From fluted finishes to forest green, here are the latest bathroom trends for 2021 to consider for your bathroom remodel – or simply a room update.
While adhering to – and implementing – the latest trends isn’t a guarantee of achieving a timeless look, we believe these bathroom ideas are elegant enough to stand the test of time.
BEST BATHROOM TRENDS 2021
1. COCOON ROOM
It’s hardly surprising, given the year that was 2020, that the trend for home spas will dominate bathroom trends in 2021.
There are a plethora of new spa bathroom ideas to create your own retreat, ranging from scented candles to luxury fittings.
‘Bathrooms can now be so much more than purely functional spaces,’ says Yousef Mansuri, C.P. Hart’s head of design. ‘More and more of our customers want to create a wellness oasis in the heart of their home – somewhere they can enjoy as a private retreat to de-stress and unwind.’
‘This trend is known as “cocooning” because it allows people to wrap themselves in comfort and a quiet sense of luxury.’
Cocooning is a mood that can be created through simple pauses, such as lighting a scented candle or wrapping ourselves in a warm robe. It can also be fully enjoyed with spa-like fittings such as massaging showers, hydrotherapy baths, and state-of-the-art steam rooms or saunas.
2. BLENDED SCHEMES
Bathrooms are no longer limited to clinical white, polished ceramic, and a clean modern feel. Instead, people are becoming more comfortable with being busy and bold in their bathrooms and powder rooms.
Biophilia will be all about bringing the outside in next year. People will create spa-like sanctuaries with intricate murals and blend vintage and modernity with stunning installations inspired by bathroom images like the one above.
Victorian roll top baths will continue to be a key component of a 2021 chic bathroom, but they will be harmoniously blended with modern, sleek alcoves, bright tiles, and cutting-edge technology.
3. LUXURIOUS CLEANSING
Over the next twelve months, it is critical to transform an interior space into a seamless experience in order to create a more satisfying usage. We use our bathrooms at least twice a day as homeowners, and studies show that the average female spends at least 29 minutes in this space each day, so it’s become a necessity to ensure that bathroom design provides an at-home spa-like atmosphere so we can linger for longer.
Aside from luxury tiles and spa-like storage nooks, biophillia – the integration and inclusion of nature as a focal point – isn’t going away. The goal of creating a rich, sensory connotation with nature remains popular.
A biophilic bathroom design will feature patterns that reduce stress and improve creativity, as well as forms and materials that mimic those found in nature.
There are numerous luxurious showers and heads available, allowing you to create an indulgent showering experience in the comfort of your own home. With waterfall shower heads and walk-in showers replacing bulkier units, connecting water and wellbeing has never been easier.
4. FLUTED FINISHES
Ribbed surfaces have been given a modern twist in the bathroom, creating a visual and tactile delight. Reeded finishes are making a comeback in the interior design world. The style is reminiscent of Art Deco glamour – think pillar lights – and is now being reinvented. Delicately ribbed surfaces on vanity units and cabinets add subtle interest, while shower doors made of decorative, vertically grooved glass provide instant privacy while allowing light to shine through.
5. FOREVER GREEN
This perennial color can be used in cabinetry or plants to create a life-enhancing connection with nature. The abundance of eye-catching green bathroom tile ideas, furniture, and bathroom ceramics in verdant hues allows for bold new looks.
Green evokes a natural sense of calm and harmony in soft shades, while bolder and darker tones provide individuality and depth. Try a saturated color wall in paint or tiles, or a modern vanity unit or countertop basin.
6. WARM EARTH
Use natural pigments to amp up the heat in your bathroom design.
Along with the desire for coziness comes a preference for warmer tones such as terracotta, rust, caramel, and biscuit. Look for earthy colors and tactile finishes in tiles as an antidote to cold and clinical. To add definition, contrast them with black taps or a black basin. Untreated wood also works well, echoing the natural, warm mood.
7. MINIMALIST MOOD
Far from the starkness of the past, today’s pared-back bathroom layout ideas imply relaxed rather than sterile. Clutter is a thing of the past. Bathrooms are no longer a maximalist disaster zone.
‘It is best to keep a bathroom feeling open architecturally and visually by not cramming too many things into it.’ Edit your amenities on a regular basis, hang your towels on bars or hooks, keep pattern to a minimum, and keep it simple overall. ‘A pedestal or wall-mounted sink rather than a bulky vanity, a clear glass door rather than a shower curtain, and reflective surfaces such as glossy ceramic tiles on a large scale will make the room feel larger,’ says Barbara Sallick, Co-founder, Waterworks.
8. LUXE LIGHTING
Statement bathroom lighting ideas are popular right now. Glamour is the way to go, whether it’s outsized or crystal. The most recent advancements mean that you don’t have to completely overhaul a scheme to make a difference. Don’t be afraid to take risks. It takes a little guts, but you can use larger lights than you might think reasonable at first. For those who like their lighting to make a statement or are inspired by luxury bathroom design, large chandeliers, drum pendants, and massive floor lamps are all very popular.
9. BOTANICAL WALLS
In your smallest room, embrace blooms and foliage for the biggest, boldest, and brightest impact. Even if you don’t live in a warm equatorial climate, you can still add a fun and tropical feel to your home with creative wallpaper ideas. Embrace vibrant color, lush foliage, and quirky details to complete the look.
10. SMART MEASURES
Home automation is no longer a sci-fi concept of the future – it’s here and now, and the good news is that it’s useful, simple to use, and a little smarter than you might expect. Smart technology promises to put control at your fingertips and make your home work better for you, and it has now made its way to your bathroom. The bathroom is a haven for smart technology, with de-misting mirrors, integrated charging and USB ports, LED temperature displays, and automatic hand-wipe sensors. The future has arrived.
