The National Kitchen and Bath Association produces a trends report every year for kitchen and bath design; the 2025 bath trends include (click here for additional details):
- Wellness Focus
- Spa-like Features
- Optimizing Lighting
- Natural Colors
- Easy Upkeep
- Personalizing Design with Technology
- Increasing the Footprint
If you look on-line, you will likely see some of these trends as you explore bath design.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that you need to explore what YOUR specific needs and priorities are in any design work that you are planning.
How do you figure out what will work best for you? Ask yourself questions – and this will help you to work with any design professionals.
I encouraged readers of my last bathroom design blog post to use self-reflection in figuring out what was best for their overall lifestyle and space. I suggested answering 4 questions.
The answers will help you chart your bathroom use and goals and to frame your new or updated bathroom design.
Let’s add 4 more questions today!
- What is your current storage and how do you want to change it? For example, do you want to have towel storage, as well as toiletries and cleaning supplies in the bathroom? How do you hang towels and what do you want on your counters and what do you want to be kept out of sight? Does a medicine cabinet make sense for more storage, or is a mirror more your style?
Photo By Corey Fitzgerald Photography
KDZ Designs Photo
KDZ Designs Photo
2. What kind of lighting do you have now, and is it enough? Try putting on make-up or shaving, thinking about the lighting to see if it provides enough illumination. Typically, even in smaller baths, ceiling lighting over the tub/shower, a ceiling fixture in the center of the room, and sconces framing the vanity mirror are ideal. Additional lighting may be needed….
Corey Fitzgerald Photography- KDZ Designs
3. What are the colors (cabinets, walls, flooring, etc.) in your bath and what is its overall style? Do the colors and style work with the rest of your home and if not, what changes do you want to make? What about the color and style of fixtures (toilets, sinks, faucets, vanity and door hardware, etc.)? Mixing an older style with new technology can be tricky!!
KDZ Designs Photo
KDZ Designs Photo
KDZ Designs Photo
4. Just as in kitchens, new technology has influenced bathroom design, creating lower water flow needs, finishes that stand up better to daily use, and more; look at plumbing and bath fixture websites to become familiar with new options, including lighting, fixtures, smart toilets and their controls. How much “new” technology do you want in your bathroom??
Kohler.com
Kohler.com
Are you thinking differently about your bathroom and the changes you want to make??
And, if you are looking for the most budget friendly options and are planning on updating a few things about your bath, you might choose to:
- Change the wall and cabinet colors
- Add new cabinet hardware
- Update decorative light fixtures
- Replace the mirror over the vanity. Removing and replacing tile is more involved and more costly, but if you maintain the room’s footprint, you will save money.
