Did you know the typical individual spends more than two years in the bathroom? That is a lot of time in an area meant to be comfortable, fashionable, and useful. Many bathrooms still appear to belong in the early 2000s, with antiquated tiling, poor lighting, and fixtures that hardly help simplify life.

Modern bathrooms go beyond simply getting in and out fast. They have evolved into unique design statements, high-tech environments, and personal havens. Whether we wind down in a soothing bath or start our day with an invigorating shower, appropriate design can improve our mood.

Then, what is changing? Today, we will look at six bathroom design trends changing houses.

1. Bold and Dramatic Colours

For years, white bathrooms were the sensible choice—clean, straightforward, and consistent. Honestly, though, they could feel flat, chilly, and somewhat dull. A significant change is causing havoc in restrooms all around.

These colours—deep blues, forest greens, charcoal greys, matte black—are not merely sneaking in; they are conquering. Designers are integrating rich, moody tones that offer warmth and individuality instead of clean, all-white rooms. Bold-coloured fixtures, dramatic walls, and dark vanities transform bathrooms into elegant, high-end, welcoming environments.

• It creates depth and contrast. Darker tones make lighter accents pop, giving the space more character.
• It hides dirt and stains better. White grout? A nightmare. A darker palette keeps things looking fresher for longer.
• It feels cosy and luxurious. There’s a reason high-end hotels love deep tones—they scream sophistication.

How to Use Bold Colours Without Going Overboard

Are you not quite ready to paint your entire bathroom navy blue? Here’s how to dip your toes in:

• Coloured vanities – A deep green or charcoal vanity paired with brass handles? Instant style upgrade.
• Accent walls – One bold wall in deep teal or burnt orange can completely change the mood.
• Dark grout – Black or dark grey grout adds contrast and makes tiles stand out.
• Matte black tapware – A small change that packs a punch.

White bathrooms will always have their place. But if you’re after something fresh, modern, and full of personality, it’s time to ditch the all-white look and create some drama.

2. Spa-Like Bathrooms

This goes beyond simply lounging in a luxurious bathtub—though that is important. It’s about building an environment that slows us down, clears our minds, and gives daily activities extra significance.

What Makes a Bathroom Feel Like a Spa?

• Soft, warm lighting—The Overheads are severe. Consider dimmable wall sconces, backlit mirrors, and candles for gentler illumination.
• Natural materials – Stone, wood, and linen provide warmth and texture that ground the area.
• Aromatherapy – The mood can immediately change with eucalyptus hanging in the shower or essential oil diffusers.
• Curbless showers – Everything feels more opulent when open, flawless showers with rainfall showerheads run across.
• Heated floors and towel rails – No one likes stepping onto cold tiles in winter.

Small Changes, Big Difference

Not all of us can rip out our entire bathroom and start from scratch. But even small tweaks can shift the feel of the space:

1. Swap out harsh overhead lighting for warm, dimmable bulbs.
2. Add a timber bath mat or stone soap dish to bring natural textures.
3. Hang fresh eucalyptus in the shower for a spa-like scent.
4. Replace your regular showerhead with a rainfall option.
5. Keep clutter hidden—organised spaces feel more peaceful.

A spa-like bathroom is about our feelings rather than about appearances. And let’s be honest: after a demanding day, who wouldn’t want to enter a place that seems to be a five-star retreat?

3. Smart Bathrooms

This is not about transforming the bathroom into a showroom loaded with gadgets. It’s about simplifying life, increasing comfort, and adding enjoyment. Imagine arriving, and the lights change on their initiative. The mirror welcomes you with the state of the day. The shower retains your ideal water temperature. That is the present; it is not the future.

How Smart Tech is Changing Bathrooms

• Touch-Free Everything – Say goodbye to germ-covered taps and light switches. Motion-sensor taps, automatic soap dispensers, and voice-activated lighting mean fewer fingerprints and less mess.
• Mirrors That Do More – Smart mirrors with built-in LED lighting, anti-fog tech, and Bluetooth speakers make mornings smoother. Some even display the news and weather while we get ready.
• Showers That Think for Us – Digital showers let us set and save our perfect temperature, so we don’t have to adjust it every time. Some even start heating up before we step in.
• Toilets That Practically Clean Themselves – Heated seats, built-in bidets, automatic flushing, and self-cleaning features are becoming more common.
• Heated Floors and Towel Rails – No more stepping onto icy tiles in winter. Heated flooring makes cold mornings a little more bearable.

Smart Features Worth Trying

Not ready for a full high-tech upgrade? Here are a few easy ways to bring smart technology into your bathroom without major renovations:

Swap out old taps for motion-sensor mixers to save water and keep things cleaner.

1. Install an LED smart mirror with anti-fog tech and dimmable lighting.
2. Convert to a computerised shower system to get consistently ideal water temperature.
3. Toss in a Bluetooth speaker for podcasts, music, or guided meditation in the shower.
4. Consider a smart toilet seat with a heated seat and bidet for even more relaxation.

Thanks to technology, our lives should be simpler, not more convoluted. A smart bathroom is about transforming our environment, not only about showy appliances. Once we discover its ease, we wonder how we could have lived without it.

4. Oversized Tiles & Seamless Surfaces

This is why we observe a clear move towards seamless surfaces and big tiles. Big tiles have fewer grout lines, less cleaning, less upkeep, and a sleeker appearance. When it comes to the finest colours and designs, a curated selection of exquisite options allows you to personalise your bathroom makeover to reflect your unique style. Overall, it is a triumph.

