Bathroom Design
6 Bathroom Remodeling Trends Everyone Should Know About
Learn about big-picture design and renovation activity happening now, from the 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study
Knowing the latest bathroom remodeling trends can help you plan for a successful project. You can make better decisions about which features to include, where to spend your remodeling dollars and which pros to hire for the best results.
The just-released 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study provides these insights, based on survey responses from nearly 2,000 homeowners who are in the midst of an en suite bathroom renovation, are planning one or have recently completed one. We asked about their style preferences, spending behaviors and other remodeling activity. Here are six big takeaways from the study.
The just-released 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study provides these insights, based on survey responses from nearly 2,000 homeowners who are in the midst of an en suite bathroom renovation, are planning one or have recently completed one. We asked about their style preferences, spending behaviors and other remodeling activity. Here are six big takeaways from the study.
This spacious Nashville, Tennessee, bathroom by HammerCraft features a roomy wet-room setup with a curbless entry, dual shower heads and a built-in tub with a substantial deck that offers a place to sit.
Find a pro to help with your bathroom remodeling project
Find a pro to help with your bathroom remodeling project
2. Many Homeowners Are Planning for Aging
Homeowners are increasingly planning for special needs in their bathrooms, with a focus on aging household members. Two-thirds of homeowners (66%) address special needs during their bathroom remodels, up from 54% in the previous year.
The needs of aging household members remain the top priority, both currently (38%) and for the future (50%). Nearly half of renovating homeowners (44%) are preparing for special needs to arise within the next five years.
Homeowners are increasingly planning for special needs in their bathrooms, with a focus on aging household members. Two-thirds of homeowners (66%) address special needs during their bathroom remodels, up from 54% in the previous year.
The needs of aging household members remain the top priority, both currently (38%) and for the future (50%). Nearly half of renovating homeowners (44%) are preparing for special needs to arise within the next five years.
This Portland, Oregon, bathroom by Neil Kelly features various accessible design elements for aging household members, including plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair or walker and an easy-to-enter low-curb shower.
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
To address the needs of aging household members, remodeling homeowners add grab bars (58%), nonslip flooring (58%) and curbless showers (43%).
Some also make accommodations for wheelchairs, such as widening doorways (21%), choosing a lower vanity height (3%) and lowering fixtures (2%).
Some also make accommodations for wheelchairs, such as widening doorways (21%), choosing a lower vanity height (3%) and lowering fixtures (2%).
In the same Portland bathroom, the shower has multiple grab bars as well as a bench for sitting. The flooring is small square tiles with numerous grout lines, which together create a nonslip surface.
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
3. Wood Is the New White for Vanities
For years, white vanities were the preferred choice among homeowners. During the same time, wood vanities were steadily increasing in popularity. But now? Wood is the top choice for bathroom vanities. A third of homeowners (33%) select a wood vanity, followed by white (29%) and gray (13%).
Meanwhile, homeowners still prefer white for countertops (63%), shower walls (43%, down by 6 percentage points year over year) and nonshower walls (37%).
For years, white vanities were the preferred choice among homeowners. During the same time, wood vanities were steadily increasing in popularity. But now? Wood is the top choice for bathroom vanities. A third of homeowners (33%) select a wood vanity, followed by white (29%) and gray (13%).
Meanwhile, homeowners still prefer white for countertops (63%), shower walls (43%, down by 6 percentage points year over year) and nonshower walls (37%).
This stylish Detroit bathroom by PRM Custom Builders features white walls and a skinny Shaker-style wood vanity with a white countertop. The left mirror reflection shows white tile for the shower walls.
Shop from a curated collection of popular bathroom vanities
Shop from a curated collection of popular bathroom vanities
4. Sustainability Abounds
An overwhelming majority of homeowners (87%) chooses sustainable options for their remodeled bathrooms. The most popular selections are LED light bulbs (62%), water-efficient fixtures (46%), a timeless design (44%), energy-efficient features (34%) and light dimmers (34%).
The top reasons for choosing sustainable elements are cost-effectiveness in the long run (69%) and environmental friendliness (54%). About 1 in 7 homeowners (14%) cites health reasons as the top motivating factor for going with sustainable options.
