The newly released 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study finds bigger is better for primary bathroom size in today’s homes. The survey of nearly 2,000 respondents found with the added space, buyers are also searching for larger showers, premium features, and upgraded systems.
“We’ve seen homeowners work with home professionals to find new ways to maximize their existing space and better meet their needs since the beginning of the pandemic. Now, they’re finding ways to reconfigure rooms to expand bathrooms and showers,” says Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “This is the fourth consecutive year in which median spend has increased for primary bathrooms, likely driven in part by supply chain disruptions and inflation. Nevertheless, bathrooms are a consistent focus for homeowners who want to update the room’s style and functionality.”
See below for 10 bathroom design trends from the Houzz report.
1. Transitional style holds: The most popular design style for the second year in a row is transitional (23%). Contemporary style (16%) has slightly edged out modern (15%) this year, followed by traditional (11%) and farmhouse (5%).
2. Wood is the new white: Wood is now the color of choice for upgraded vanities (33%), followed by white (29%), gray (13%), and blue (8%). White continues to dominate as the most popular color for countertops and walls, both inside and outside of the shower.
3. Shower styling: Low-curb (43%) and alcove (42%) are the top styles chosen by renovating homeowners upgrading their showers. Top door styles include hinged (45%), sliding (15%), fixed (10%), and curtain (6%).
4. Freestanding tubs dip: After a steady increase in popularity over the previous four years, freestanding flat-bottom bathtubs have dropped by 4 percentage points this year. Still, more than half of renovating homeowners (55%) select this style.
5. Double sinks gain share: Sixty-five percent of renovating homeowners bring in double sinks; the percentage has increased by 1 point for each of the two previous years.
6. Don't miss mirrors: Nearly three-fourths of renovating homeowners (72%) install mirrors as part of their bathroom renovation. Some choose mirrors featuring LED lighting (20%) and/or an anti-fog system (20%).
7. Recessed lighting reigns: When it comes to lighting in the bathroom, half of renovating homeowners (50%) opt for the classic choice of recessed lights. Ceiling lights (36%), sconces (34%), shower lights (33%), and wall lights (32%) are the next most popular types.
8. Upgrade systems: Upgrading systems remains the most popular major bathroom improvement, at 62%. A ventilation fan (61%), radiant heating (16%), and a tankless water heater (9%) are the most common systems added.
9. Plan for aging: Two-thirds of homeowners (66%) address special needs during a bath renovation, up from 54% in 2021. They are incorporating features such as grab bars (58%), nonslip flooring (58%) and curbless showers (43%).
10. Sustainable selections: The overwhelming majority of homeowners (87%) choose sustainable options for their renovated bathrooms. The most popular sustainable options are LED lightbulbs (62%), water-efficient fixtures (46%), a timeless design (44%), energy-efficient features (34%), and light dimmers (34%).