Why Bigger Tiles Make a Difference

• They make the space look bigger. While large-format tiles produce a smooth, continuous flow, making even a tiny bathroom seem big, little tiles might appear crowded and hectic.
• They’re easier to clean. Less grout equals less dirt build-up, less mould problems, and less time spent scrubbing.
• They give a high-end finish. Large tiles, micro cement, and smooth stone surfaces offer a glossy, contemporary style that feels opulent without going overboard.

What’s Trending in Seamless Bathrooms?

We’re not just talking about bigger tiles—we’re talking about materials that create a sleek, uninterrupted surface:

• Microcement – A seamless, waterproof finish that looks like polished concrete but is smooth, durable, and grout-free.
• Large-format porcelain slabs cover entire walls and floors, mimicking stone or marble without the maintenance headaches.
• Floating vanities and built-in storage – Keeping things off the floor makes the space look clean and open.
• Walk-in, curbless showers—no bulky shower bases or step-ups—just smooth, open flooring for a modern feel.

Making It Work in Any Bathroom

We don’t need a full remodel to make our bathrooms look sleek and seamless. Here are some simple ways to get that clean, modern finish without tearing everything apart:

1. Swap small floor tiles for larger ones—even a slight size increase makes a difference.
2. Make lines less noticeable by using coloured grout that complements the tiles.
3. Choose a wall-hung vanity to maximise floor space and produce a more open appearance.
4. Replace hefty, metal-framed glass shower screens with frameless ones.

Better still is the less grout and clutter. Unlike a hated chore, a bathroom should be peaceful and simple to keep clean. The future lies in larger, smoother, simpler-to-clean surfaces.

5. The ‘Living Bathroom’ – Bringing the Outdoors In

Right now, bathrooms are coming alive. Designers include genuine greenery, natural light, and organic fabrics to make bathrooms seem cosier, fresher, and more peaceful. This is called biophilic design, and it goes beyond appearances. Studies indicate that adding natural components lowers stress, raises mood, and improves air quality.

How to Create a ‘Living Bathroom’

This trend isn’t about stuffing the room with plants and calling it a day. It’s about creating a balance between nature and design. Here’s how:

• Add humidity-loving plants. While some plants die in a toilet, ferns, snake plants, peace lilies, and pothos flourish in steamy conditions. Bonus: They contribute to air pollution cleanup.
• Use natural materials – Timber vanities, stone basins, and bamboo accessories bring warmth and texture without looking too polished.
• Maximise natural light—Let it do its job if we have a window. Skylights and frosted glass help keep the space bright without sacrificing privacy.
• Choose earthy tones – Soft greens, warm beiges, and terracotta tiles make the space feel organic and calming.
• Go for natural scents – Swap artificial air fresheners for essential oil diffusers or fresh eucalyptus hanging in the shower.

Big Impact, Small Changes

We don’t need a full renovation to make the bathroom feel more alive. Here are a few quick updates that work in any space:

1. Place a small potted fern or orchid near the sink for an instant refresh.
2. Swap plastic soap dispensers for ceramic or wooden ones.
3. Use a woven laundry basket instead of a plastic one to add texture.
4. Install a bamboo bath mat instead of traditional fabric mats.

Including nature in our bathrooms is about creating a wonderful space, not only about appearance. Exactly what we all need, a “living bathroom” transforms a cold, everyday environment into something peaceful, natural, and revitalising.

6. Statement Bathtubs & Sinks

Sinks and bathtubs were… there for years. Though they performed their duties, they were not very noteworthy. That is not the situation now. Once disregarded, the bathroom basics are now the show’s main attractions.

We are eschewing simple white sinks and basic, built-in tubs. Rather, we are witnessing statement-making, sculptural, strikingly beautiful designs. A standalone bathtub is a showpiece, not only for soaking. A striking, stone-finish sink starts a conversation in addition to being useful.

Why Statement Pieces Work

• They bring personality. These choices add instant character, whether a curved tub, a matte black basin, or a marble sink.
• They turn bathrooms into luxury spaces. A well-placed freestanding tub can make any bathroom feel like a high-end retreat.
• They redefine small spaces. Even in compact bathrooms, a striking sink or vessel basin can add style without taking up much room.

Trends That Are Taking Over

• Freestanding Bathtubs – From minimalist oval tubs to bold geometric shapes, these tubs make any bathroom feel more refined.
• Concrete & Terrazzo Basins – These raw, textured materials bring depth and contrast to modern spaces.
• Matte Finishes – Glossy white is out. Matte black, soft pastels and textured finishes are making a splash.
• Asymmetrical and Sculptural Sinks—Not everything has to be perfectly round or square. Organic, hand-formed basins create a unique focal point.
• Coloured Tubs & Basins—Soft pink, deep green, and navy blue sinks shake up the neutral palette.

How to Make a Statement Without Overdoing It

1. Pair a bold sink with a simple vanity to keep things balanced.
2. Let a freestanding tub be the star—avoid cluttering the space around it.
3. Use warm lighting to highlight the textures and colours of unique pieces.
4. Choose a timeless shape that doesn’t feel outdated in a few years.

A bathroom should be more than practical—it should have personality. With the right statement tub or sink, we can turn a functional space into something that feels special.

What’s Next?

Now that we’ve seen where bathroom design is heading, the question is—which of these trends will we bring into our homes?

• Do we want a bold, dramatic space or something soft and spa-like?
• Are we ready to reduce water waste and make sustainable choices?
• Could a statement tub or smart lighting completely change how we use our bathroom?

No one-size-fits-all strategy exists. It’s about designing a place that fits our style, works for us, and improves our daily lives.

Are you thinking about a bathroom renovation? Get expert advice from the team at Bathroom Renovations St Kilda. Whether you need a small refresh or a full transformation, we can help bring your vision to life. Give us a call today.