Bathroom Design
5 Big-Picture Bathroom Remodeling Trends Happening Now
See the latest styles, vanity looks, spending habits and more from the 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study
Bathroom design is always evolving. But understanding the latest trends in bathroom remodeling can help you make informed decisions about how to focus your remodeling attention and where to spend your money. For a starting point, consider these five big-picture bathroom remodeling trends from the just-released 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
2. Vanities Are a Big Focus
Vanities are another important element homeowners direct their attention and money to. More than three-quarters of homeowners (76%) upgrade their vanity cabinets during a primary bathroom remodel.
While white remains the top cabinet color choice, wood is gaining popularity. Three in 10 homeowners (30%) choose a wood vanity, a 3-point increase from last year. Other top color choices include gray (14%), blue (7%), black (5%) and green (2%).
And customized is the preferred way to go when it comes to vanities. The majority of homeowners (61%) choose a custom or semicustom vanity. Top features for upgraded vanities include soft-close drawers (82%), soft-close doors (73%), built-in electrical outlets (30%) and built-in drawer organizers (27%).
Meanwhile, a majority of homeowners (59%) select a white countertop for their vanity, followed by multicolored (10%), gray (10%) and beige (9%).
As for other bathroom elements, white is increasingly dominating among finishes. It is now the most popular color for shower walls (49%) and nonshower walls (37%); each of those percentages increased by 3 points year over year.
Shop for a bathroom vanity
Vanities are another important element homeowners direct their attention and money to. More than three-quarters of homeowners (76%) upgrade their vanity cabinets during a primary bathroom remodel.
While white remains the top cabinet color choice, wood is gaining popularity. Three in 10 homeowners (30%) choose a wood vanity, a 3-point increase from last year. Other top color choices include gray (14%), blue (7%), black (5%) and green (2%).
And customized is the preferred way to go when it comes to vanities. The majority of homeowners (61%) choose a custom or semicustom vanity. Top features for upgraded vanities include soft-close drawers (82%), soft-close doors (73%), built-in electrical outlets (30%) and built-in drawer organizers (27%).
Meanwhile, a majority of homeowners (59%) select a white countertop for their vanity, followed by multicolored (10%), gray (10%) and beige (9%).
As for other bathroom elements, white is increasingly dominating among finishes. It is now the most popular color for shower walls (49%) and nonshower walls (37%); each of those percentages increased by 3 points year over year.
Shop for a bathroom vanity
This New York townhouse bathroom features a beautiful example of a popular vanity setup — a light wood vanity cabinet with a white countertop. The beige tile walls also are on trend — 11% of homeowners choose beige for the walls outside of a shower, according to the study.
This Philadelphia kids’ bathroom by Rasmussen / Su Architects has a hardworking wood vanity with a center storage tower, wide drawers and a white countertop.
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
3. Transitional Style Leaps Forward
A significant majority of homeowners (87%) change the style of their bathroom during a remodel. Transitional style has overtaken modern as the most preferred style, seeing a 6-point year-over-year jump, to 25%.
Modern dropped by 4 points year over year, to 16%, while contemporary style fell by 2 points, to 16%. Traditional ticked up by 1 point, to 11%.
A significant majority of homeowners (87%) change the style of their bathroom during a remodel. Transitional style has overtaken modern as the most preferred style, seeing a 6-point year-over-year jump, to 25%.
Modern dropped by 4 points year over year, to 16%, while contemporary style fell by 2 points, to 16%. Traditional ticked up by 1 point, to 11%.
This San Francisco bathroom by Regan Baker Design shows a sophisticated take on transitional style.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
4. Median Spend Jumps 13% Year Over Year
In 2021, the national median spend for primary bathroom projects increased by nearly 13%, to $9,000. Higher-budget projects (the top 10% of project spend) saw a 17% jump, to $35,000 or more.
Homeowners who tackled a major bathroom remodel, which included a shower upgrade, spent three times more ($15,000) on their project than those taking on a minor renovation ($5,000).
Of course, size greatly affects cost. The median spend for major remodels of large bathrooms (100 square feet or more) is $20,000, which is twice what homeowners spend for bathrooms smaller than 100 square feet ($10,000).
“Bathrooms have always been a top room to renovate, and we’re seeing that homeowners, driven both by aesthetic desires and functional necessities, are doubling down on their investment in these private sanctuaries,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “While the cost of products and materials has increased due to inflation and supply chain disruptions, renovation activity remains strong, propped up by high home equity and homeowners’ desire to stay put, given limited housing supply.”
