Winnowing down the options for possible bathroom features can make the task of remodeling a bit more manageable. One place to start is with bathroom elements already popular among other remodeling homeowners. And the 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study offers a clear snapshot of what’s popular now. Here are eight areas that can help you strategize your selections.
1. Vanities
A vanity can make or break a bathroom. In many cases, it provides the most, if not the only, storage in the room. Plus, because a vanity is typically a large element relative to other features in a bathroom, it greatly affects the look of the space.
The study reveals many homeowner preferences when it comes to vanities. A majority of homeowners (61%) will choose a custom or semicustom vanity, and most will select soft-close drawers (82%) and soft-close doors (73%). Nearly a third of homeowners will integrate built-in electrical outlets (30%) and more than a quarter choose built-in drawer organizers (27%).
Meanwhile, while many homeowners (40%) will go with a relatively compact-width vanity (48 inches or less), more than half of homeowners (52%) will opt for a vanity that’s at least 60 inches wide.
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Lauren DeBello Interiors
Lauren DeBello Interiors added a wide built-in vanity to this Nashville, Tennessee, bathroom. A wood base (30%) and white countertop (59%) are two other vanity features popular with homeowners.
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Speaking of popular vanity features, Shaker-style cabinet fronts are chosen by half of homeowners (51%), followed by flat-panel (27%).
A large share of homeowners (61%) add bar pulls. And brushed nickel (32%) is the top finish when it comes to hardware.
Robert Thomas Homes
This Minneapolis bathroom in a home built by Robert Thomas Homes features many elements homeowners are wanting now. That includes a white vanity (32%) that’s built in (60%) and has Shaker-style fronts (51%) and a white countertop (59%) made from engineered quartz (40%). White walls in the shower (49%) and outside the shower (37%) are also popular selections.
5 Big-Picture Bathroom Remodeling Trends Happening Now
2. Sinks
When it comes to upgraded sinks, undermounts dominate (70%) and have been growing in popularity for the past four years.
Meanwhile, a majority of homeowners (64%) will go with double sinks in their bathrooms, a drop from 2020 but a slight increase compared with last year.
Jim Scott and Sons Builders
In this Dallas bathroom from Jim Scott and Sons Builders, an undermount sink beautifully allows the multicolored countertop to stand out with minimal interruption — and also makes it easier to wipe clean.
3. Showers
A majority of homeowners (84%) update their shower during a bathroom remodel. And one way they’re doing it is with tile — lots of it. The vast majority of homeowners choose tile for the shower flooring (87%) and shower walls (91%). The most common material is ceramic or porcelain (60% for flooring, 82% for walls).
Marble is also popular, with 15% of homeowners choosing the stone for flooring and 12% for walls.
White Crane Construction
This Minneapolis bathroom by White Crane Construction features a low-curb shower with white ceramic subway tile walls and black hexagonal ceramic tile flooring.
The space also shows a couple of trends popular outside of the shower, including ceramic tile flooring (60%) and painted walls (79%).
4. Bathtubs
While a quarter (24%) of homeowners choose to remove their bathtub, more homeowners (37%) upgrade their tub during a remodel.
Freestanding flat-bottom styles are by far the most popular (58%), and increasingly so. One in 4 homeowners chooses an alcove tub. Acrylic (54%) is the most common bathtub material.
Phillips Design Group
A freestanding flat-bottom bathtub creates an inviting spot to relax in this rustic Tiger, Georgia, bathroom.
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5. Relaxing Feel
While most homeowners (59%) use their bathroom chiefly for its utilitarian function, some (41%) turn to their bathrooms for rest and relaxation.
There are many elements homeowners say contribute to a relaxing environment. Cleanliness (78%) tops the list, a 10-point increase this year compared with last. Other restful features include a lack of clutter (65%), soaking in the bath (58%), long showers (58%) and natural light (49%), the latter of which increased 7 points year over year.
Live plants or greenery (23%) are also on the rise, as we’ll see below.
Eleven Interiors
A clean look, a lack of clutter, an open shower and a deep soaking tub create a restful atmosphere in this Boston bathroom by Eleven Interiors.
Dray Design Group
In this Miami bathroom by Dray Design Group, an expansive aromatherapy steam shower and extra-long bathtub take relaxation to another level.
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6. Live Plants Homeowners are increasingly adding live plants, or greenery, during their bathroom remodels (35%), a year-over-year increase of 3 points.
Homeowners add plants for various reasons, but many do so because it’s aesthetically pleasing (88%), creates a calming environment (64%) and helps with air quality (34%).
Bailey's Cabinets
In this bathroom, several potted plants add pops of green and create a peaceful vibe around the tub area.
7. Lighting
Lighting greatly contributes to the style and function of a bathroom, and most homeowners (84%) will upgrade their light fixtures during a remodel. Half will update recessed lights (51%). Other popular lighting fixtures include ceiling lights (39%), sconces (36%), shower lights (34%) and wall lights (33%).
The most popular material for light fixtures is a metal-and-glass combination (66%).
r. brad knipstein photography
Two sconces enhance the elegant vanity area in this Menlo Park, California, bathroom by designer Amanda Teal and SDG Architecture.
8. Premium and High-Tech Features
Many homeowners choose premium bathroom features for key elements such as toilets (43%), showers (75%) and bathtubs (81%).
These include one-piece toilets (30%), rainfall shower heads (52%) and soaking tubs (71%).
Meanwhile, some homeowners are also selecting high-tech features such as toilet seats with a bidet function (24%) and faucets that are water-efficient (30%) and offer touch or touch-free activation (4%).
Jodie Rosen Design
This Toronto bathroom by Jodie Rosen Design features a one-piece toilet with a bidet function and a faucet with touch activation.
See more and download the full study here
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