7 Bathroom Trends You’re Better Off Avoiding
Every good home renovation starts with a few hours scrolling through Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. That’s where your ideas were born, and now you’re excited to bring some cool, aesthetic trends to life in your space. Not so fast!
Everything can look perfect for a 30-second Instagram Reel, but how does it hold up to practical everyday living? We’re passionate about creating spaces that work beautifully for years to come, and you deserve to know which trends might cause headaches down the road. Let’s walk through some bathroom trends you’re better off avoiding so you can design a space that not only looks great but also works for your needs.
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All-White Everything
White bathrooms look clean, spacious, and neat. But there’s a huge problem—they’re also high-maintenance nightmares that show every water spot, soap scum mark, and dust particle.
That pristine white grout you love today will turn gray or yellow within months without constant scrubbing. Likewise, white fixtures are prone to yellowing, and white walls highlight most dirty fingerprints and splash marks.
Instead of committing to an all-white palette, consider incorporating darker accent tiles or fixtures that hide everyday wear and tear while still maintaining that fresh, clean aesthetic you’re after. But don’t jump to wallpaper as the solution (more on this later). Instead, consider painting the walls a warm, forgiving color, such as any gentle type of red, brown, or orange. These shades hide stains best and infuse your bathroom with an ambience that is both calming and energizing.
Floating Vanities Without Storage Solutions
Floating vanities feature a gap between their base and the floor. This creates the illusion of more space and gives bathrooms a modern, minimalist look. But many homeowners discover too late that they’ve sacrificed crucial storage space for style points.
Your bathroom needs places to store toiletries,
So when planning your renovation, think about maximizing storage with smart bathroom cabinet design everywhere, including in the vanity. You can still get the minimalist look of a floating vanity with a smooth, inornate fixture with floor-to-sink storage.
Open Shelving Everywhere
Open shelving looks incredibly chic in magazine photos, but that’s because photographers and designers spent hours perfectly curating, arranging, and color-coordinating every display. Real life? That’s a different story.
Most bathroom items are utilitarian, not decorative, so they probably won’t display well. Keeping open shelves looking Instagram-ready requires constant styling and
Open shelving can still have a place in your bathroom if you use it sparingly—perhaps for a few decorative trinkets or a humidity-loving plant. It just shouldn’t be your primary storage solution.
Busy Wallpaper in Small Spaces
Wallpaper’s back! But before you jump on the trend of applying it to every wall in your home, including your bathroom, pause. Most bathrooms are small, and busy patterns in modest spaces tend to overwhelm the eye with visual chaos that makes the room feel cramped.
Now, you might be thinking, “What if I put up plain wallpaper or one with a very subtle design?” We’re going to have to stop you there, too. Wallpaper doesn’t do well when there’s a lot of moisture in the air. It can bubble, peel, or fade within just a few years. Bathroom-safe wallpapers do exist, but you’re better off using good old paint.
Trendy Tile Patterns
Subway tile arranged in herringbone patterns, geometric hexagons, and fish scale designs are everywhere right now. While these patterns can and do look impressive, they’re obviously trendy and can feel dated fast. Plus, just like with wallpaper, a busy design on the floor can make your small bathroom feel even smaller.
There’s also the fact that complex tile patterns are more difficult to clean because the grout features so many angles. In the long run, you’ll probably be more grateful if you stick with a simple tile layout with more staying power.
Matte Black or Gold Fixtures
Matte black and gold faucets, showerheads, and hardware photograph beautifully and look straight out of a magazine. But do you really want your bathroom to look like a dated display from an IKEA catalogue in a few years? These colors definitely have their place in some bathroom designs, but silver works best for most.
Plus, regarding matte black fixtures, maintenance is an issue. The surface is quick to show water spots, soap residue, and mineral deposits. Unless you’re happy wiping down your faucets every day, we recommend staying away from trendy colors and finishes. There’s no need for that level of avant-garde in your bathroom.
Freestanding Tubs as the Only Bathing Option
Freestanding tubs harken back to when Art Deco was in full swing. These fixtures are dramatic, vintage focal points. But if you’re replacing a shower-tub combo with just a freestanding tub, you might regret it. The latter requires you to clean around and under it, which adds to your bathroom’s maintenance needs. Moreover, though you can shower using a removable shower head attached to the tub’s faucet, you won’t want to every day. A shower-tub combo is much more convenient and fit for modern homes.
Were you considering any of these bathroom trends for your home? Now that you know you’re better off avoiding them, we hope you can find suitable alternatives. Before jumping on any design trend, ask yourself these questions: Will this choice work with my daily routine? Can I realistically maintain this look? Does it solve problems or create them? Will I still love this in five years?
The best bathroom renovations balance current style with practical functionality. Trends come and go, but a well-designed bathroom that meets your needs will serve you beautifully for decades. Choose elements that speak to your personal style and stand the test of time. In doing so, you’ll create a space you’ll love long after the latest Instagram trend has faded.
