Bathroom Trends to Consider Before Your Next Remodel

When it comes to finishes, brass is back. From unlacquered brass that patinas over time to polished or brushed finishes, gold tones add warmth to an all-white bathroom and stands out against dark, moody walls.

They aren’t just for dining rooms anymore. For a traditional look, use a pretty crystal chandelier. A beaded chandelier adds texture against white shiplap. If you prefer a contemporary look, go for a midcentury modern style. Hang a chandelier over a freestanding tub or between vanities for a dramatic effect.

Wall sconces are more popular than ever and provide the most flattering light for getting ready in the morning. For modern bathrooms, try brass globe wall sconces. If you prefer a farmhouse look, try aged-bronze or matte black gooseneck fixtures.

Bathroom lighting doesn’t always have to come from overhead or side sconces. Just look in the mirror. A good small bathroom decorating idea is to install a mirror with built-in bulbs, so you don’t have to compromise wall space for vanity lights or wall sconces. This will free up space and give you great lighting.

If you like bold patterns and lots of color, encaustic cement tile is the perfect statement-maker. If an entire patterned wall is too much for you, consider an inlaid tile rug. This tile is slip resistant, so it works great for bathroom floors and showers.

Install up to three different tiles in one bathroom. Just stay within the same color palette, so it doesn't start to look too busy. Use one tile for the bathroom floor and then another for the shower walls. You can use a third tile on the shower floor and niche to pull it all together.

Bathrooms are going dark and moody. Choose bathroom tile in black, deep navy, slate gray and jewel tones. Penny tile in a rainbow of colors is a good place to start.

Want style on a budget? Get creative with subway tile. Pick a subway tile in a fun color, like blue, or lay them in a unique pattern, like chevron or basket weave, to add interest to your bathroom. To see a variety of fun and colorful subway tile patterns, check out our deep dive into the latest trends.

Wood-look tile is here to stay. It gives the warmth of wood in numerous colors, but it's waterproof. Try a herringbone pattern for a timeless look.

Say goodbye to cold bathroom floors. If you’re going to remodel your bathroom tile, this is the perfect time to add a heated floor. It comes in mats that can be rolled out and placed before installing new tile. Heated floor mats can be installed under ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone or brick floors. If you plan on installing vinyl or laminate floors, the heated mats need to be installed in a self-leveling mortar bed.

After a shower or bath, there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a warm, fluffy bath towel. Hard-wired towel warmers will need professional installation. But for a more economical and DIY-friendly version, purchase a plug-in towel warmer. Choose between a wall-mounted towel rack where the towels drape over a towel bar, which is great for small bathroom, or a freestanding version where the entire towel goes inside.

If you prefer a more timeless bathroom design, you're in luck. Victorian bathroom faucets are a popular style these days. They look great against a marble countertop. Traditional finishes are usually found in polished or unlacquered brass, polished nickel and aged bronze.

Modern enthusiasts appreciate sleek and minimalist lines in a bathroom faucet. The slight curves and brushed brass finish look clean and contemporary. The most popular modern bathroom decor ideas include finishes in gold, polished chrome, polished nickel and matte black. Add accessories to the bathroom like a few plants, a sleek vanity and new rugs to play up the modern feel of the space.

Farmhouse style utilizes lots of bronze and black bathroom décor. Bring in pops of black with a curved black faucet and drawer pulls. Or mix bronze and black accessories to add dimension to your bathroom.

If you have a hard time choosing coordinating elements, opt for a decorative bathroom set to make things easier. Add to the farmhouse bathroom décor with things like rustic art for the wall, natural wood floating shelves and shiplap. When decorating the bathroom shelves keep it simple with a container for cotton balls, a pretty candle and extra toiletries for guests.

First, think about the purpose of the bathroom. If it's the bathroom you get ready in every morning, you may prefer to keep things light and bright. Try white, cream, pale pink, blue or greige (a mix of gray and beige or taupe that's warmer than gray). A guest or powder room is an opportunity to go bold with wall paint. Jewel tones in emerald green, deep blue, plum or fuchsia are unexpected and dramatic.

Wallpaper is back in a big way. Use a bold blue palm print on the top half of the wall and paint the bottom a coordinating blue to play into the popular Coastal trend. Or go with a softer gray-and-white check that works great with a navy vanity. With wallpaper you don’t need any other décor for the bathroom wall.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to wallpaper patterns: stripes, animals, polka dots, nature, grass cloth, wood-look, brick and more. If it's going in a powder room, you probably don't have to worry about humidity affecting the wallpaper. But if the bathroom has a shower, use vinyl wallpaper. Renters can use wallpaper too — just ensure you buy the peel-and-stick variety.

Kitchens, living rooms and outdoor areas are all popular places for smart home updates. But bathrooms have gone high tech too. Some toilets have a heated seat and warm-air dryer as well as automatic flush, self-cleaning and deodorizing features.

Pipe your favorite tunes or podcasts through a waterproof shower speaker or a bathroom fan that's Bluetooth enabled. A smart scale can wirelessly send your weight, body mass index (BMI), basal metabolism rate (BMR), bone mass and more directly to your phone.

If you want to create a spa experience in your home, there are several features that you can have installed, including a freestanding tub, steam shower, rain shower head, towel warmer or heated toilet seat. To create a spa-like atmosphere, purchase soft, luxurious bath towels and bathmats, add dimmers to your bathroom lighting, and get a bath caddy to place your books and drinks on.

If you would like to make some accessible updates add things like grab bars, a low-threshold shower, walk-in tub or an elevated toilet. Read more about accessible home updates and installation help.