An overwhelming majority of homeowners (87%) chooses sustainable options for their remodeled bathrooms. The most popular selections are LED light bulbs (62%), water-efficient fixtures (46%), a timeless design (44%), energy-efficient features (34%) and light dimmers (34%).
The top reasons for choosing sustainable elements are cost-effectiveness in the long run (69%) and environmental friendliness (54%). About 1 in 7 homeowners (14%) cites health reasons as the top motivating factor for going with sustainable options.
This Minneapolis bathroom was built by Sustainable Nine Design + Build, which specializes in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient spaces that are mostly free of toxins.
10 Sustainable Features Pros Recommend for Any Home
10 Sustainable Features Pros Recommend for Any Home
5. Remodels Are Commanding More Bucks
The median spend on all bathroom remodels has grown by 50%, from $9,000 in 2021 to $13,500 in 2022. The rise is due to an increase in the median spend for both major remodels, for which at least the shower is upgraded, and minor remodels, those without a shower upgrade. The median spend for major remodels rose by 33% year over year, to $20,000, while the spend for minor remodels increased by 60% year over year, to $8,000.
“This is the fourth consecutive year in which median spend has increased for primary bathrooms, likely driven in part by supply chain disruptions and inflation,” Sargsyan says. “Nevertheless, bathrooms are a consistent focus for homeowners who want to update the room’s style and functionality. They continue to invest in improvements out of necessity and future needs.”
The median spend on all bathroom remodels has grown by 50%, from $9,000 in 2021 to $13,500 in 2022. The rise is due to an increase in the median spend for both major remodels, for which at least the shower is upgraded, and minor remodels, those without a shower upgrade. The median spend for major remodels rose by 33% year over year, to $20,000, while the spend for minor remodels increased by 60% year over year, to $8,000.
“This is the fourth consecutive year in which median spend has increased for primary bathrooms, likely driven in part by supply chain disruptions and inflation,” Sargsyan says. “Nevertheless, bathrooms are a consistent focus for homeowners who want to update the room’s style and functionality. They continue to invest in improvements out of necessity and future needs.”
This stunning Houston bathroom by Olivia Hail Designs features many luxury finishes and materials.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
6. General Contractors Are in High Demand
Nearly 9 in 10 homeowners (86%) rely on professionals, particularly general contractors (53%), to help with their bath remodels. The hiring of GCs increased by 5 percentage points year over year. Because so many homeowners are working with general contractors, the direct hiring of specialty service providers has decreased from 17% to 15% year over year.
Homeowners also are hiring cabinetmakers (23%), interior designers (14%), bathroom designers (14%) and architects (10%) more frequently this year compared with 2022.
Nearly 9 in 10 homeowners (86%) rely on professionals, particularly general contractors (53%), to help with their bath remodels. The hiring of GCs increased by 5 percentage points year over year. Because so many homeowners are working with general contractors, the direct hiring of specialty service providers has decreased from 17% to 15% year over year.
Homeowners also are hiring cabinetmakers (23%), interior designers (14%), bathroom designers (14%) and architects (10%) more frequently this year compared with 2022.
This Los Angeles bathroom by general contractor and home builder Patterson Custom Homes features a trendy wood vanity and an oversize glossy blue brick backsplash.
The 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 1,921 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 19 and July 27, 2023.
See more and download the full study here
More on Houzz
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Read stories about bathroom design
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The 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 1,921 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 19 and July 27, 2023.
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
Sometimes bigger is better. While the majority of remodeling homeowners (77%) keep the size of their bathroom the same, more than 1 in 5 (22%) enlarge their primary bathroom during a remodel. Where are they getting the extra square footage from? The most common areas to absorb into a bathroom are closets (44%), bedrooms (24%) and hallways (7%).
Meanwhile, 1 in 6 homeowners (17%) builds an addition to increase the size of a bathroom. And following a renovation, nearly 3 in 5 bathrooms (59%) measure 100 square feet or more. “We’ve seen homeowners work with home professionals to find new ways to maximize their existing space and better meet their needs since the beginning of the pandemic,” says Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “Now they’re finding ways to reconfigure rooms to expand bathrooms and showers.”
Indeed, more than 3 in 5 homeowners (61%) also increase the size of their shower.