Think Twice: 11 Bathroom Trends You May Want to Avoid

Remodeling a bathroom is exciting. It’s easy to get swept up in planning the bathroom of your dreams, checking out shiny pictures of gorgeously trendy bathrooms and learning about all of the must-have features and fixtures du jour. After all, if the [bathtub/faucet/floor pattern/insert-your-feature-here] is so popular, it’s gotta be a good one, right?

Before you buy the latest, find out why it may not be the greatest. We’ve rounded up 11 current bathroom features that you may want to do without.

Dramatic floor tiles

Chevron! Mediterranean! Fish-scale! Geometric! Patterned floors are firmly in vogue, but they probably won’t be for long. Prominent patterns tend to look dated very quickly, and replacing your floor tiles (or even your wall tiles) will be a costly challenge.

Consider this: Subtle or classic patterns, solid colors, or even a trend that you truly love and will not tire of (just remember your resale value!) are wiser choices for your bathroom floor. Include pattern in more easily replaceable places, such as paint or wallpaper, towels, and accessories.

Wide-open showers

Sure, it looks beautiful: an open-air shower with no enclosure (or a partial enclosure). But looks aren’t everything: don’t forget that open air means cold air! Shower enclosures are designed to keep the heat and water in the shower while you shower. Plus, doorless or open showers must be engineered and installed very carefully, or water will end up all over your bathroom.

Consider this: a glass enclosure provides the same open and airy look without the cold-air conundrum. If you do opt for an unenclosed or partially enclosed shower, hire a very experienced installer.

Wall mount fixtures

Wall mount toilets, wall mount faucets, wall mount vanities… the wall is the hottest place for bathroom fixtures these days. These fixtures provide an open appearance as well as wheelchair accessibility and added floor space. However, they’re more difficult to replace and repair: changing a wall mount toilet requires reconfiguring the pipes, and repairing a faucet leak or other issue will inevitably result in broken wall tiles to reach the plumbing. Plus, not every wall can support a wall mount.

Consider this: if you’re set on wall mount, be sure to choose fixtures and a layout that you truly love (and are willing to sacrifice for). Otherwise, floor mount may be a safer option.

Whirlpool tub

It’s been a benchmark of luxury for decades: a bubbly bathtub to soak your cares away at the end of the day. But whirlpool tubs can be hard to clean (often harboring mold and nasty bacteria in the jets); they’re also very noisy and will drive up your water bills if you use it regularly.

Consider this: air tubs are quieter, gentler, and easier to clean (many feature self-clean cycles). Be honest with yourself: if you’re not likely to use a jetted tub more than a couple of times a year, consider a soaking tub instead.

Cut-rate tubs

A tub is a big expense, so you may be tempted to go for a lower-end model to get more bang for your buck. Proceed with caution: many large tubs lack insulation, so your water will go cold practically before you get into it. Be sure that your tub is insulated or made of a heat-retaining material.

Consider this: metal tubs (like copper) and solid surface tend to retain heat well; for a more economical option, choose an insulated acrylic tub.

Matte tile

Shiny’s out; matte is where it’s at. Matte tile looks edgy and smooth, plus it’s favored in bathrooms thanks to its slip-proof qualities. However, it’s also hard to clean and tends to get water spots – not exactly a good look in a bathroom.

Consider this: go matte, but not super-matte. Opt for a slightly textured glossy or matte tile to prevent slipping and look great doing it. (Skip heavy texture, too – dirt will get lodged into the crevices.)

White grout

All-white may not be the latest fashion, but it’s still hugely popular. When it comes to cleaning, you can get away with smooth white surfaces – tile, fixtures, stone – but white grout (and other light colors) looks awful as soon as it encounters dirt.

Consider this: steer clear of light grout, especially on floor tiles; choose a darker floor tile or a contrasting grout.

Tub-free

“Just skip the tub and put in a huge shower!” they say. “It won’t affect the resale value! Who takes baths anyway?” Don’t listen to “them” on this one. Tubs are still very necessary, especially if you plan to sell your home: even if the adults don’t take baths, anyone with children (or even pets) will want a tub, and your tub-less bathroom will be a strike against you.

Consider this: have a tub in at least one bathroom. It doesn’t have to be luxurious or in the master bath, but every home should have a tub.

Exposed plumbing

From a simple pipe underneath the sink console to the elaborate piping in the shower to the steampunk toilet pipe, exposed plumbing can be found in bathrooms of virtually every style – but, like all trends, it will meet its end. And when the trend’s over, putting that plumbing back into the wall will be expensive. Plus, you may run the risk of scalding yourself on that exposed hot water line.

When it’s time to address these concerns, calling a professional ensures the job is done safely and efficiently. Properly rerouting or concealing plumbing not only improves the bathroom’s aesthetics but also reduces hazards and potential water damage. Plumber Riverside provides the expertise needed to handle everything from simple pipe adjustments to complex installations, giving homeowners peace of mind and a functional, safe bathroom space.

With their skilled approach, you can be confident that your plumbing will operate smoothly for years to come, combining both safety and style in your bathroom.

Consider this: skip the exposed plumbing and choose industrial or pipe-inspired accents: towel bars, faucets, curtain rods, or hardware.

Open-concept bathrooms

Likely inspired by swanky minimalist hotel rooms – as well as an overall shift to open-concept homes – an open-concept bedroom/bathroom may feature bathroom fixtures in the bedroom itself or separated by a pane of glass. There are several reasons you’ll probably regret this: the utter lack of privacy (do you want the toilet and tub within full view of your bed?), the cold air, and the dampness on your bedding and furniture, to name a few. And yes, future prospective buyers will definitely see this as a downside.

Consider this: keep the bathroom and bedroom separate – or, at the very least, cordon off the toilet and tub. You can have a seamless, doorless entrance to the bathroom, but you don’t want to see anything beyond the vanity.

Vessel sinks

Above-counter vessel sinks offer an opportunity for visual interest: bold colors, striking materials, dramatic silhouettes. But more often than not, the execution is poor: the faucet doesn’t extend to the right spot, water and soap scum collect between the sink and counter, and the splashing is awful, even if you’re just washing your hands (forget about brushing your teeth!).

Consider this: skip the bowl-shaped, high-sided sinks in favor of a more practical model and add interest elsewhere (though you may be surprised by the sheer number of eye-catching sinks on the market!).