition of wood-grain accessories like bamboo, or choosing concrete, marble, or porcelain tile for the floor to enhance the connection to nature and achieve minimalist beauty.
Nature-inspired bathroom styles can be easily achieved by incorporating potted or hanging window plants. Options include aloe vera, bamboo, or spider plants, and there are plenty of low-light varieties available for spaces with limited sunlight. Alternatively, fake plants can be used, or for those with limited space for plants, artwork or wallpaper featuring botanical motifs can be used.
Luxury
For the ultimate retreat-like experience at home, newer constructions are incorporating luxurious elements. Freestanding or soaking tubs are increasingly favored over the jetted tubs that were popular in past decades. Bathroom renovations aimed at creating a spa-like atmosphere also feature walk-in showers with multiple showerheads and spray systems, door-less or curb-less designs, thermostatic showers, and steam showers. Heated towel racks or drawers add to the comfort as well. Likewise, bowl-shaped sink trends are declining and shifting back to under-mounted sinks, according to many designers.
Open-Concept
Similar to the rest of the home, the open-concept design has extended into the bathroom. Open-concept showers and tub-shower combinations are contemporary upgrades. While en suite bathrooms were traditionally associated with the main bedroom, they have now gained popularity for secondary bedrooms as well. This not only adds convenience but also enhances the home’s value. In cases where space permits, the inclusion of distinct dressing and makeup areas or separate toilet rooms has become a common feature in new designs and renovations.
Technology
Demand for bathroom technology has consistently grown year by year. High-tech features such as faucets, LED lighting for vanity mirrors (including anti-fog or touchscreen mirrors), and smart toilets have gained popularity. These smart toilets offer hands-free flushing, self-cleaning capabilities, self-deodorizing functions, heated seats, motion-activated seats, and built-in night lights. Additionally, heated floors are an increasingly popular choice. To accommodate these tech-savvy enhancements, bathrooms now often come equipped with built-in speakers and jacks to ensure technology stays charged and is kept away from wet areas.