2023 bathroom trends moved away from stark white to embrace warmth, nature, and texture with earthy tones (terracotta, beige, green), natural materials (wood, stone), and organic shapes, creating spa-like sanctuaries. Key features included freestanding tubs, statement tiles (geometric, textured), bold colours (jewel tones, sea blues), advanced lighting (backlit mirrors, sconces), frameless showers, and integrated technology for a calming, personalized escape.
These days however, an all-white or all-gray bathroom can act as an unpleasant symbol of an outdated trend, and may seem seriously lacking in pizazz. Romanoff recommends sprinkling in color and texture to make your bathroom more unique, interesting, and modern.
In this post, we identify some of the most popular bathroom paint colors we've seen homeowners select recently to achieve great results.
The golden rule for bathroom layouts is zoning for flow and function, creating distinct dry (vanity/storage), semi-wet (toilet/tub transition), and wet (shower/bath) areas to ensure comfortable movement, easy cleaning, and separation from steam, prioritizing clear paths, adequate clearance (e.g., 30 inches in front of fixtures), and making the toilet less visible upon entry.
Trending bathroom finishes and decor ideas for 2025 include natural stone countertops, modern hardware with sleek lines, contemporary finishes, backlit backsplashes, and statement lighting fixtures for additional drama.
Classic White – Clean, Bright, and Always in Style
Classic, crisp white remains a favorite in timeless bathroom designs thanks to its versatility and ability to make spaces feel more expansive.
Oversized Fixtures: Installing fixtures that are too large for the space can overwhelm the bathroom and make it feel cramped. Choose appropriately sized fixtures that fit the room's dimensions. Ignoring Accessibility: Failing to consider accessibility features can be a significant mistake.
You must also consider the backsplash. A bathroom backsplash isn't just a practical element to protect your walls from water damage; it's also a key design feature that can elevate the style and personality of your space.
The 3-5-7 rule in interior design is a guideline for grouping decor in odd numbers (three, five, or seven) to create natural, visually appealing, and balanced arrangements, making spaces feel curated rather than stiff or symmetrical. It works by introducing intentional imbalance and guiding the eye through varied heights, textures, and shapes within the group, perfect for shelves, mantels, and coffee tables, but should be a flexible tool, not a rigid law, to maintain proportion and avoid crowding.
Perfection in limited space: The sink right next to the toilet saves space while leaving enough room for the floor-level shower. How you can use your bathroom depends primarily on your desired arrangement.
Colors that make a bathroom look more expensive
Dull or outdated colors
While you might be tempted to revisit trends from past eras, among the colors to avoid in a bathroom are beige-yellow tones, dull brown, and olive green. These can even give the impression of uncleanliness in addition to appearing outdated.
Thankfully, though, home design maven Joanna Gaines knows how designers pick the perfect shade of paint and often uses this tasteful trio of colors in the bathroom: white, gray, and navy blue. The "Fixer Upper" star's logic behind using these colors is twofold.
Chipped tiles, stained grout, and brightly colored porcelain tubs and toilets (think avocado green, mustard yellow, or bubblegum pink) instantly make a bathroom look neglected. No matter how clean the rest of the space is, damaged surfaces or retro fixtures give off a dated vibe.
The most expensive parts of a bathroom remodel are typically plumbing and waterproofing, especially if you change the layout, alongside high-end fixtures and finishes like custom tile and cabinetry, with labor costs for skilled trades (plumbers, electricians, tilers) forming a significant portion of the total budget. Unexpected issues, such as discovering mold or asbestos during demolition, can also dramatically increase costs.
Popular options in 2025 include:
What are the foundational principles of interior design often termed as the 3 F's? The 3 F's of interior design are Function, Flow, and Feeling. These emphasize the room's purpose, the movement within the space, and the ambience, respectively.
The 60-30-10 Rule for Color Harmony
A practical application of the Golden Ratio in interiors is through the 60-30-10 rule: 60% Primary Color: The dominant shade (walls, large furniture pieces). 30% Secondary Color: A contrasting or complementary hue (upholstery, curtains, rugs).
The triangle rule can be used to curate all sorts of decor around your home. For example, you can use it to style bookshelves; create triangles by strategically stacking books and other decor objects to make the best use of the space and create interest.
What backsplash tile never goes out of style?
The general rule of thumb is to install backsplash on the back wall only, not side walls. In kitchens, aim for 18 inches between the counter and cabinets, and 30 inches to the hood. In bathrooms, backsplash often goes all the way to the ceiling for a clean, continuous look.
Toilet Backsplash
It involves tiling the most critical moisture-prone areas, such as the shower walls and the wall behind the toilet, but leaving other sections bare. Tiling with a small backsplash behind the toilet or sink adds a touch of style.
Below are three bathroom upgrades that provide the biggest impact in both aesthetics and resale value.
10 Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes To Avoid in 2024
Shower or Bathtub
Leave at least 15" of space between the shower and toilet or other obstacle.