From patterned tile to chicer showers, here are the top design tropes we'll be bathing in.
Bathroom design trends reveal much about our lifestyles, relaxation habits, and sense of style. In 2025, the post-pandemic focus on self-care meets a growing desire for personalization. Alex Yacavone, senior design studio manager at Kohler, notes, “Incorporating personal touches has become essential as people shift away from generic designs to create spaces that reflect their unique taste
Xavier Donnelly, creative director at Ash, observes, “There's a shift from minimalism to bolder designs and more drama, even in smaller areas."
From vibrant tiles to an emphasis on showers, here are the key bathroom design trends for 2025:
1.Head-Turning Tiles
After years dominated by stone, 2025 is seeing a return to tile, but not the plain white subway type. Designers are embracing bolder options. Jean-Jacques L’Henaff from LIXIL Americas states, “New vintage-inspired patterns with deep glazes and intricate shapes bring timeless charm
Donnelly highlights the rise of square tiles arranged in patterns, while Victoria Sass from Prospect Refuge Studio incorporates vibrant 1x1 tiles in stripes. She describes this trend as “retrospective futurism,” suggesting that future bathrooms will echo the past
2.Brown
The design world has long touted brown as the next big color. Pantone has named a chocolate shade “Mocha Mousse” as its 2025 color of the year, and designers expect to see brown in bathrooms positively
Yacavone remarks, “Brown tones are gaining traction, with warm, earthy hues becoming central to interior design,” providing comfort and grounding in bathrooms. Sass agrees but warns against overdoing it, as too much can lead to dated trends
For those skeptical of brown, Sass suggests other colors with a twist: “Old avocado transforms into modern mint, and harvest gold brightens to bubbly blonde
3.High-Contrast Finishes
With bold colors on the rise, fixtures are following suit. Gold faucets, knobs, and hardware remain popular, as they contrast beautifully with darker walls. “Golds—from yellow to red—are still trending strong,” says L’Henaff
He also notes a trend of mixing matte black with gold, and mentions that Grohe, a LIXIL brand, is introducing collections with subtle finishes like graphite.
4.Seashells
The 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid has sparked interest in mermaidcore, but Pinterest predicts that 2025 will be all about the sea witch. While this trend will dominate beauty and fashion—think sultry siren makeup and moody mermaid nails—it’s also making waves in bathroom design. Expect to see elegant shell shapes and Rococo-inspired elements, from chairs to shell-encrusted ceilings. Donnelly from Ash notes a rise in seashell wall sconces, making it a great time to embrace this underwater theme in your space
5.‘80s and ‘90s Redux
Minimalists will find plenty to love in 2025, but rather than sterile spaces, experts predict a revival of materials from the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Sass remarks, “For those with a little Patrick Bateman in them, a clean, functional bathroom is appealing.” Expect stainless steel surfaces, glass block walls, and perhaps even mini-blinds to make a comeback. Donnelly foresees a surge in mirror usage, while Sass shares her surprising enjoyment of a recent project featuring wall-to-wall carpet
6.Chicer Showers
While deep bathtubs remain popular, showers are set to take center stage in 2025. L’Henaff states, “The shower is becoming the new focal point,” with features like waterfall and mist options enhancing luxury design. Zillow reports a growing desire for wet rooms, combining showers and bathtubs into a single waterproof space, appearing 19 percent more often in listings. Donnelly adds that chic shower curtains may replace glass enclosures for a stylish update
7.Self-Care on Steroids
Post-pandemic trends may shift, but the emphasis on self-care in bathroom design is here to stay. Zillow found a 16 percent increase in listings mentioning wellness features in 2024. Yacavone emphasizes that bathrooms are now sanctuaries for relaxation and well-being. Popular features include saunas, rainfall showers, and steam rooms, which gained traction during the pandemic and continue to grow in popularity.
