If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, you’re probably looking for inspiration and reassurance that your choices will last. That’s why we’ve made this guide to the latest bathroom trends for 2025, curated by our in-house designers at Bassetts.
We speak to homeowners every day in our showrooms across Northern Ireland, so have a fair idea of how to pair current bathroom trends with timeless design!
Bathroom Design Trends
1. Japandi Bathrooms
Japandi is a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. Think pale wood vanity units, soft neutral tiles, and an uncluttered layout that feels calm. It works well in both small and large homes, and is easy to personalise with natural textures or plants.
Trend or Timeless?
Japandi is timeless! Stick with natural finishes like oak and stone-look tiles to keep it relevant in the long term.
2. Spa Bathrooms
Bathrooms are becoming personal retreats. Spa-inspired bathrooms often include rainfall showers, freestanding baths, soft lighting, and underfloor heating. Even small spaces can achieve the look with a deep bath and stone-effect surfaces.
Trend or Timeless?
Spa bathrooms are quintessentially timeless. Focus on durable fittings and lighting that can adapt as your needs change.
3. Traditional Bathrooms
Roll-top baths, shaker-style vanities, and detailed brassware are all classic when it comes to bathrooms. Traditional style bathrooms suit period homes, but also add character to modern new-builds when paired with neutral tiles or marble-effect tops.
Trend or Timeless?
Traditional bathrooms are another timeless style. Choose finishes like brushed nickel or warm gold to keep them current.
4. Natural & Biophilic Bathrooms
Natural design uses wood bathroom furniture, stone textures, and indoor plants to create a calming atmosphere. A walnut vanity with pebble-look tiles and leafy greenery works beautifully in both family and en-suite bathrooms.
Trend or Timeless?
Biophilic design is timeless. To make them last the test of time, choose moisture-resistant finishes and hardy plants like ferns.
5. Retro Bathrooms
Retro bathrooms feature chequered floors, quirky bathroom basins, and bold shapes that bring a sense of nostalgia. Try a chequered floor in a cloakroom or a pastel basin in a main bathroom to add character without overpowering the space.
Trend or Timeless?
Retro is a trend - but it’s a bathroom trend that does recur! So we advise keeping it flexible with tiles, paint, or accessories that can be updated easily.
6. Smart, Sustainable Bathrooms
Smart LED mirrors, digital showers, and underfloor heating are now common in modern bathrooms. We’ve seen more and more people ask for water-saving taps and energy-efficient lighting as NI households care more about their carbon footprint now.
Trend or Timeless?
Smart and sustainable bathrooms are timeless - in fact, they are the future. Invest in quality tech and eco fittings with replaceable parts for long-term use.
Bathroom Fixture & Fitting Trends
7. Functional Storage
Wall-hung cabinets and freestanding vanity units with drawers are both great ways to keep bathroom clutter under control. Built-in alcoves in showers or baths are also practical and popular at the moment.
Trend or Timeless?
Built-in storage is always useful, but be careful of trends like shower niches - while they look great now, they could become dated and require extra cleaning.
8. Wall-Hung Fixtures
Wall-hung toilets and basins free up floor space and make cleaning easier, especially in small bathrooms. They’re particularly well-suited to small en-suites often found in houses throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.
Trend or Timeless?
A modern trend that can be timeless. Pair wall-hung fittings with natural materials or traditional colours for a look that won’t date too quickly.
9. Frameless Showers
Frameless glass shower enclosures create a seamless look and help bathrooms feel more open. A frameless screen with a low-profile tray is a popular choice in both modern and traditional homes.
Trend or Timeless?
Frameless showers are timeless. Select glass with anti-limescale coating for easy maintenance.
10. Wood Furniture
Wood vanities, shelving, and cabinets bring warmth and character. Light oak and bamboo are popular for modern looks, while darker finishes suit traditional and regal style bathrooms.
Trend or Timeless?
Wood is timeless, but you must stick with bathroom-grade finishes to protect against moisture.
11. Discrete Tech
Smart bathroom mirrors with hidden lighting, Bluetooth speakers, and underfloor heating controls are designed to blend in rather than overpower spaces. It won’t disrupt the aesthetic, yet it keeps your bathroom more practical.
Trend or Timeless?
