9 Top Trends in Bathroom Design

The current bathroom interior design trend is towards smaller bathrooms with a focus on efficiency and small-scale luxury.

When you are involved in a bathroom renovation, you are not just creating a practical bathing space. For most people, the bathroom has become a personal sanctuary. It is not just a place to wash off the grit. It is a personal spa, where clients can relieve the stress of the day and relax. Every aspect and component has to come together towards this goal, while also meeting the practical needs of bathing.
Whether it be new construction or a renovation, the following list of the hottest upcoming bathroom design trends should help you to address customer needs.
1. THE BATHROOM IS GETTING EFFICIENTLY SMALL
For many homeowners, luxe magazine pictures that feature enormous double tubs, his and her cabinetry sides and expansive marble flooring inspire their dream bathroom. But in recent times, some have discovered that smaller bathrooms can be just as great.
The secret to making small bathrooms comfortable, and not cramped, is efficient use of available real estate. Every inch must be put to good use. You will see freestanding single-person tubs starting to get more popular. Smaller but artfully designed toilets and smaller uniquely designed sink bowls will also begin to make a presence in the bathroom.
Other companions to scaled down bathrooms include space-saving walk-in showers, more shelving instead of cabinets and large floating vanities to increase perception of space. As with large bathrooms, small bathrooms can also be decked out in wall patterns or interesting floor graphics especially those that make the room feel bigger.
Homeowners with smaller spaces do not have to miss out on the magazine bathroom.
2. TOILETS GO HIGH TECH
For years, Japan has been the undisputed leader in high tech toilets with other countries seemingly OK with retaining the same mechanism for decades. But homeowners are starting to get interested in a bit of tech in their toilets.
The high tech toilet will see things such as seat warmers, automatic lid openers and slow close features, an adjustable air dryer, built-in deodorizers, and so on. Another feature available, that I bet you never thought of; is a wireless music player that automatically turns on when the lid is opened. It shuts off when the lid is put back down. The jazz and nature tunes are a good alternative for those who do not carry books (or phones) into the bathroom.
It is not just the toilet that is going high tech. The entire bathroom will see a few innovations. Smart showers are available that automatically know the user’s preferred temperature and turns on their favourite tunes during shower time. A small fridge can be added within the bathroom cabinetry to keep medicine and drinks cool. Hands-free faucets are an increasingly popular choice.
3. BRASS AND GOLD TONE FIXTURES ARE MAKING A COMEBACK
Erase the memories of your grandparent’s bathroom brass faucet, because lovely new warm toned gold plumbing fixtures will become the new go to. This new tone twist is the perfect compliment to the cooler gray paint colors that have become extremely popular in recent years. The warm gold tone adds just the right amount of depth, dimension, and luxury feel to any space.
Homeowners love the change to warmer accents with the brass/gold toned bathroom fixtures versus the traditional shiny polished chrome, which conveys a more cool, modern, and sleek feel. Offered in new finish options like in satin, matte, and spun gold this subtle change is just what was needed to add that classic traditional element to any space with the added bonus of keeping fingerprints and water spots hidden. This warmer tone has become the accent pieces of a room, with complimenting hardware, light fixtures, and mirrors as well.
Look around and you will find more gold tone items than you think. The reason for the comeback–it just looks great in so many different style settings.
4. VANITY LIGHTING
The bathroom vanity usually consists of a cabinet, countertop and mirror. This area is important to the function of the bathroom. Using lighting strategically can also make it an important area to the style and look of the bathroom. To highlight this mostly functional space, homeowners are using creative lighting techniques, fixtures, and dimmers to create a luxury and relaxing feeling.
There are many lighting styles you can use for the vanity area including light bars, wall sconces and small pendants. For larger bathrooms, it is not uncommon to see a chandelier above the whirpool or centred in the space to create a dramatic effect. Lighting not only helps with makeup application, it creates better bathroom aesthetics.
5. UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS AND UNDER COUNTER APPLIANCES
Rather than wear a pair of slippers just to escape the cold sensation on the bottom of their feet while walking across the bathroom floor suggest to your client that is might be a good investment for them to consider adding a heating system under the floor. Underfloor heating can be used with a variety of flooring options including tile, concrete, vinyl and wood, to name a few. But in a bathroom, the cold tile can transform into a beautiful soothing warm floor. These systems not only provide heat, but they can also reduce noise levels and reduce airborne dust.
More and more technology is being included in bathrooms, which means more small appliances are being integrated. For instance, some luxury bathroom designs now feature a beverage center or under counter refrigerators near the makeup area or vanity for medicines or organic facial remedies. Or you may find some home bathroom designs featuring warming drawers for linens and robes. Aside from the traditional dryers in the makeup area, you can also have wireless music systems, televisions, cooling or warming systems, and so on.
The bathroom used to be the place where electric appliances were a no-no. Now, it can rival the kitchen in the number of gadgets and the amount of tech in it. This trend will continue, especially in master bathroom designs.
6. PEOPLE STILL LOVE NEUTRAL STYLES BUT WITH ORGANIC UNDERTONES
Neutral decors are super popular right now. Homeowners love the whites and creams and light browns that make a space look modern and elegant. Neutral bathrooms will continue to be very much in vogue but with a bit of an organic infusion.
There is a certain unwavering appeal to the natural and organic. This is why things like aged flooring and weathered tiles have always been popular. Homeowners are looking to create some of that natural feel to make the bathroom more relaxing.
Neutral colors will have to make ways for some organic browns and blues; the colors of nature. Expect to see more attempts to bring the outdoors indoors through plants, flowers and even grass. As for materials, brick, wood and natural stone will find more uses in the bathroom.
7. DARKER TONES WILL PICK UP
There is currently a surprising parallel in kitchen and bathroom design trends. In the kitchen, darker shades are starting to pick up especially on appliances, countertops and cabinetry. In the bathroom, the same thing is happening.
In a space known so long for its neutral whites and creams, it is a bit surprising to see dark shades starting to pick up pace. This includes dark tile flooring, grey elegant cabinets, jet black fixtures and even black accent walls.
Many homeowners are hesitant to introduce black in their personal spas and it is understandable. It is a colour that can prove tricky to use and match. If used wrongly, it can create a feeling of gloom or result in a painfully awkward mix and match. Though the trend is slow, darker tones will continue to get popular as homeowners get more comfortable with it.
8. UNIQUE TILE SHAPES
Tiles are getting interesting. We have already seen how technology is allowing manufacturers to create all sorts of faux looks and styles using same old tile. But now they are going beyond the colours and graphics to change the traditional tile shape into something more interesting.
In 2017, we are going to see bathrooms make use of geometric tiles with a variety of unique and interesting tile patterns. These eye-catching patterns will not just grace the floor; they will also be used as bathroom backsplashes, as ceiling accents and to create bold wall backgrounds.
9. Bold Accent Walls
In the modern neutral bathroom, an accent wall is the sparkle that sets the space on fire. It is the defining statement on personal style and character. It is the focal point that greatly determines the mood and look of the bathroom.
The venerable accent wall will get even bigger in 2017 as homeowners look for inexpensive bathroom remodel designs. In the previous point, we have seen how geometric tiles can make for a simple yet bold accent wall. Something as simple as a bright coat of paint can have the same effect. If you are feeling a bit creative, you can have a graphic drawn on the full wall or hang a large painting that covers the entire wall.
A COMMON THREAD
One common thread has been evident in all home design trends is that homeowners are looking for ways to break from the mould and be different. In the bathroom, they are relying on technology, tiles and bold accents to make their shower time more interesting.

This material is provided by Sebring Services, an award winning design/build company. Its founder, Bryan Sebring has been featured on hgtv.com. www.sebringservices.com