Bathrooms are often an overlooked part of the home, as they’re typically not as glamorous (or Instagram-able) as other spaces. But here at House Beautiful, we say: Why not? After all, bathrooms are certainly rooms that everyone uses—which is why their design is just as important as, say, a cozy living room. So, if 2022 will be the year you finally put some effort into upgrading yours, we’ve got you prepared: Below, House Beautiful has rounded up a list of 10 bathroom trends you should expect to see in 2022, including the return of scenic murals, plenty of plants, and mixing and matching textures. With this as inspiration you won’t go wrong in your bathroom reno.
1
Plenty of Plants
“A bathroom interior design trend that we see continuing is that of biophilia,” says Henry Prideaux of Henry Prideaux Interior Design. “By adopting a biophilic approach and styling the bathroom with a range of natural elements such as houseplants and pampas grass, you can create a calming spa-like sanctuary in which to be enveloped” (like in this London space Prideaux recently completed).
“More time spent at home since the beginning of the pandemic has meant there is a need to feel connected with nature as a way to reduce stress and anxiety, so being able to retreat into a relaxing space that has been beautifully dressed with plants, can allow you to feel nurtured,” explains Prideaux. “We often use plants for styling our interiors, not only to provide a focal point to punctuate a space, but also for the added benefit of improving air quality within the home.”
2
Spa-Like Features
“Meritage Homes has seen a significant rise in the selection of luxury features for the bathrooms,” reveals Amber Shay, the National Design Director for the company
“Specialty features that create a spa-like retreat have now become a priority for most homebuyers,” she adds. “We expect to see this trend continue in 2022. Think luxury finishes such as tiled shower pans using detailed mosaic tile, euro style shower doors featuring thicker glass, minimal framing, stylish hardware and beautiful low maintenance granite or quartz solid surface countertops combined with on-trend undermount sinks.”
3
Standout Benches and Stools
Designer Lucy Penfield predicts that benches and makeup vanity stools, especially when combined “with something soft and textured” will be the ‘it’ home accessory of 2022. “We are always crazy for delicious decorative bathroom accessories and trays to gather your Jo Malone and favorite well care items,” she says.
4
Scenic Murals
“Bathrooms are now less confined to clinical all white walls and a contemporary feel throughout,” professes designer Avalana Simpson. “Even those who like clean lines and modern bathrooms are becoming more confident about going busy and bold on walls or in little alcoves. Statement walls are no longer there to just wow guests in entrance rooms,” she adds. “Instead, color, intricate murals and hand-drawn scenes will be added to bathrooms and powder rooms to create spa-like sanctuaries for the homeowners themselves to relax, unwind in and appreciate every day.”
5
Statement Marble
If murals are a little too over-the-top, a more subtle statement can be achieved with marble. Andrew Henry of Andrew Henry Interiors predicts that we will see “white and grey shades of marble used in higher end luxury schemes.” He advises that interior designers can create “a feeling of opulence by using materials that contrast with each other to build visual and tactile texture in the room,” like in this project in Mayfair.
6
Luxurious Fixtures
The marble isn’t all that’ll be luxe in the bathrooms of 2022: Architecture Designer Paige Foss of Drees Homes believes that “calm and serene will remain supreme in the world of bath designs, but those calling cards will blend with luxurious finishes and striking storage features.” The most important design elements to incorporate? “A balance of light, natural hues will give these spaces that blissful, escape feel, while an abundant use of tile work will make plumbing fixtures less ornamental and more like eye candy.”
7
Mixing Textures
Manny Angelo Varas, president and CEO of MV Group USA, predicts that “combining colors, textures, and materials” will be the bathroom trend of 2022. “In the past, we saw minimalist and monolithic tones in bathrooms,” but, “for 2022, we are designing projects with glass meshed with sandwich mirrors, textured wall coverings, and movement within the space instead of the plain solid colors we saw over the past five years,” he explains.
8
Natural Materials
That doesn’t mean more minimal palettes are out of the picture, though—but neutral spaces will veer warmer thanks to natural materials. “Bathrooms now should be clean but not clinical,” advises David Thompson of Assembledge+. “Bring in the fresh air and let the sun fall across textured tile, stone, and wood. These rooms should be modest but with room to breathe, private but still connected. For instance, a variation on the ‘Jack and Jill’ bath can be arranged as separate facilities on opposite sides of a shared shower.”
9
Wet Rooms and Walk-in Showers
Paul Wells of Sanctuary Bathrooms has found that “more people are choosing to go for walk-in showers and wet rooms over baths, while also moving away from smaller cubicles to much bigger and larger enclosures.”
What’s more, this trend is “matched with colorful and patterned tiles that can create a stunning feature wall or backdrop.” And Wells makes it clear that this “doesn’t mean the death of the bath, but there is certainly more of a slowdown over the last few years, as people are starting to think for themselves more than for others. People have such fast lives that showers are a convenience but the luxury and eye-catching freestanding baths will always have a market.”
10
Mixing Old and New
“Consumers are more informed in what they love and want and are also willing to take more risks when it comes to their bathroom design, to create something truly unique,” says Darren Allison of BC Designs. “The secret to making it work is in the mix. Just remember, opposites attract!,” he advises. In need of some design ideas for this particular trend? Try a traditional bath with a modern and sleek faucet, or period faucets with a modern sink, suggests Allison.
Mary Elizabeth Andriotis
Associate Editor
Mary Elizabeth Andriotis is House Beautiful’s Associate Editor, where she covers historic homes, entertainment, culture, and design.
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