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10 Best Bathroom Remodeling Trends

April 15, 2019

Matt Muenster, a licensed contractor and host of DIY Network's Bath Crashers and Bathtastic!, shares his list of the 10 best bathroom remodeling trends.

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1. Mediterranean-Inspired Design

Glitz meets Old-World style in these tiles inspired by ancient Mediterranean countries like Spain, Morocco and Portugal. The look elegantly combines the charm of hand-painted terra cotta with modern metallics.

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Mediterranean-Inspired Design

Mosaic tile can add a rich look to your space. You don't need a lot to make a big statement. Try it as an accent in the shower or tub area, or as a backsplash in a half bath.

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Mediterranean-Inspired Design

Old meets new in a fun way when classic arabesque patterns are mixed with retro 1970s colors.

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Photo: Sarah Wilson / Getty Images ©
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2. Smart Storage

Practical storage will never go out of style. Whenever possible, take advantage of vertical space and take your cabinetry up the wall.

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2. Smart Storage

If built-in cabinetry isn't an option, incorporate an interesting or antique piece of furniture.

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Photo: Eric Perry ©
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3. Classic Whites

Like denim jeans or a fisherman's knit sweater, old-school white subway tile never goes out of style.

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3. Classic Whites

White subway tile can be paired with most any look. Make it the base for casual industrial style or dress it up with traditional-style furniture and fixtures for a timeless look.

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Photo: Sarah Wilson / Getty Images ©
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3. Classic Whites

White subway is best used with a dark color grout like gray or black. Especially in the bathroom because it is less likely to get stained with mold and soap residue.

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Photo: sphotodesign.com
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4. Ease of Use

No-threshold showers along with comfort-height toilets, vanities and side-mount faucets are gaining in popularity for very practical reasons. Curbless showers are easier to clean, they make your bathroom look bigger, and they help homeowners to age in place.

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Photo: Susan Schwab, Design by company kd. From: Company KD
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4. Ease of Use

Many homeowners are tearing out built-in bathtubs to create a combination bathtub/shower wet room. Ease of accessibility or being ADA-compliant can increase a home's resale value because you're offering potential buyers more options, plus the design aesthetic can look really cool.

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4. Ease of Use

Floating vanities are a big part of the ease-of-use trend because their height can be easily be customized. Plus, floating vanities can look more like a stylish piece of art or custom furniture.

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Photo: Krause, Johansen ©
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5. Three-Dimensional Tile

Monochromatic but inviting to touch, these Hollywood-regency-inspired tiles lend an air of high-style but with a little nod to 1970s funk.

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5. Three-Dimensional Tile

Make a statement with fun patterns. These intertwining circles are a groovy combination of 1960s pop art and elegant art deco.

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Photo: Studio MOD(ish). From: Studio MOD(ish)
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5. Three-Dimensional Tile

Three-dimensional tiles come in organic waves as well as symmetrical patterns.

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Photo: Eric Perry ©
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6. Media and Music

Whether it's for relaxation or for practical reasons, bringing electronics into the bathroom is becoming more commonplace. Wireless speakers, Bluetooth devices and docking stations are being incorporated into bathroom mirrors, showerheads and vanities. Kohler has taken multitasking to a new level with its all-in-one showerhead and speaker combo.

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6. Media and Music

Double the relaxation by binge-watching your favorite show while soaking in a warm bath.

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Photo: Eric Perry ©
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6. Media and Music

A strategically placed TV can get you caught up with the latest news and weather while getting ready for your day.

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Photo: Courtesy of AlysEdwards
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7. In-Floor Heat and Towel Warmers

Sometimes luxury can come in the form of a little extra-added warmth. Warm toes and a warm towel can make all the difference on a cold winter's morning. Radiant floor heat is energy efficient because the heat is touching your body, warming you from the bottom up.

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7. In-Floor Heat and Towel Warmers

There are two types of radiant flooring, electric and hydronic (water). Electric mats are easier and less expensive to install because you don't need a separate system to run the heat, they can run off your home's electrical system. Hydronic systems need a separate power source, like a heat pump to run the water through the pipes. A hydronic system is more expensive to install, but in the long run, it is more affordable to operate.

Either way, radiant floor heat works best with natural stone and tile because their thermal properties hold the heat better.

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Photo: Dale Wilcox /AP Images. From: Love It Or List It
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7. In-Floor Heat and Towel Warmers

If you can't swing the price of a new heating system. A towel warmer can provide warmth and comfort starting at around $100.

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8. Deluxe Showers

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), showers are becoming far more popular than tubs. So accordingly, high-tech spa-like body sprays, water jets and showerheads are becoming more commonplace.

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Photo: Molly Frey, Molly Frey Design; www.mollyfreydesign.com
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8. Deluxe Showers

Fully enclosed steam showers with multiple showerheads are a luxury that is becoming more conventional in new homes and remodeled master bathrooms.

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8. Deluxe Showers

It's nice to have a place to sit and enjoy your relaxing walk-in shower, making built-in and portable benches an extra-added luxury that don't have to break the budget.

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Photo: Karyn Millet ©
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9. A Bold Mix of Lighting

A bathroom is the perfect place to get a little daring in your design choices. Try a set of unusual sconces, an ornate chandelier or a set of funky pendants.

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Photo: Eric Perry ©
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9. A Bold Mix of Lighting

This bathroom uses up-lighting and low lights to illuminate the vanity. Table lamps aren't often thought of for the bathroom, but why not give it a try? You can always move them back into the living room if they don't work.

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9. A Bold Mix of Lighting

A variety of lighting offers practical and decorative advantages. This vanity unit is outfitted with overhead puck lights and a pair of sconces around the mirror to help you get ready in the morning. While the crystal ceiling fixture offers a touch of opulence and style.

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10. Fire Features

If you've got the budget, you won't regret implementing this trend into your bathroom remodel.

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Photo: Stephany Wieland ©
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10. Fire Features

Ventless fire features make it easy and less expensive to add warmth to your new bathroom.

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10. Fire Features

Not only will you add romance and luxury to your master suite, but a fireplace also helps increase your home's resale value.

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Photo: Jeffrey Totaro; jeffreytotaro.com
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Bonus Trend: Pet-Friendly Bathrooms

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) also reports that pet washing zones and built-in kitty litter boxes are on the increase in bathroom remodels.

An extra handheld, waist-high spray allows you to give Fido a quick scrubbing instead of going to the groomers or using the garden hose.