If your bathroom technology is kept discrete, it shouldn’t date. Choose products that integrate easily with standard fittings.
Bathroom Colour Trends
12. Dark & Moody Colours
Charcoal, navy, and black tones create bold statements in bathrooms, and colour drenching with these tones can create even more drama. However, light flooring, good lighting, and mirrors need to be used to avoid making the bathroom look small.
Trend or Timeless?
Dark tones are a trend that can last if used carefully. Best applied to walls or accessories for easy updates.
13. Vintage Terracotta
Terracotta and even mustard shades add warmth and pair beautifully with wood and stone in bathrooms. They work especially well in rural homes or bathrooms that want a cosy, grounded feel.
Trend or Timeless?
Terracotta and mustard yellow have been around for decades, coming in and out of style. It’s versatile enough to work with different designs, but use it sparingly if in doubt.
14. Earthy Neutrals
Taupe, beige, and greige create soft, calming spaces that suit almost any bathroom design. These shades are adaptable and easy to pair with both modern and traditional furniture.
Trend or Timeless?
Earthy neutrals are definitely timeless. This is a safe choice if you want a bathroom that won’t date.
15. Anthracite
Anthracite grey is a popular alternative to black for bathroom taps, radiators, and also tiles. It adds depth without being too stark, making it easier to live with long-term.
Trend or Timeless?
Anthracite could be considered a trend, as we haven’t seen it much in the past. That said - it's a very versatile colour because it mimics the look of stone.
16. Nostalgic Blues
Soft seafoam, sky, and denim tones bring freshness and a nod to coastal living, making them especially popular across Northern Ireland. They work well in both small and large bathrooms.
Trend or Timeless?
Blues are timeless for a reason. Stick to softer shades for a look that won’t feel dated.
Bathroom Tile Trends
17. Large Format Tiles
Big tiles = fewer grout lines + a sleek look + easy cleaning! They can also make small bathrooms look and feel bigger when used floor-to-ceiling in light shades.
Trend or Timeless?
Large format tiles are timeless - neutral stone or concrete finishes will last for years.
18. Textured Tiles
Fluted and stone-effect tiles add depth and character. They’re popular for feature walls or shower enclosures where a concentrated area is given a tactile finish that makes an impact.
Trend or Timeless?
Textured tiles are definitely trending this year, and we’re not too sure how it will last. They’re usually slip-proof, which is great, but cleaning can be a little trickier.
19. Terrazzo Tiles
Terrazzo tiles add colour and pattern through speckled designs. They work well on floors or splashbacks, giving bathrooms a playful yet stylish look.
Trend or Timeless?
The jury is out on this one! Personally, we LOVE Terrazzo tiles, but if you're unsure, use it in smaller areas that can easily be updated later.
20. Marble Effect Tiles
Marble-look tiles bring a sense of luxury without the upkeep of real marble. White with grey veining is the most classic choice, but you can also go for warmer colours with gold veins.
Trend or Timeless?
As always, the marble look is timeless. Classic tones will always feel relevant.
21. Chequered & Striped Tiles
Chequered and striped tiles in black-and-white or colour combinations give a retro touch. They work best in smaller spaces like cloakrooms or showers, where they make a strong design statement.
Trend or Timeless?
Chequered tiles are a trend - but again, we love them. If you’re creating a chequered bathroom floor, we advise smaller tiles for a small area, or larger tiles for a large area.
FAQs
Which bathroom trends are outdated?
Glossy tiles, all-white schemes, and chrome-only fittings are less popular in recent years. Warmer tones, textured finishes, and mixed metals are more current choices.
What bathroom trends are suited to small bathrooms?
Wall-hung fixtures, large-format tiles, and light neutrals make small bathrooms feel more spacious. Built-in storage is also key.
Are bathroom panels just a trend, or are they here to stay?
Bathroom panels are practical, quick to fit, and low-maintenance. They’re increasingly popular as an alternative to tiles in showers, and are here to stay.
Design a Trendy but Timeless Bathroom with Bassetts
Trends are useful for inspiration, but the best bathrooms are the ones that feel right for years.
At Bassetts, our designers help you bring in new styles without losing the timeless look you’ll enjoy every day. Whether you want Japandi calm, spa-like comfort, or bold retro touches, we’ll help you find the right balance.