11. BOOK-MATCHING
‘Marble is definitely having a moment in the spotlight. ‘All of the bathrooms we’ve seen planned have some form of marble in them,’ says Darren. ‘It is a lovely natural material with a wide range of colorings, markings, and veinings.’ It is impossible to find two pieces that are identical, which adds to its allure. Although “book-matching” and “vein-matching” are still popular in high-end properties, especially for those looking for something different,’ he continues.
‘People are being far more adventurous with marble now than in the past, incorporating greens, blues, yellows, basically anything out of the ordinary to make their own mark,’ says Gary Walters, Managing Director of Stone Age.
12. BLACK BATHROOMS
The moody palettes popular with trendy paint brands are inspiring a similarly gothic direction in bathroom colors. By using textured porcelain tiles, you can keep the look modern and fresh. This style will also be at the forefront of kitchen design in 2021.
‘Advances in technology and product development have also enabled new colors and finishes in ceramics, allowing homeowners to embrace adventurous design in the bathroom more than ever before,’ says Faye Froy, Marketing Manager, Burlington.
In this project (below), architect Natalia Miyar uses dark stone for the floor, walls, and vanity unit to create an earthy glamor. Natalia avoids safe neutrals in favor of sumptuous, darker tones whenever possible. The bathroom in a recent London project is located within a light, bright apartment and has a different tempo than the colorful space from which you enter.
‘Using only one shade may feel risky, but the end result will be stunning,’ Natalia claims. She adds a welcome splash of vibrant color in the form of flowers to brighten the space. Accessories can be used to achieve the same result.
‘Bathrooms are becoming more and more places to relax and unwind,’ says Faye. ‘We’re seeing an increase in customers looking for luxurious, deep baths for the ultimate in bathroom relaxation, with dramatic colors a popular choice for a bold statement in interior design,’ says the company.
13. SWAGS AND SWAGGER
Window dressings, whether a glamorous pooling of fabric or a classic louvered shutter, play an important role in the success of an interior scheme, and bathrooms are taking notice.
Swags were popular in the 1970s, but as with most trends, they tend to resurface. Drapes may seem like an unusual choice for a bathroom. Of course, steam and damp can be a problem for bathroom fabrics, but as long as your room is well-ventilated, you should be fine. Drapes that are well-chosen can add drama, elegance, and warmth to a bathroom.
14. LIVING COLOR
Are you ready to embrace the reintroduction of colored sanitaryware? The revival of colored sanitaryware is being driven by the current trend of embracing personality and color over safe neutral interiors. Swoon stone vanity units come in ten different bathroom color schemes, including the new Seaweed Green shown above.
15. GO BOLD WITH BASINS AND CONSOLES
Choosing a sink can be one of the most difficult tasks when considering how to design a bathroom because there must be a balance of aesthetics, functionality, installation, and budget.
There are also a plethora of options. People will put a clever spin on classic white ceramic in the coming year, with decorative basins featuring ripples, brightly colored matte versions, Miami Vice-like pastels, or the addition of gold rims.
Designs will also include more ceramic basin alternatives made from new materials such as glass, concrete, pressurised surfaces, and mineral cast basins.
Don’t be alarmed if you prefer minimalist, scandi designs. 2021 will also emphasize the importance of being one with nature. Colors associated with the year of Brave New World include warmer-toned surfaces, real-looking wood, and more curved lines, as opposed to the cold and harsh surfaces commonly found in bathrooms.
16. MARVELLOUS MARBLE
Marble, a recurring trend in interiors, has taken the world by storm in recent years. Its crisp, clean, and natural appearance, combined with delicate pattern formations, adds visual interest to our homes while remaining minimal, luxurious, and tasteful. Cover your walls with marble tiles to make a stylish statement, or simply use it on the floor to provide luxury underfoot.
17. CRITTALL – OR CRITTALL-STYLE FRAMING
Crittall metal-framed windows, which were invented in the 1880s, were extremely popular during the Art Deco era. It has returned, as have many other design trends, but with a modern twist.
Use it to frame shower screens or windows in bathrooms.
18. METALLIC GLAMOR
‘This trend is heavily influenced by the 1960s and 1970s, when metals, particularly brass, were widely used.’ ‘Metals are experiencing a renaissance across all design disciplines,’ says Natalia Miyar.
‘Chrome and steel are popular choices for kitchens and bathrooms, but they can make a room feel cold and stark. Use less obvious metallic tones, such as copper and brass, and warmer metallic tones. They make a visual statement and shift the mood from functional to indulgent.’
19. JAPANDI BATHROOMS
Incorporate elements of both styles for a well-balanced look, such as soft Scandi curves juxtaposed against clean lines and structured Japanese pieces. Contrasting textures are an excellent way to add depth to a design. A subtle raffia wallcovering draws attention to the smooth curves of the bath.
HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD A BATHROOM LAST?
If you’re wondering how many years a bathroom should last, it’s estimated the average lifespan is around a decade, before it needs sprucing up a little. Although there’s no reason why it couldn’t be even longer if properly cared for. It’s only natural for us to want to change things up every now and then, so the 10-year mark is a good place to start when considering longevity.
HOW CAN I MODERNIZE MY BATHROOM CHEAPLY?
There are many inexpensive ways to modernize a bathroom, such as simply painting the room. This could be the walls, ceiling, or floor, and why not try a bold new color to mix things up and keep things interesting? Alternatively, rather than a total makeover, you could paint the tiles or experiment with wallpaper.
