More adventurous design in bathrooms is a pretty predictable response to the safe, neutral-zone zen looks of past decades. Homeowners are clearly looking for bigger personality, flash, and a dose of the unexpected. At the heart of this direction is a ‘more is more’ philosophy that fearlessly mixes materials, textures, patterns, finishes, and even different styles together—and we’re here for it!
Here are the top bold bathroom trends that you’ll want to see more of this year.
1 / Jewel Box Bathrooms
Wallpaper is practically a must-do in powder rooms at the moment, and that deserves its own blog post in due time (we promise).
But wallpaper in main bathrooms has taken off too, especially with romantic floral prints that are modern, so you don’t go down that road where Laura Ashley lives. Layered with luxe tiles, elegant finishes, and special accents, you’ll be sure to get that jewel-box feeling when you open the door.
The jewel-box bathroom look is spirited, eye-catching and definitely a great example of ‘more is more’ bathrooms. As you can see with these images, “bold” doesn’t necessarily mean bright. Whether you use floral wallpaper or a beautiful tile as the starting point, it’s about mixing and layering design elements to make a big impact.
2 / Striking Lighting
Lighting choices that stand out, rather than blending in. Think showy sconces and outsized pendants that set the tone for the space, while blowing everyone’s socks off as they enter your bathroom.
It takes a little bravery to go with unusual or larger-sized lights than you might initially choose. In our books extra light in the bathroom is always a good thing.
3 / Black Fixtures
Black adds bold sophistication to any room. It compliments almost any colour, providing an eye-catching contrast.
Dramatic black tubs are stealing the show in this bathroom trend, especially when paired with a stunning pendant (see above #2 and below #4). Also to be filed under black wow-worthy bathroom looks: Crittall metal-framed windows, which are framing showers as screens.
4 / High Contrast Black & White
While we’re still seeing dark, moody bathrooms, this Gothic look isn’t for everyone. An easier way to experience broad sweeps of black is to focus it on one area or surface of the bathroom, such as the walls, floor, or shower.
Then pair it with equal doses of white and accents of warm metal or wood – like on that gorgeous herringbone ceiling below – to keep the look fresh and approachable.
Did anyone notice the black statement bathtub and oversized glass teardrop pendant? We’re not just making these trends up.
5 / Colour Pop
Raise your hand if you’re ready for bold colour. Us too, and it was really hard to choose just one image here! This trend focuses on a sizable hit of bright, solid colour and it’s incredibly striking as a glossy shower feature. If you’re unsure whether you can commit to coloured tile in the long-term, start by painting the vanity.
6 / Marvelous Marble
Marble has stolen many homeowner’s hearts over the past few years. Besides bathrooms, we’ve shown it to you in kitchens, in home bars, and on fireplaces. Marble is timeless. It’s not going anywhere, but it’s certainly getting more assertive.
Designers are skipping over delicately-patterned whites to be more adventurous with colour, pattern, and markings. You’ll find the full spectrum of colourful marbles on vanities, countertops, walls, floors, showers, and, in the most audacious way: on all of the above.
The showier the veining, the better, in large slabs with ‘book-matching’ as a luxury statement. Quartz companies are wisely jumping in here with new products that mimic a full slab of stone but are, of course, more cost effective in fabrication and installation. Tile companies are also on board, with large-format tiles that achieve a similar look.
7 / Elevated Vanities
Lively vanities are appearing on the bathroom scene in many fresh ways: Vintage furniture repurposed for the bathroom, minimalist floating vanities with touch-latches or finger pulls, and the best for last (in our humble opinion): fluted or slatted wood.
8 / Tubs Take Over
Immensely popular for good reason, a luxurious deep freestanding bathtub marks the ultimate in bathroom relaxation. Lately homeowners are embracing bolder styles with unusual shapes, colours, or materials.
True, the above scene is aspirational – straight out of a luxury hotel, in a celebrity’s home – it’s rare to be blessed with enough bathroom real estate to create a freestanding bath oasis. The trending alternative is to place the tub in a walk-in shower, creating a wet room.
There are several other bold bathroom trends that we’re keeping our eye on. Only time will tell if they stick around!
Contact us to discuss your bathroom renovation ideas. We’d love to hear them.
Feature photo: Bathroom by Journey + Jacobs via Domino