What is trending right now in bathroom remodeling?

Right now, people are looking for ways to modernize and turn their home bathrooms into luxurious, spa-like spaces, thinking that since they’re spending more time at home, they’ll love having the upgrades. However, there are some upgrades and renovations that just won’t go over well when it comes time for resale. Another popular trend right now is upcycling and refinishing—people are choosing to repurpose their existing pieces, upgrade pieces they buy from others second-hand, and find new ways to breathe life into old furnishings. This can do a lot for the bathroom without a big budget, too, which is part of why people like it.

What are some quick and easy bathroom makeover ideas?

A modern hardware upgrade A fresh coat of paint on the walls A vanity upgrade or refinish New bathroom vanity lighting New hardware and fixtures Rugs, shower curtains, and other accessories A handheld shower unit

Bathroom Trends to Avoid in 2021

What’s in a trend? These days, it seems like everyone is talking about what’s “trending”. While that can be a fun topic, there are just as many trends to avoid as there are to indulge in, especially when it comes to the bathroom. If you’re looking for the best bathroom design ideas and the ones you need to avoid, you’re in the right place.

You’ll find people who want to tell you about which bathroom trends to try, but which ones should you avoid? We’ll cover everything below to help you get the best design for your new bathroom.

60 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Driftwood Finish

Table of Contents

What Is Trending Right Now?
Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes and Trends to Avoid
Quick Trends You Can Embrace
Resources

Right now, people are looking for ways to modernize and turn their home bathrooms into luxurious, spa-like spaces, thinking that they’ll love having the upgrades since they’re spending more time at home. However, some upgrades and renovations won’t go over well when it comes time for resale.

Less than what’s trending, you need to think about the intention behind your renovations—the best ideas when you’re trying to sell are different than the best design ideas for your family home that you will stay in forever. While you might love that bright green bathroom with the claw-foot tub, other buyers might not be so inspired by your design choices.

Another popular trend right now is upcycling and refinishing—people are choosing to repurpose their existing pieces, upgrade pieces they buy from others second-hand, and find new ways to breathe life into old furnishings. This can do a lot for the bathroom without a big budget, too, which is part of why people like it. If you’re looking for a trend that isn’t going to take a chunk out of your wallet, this is one worth embracing.

According to the pros, the list below covers the biggest trends to avoid and explains why you must steer clear. Once you’ve got that covered, you’ll be able to focus on what you can do when it comes time to renovate your bathroom space.

Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes and Trends to Avoid

These are the top don’ts, according to designers, realtors, and other experts who know about bathroom design.

White on White Design

It’s good to brighten up a space to make it feel larger. However, you can’t just put white tiles on white walls, put in white furnishings, and say it’s to increase space. Not only is this paint to keep clean, but it can make the space look stark, cold, and unwelcoming. Choosing a slightly varied color palette with gray or beige neutrals is better to create a lighter look without going all white.

60 Inch Double Sink Bathroom Vanity in White Washed Walnut

Tacky Colors

Speaking of colors, you should also be careful about which ones you choose. Get rid of dated colors immediately, like that terrible baby pink or slightly horrid shade of avocado. When choosing a color for a bathroom, choose light, warm, inviting colors that aren’t too shocking and create a good mix. Never choose more than three colors for the space; make sure they all accentuate and complement each other accordingly.

Oversized Bathtubs

For some reason, everyone thinks an oversized tub is a great investment for their bathroom. Sure, it will be luxurious, and you’ll love taking baths, but it might not be the best idea if you’re planning to sell. People are still budget-conscious and will think about saving water, not wanting to spend a small fortune to fill the tub each time. You’d get a much better return on your investment if you chose an eco-conscious and equally luxurious shower installation.

Stainless Steel Thermostatic Shower Massage Panel

Nickel Finishes

There were a few years when everything was brushed chrome or satin nickel finished, and the hardware looked modern and stylish. Unfortunately, like all trends, this one has run its course. More people want to upgrade to modern finishes or more rustic styles like antique brass as those charming country designs become popular. You can still use this hardware, but choose a different finish if you’re looking for a value increase.

72 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Glossy White with Radiant Gold Pulls

Subway Tiles

Some people are shocked to hear that subway tiles are already trending out. However, people are switching their interests, and the theme is now geared toward large-format tiles and geometric shapes that add a modern-looking finish. If you have options beyond subway tiles, go for those first. If you had your heart set on subway tiles and are unsure where to go from here, check out online design sites to get inspiration to help you along the way.

Adding Additional Bathrooms

This is a big one that many people don’t think about. It’s assumed that adding another bathroom to the home will always be a good investment. However, that would be an incorrect assumption. It only gets an ROI of about 56% to add another bathroom to your home, so unless it’s particularly in demand in your market or you’re planning to live in the home and need the extra bathroom, you might want to skip this one.

Quick Trends You Can Embrace

If you do want to take advantage of the best bathroom trends, consider things like:

A modern hardware upgrade
A fresh coat of paint on the walls
A vanity upgrade or refinish
New bathroom vanity lighting
New hardware and fixtures
Rugs, shower curtains, and other accessories
A handheld shower unit

3 Light Vanity Lighting in Brushed Nickel

All the little changes will make a much bigger difference, and when you avoid the worst trends, you’ll know that your bathroom design can deliver everything you want, whether it’s for your use or for resale.

That’s the bottom line here—you must choose renovations and bathroom upgrades based on your intention and what you have in mind. What works for you might not always work for everyone else. Feel free to take advantage of bathroom design trends and inspiration that you find online but remember that in the end, it’s about what works for your space.

My name is Julia Ritzenthaler, Founder and President of Unique Vanities, started in 2005. I started this business as an extension of our residential remodeling business, which focused on the design and build of custom cabinetry and architectural trim. I also worked as a financial advisor for 10 years at Ameriprise Financial, helping clients make sound money decisions, including budgeting for home improvement expenses. This expertise led me to start Unique Vanities, which offers a handpicked selection of high quality bathroom vanities, sinks, mirrors and more. You can find me most days sitting in Starbucks, my second office, or in my car driving my daughter across Dallas to gymnastics training.