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2022 Bathroom Design Trends: Color, Style, and Technology

Serena Solomon — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 14:02:03 +0000

Bathroom design ideas—including the trending neutral color and finishes

(Above) Renovation by Sweeten homeowners Ylia + Andre with unique decorative hooks

Homeowners looking for bathroom design ideas are pulling inspiration from style-forward boutique hotels as well as nature.

These are two of many trends identified in the latest annual National Kitchen & Bath Association report. Sweeten reports on their in-depth look at the latest trends from a survey of over 700 designers, architects, contractors, and showroom managers.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

2022 bathroom designs

For several years, white and gray have been the central colors to bathroom design. However, homeowners are now leaning towards a more organic style. The colors of natural materials, like wood and stone, play a role.

The second most popular look is the clean lines of contemporary. Transitional style, a mix of contemporary and traditional design, follows as the third most popular.

(Above) Gold and copper finishes in a bathroom renovation by Sweeten homeowner Karun

Bathroom color ideas

About 50 percent of industry professionals surveyed said homeowners are choosing warmer hues. Bathrooms have a warmer look with cream, instead of white, as the go-to neutral color.

Homeowners contrast these warmer hues with accents in teal, green, and blue to bring a vivid pop of color.

Finshes and decor

Faucets and vanity hardware in metal tones, such as gold and copper, are bringing even more warmth to new bathrooms.

The trend of looking to boutique hotels for bathroom design ideas translates into bolder choices. For example, floor-to-ceiling tiles in a calming teal or a few quirky items like avant-garde towel hooks make an appearance.

(Above) Sweeten homeowner Allyson’s aqua-tiled shower

Bathroom technology

As the look of bathrooms finds inspiration from nature, the function of bathrooms is increasingly using technology. Millennials entering the housing market in high numbers influence this trend.

For instance, heated floors and showers are controlled through mobile devices. Voice-activated toilets, showers, and lighting are gaining popularity.

Gadgets are new additions in the bathroom. Think scales that synch with wellness apps or mirrors that display the weather and your calendar.

How to Splash a Bath with Color

Kate Marsanico — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:45:35 +0000

Adding color to a bathroom—in small accents or large splashes—can have a big design impact

Adding colorful accents to your bathroom when you renovate is a good way to show your own style and personality. These colorful accents can be in the form of vanities, wall paint, and tile. By selecting your favorite hue and incorporating it into your next bathroom remodel, you can effectively create any mood/vibe you like.

Here’s how some Sweeten renovators incorporated colorways outside of neutral making a trip to the bathroom a happy event.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Bold in blue bathrooms

Blue comes in all shades, making it a good color choice to accommodate many design styles. Sweeten renovators Katherine and Chris needed more space for their growing family. They found a promising two-bedroom in Park Slope, Brooklyn, that they could transform with the help of a Sweeten contractor. Their contractor overhauled the bathroom and the couple decided to add a splash of color with a dramatic blue vanity and storage closet.

For their 1,800-square-foot full apartment renovation, Dara and Mauricio posted their project scope to Sweeten and found a contractor to update their bathroom. “In terms of style, we tried to reach a middle ground between our preferences,” says Mauricio. “I chose a more eclectic style for the second bathroom: gray-and-blue patterned tiles on the floor and shower wall mixed with large white subway tiles.”

Peggy and her husband also found themselves in a similar situation in that they couldn’t put off a renovation any longer. Except for this couple, there wasn’t a new baby on the way: the bathroom was leaky and in bad need of repair. They wanted to stay true to the feel of their circa late-1800s brownstone, so Peggy selected classic design elements, including a blue vanity.

When Kate and Daniel redid their bathroom, they went spent a lot of time researching different styles online and on social media. They went with classic subway tile for the walls and hexagonal tile in a royal blue colorway for the floor.

Greens with envy

With so many different shades of green to choose from, it is no wonder so many renovators are finding it easy to pick the one that suits their style. Brooklyn residents Gus and Katherine (above) used a clever mix of tiles for their bathroom remodel, which includes a herringbone ceramic in Jadite for a statement wall.

Fellow Sweeten renovators Kavi and David also selected an unconventional tile for their bathroom renovation. They replaced a subdued floor with a cement Dandelion tile in Lawn/Milk. These hex tiles with watercolor edges and abstract white lines depict sunburst.

