The Biggest Bathroom Renovation Trends of 2019

In style, but also in for the long haul

As one of the hardest working rooms in any home, the bathroom deserves its time in the design spotlight too. After you think about the must-haves (toilet, sink, and shower) there’s plenty of opportunity to insert your taste, from the tile down to the hardware. Sweeten highlights five ideas we predict will take off next year, based on seeing thousands of bath remodels.

Here are the biggest 2019 bathroom trends to look out for:

• Matte black hardware
• Accessible design
• Wood-look tile
• Floating vanities
• Full-tiled walls

Matte Black Hardware

As far as hardware goes, gold and silver don’t even come close to the timelessness of matte black. The neutral, shine-free finish works for all styles, from modern to rustic, and will give any bathroom a polished touch.

(From top to bottom) Sherry’s bathroom is full of strong design statements, including the all-matte black hardware. White-out bathrooms are the perfect accompaniment to the darker detail, as seen in Lynn and Craig’s bathroom, as well as Saira’s.

Accessible Design

One of the most important elements in home design—especially in bathrooms—is finally taking center stage. From disability bars in showers to higher toilets, making bathrooms easy to use and accessible for those with limited mobility should always be a priority (and is sometimes legally required!).

(From top to bottom) A family in Queens converted an extra room into a senior-friendly bathroom complete with a curbless shower for their mother. Inspired by her own parents’ “aging-in-place” updates, Megan decided to use door levers instead of knobs throughout their apartment and installed hand showers in their master and guest bathrooms. Debbie combined two poorly designed bathrooms into one accessible space with enough room for her father’s wheelchair.

Wood-Look Tile

For very practical reasons, wood (aside from vanities or shelves) is not a common feature in bathrooms. Of course, thanks to wood-look tile, the natural appeal can still be achieved.

(From top to bottom) Marble walls and wood-look tile are the perfect pairing in Christina’s studio bathroom; Maggie and Ross took the ceramic trend to the back of the shower wall for a spa-like feel, while Penny and Kevin chose to complement the blue and white tile in the rest of the bathroom with a lighter gray wood-look floor.

Floating Vanities 

Wall-hung vanities do more than just look pretty. The extra space means the flooring can extend to the wall, which makes the room look bigger. Floating vanities also make cleaning easier (less nooks and crannies to deal with).

(From top to bottom) The guest bath in Tara and Mike’s home features a two-door floating vanity that lets the intricate tile floor take the spotlight. Bellamy and Zak’s master bathroom vanity doubles up on sinks and storage. Nancy and Aram’s long and narrow bathroom found the perfect storage solution in a custom wall-mounted unit.

Floor-to-ceiling Tile

If you find a tile you love, why not lay it from floor to ceiling? The luxe treatment gives a bathroom a cohesive and clean look, plus is moisture-and-water-resistant.

(From top to bottom) A white, hexagonal tile wall in Megan and Zak’s guest bathroom pops against the charcoal flooring and black hardware. Architects Terri and Brett opted for soothing light gray and variegated white tiled walls. Luxury was Blane’s mission when renovating his bathroom. Top-to-bottom tile was his answer.

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Check out our top kitchen trends of 2019.

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