Simple Bathroom Designs to Try in 2024
Large, enclosed, door-less showers are one of 2024’s top bathroom design trends.
So much of our days are spent outside of our homes. After long workdays and evening obligations, coming home to a well-designed bathroom is a luxury in and of itself. Why shouldn’t the room you start and end your days in be a grounding, inspiring space?
After the pandemic, many have rethought the importance of their living spaces. Though bathroom design has at times been an afterthought (Does a utilitarian space like a water closet really need a chandelier light fixture?!), it’s becoming increasingly important: homeowners want bathrooms that are functional and beautiful.
If one of your goals for 2024 is to rethink your bathroom designs and transform these rooms into havens to meet homeowners’ and renters’ expectations, turn to the new trends for inspiration. Some trends never go out of style – we’ll cover those general trends, trends inspired by the wellness industry, and statement-making styles in this blog.
Amidst these trends, one material stands out for its seamless blend of durability and beauty—engineered stone. As builders, integrating engineered stone into bathroom designs can offer a transformative touch. Whether it's crafting elegant vanity tops or creating sophisticated shower systems, engineered stone not only meets the demands of the latest trends but also ensures longevity and cost-effectiveness. Join us as we explore the versatility of engineered stone and how it can be the cornerstone of on-trend bathroom designs in 2024 and beyond.
General Trends for a Simple Bathroom Design
To easily meet this shifting preference for functional and aesthetically pleasing bathrooms, builders can keep it simple. We’ll describe five general trends that demonstrate that it doesn’t take much to transform a bathroom from basic to striking.
Mixed Metals
Metal tapware and hardware don’t have to be the same finish. Mixing metals brings out the qualities of each. Unexpected pairings create a striking contrast that gives bathrooms more character.
Here are some metal pairings to consider:
Pewter and bronze
Unlacquered brass and polished nickel
Stainless steel and oxidized brass
Zinc and oxidized steel
Warm Neutrals
Though all-white bathrooms invoke cleanliness (very important for bathrooms!), they can create a clinical atmosphere, which is the opposite of what people want. Incorporating nature-inspired colors and tones, either in wall paint or accessories, helps create that feeling of relaxation people are looking for.
Try these colors suggested by The Spruce:
Warm white, cream, and beige tones
Lighter wood tones (maple, white oak)
Mushroom and taupe
Warm brown and camel tones
Saturated Earthy Tones
Though grey and “greige” have been popular home colors since the 2010s, many are ditching them because of over-use and lack of visual interest. Pairing well with warm neutrals are saturated earthy tones–think dark greens, raisin, purples, and blues.
Warmer colors and tones make bathrooms more inviting and calming. Their use isn’t limited to wall color: include them in cabinetry, stone, and tile. They also pair well with statement natural or engineered stone.
Large-Format Tile OR Solid Surface
Speaking of stone and tile–there’s a growing demand for either large-format tile or solid surfaces. Why? Grimy grout has no place in a beautiful bathroom!
Real Simple shared highlights from the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2024 Bath Trends Report that included this: An overwhelming majority of respondents predict there will be more large-format tile and slab or solid surface in showers. Not only does this reduce or eliminate the grout lines (and grout cleaning), but it also improves water resistance and can even create an illusion of space in the shower. Grout-free molded marble is an ideal material for builders who want to hop on this trend. (Check out Brandt Molded Marble’s showers.)
Large, Enclosed, Door-less Showers
Growing in popularity are open shower configurations. With a curb-less transition between the shower and the rest of the bathroom, this trend is an ideal accessibility feature for people with health issues, disabilities, or who are simply getting older. Add design features like bench seats and grab bars to make this shower configuration accessible to even more needs.
Wellness-Driven Bathroom Trends for 2024
You thought the function of a bathroom was straightforward, right? Well, it’s gotten a bit more complicated. Spa-like bathrooms are a desirable feature in real estate because they meet changing needs and wants. Having a peaceful retreat inside your home helps counteract the stress of hectic modern life. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to be on-trend.
