Trend Watch: Beautiful Bathrooms

What’s hot and what’s not in today’s bathroom design.

by Trisha McBride Ferguson

If you’re planning a bathroom decorating project and you’re looking for ideas and inspiration, we’ve got you covered. From updating an existing bath to planning new construction, the bathroom is one area of the house where you can maximize your decorating dollar. Not only will you likely add value to your home, you’ll also be improving an area of your home you see and use every day—making it a low cost-per-use investment over time. Here’s a look at the hottest trends in bathroom design according the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

Today’s Trends:

1. In With the Old, Out with the New

A great way to begin your bathroom project is to identify the design style(s) you like most. Without a doubt, traditional styling continues to be the most popular look. Contemporary styled bathrooms are a distant second, followed by Shaker styling as an even more distant third. When it comes to color, there’s not much being used. Shades of beige and bone are the most common, followed by whites and off-whites. Browns are also popular, rounding out a fairly subdued neutral-inspired color palette.

2. Stunning Surfaces

When it comes to adding personality and style to your bathroom, surface materials are a key design element. From floor to ceiling, this is where you can let your personal design style shine. Ceramic and porcelain tile are dominant flooring materials in bathrooms, while natural stone continues to prove popular as well. Though overwhelmingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring is slow to take hold in bathroom design. For vanity tops and counters, granite is king, with quartz and marble fashionable options as well.

3. Simple Fixtures

Don’t overlook the sink as an opportunity to support your style statement. The color of fixtures has come full circle, with white being the most common color. Bisque and off-white can also be easily found in new and remodeled bathrooms. For sink design, simple under-mount models continue to lead the pack, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks, and pedestal sinks.

4. A Nickel for Your Finish

Nothing dates a bathroom faster than the finish of its fixtures. Today’s finishes mirror the trends in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel leading the way. Polished chrome and satin nickel are also prevalent, followed by bronze and stainless steel. For a consistent look, choose one finish and use throughout the space.

Get more great decorating ideas for your project in our bathroom image gallery.