While the kitchen finally had its moment of glory in the early days of the pandemic, the same renewed interest in more thoughtful and efficient design has recently transferred to the bathroom, as we have been forced to look for more domestic spaces and remedies to appease the anxieties of the day (hot bath, anyone?). 2023 promises to be brilliant to deepen the design of our washing spaces and transform them into our personal idea of paradise.
“The bathroom has become the most sought-after space in the home for relaxation or privacy, and this is especially true post-COVID, when we've all had more time to focus on our well-being,” says Barbara Sallick, co-founder of Waterworks and author of The Ultimate Bath (Rizzoli, 2022). “The bathroom is no longer left to last minute design choices. In fact, whether they are building a new home or embarking on a remodel, clients now put considerable planning and a generous portion of their budget into bathroom design.”
Whether you're in the midst of a new construction project or remodeling the bathroom of your beloved home, the following bathroom trends for 2023 are applicable to a number of design styles and can work with a variety of sizes, whether whether it's a powder room or the master bathroom of your dreams. These brilliant insights from top designers across the country are sure to inspire your next sink space project, big or small. These will be the top five bathroom trends for 2023, according to the designers.
A more thoughtful overall design
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The graphic flooring in the master bathroom combines limestone with gray marble and mahogany.
Sallick says that while the classic white bathroom will never go out of style, she has noticed a continued increase in interest in introducing more color, texture and pattern into bathroom spaces. She has noticed that customers are demanding more modern faucets with sophisticated shapes and look for simple, elegant lines and darker finishes. Tulsa-based designer Jill Croka believes plaster walls and showers will also be trending in the new year, as will sculptural plumbing fixtures that feature an ideal balance of form and function.
“Bathroom trends in 2023 will focus on stone, textures, specialty hardware, and stylish lighting,” says Charlotte-based designer Gray Walker.
New York-based designer Sarah Weichel says she anticipates a rise in bolder stone choices, such as Calcatta Viola, Ceppo Rossa, Verdes and Honey Onyx, to create a statement statement. She's also noticed an increase in all-glass-clad walls, particularly in powder rooms, as she believes an 80s revival in interior design is on the way and that we'll see this trend in our bathrooms as well.
A mix of old and new to create a more welcoming space
Just as we've seen a resurgence of antiques and vintage pieces filling our living and private spaces, several designers have noticed that bathrooms are finally getting that mix of old and new to create an extra-special space that fits right in. in the rest of a well-collected house.
“We've been seeing some interesting trends in bathroom design lately, especially around the incorporation of antique furniture in place of joinery, and we're also installing artwork above bathroom sinks, letting mirrors sit in more creative ways,” says New York-based designer David Frazier.
Los Angeles-based designers Frazier and Elisa Baran say wood is becoming an increasingly popular material in the bathroom, from floors to open shelves and cabinetry. Baran also notes a growing interest in antique vanities, stone sinks and hardware that "looks like aged jewelry" to create a unique space. Longeran notes that clients are now looking to use three or four different materials, up from one or two in previous years, to create a layered space that appears to have evolved over time.
However, this surge of interest in mixing old and new in the bathroom isn't just about creating a delightful design moment. It's also about creating a warmer, more inviting space that's comfortable enough to spend an hour or two at a time.
An extra feel-good factor
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“My clients try to make their bathroom cozier,” says Alexandra Kaehler, a Chicago-based designer. “They no longer want the bare, white marble that we have seen for a long time. We are adding warmth and texture through window treatments, antique furniture, rugs and art."
Rehoboth Beach designer Jess Weeth predicts that clients will be looking to bring English charm into their bathrooms, from cafe curtains and bath skirts to elegant scalloped detailing, to further up the cozy factor and ensure that their bathrooms are as inviting as any other space in their home.
The perfect cozy and intimate atmosphere can also be created with a shower box with unexpectedly soft lines, which with the bathtub constitutes a central element in the bathroom area.
Separation in the main bathrooms
Whether it's new construction or a renovation, designers report that clients are interested in dedicating more square footage to the master bathrooms to have separate spaces. Homeowners are thinking of something bigger than a double vanity and want to create the ultimate retreat for two in one space.