Luxurious Extras
People associate spas with luxury and indulgence. Adding special “extras” to meet self-care and wellness needs brings that spa experience home.
Transform bathrooms into retreats with features like these:
Towel heaters
Massaging shower heads
Soaker tubs
Steam showers
Heated floors
Infrared saunas
Cold plunges
Natural Light
Exposure to natural light provides numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits, contributing to overall well-being. People are more likely to spend more time in spa-like bathrooms, so incorporating natural light into the design just makes sense. Oversized and even operable windows with the appropriate privacy features can make bathrooms feel more open, airy, and bright.
Functional Storage
Bathrooms have to hold a lot, and spa-inspired bathrooms even more (think about the aromatherapy diffusers, candles, bath salts, etc.). Organizational needs and storage options have increased, especially as more and more people strive for clutter-free vanities.
Storage that improves a bathroom’s overall function to make bathroom routines easier is popping up in luxurious bathrooms this year.
Simple touches like these can improve the functionality of bathroom storage:
Drawer dividers
Medicine cabinets
Built-in laundry hampers
Slide-outs under sinks
Spa-Like Lighting
Bright bathroom lighting contributes to that clinical feel homeowners want to move away from. Decorative lighting that can be dimmed to suit the time of day or mood makes bathrooms more inviting and relaxing.
Simple Bathroom Design Trends That Make a Statement
Home design is a way for people to express their personalities and styles. In the past, bathrooms have been left out, but that all changes with these statement-making trends.
Bold, Natural Patterns
Because bathrooms are often smaller spaces and not typically focus points in homes, the stakes (and cost) of taking design risks here are much lower.
This could look like vanity tops made from thick slabs of colored marble or engineered stone or non-traditional sink bowl styles.
Wallpaper
Rather than relying on cabinetry and wall paint to make a statement, consider wallpaper. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, wallpaper is an easy way to make an impression.
Rich, Earthy Tones
Whether it’s in paint colors, vanity materials, or tile, rich, earthy tones add visual detail to often bland bathrooms.
Combine earthy colors, organic materials, and natural patterns for a nature-inspired look and feel.
Bathroom-Safe Art
A picture is worth a thousand words. Bathroom-safe art conveys much about a homeowner or renter’s personality and style and elevates bathrooms from functional to creative spaces.
Because of humidity and temperature changes, it’s important to choose art pieces
that can either handle the bathroom environment or that are not high-value.
Instead of a gallery-worthy painting, opt for other types of art, such as:
Hand-crafted tiles
Artisan wallpaper
Custom cabinetry
Conclusion
Navigating trends can seem daunting, but fear not! We covered three of the most popular trends that promise simplicity, wellness, and statement-making styles for the bathroom oases you’ll be designing.
As you head to the drawing board to create bathroom designs that capitalize on these trends, remember the material that stands out as a versatile, cost-effective choice for all trends: engineered stone. Whether it’s quartz or molded marble, engineered stone allows you to stretch your budget further without compromising quality or aesthetics.
Engineered stone boasts an impressive array of benefits that align seamlessly with 2024’s bathroom trends. Its durability ensures that your bathroom not only follows the wellness-driven and statement-making trends but also stands the test of time. The non-porous surface of engineered stone makes it an excellent choice for easy maintenance, aligning perfectly with the principles of simplicity and wellness.
Whether you're leaning towards a wellness-focused design or aiming to make a bold statement, engineered stone adapts effortlessly. Its versatility in color options, patterns, and compatibility with various design styles positions it as the perfect canvas for your creative vision.
So, as you embark on your bathroom design journey in 2024, remember that engineered stone is not just a material–it's a strategic choice that allows you to embrace the latest trends and meet the needs of homeowners and renters.
Explore Brandt’s cultured marble offerings and get your creative juices flowing: https://www.brandtmarble.com/products.