Bathroom Design Trends Creating a Spa-Like Oasis

Make your bathroom feel like a luxurious spa with plush towels, scented candles, and soothing artwork. Adding tiers of open shelving for towels and baskets for soaps and lotions is another easy way to elevate your space.

Mixed metals have come and gone, but Helms sees them having a resurgence in bathrooms this year. Look for pewter and bronze mirror frames and faucets that coordinate with each other.

Color

Creating a spa-like experience is easy with the right bathroom design. From calming colors to plush bath towels and refined storage solutions, transforming your space is a satisfying project that’s sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated every day.

While white minimalism remains popular, color in the bath is on the rise. Designers say blue—a rich shade with vintage elements that blends with modern flair—is a particularly appealing choice.

Earthy greens and purples also have a calming effect, and can be echoed throughout the room through tile, vanity cabinets, or wallpaper.

Texture trends that began in the living rooms and bedrooms are extending into the bath, with homeowners opting for 3D finishes and tactile materials. Fluting is one such aesthetic, making its way from furniture to vanity cabinetry for a sleek, subtle expression of texture. This simple, stylish detail adds a touch of elegance to any contemporary bathroom.

Texture

A bathroom may be a practical space, but it can also pack a big design punch. And texture is the key to achieving this. The right mix of textures brings a luxurious, cocooning feeling to the room and makes it feel more alive than a strictly functional space.

In addition to embracing natural materials, homeowners are bringing an element of texture into the room through decorative details. For example, decorative moldings can add depth to a wall, and fluted cabinetry brings a rough statement-making detail that plays off the surface of countertops and vanities.

Other texture-driven trends are transforming the shower, such as large-format tile and a shift away from grout to a paneled look that minimizes upkeep. And finally, a popular kitchen feature, such as a pantry-style beverage center or a wine refrigerator, is making its way into the bathroom to provide both storage and a stylish accent.

Materials

The materials you choose for your bathroom design play a key role in creating a relaxing ambiance. Using earthy hues such as terracotta, sage green, or burnt orange create a warm and soothing effect while floral or plant-based patterns invoke the sense of renewal. Incorporate natural elements into your bathroom design like bamboo accessories or wooden trays to complete the spa-like vibe.

Bringing in new color is a popular way to refresh your bathroom. According to the NKBA, wallpaper is the top method for incorporating color into baths, followed by paint and artwork.

Even small bathrooms can pack a design punch with the right finishes and storage solutions. Floating vanities and wall-mounted shelving help make the most of limited space, while open layouts promote a streamlined look. Adding decorative accents like a large print or a gallery wall of art brings in personality and adds a curated feel. When choosing materials, select premium products that reflect your lifestyle.

Lighting

As the bathroom continues to evolve into a place for expression, homeowners are increasingly treating it like an artistic space. This trend is evident in the selection of show-stopping sculptural fixtures and the layering of ambient lighting, which can create different moods in this space at the flick of a switch.

Another design detail that’s been making its way into bathrooms after playing a more prominent role in living spaces is fluted cabinetry. This aesthetic creates a thick, rough statement-making detail beneath kitchen islands, bathrooms and dining room tables that adds visual texture and warmth to the space, says Labourdette-Martinez.

A layered approach to lighting is also crucial for creating a spa-like oasis. Whitehead explains that while the general light from recessed ceiling spots and wall sconces can illuminate the space and highlight people, decorative lighting, such as chandeliers or candlestick-type sconces, offers more visual interest. Adding a skylight can also be a beautiful and unique addition to your bath design, says Davis.