2021 Hottest Bathroom Trends That Are Anything But Basic

The pace of life is only picking up. Work, studies, children, cooking - it can all easily seem like a whirlwind of operations and it’s not always easy to come up for a breath. But as survivors of 2020, we’ve learned that we can’t control everything. We’ve also become much more aware of what we can control. We can control and create our personal escapes, moments, and spaces to take a deep breath and be reminded of what makes you happy. For many, self-care is that treat and your home bathroom is the venue.

Bathrooms have evolved through changing lifestyles and design trends and as a result, taken on a very important mission: to serve aesthetically just as much as functionally. This year especially, homeowners will be looking to spruce, remodel, and update their homes to be somewhere they wouldn’t mind being quarantined. So here are some of the visually satisfying trends of this year for a bathroom remodel. Most of these trends are versatile enough to realize in small bathroom remodels as well as more spacious washrooms.

Warm Colors

One of the main shifts that are dictating bathroom design trends this year is how people are beginning to think of their bathrooms as their bathrooms. Many are beginning to convert spaces that were once seen from a strictly functional perspective to be a reflection of their individuality. And to express character, we need color. A warm and bold color choice is very welcome and mostly because it makes your bathroom more welcoming.

Colors for Your Next Bathroom Remodel That Are Alive

Designer Heather Brannan of Callen Construction advises: “Pumpkin red, champagne, and light yellow are trending colors and it's important to note that because reds and yellows are exceptionally vibrant colors, it’s more aesthetically pleasing to use these colors sparingly. It’s recommended to incorporate bathroom accessories that sport these vivid hues rather than use these shades to tile or paint entire walls.”

Sleek Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Respect the Visual Journey

The bathroom of today and tomorrow should reduce stress and bring joy. That’s why designers and homeowners are making the most of the visual journey our eyes take in this sacred space. You can make that journey exciting and energetic with graphics using stencils or paintings, or with playful patterns in bathroom tile choice. Just remember, you can have contrast and vibrancy without breaking the visual harmony barrier and creating noise.

Creative Bathroom Tile Patterns and Designs

To help in making the visual experience of your bathroom seamless and functional, it’s necessary to give lighting the attention it deserves. On the topic, Heather adds that, “Simple and liner lighting are popular. If a complete bathroom renovation is in order, consider using LED strip lights to highlight bathroom vanities, walls, and mirrors.” Back-lit mirrors and medicine cabinets are, therefore, rising in popularity. 

Design and Theme Ideas for Modern Bathrooms

Touches of Metal

Chrome is out. Metal is in and it is one of many booming bathroom design ideas to consider for this year. Stepping away from the sterility and commonness of silver chrome knobs and faucets, we welcome beautiful metallic embellishments to any style of bathroom. Matte-finished brass is especially attractive right now, as it brings warmth, modernity, and playfulness.

Metal Accents for an Elegant and Minimal Bathroom Designs

Brightness in the Dark

Trends are demanding some fearlessness when it comes to choosing a dark color for your bathroom. Even with a dark canvas, you can achieve minimalism, depth, and elegance. With darker colors taking the majority of your visual space, it is only too easy to create contrast and bring in the element of comfort with lighting and amenities. 

Dark Design Elements for Beautiful Contrast for You Rest Room

The same luscious effect can be achieved with the opposite contrast: by dropping a gorgeous dark-colored item into a pool of light.

How to Balance Light and Dark Elements In the Bathroom

Floating Vanities

Sinks mounted on walls are all the rage and have been for a while. Replacing bulkier vanities that take up more wall and floor space, the sleek lines of wall-mounted vanities can come in a number of styles and designs that help create a more spacious and charming bathroom. It is an especially wonderful choice for smaller bathroom owners looking for both more room and appeal. This trendy amenity turns a washbasin into one of the main design features of the room.

Wall Mounted Furniture Ideas

Not-Floating Tubs

Post pandemic life has us all in need of unwinding and relaxation more often than usual. That is why the ideal soaking tub is a high-priority bathroom feature this year. Free-standing, flat-bottomed tubs, in particular, are expected to be more in demand, as they are easier to weave into any bathroom design and space. It also takes less time to fill smaller tubs, which helps make taking a nice bath a common habit instead of such a rarity. 

Bathtub Types That Fit All Bathroom Designs

Heated Flooring

For those open to a more luxurious bathroom remodel, we can’t recommend installing heated flooring enough. In tune with the trend of incorporating smart technologies in modern bathrooms (ie. demisting mirrors, smart toilets, charging and USB ports, and more), heated flooring is going to be especially sought after this year. “Gone are the days where you must strategically dodge the cold tile in order to navigate the bathroom,” says Jeff Billstrom, another designer at Callen Construction. “It’s also completely silent and is ideally suited for allergy sufferers as it does not spread dust particles.” Heated flooring can be installed for a number of materials, including vinyl, wood, tile, and concrete.

Space-Conscious Edits

Simplicity and decluttering are essential for a calm and relaxing environment. Some of the most stylistic and popular ways to make your bathroom more spacious this year are floating vanities, large-scale tiles, open plan showers with no doors or glass barriers, and efficient cabinetry. Implement these techniques and discover the oasis you didn’t know you had.

Ways to Maximize the Space In Your Bathroom

An Organic Feel for Optimal Relaxation

By creating a rich sensory environment in your bathroom, the time you spend there will go from being a process to being an enjoyable experience. Organic solutions, forms and textures echoing nature, and bringing the outdoors in are therefore very much on the radar this year.

Biophilic Bathroom Designs and Inspiration

There are a few ways you can achieve the sense that you have your own personal spa; a place you look forward to going to of rushing out of. One way is the increasingly popular home intrusion of plants. Create a biophilic sanctuary with greenery that brings serenity to your lavatory experience. And let’s not forget, plants help us destress as well.

Which Plants to Grow In a Biophilic Bathroom

Heather Brannan expands on how to bring the outdoors into your bathroom in 2021. “Beyond decorating the space with various plants, homeowners have also been opting to incorporate natural materials such as stone. This could include slate, marble, limestone, travertine, granite, and sandstone. Alternatively, bathrooms can be fitted with wallpaper that features a form of green foliage. Another key approach for getting in tune with nature entails embracing natural light. For instance, creating a skylight or incorporating transom windows would allow light to generously flow through the space.”

Ways to Make Your Bathroom an Exotic Escape

‘Shibui’ is a Japanese word that describes the aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty. The anticipated bathroom remodel trends of 2021 are for the most part driven by shibui, helping homeowners create a space where they can unwind, prioritize self-care, and relax. Nevertheless, there is also a lot of room for personalization and boldness. All that’s left is to make your bathroom remodel checklist, get your contractor to give you an estimate, and have fun with it.