Designers Say These Bathroom Trends Are in Next Year—Some May Surprise You (2024)

01 of 07

A Shift Toward Warm, Neutral Colors

Across the board, designers agree that warm neutrals are in for bathroom design in the New Year. Rather than stark all-white bathrooms, think warm white, cream, and beige tones; lighter wood tones like maple and white oak; mushroom and taupe; and warm brown and camel tones throughout, says Erin Davis, lead designer at Mosaik Design and Remodeling based in Portland, Oregon.

The goal is to create a soothing space using nature-inspired colors and tones that evoke feelings of relaxation and calm.

02 of 07

Pops of Saturated, Earthy Tones

Just because neutrals are in doesn’t mean color is out. Keep an eye out for pops of saturated, earthy tones in bathrooms in the New Year, designers say. Earthy greens and dark tones like raisin, purples, and blues are all increasing in popularity, particularly for things like cabinetry and tile, Davis says. These deep, saturated tones have a calming and grounding effect that lends well to a relaxing, spa-like bathroom space.

03 of 07

Spa-Like Features

Outfitting primary bathrooms with spa-like features has been trending for a couple of years now, and designers agree this trend isn’t set to go anywhere anytime soon.

Steam showers, towel heaters, massaging shower heads, soaker tubs, and heated floors are just a few examples of the kinds of features homeowners are increasingly opting for, says Luis Carmona, founder and principal designer of VERDE Interior Design based in Dallas, Texas.

“An aesthetically pleasing and functional bathroom has always been a must, but having the space double as an in-home spa has definitely shifted what one considers functional design,” Carmona says.

04 of 07

Spaces to Relax

Gone are the days when bathrooms were designed with just enough space to fit the necessities. Today, homeowners are looking for large bathrooms with ample room to sit and get ready for the day or unwind at the end of a long night.

“As bathrooms continue to be a space for mindfulness, many are looking for more opportunities to slow down and relax in their bathroom spaces,” says Sarah Barnard, principal designer and owner of Sarah Barnard Design in Santa Monica, California.

Large bathrooms also provide the opportunity to integrate luxurious, spa-like features that homeowners crave.

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05 of 07

Thoughtful Design Choices

Bathrooms aren’t just utilitarian spaces in the home anymore, and designers expect this will be reflected more than ever in 2024. Homeowners are treating the bathroom as an artistic and creative space just as worthy of thoughtful design choices as more prominent rooms of the home like the living room or kitchen.

Hand-crafted tiles, artisan wallpaper, and custom cabinetry are just a few examples that Barnard gives of the type of thought and customization she is increasingly seeing her clients put into their bathroom spaces.

“I predict that adding gallery motifs to bathroom walls is going to be a big trend in 2024," says Kathy Kuo, CEO and founder of Kathy Kuo Home. "Bathrooms are being prioritized as a space just as worthy of thoughtful design choices as any other room in the home, and that certainty extends to wall art."

06 of 07

Decorative Lighting

In the same vein, Barnard says we can expect to see more decorative lighting used in bathrooms in the New Year.

“Because bathroom spaces often offer fewer opportunities for non-functional decor, lighting is an excellent way to utilize functional elements as decorative objects,” she says.

Decorative lighting not only adds an aesthetic touch, but it can lend to a more soothing, spa-like atmosphere as well—something we already know is set to be big in the next year. Keep an eye out for show-stopping sculptural fixtures and plenty of ambient lighting in bathrooms in 2024, Barnard says.

07 of 07

The Return of the Medicine Cabinet

One unexpected trend for 2024 is the increasing popularity of medicine cabinets, Carmona says. Popular in older homes, medicine cabinets are small wall-mounted cupboards that usually double as vanity mirrors thanks to their mirrored doors.

If the term “medicine cabinet” has you thinking of the outdated and decidedly unstylish wooden box in your grandmother’s bathroom, think again, Carmona says.

Today, you can find medicine cabinets in all shapes and sizes, with stylish features and high-quality finishes. Recessed medicine cabinets are particularly popular, giving the appearance of a regular mirror and offering more space than the medicine cabinets of decades gone by.

“With more and more clients requiring additional storage to leave their countertops clutter-free, the option of using medicine cabinets has most definitely seen a rise,” Carmona says.