Keep in mind that the median means that half of the people spent more and half spent less; it’s not the average. Economists like to reference the median, or midpoint, figure rather than the average because the average can be skewed, can be volatile year over year and can be misleadingly high or low because of a single project that costs far more or less than others.
The median spend figures for bathroom remodels are from the 2022 Houzz & Home Study.
In 2021, the national median spend for primary bathroom projects increased by nearly 13%, to $9,000. Higher-budget projects (the top 10% of project spend) saw a 17% jump, to $35,000 or more.
Homeowners who tackled a major bathroom remodel, which included a shower upgrade, spent three times more ($15,000) on their project than those taking on a minor renovation ($5,000).
Of course, size greatly affects cost. The median spend for major remodels of large bathrooms (100 square feet or more) is $20,000, which is twice what homeowners spend for bathrooms smaller than 100 square feet ($10,000).
“Bathrooms have always been a top room to renovate, and we’re seeing that homeowners, driven both by aesthetic desires and functional necessities, are doubling down on their investment in these private sanctuaries,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “While the cost of products and materials has increased due to inflation and supply chain disruptions, renovation activity remains strong, propped up by high home equity and homeowners’ desire to stay put, given limited housing supply.”
Keep in mind that the median means that half of the people spent more and half spent less; it’s not the average. Economists like to reference the median, or midpoint, figure rather than the average because the average can be skewed, can be volatile year over year and can be misleadingly high or low because of a single project that costs far more or less than others.
The median spend figures for bathroom remodels are from the 2022 Houzz & Home Study.
To get their desired space, the vast majority of homeowners hire professionals (85%). Top pros hired include general contractors (48%), bathroom remodelers (23%), bathroom designers (13%), interior designers or decorators (12%) and architects (9%).
40 Home Design Trends That Will Shape 2022
40 Home Design Trends That Will Shape 2022
5. Shower Updates Are on the Rise
Homeowners update many elements of their bathrooms, but shower upgrades in particular are gaining in popularity. Some 84% of homeowners make updates in this area, a 2-point rise in 2022 compared with the previous year.
Homeowners are replacing more minor features as well, including faucets (87%), wall finishes (84%), lighting fixtures (83%), sinks (79%) and electronics (8%).
Homeowners update many elements of their bathrooms, but shower upgrades in particular are gaining in popularity. Some 84% of homeowners make updates in this area, a 2-point rise in 2022 compared with the previous year.
Homeowners are replacing more minor features as well, including faucets (87%), wall finishes (84%), lighting fixtures (83%), sinks (79%) and electronics (8%).
A curbless entry, a frameless glass door and light tile give this shower in an Austin, Texas, bathroom by Moazami Homes a spacious feel.
Nearly a quarter of homeowners (24%) remove a bathtub during a remodel. Of those, the majority (78%) enlarge the shower while doing so, but that percentage declined by 7 points compared with last year. Meanwhile, 23% of homeowners removing a tub also relocate the shower, a year-over-year rise of 6 points.
The 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 2,570 Houzz users who reported being 18 years old or older, being homeowners, and having completed a primary en suite bathroom or full guest/family en suite bathroom remodel or addition project in the past 12 months, or currently working on one or planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded between July 8 and July 26, 2022.
See more and download the full study here
More on Houzz
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Read stories about bathroom design
Shop for bathroom products
The 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 2,570 Houzz users who reported being 18 years old or older, being homeowners, and having completed a primary en suite bathroom or full guest/family en suite bathroom remodel or addition project in the past 12 months, or currently working on one or planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded between July 8 and July 26, 2022.
See more and download the full study here
More on Houzz
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Read stories about bathroom design
Shop for bathroom products
Home system upgrades account for the most frequent major changes during a bathroom remodel. More than 3 in 5 (62%) of homeowners make updates to systems, a 3-point increase in 2022 compared with 2021. Home system enhancements include adding a ventilation fan (59%), installing radiant floor heating (14%) and adding a tankless water heater (9%) or water softener (6%).
In addition to system upgrades, homeowners are making other major changes to their bathrooms as well. These include increasing the shower size (51%), changing the layout (45%, up by 3 points year over year) and modifying walls (41%).
Find a pro to help with your bathroom remodeling project