Bathroom Design
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These Are the Bathroom Styles and Features Homeowners Want Now
See popular design ideas for colors, materials, vanity types and more, from the 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study
Homeowners face many choices when remodeling an en suite bathroom. Working with knowledgeable pros can help cut down on a lot of the guesswork and tease out style preferences. And knowing which bathroom features and products are popular with other homeowners can further help with decision making.
You’ll find the latest in-demand bathroom colors, styles, materials and more, based on data from the recently released 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study. Here’s a look at what homeowners want now.
You’ll find the latest in-demand bathroom colors, styles, materials and more, based on data from the recently released 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study. Here’s a look at what homeowners want now.
Designer Angela Grace gave this Jackson, Wyoming, bathroom appealing transitional style. The room features traditional details used in a contemporary way, such as classic marble tile flooring in an updated round mosaic shape, and subway tile paired with matte black wall-mounted faucets.
Find a pro to help with your bathroom remodeling project
Find a pro to help with your bathroom remodeling project
2. Many Features Get a Makeover
Again, homeowners typically make many product and material selections when remodeling a bathroom. The most frequently updated features are faucets (87%) and showers (84%), followed closely by wall finishes (83%) and flooring (83%). While three-quarters of homeowners (75%) upgrade sinks, the percentage is down 4 points year over year. Bathtub makeovers dropped 2 percentage points year over year and are now at 33%.
Again, homeowners typically make many product and material selections when remodeling a bathroom. The most frequently updated features are faucets (87%) and showers (84%), followed closely by wall finishes (83%) and flooring (83%). While three-quarters of homeowners (75%) upgrade sinks, the percentage is down 4 points year over year. Bathtub makeovers dropped 2 percentage points year over year and are now at 33%.
This Boston bathroom by Studio Em Design features many stylish updates, including a double floating vanity, widespread faucets, creamy white shower tile and bright white walls.
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
3. Low-Curb Showers Remain Popular, but Curbless Ones Are on the Rise
There are several design options for showers. Low-curb showers remain the most popular (43%) and saw a slight uptick year over year. Alcove showers are close behind (42%) and have increased 2 percentage points year over year.
But the popularity of curbless showers is rising. The share of renovating homeowners who opted for one increased 3 percentage points year over year and now stands at 24%.
When it comes to the shower entry, the most popular option is a hinged door (45%), followed by a doorless shower (17%), a sliding door (15%) and a fixed door (10%). Meanwhile, among homeowners with a shower door, most (78%) select a frameless shower door, while more than 1 in 5 (22%) prefers a semiframed or fully framed version.
There are several design options for showers. Low-curb showers remain the most popular (43%) and saw a slight uptick year over year. Alcove showers are close behind (42%) and have increased 2 percentage points year over year.
But the popularity of curbless showers is rising. The share of renovating homeowners who opted for one increased 3 percentage points year over year and now stands at 24%.
When it comes to the shower entry, the most popular option is a hinged door (45%), followed by a doorless shower (17%), a sliding door (15%) and a fixed door (10%). Meanwhile, among homeowners with a shower door, most (78%) select a frameless shower door, while more than 1 in 5 (22%) prefers a semiframed or fully framed version.
James Phillip Golden Architect included a curbless shower and a frameless glass hinged door in this Massachusetts bathroom, contributing to the light and airy look.
6 Bathroom Remodeling Trends Everyone Should Know About
6 Bathroom Remodeling Trends Everyone Should Know About
4. Ceramic or Porcelain Finds Strong Favor Inside Showers
Ceramic or porcelain remains the top material choice for shower flooring (61%) and shower walls (82%), with the latter percentage increasing by 13 points since 2021. Various types of natural stone follow fairly far behind. While marble remains the No. 2 choice, only 15% choose it for shower flooring and 11% for shower walls. An even smaller share of homeowners opt for quartzite, granite, slate, travertine, limestone or onyx.
