8 Bathroom Trends to Avoid, According to Designers

Thinking about a bathroom refresh? This small space can have a huge impact on your daily routine and your home’s overall value. To ensure your investment stands the test of time, we’ve gathered expert advice on which outdated bathroom designs to leave behind and the beautiful, modern alternatives to embrace instead.

1. The Bulky Jetted Tub

For decades, a large, built-in jetted tub was the peak of bathroom luxury. However, designers now see them as space-consuming relics that are difficult to clean and rarely used. They often dominate a room, making it feel smaller and more cluttered.

What’s Replacing It: Freestanding Tubs and Luxury Showers Today’s luxury is about clean lines and spa-like experiences.

• Freestanding Soaking Tubs: These act as a stunning sculptural centerpiece. Available in various shapes and materials, from classic clawfoot designs to modern acrylic ovals, they create a sense of openness. Brands like Kohler, American Standard, and Signature Hardware offer a wide range of styles.
• Walk-In Showers: Many homeowners are forgoing tubs altogether in favor of spacious, doorless walk-in showers. These often feature multiple showerheads (like a rainfall head and a handheld wand), built-in benches, and seamless floor-to-ceiling tile, creating a true spa sanctuary.

2. Hollywood Vanity Lights

Those classic strips of large, round globe bulbs above the mirror, known as “Hollywood” or “Broadway” lights, cast harsh, unflattering shadows. While they provide a lot of light, it’s often in the wrong places, making tasks like applying makeup or shaving more difficult.

What’s Replacing It: Layered and Integrated Lighting Modern bathroom lighting is all about function and ambiance. The goal is to create even, shadow-free light.

• Vertical Sconces: Placing sconces on either side of the mirror provides cross-illumination that lights your face evenly. Look for sleek, minimalist designs in finishes like matte black or brushed brass.
• Backlit Mirrors: Mirrors with integrated LED lighting are a popular, high-tech solution. They offer a clean, modern look and provide perfectly diffused light. Many models also include anti-fog features and adjustable color temperatures.

3. The Vessel Sink

Vessel sinks, which sit on top of the counter like a bowl, had their moment in the early 2000s. While they can be visually interesting, they are often impractical. They can be awkward to use, splash water everywhere, and are notoriously difficult to clean around the base.

What’s Replacing It: Undermount and Integrated Sinks Simplicity and ease of maintenance are key.

• Undermount Sinks: Installed below the countertop, these sinks create a seamless surface that is incredibly easy to wipe clean. This clean look allows your countertop material, whether it’s quartz, marble, or granite, to be the star.
• Integrated Sinks: These are sinks made from the same material as the countertop, creating a single, cohesive piece. This minimalist approach is common with materials like solid surface composites and concrete, offering a sleek, custom look.

4. Busy Accent Tiles

That horizontal stripe of tiny, busy mosaic tile running through the shower was a go-to design choice for years. Today, it can make a space feel dated and visually choppy, breaking up the clean lines that make a bathroom feel larger.

What’s Replacing It: Full-Height Feature Walls and Large-Format Tiles The modern approach is to make a bigger, more cohesive statement.

• Large-Format Tiles: Using large tiles (such as 24x48 inches) on floors and walls minimizes grout lines, which makes the space feel bigger and is much easier to clean. Porcelain tiles that mimic natural stone or concrete are very popular.
• Textured Tiles: Instead of a band of mosaics, designers are creating entire feature walls with textured or uniquely shaped tiles. Think vertically stacked subway tiles, handcrafted Zellige tiles for a subtle shimmer, or elegant fluted tiles.

5. Over-the-Toilet Storage Cabinets

The bulky cabinet hanging over the toilet is often a default storage solution, but it can make a small bathroom feel top-heavy and cramped. It interrupts the visual flow of the wall and is often an awkward reach.

What’s Replacing It: Smarter, Integrated Storage The best modern storage is both beautiful and functional.

• Recessed Niches: Building niches into the wall, especially in the shower or above the toilet, provides storage without taking up any visual or physical space.
• Floating Shelves: A few minimalist floating shelves offer a place for decorative items or neatly folded towels, creating an open, airy feel.
• Furniture-Style Vanities: Choosing a vanity with ample drawer storage eliminates the need for bulky over-the-toilet units.

6. The All-Matching Hardware Set

In the past, it was standard practice to buy a matching set where the faucet, towel bars, toilet paper holder, and hooks were all from the same collection and in the exact same finish. This can look a bit too uniform and lack personality.

What’s Replacing It: Thoughtfully Mixed Metals Mixing metals adds depth and a curated, custom feel to a bathroom. The key is to do it intentionally. A popular strategy is to stick to two or three finishes. For example, you could use matte black for your faucet and shower fixtures, and then use a softer brushed brass for your cabinet pulls, mirror frame, and light fixtures.

7. Lifeless All-Beige Palettes

The “builder-beige” bathroom, where the walls, floor, and vanity are all a similar shade of beige or off-white, can feel bland and uninspired. While neutral is safe, it can lack warmth and character.

What’s Replacing It: Warm Neutrals and Bold Color Neutral is still in, but the palette has evolved.

• Warm Earth Tones: Think warmer whites, taupe, greige (a mix of grey and beige), and soft terracotta. These colors feel organic and calming.
• Deep, Moody Hues: Don’t be afraid of color! Feature walls or entire bathrooms painted in deep greens, rich navy blues, or even charcoal gray can feel incredibly sophisticated and spa-like.

8. The Basic, Frameless Plate Mirror

A simple, frameless sheet of mirror glued to the wall gets the job done, but it doesn’t add any design flair. It’s a missed opportunity to add personality and style to the space.

What’s Replacing It: Decorative and Uniquely Shaped Mirrors The mirror is now treated as a key decorative element.

• Shaped Mirrors: Arched, round, and pill-shaped mirrors are extremely popular. They soften the hard lines of a bathroom and act as a piece of art.
• Framed Mirrors: A mirror with a thin metal frame (in black, brass, or nickel) or a rustic wood frame can tie the whole design together and add a finishing touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular finish for bathroom fixtures right now? Matte black continues to be extremely popular for its modern, bold look. However, warmer metals like brushed brass and champagne bronze are also a top choice for designers looking to add a touch of elegance and warmth.

Is gray paint still in style for bathrooms? While cool-toned grays are becoming less popular, warmer grays and “greige” tones remain a timeless and sophisticated choice. The trend is moving away from sterile, cold colors toward cozier, more inviting neutrals.

What is the best type of flooring for a modern bathroom? Porcelain tile is the top choice for most designers. It is incredibly durable, waterproof, and available in a vast array of styles, including realistic wood-look and stone-look options. Large-format porcelain tiles are particularly popular for creating a seamless, modern aesthetic with fewer grout lines.