Hot Bathroom Trends to Create Your Own Private Sanctuary

When you buy a newly built home, you can personalize the spaces to match your priorities and indulge yourself.

While you look for ideas for your new home, it’s also smart to keep in mind trends so you’re on track for a future sale.

A couple of decades ago, master bathrooms in single-family homes morphed into larger spaces with expanses of tiled floor leading to a soaking tub elevated on a platform. These days, master bathrooms are more likely to feel a little more comfortable, with the space once devoted to that tub becoming an oversized spa shower with multiple showerheads and a seat or a beautiful freestanding tub.

“Older master bathrooms had all that square footage, but they still had small vanities and showers,” says Joe Burke, vice president of Van Metre Design + Build in Stone Ridge, Va. “Now the vanities, the showers and sculptural freestanding tubs are larger but they create a more intimate feeling even in a big space.”

Whether it’s their master bathroom or a secondary bathroom, homeowners today want to warm up their space, sometimes literally. Chris Fadden, a design sales consultant with Van Metre Design + Build, says a popular request from the homeowners they work with is to install radiant flooring that they can program so they can step onto a warm surface every morning.

Towel warmers are also popular now they have improved designs and fit more easily into the bathroom, says Neal Hodgson, director of designer for Van Metre Design + Build.

“In most of our luxury condos, the master bathrooms include radiant heat flooring and an oversized walk-in shower with at least two showerheads,” says Kathryn Baker, vice president of Design Services for Polaris Pacific in San Francisco.

Investing in high-quality fixtures like brushed brass, matte black, or polished chrome can elevate the look and feel of the bathroom. Smart fixtures, such as touchless faucets and smart mirrors, add modern convenience.

Incorporating elements typically found in spas, such as rainfall showerheads, steam showers, and soaking tubs, can create a serene atmosphere. Aromatherapy options and chromotherapy lighting are also gaining popularity.

Tech Influence and Social Media in the Bathroom

Many people see their bathroom as a private sanctuary from the open living areas they share with friends and family. According to a recent survey by Houzz, 64 percent of respondents said they use a mobile device in the bathroom, with 40 percent of responders admitting they check email while in the bathroom. Other popular activities include texting (32 percent), making or accepting phone calls (27 percent) and checking social media (26 percent).

“We’re likely to see more connected bathrooms as the number of people who use portable devices in the bathroom increases,” says Baker.

The Houzz survey found that more homeowners (29 percent) chose a high-tech toilet for their homes in the past. In addition, 12 percent of those surveyed say they want other tech features such as mood lighting or digital controls for their shower.

At Van Metre, some buyers request programmable showers so they can control the temperature with their smart phones, says Hodgson.

“Buyers like high-tech plumbing like multiple showerheads and tankless water heaters for unlimited hot water,” says Hodgson. “They also have asked us to install speaker systems in their bathrooms for better acoustics so they can listen to music in the shower.”

Light and Color in Bathroom

If you prefer a white and gray color scheme in the bathroom that echoes the look of Carrara marble, you’re not alone. Soft, neutral colors such as whites, beiges, grays, and soft pastels help to create a tranquil environment. These colors can make the space feel larger and more open.

While those soothing tones are popular, Burke says that customers go in different design directions.

“Some go with a contemporary, urban look with a simple, minimalistic floating vanity,” says Burke. “Others like to add character with a vintage console.”

With so many options for tiles in different patterns, shapes and textures, more customers choose to mix tiles in their bathrooms. While Carrara marble itself is still popular, engineered quartz is becoming more popular because it’s easier to maintain, says Burke. Combining different textures, such as rough stone tiles with smooth glass, can add depth and interest to the space. Textured wall tiles and natural woven baskets are popular choices.

“Everyone still wants clean lines, but we’re adding more metallics like rubbed bronze fixtures and some wood for added texture in the bathrooms,” says Baker. “We have an organic wooden freestanding tub with a ceramic interior in our model in a New York building.”

Adding artwork, patterned wallpaper or unusual light fixtures are some of the ways customers add personality to their bathrooms, says Fadden.

Youngers buyers tend to add bleached wood or a rustic touch to their bathroom on the vanity or a wallcovering, says Burke, while Baby Boomers are conscious of wanting safety along with style and luxury.

“Using contrasting materials for the flooring and the shower can increase the visibility of transitions,” says Burke. “LED lighting is great inside and around mirrors, especially for older clients who want to make sure they can see clearly,” says Hodgson. “You can install an LED fixture in a niche inside the shower and even in the showerhead.”

Hodgson says LED lighting continues to transform bathrooms, particularly since they can safely be installed in showers.

Layered lighting, including dimmable lights, wall sconces, and LED strips, can create a relaxing atmosphere. Consider adding statement pieces like a chandelier or pendant light over the bathtub for a touch of elegance.

While a neutral gray and white palette may still top taste trends, buyers and homeowners are finding ways to pamper themselves and personalize their bathrooms. Custom artwork, unique mirrors, and personalized decor elements can bring your bathroom to the next level!