For walls outside of the shower, paint is the top choice (79%), followed by ceramic or porcelain tiles (24%), wallpaper (7%) and wood (6%).
Ceramic or porcelain tile also is the overwhelming favorite nonshower flooring material (60%). Some renovating homeowners also choose marble (11%), slate (4%), quartzite (3%), travertine (3%), granite (3%), laminate (3%) or wood (2%) for nonshower flooring. A third (33%) opt for nonslip flooring outside of the shower; that figure is up 6 percentage points year over year.
Ceramic or porcelain remains the top material choice for shower flooring (61%) and shower walls (82%), with the latter percentage increasing by 13 points since 2021. Various types of natural stone follow fairly far behind. While marble remains the No. 2 choice, only 15% choose it for shower flooring and 11% for shower walls. An even smaller share of homeowners opt for quartzite, granite, slate, travertine, limestone or onyx.
For walls outside of the shower, paint is the top choice (79%), followed by ceramic or porcelain tiles (24%), wallpaper (7%) and wood (6%).
Ceramic or porcelain tile also is the overwhelming favorite nonshower flooring material (60%). Some renovating homeowners also choose marble (11%), slate (4%), quartzite (3%), travertine (3%), granite (3%), laminate (3%) or wood (2%) for nonshower flooring. A third (33%) opt for nonslip flooring outside of the shower; that figure is up 6 percentage points year over year.
For this Seattle bathroom, designer Jessica Nelson used elegant tiles for the shower walls and both shower and nonshower flooring.
10 Bathroom Vanity Features Pros Always Recommend
10 Bathroom Vanity Features Pros Always Recommend
5. Bathtub Removal Leads to Bigger Showers
More than a quarter of homeowners (26%) remove the bathtub during a bathroom renovation. With the extra space, the majority (77%) enlarge their shower space, and 1 in 5 renovating homeowners reports that the new shower is more than 50% bigger than the previous one. After removing the bathtub, some homeowners also enlarge cabinetry (10%) or bring in a larger vanity or sink (7%). A quarter of homeowners (24%) report having no bathtub prior to their renovation.
Meanwhile, 2 in 5 homeowners upgrade their bathtub (39%). After a steady increase in popularity over the previous four years, freestanding flat-bottom bathtubs have dropped 4 percentage points. Still, more than half of renovating homeowners (55%) select this style. Alcove remains the second most popular style of tub (24%).
More than a quarter of homeowners (26%) remove the bathtub during a bathroom renovation. With the extra space, the majority (77%) enlarge their shower space, and 1 in 5 renovating homeowners reports that the new shower is more than 50% bigger than the previous one. After removing the bathtub, some homeowners also enlarge cabinetry (10%) or bring in a larger vanity or sink (7%). A quarter of homeowners (24%) report having no bathtub prior to their renovation.
Meanwhile, 2 in 5 homeowners upgrade their bathtub (39%). After a steady increase in popularity over the previous four years, freestanding flat-bottom bathtubs have dropped 4 percentage points. Still, more than half of renovating homeowners (55%) select this style. Alcove remains the second most popular style of tub (24%).
This Minneapolis bathroom by Sustainable Nine Design + Build features a spacious curbless shower with slab walls that coordinate with the countertop on the floating wood vanity.
6. Custom Vanities Remain Favorite
The majority of renovating homeowners (62%) continue to prefer a custom or semicustom vanity. The features they choose most frequently are soft-close drawers (81%), soft-close doors (75%), built-in electrical outlets (33%) and built-in drawer organizers (26%). Given that 41% of bathrooms are 100 square feet or smaller, it’s not surprising that a large share of upgraded vanities (41%) are 48 inches wide or narrower. Still, 18% of homeowners opt for vanities that are wider than 72 inches.
Built-in is the most popular mounting style for vanities (61%), followed by freestanding (26%) and floating (12%) styles. Engineered quartz is the most popular vanity countertop material (39%), followed by quartzite (25%), marble (15%) and granite (15%).
The majority of renovating homeowners (62%) continue to prefer a custom or semicustom vanity. The features they choose most frequently are soft-close drawers (81%), soft-close doors (75%), built-in electrical outlets (33%) and built-in drawer organizers (26%). Given that 41% of bathrooms are 100 square feet or smaller, it’s not surprising that a large share of upgraded vanities (41%) are 48 inches wide or narrower. Still, 18% of homeowners opt for vanities that are wider than 72 inches.
Built-in is the most popular mounting style for vanities (61%), followed by freestanding (26%) and floating (12%) styles. Engineered quartz is the most popular vanity countertop material (39%), followed by quartzite (25%), marble (15%) and granite (15%).
Architect Lauren Rubin included a custom walnut floating vanity with a marble countertop in this New York bathroom. The vanity also features double sinks, which nearly 2 in 3 renovating homeowners (65%) choose. The undermount sink style shown here is the overwhelming top choice among homeowners (70%).
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity: Your Step-by-Step Guide
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity: Your Step-by-Step Guide
7. New Mirrors Are Particularly Popular
Nearly three-fourths of homeowners (72%) install mirrors as part of their bathroom renovation. The majority of those install two mirrors (51%), followed closely by one mirror (41%). Some choose mirrors featuring LED lighting (20%), an anti-fog system (20%) or both.
Nearly three-fourths of homeowners (72%) install mirrors as part of their bathroom renovation. The majority of those install two mirrors (51%), followed closely by one mirror (41%). Some choose mirrors featuring LED lighting (20%), an anti-fog system (20%) or both.
This elegant Seattle bathroom by Judith Wright Design features a fashionable arched gold-frame mirror that coordinates with other gold finishes in the space. Mirrors also were installed on the tower cabinet fronts, a clever way of introducing additional mirrored surfaces.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
8. Recessed Still Most Favored Lighting Type
When it comes to bathroom lighting, half of renovating homeowners (50%) opt for recessed lights. Ceiling lights (36%), sconces (34%), shower lights (33%) and wall lights (32%) are also popular. For light fixture material, the combination of metal and glass is still the top choice (67%), while about 1 in 5 homeowners (21%) selects an all-metal version.
When it comes to bathroom lighting, half of renovating homeowners (50%) opt for recessed lights. Ceiling lights (36%), sconces (34%), shower lights (33%) and wall lights (32%) are also popular. For light fixture material, the combination of metal and glass is still the top choice (67%), while about 1 in 5 homeowners (21%) selects an all-metal version.
This Atlanta bathroom by Saddle Road Interiors features recessed lighting, including over the shower, as well as discreet wall sconces flanking a large mirror.
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Find a pro
9. Demand for Premium Features Slows
Although the share of renovating homeowners choosing bathroom elements with premium features is lower year over year, the percentages for individual elements are still notable: bathtubs, 77%; showers, 67%; and toilets, 36%. And rainfall shower heads (54%) and dual showers (20%) have risen in popularity.
Faucets are still the most likely bathroom element to have high-tech features (43%). Demand for high-tech faucet features is down 7 percentage points year over year, however. Top features include water efficiency (30%) and touch or sensor activation (2%).
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
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Although the share of renovating homeowners choosing bathroom elements with premium features is lower year over year, the percentages for individual elements are still notable: bathtubs, 77%; showers, 67%; and toilets, 36%. And rainfall shower heads (54%) and dual showers (20%) have risen in popularity.
Faucets are still the most likely bathroom element to have high-tech features (43%). Demand for high-tech faucet features is down 7 percentage points year over year, however. Top features include water efficiency (30%) and touch or sensor activation (2%).
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
Read stories about bathroom design
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Find a pro
Shop for bathroom products
The look of a bathroom can be as important as its function. Nearly 9 in 10 homeowners (86%) change the style of their bathroom during a remodel, and the most popular style preference for the second year in a row is transitional (23%). Contemporary style (16%) slightly edged out modern (15%) this year, followed by traditional (11%) and farmhouse (5%).