Allyson, an attorney who purchased a 1920s home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, also used green to make a design statement in her bath. “I really wanted my bathroom to reflect my love of travel and combine vintage and mid-century modern elements,” says Allyson. Her Sweeten contractor installed shower tiles in a rich aqua green that features a windblown texture—the idea behind them was to make you feel like you’re surrounded by water.

Orange is the new black

These Brooklyn homeowners turned to a Sweeten contractor to remodel their apartment that hadn’t been updated since the 1980s. A black color scheme was chosen with a pop of color in the flooring tile. They installed black tile on the wall by the sink, and offset it with a geometric tile on the floor in burnt orange.

Liz and Kevin, residents of Los Angeles, were thrilled with finding a home in SoCal. The catch? The 1923 house had water damage that required the bathroom to be gutted. With the help of a Sweeten contractor, they were able to transform the space into a modern oasis. They took a chance and added a striking backsplash to the sink area. “The orange,” Liz said, “felt like a risk, but a little playful, like us.”

Back in black

Today, a lot of home design blogs are touting “blue is the new black” or “yellow is the new black.” But rest assured black is back—and here to stay. Look no further than Sweeten renovator Veronica’s bathroom remodel. She worked with a Sweeten contractor to update her entire bath after she found a leaky pipe in her Manhattan co-op. She was happy to get rid of the outdated beige tile and old jet tub and replace them with more chic options. By painting the walls black, it lends a modern aesthetic to the room. “The bathroom got very little light to begin with, so I decided to embrace the cave-like atmosphere and go dark,” Veronica says.

When Alicia and Ed got a new dog, Roxy, they realized they wanted a pet-friendly neighborhood. They found a 1,400-square-foot brownstone in Brooklyn but it needed to be renovated. The bathroom had broken tiles and much of the space was outdated and in need of repair. For the guest bathroom, the couple selected a black-and-white color palette. The result is a classic yet sleek aesthetic.

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Want to see more? Check out Sweeten’s before & after bathroom transformations.

The post How to Splash a Bath with Color appeared first on Sweeten.

A Bright Blue Bathroom Remodel (Plus Walkout Deck) in Los Angeles

Tisha Leung — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:45:08 +0000

Returning expats create an eye-grabbing bathroom and french doors to the deck

Homeowners: Cory + Andrew posted their bathroom remodel on Sweeten
Where: Glassell Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, California
Primary renovation: A bright blue gut bathroom remodel is inspired by New York and Yves Klein blue while a pair of new entry doors open to the deck
With: Sweeten general contractor

Guest blog post written by homeowner Cory Quailes. “After” photos by Madeline Tolle.

A homecoming for Americans abroad

Before the word “Covid” entered our collective consciousness, Andrew and I lived as American expats in Hong Kong. As educators, we worked long and active terms, which were often fulfilling, but sometimes thankless. We cherished our long breaks.

In our first few years together, we traveled all over Asia and Europe. However, we knew at some point we would settle back home in California, close to family, both given and chosen.

(Above) Family portrait courtesy of Sweeten homeowners

Purchasing the right-size bungalow home

2018 was our year. After I returned from a visiting professor role in the South of France, Andrew and I married in the south of California. Right after we said “I do,” we started looking for a home, for living in when we visited Los Angeles, and for renting out the rest of the year. Our goal was to find a modest, move-in-ready house in a central location, with a spectacular view.

We soon discovered, though, that the supply in the market meeting both our needs and our budget was greatly limited. Eventually, we chose the hillside of Glassell Park. Our 650-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow was still nearly double the size of our apartment in Hong Kong. It was more space than we’d had in a long time, and we knew that it would be the perfect place to welcome us back to this side of the Pacific. Best of all, our southwest-facing view meant we could watch the sun rise and set without moving from our perch.

Working from home during Covid

Then Covid happened. In the summer of 2020, we left Hong Kong, our cat Velcro in tow. Moving during a pandemic was not easy, but a larger space and the LA weather made working from home more manageable. We decided to enjoy actually living in our home before renovating. When the time was right, we started with the bathroom, and then added something special for our outdoor space.

The total renovation time, from when our Sweeten contractor began demolition to painting, took about six weeks. The small bathroom was the biggest challenge. We wanted a space that was updated, but timeless. Which meant everything had to go!

Inspired by a classic bright blue

We’re not afraid of color but prefer to inject it as an accent. I chose black-and-white as the base with 3” x 6” white subway tile. (It reminded us of our years in New York). To add some whimsy, we decided to mix geometric shapes—herringbone in the shower and a brick layout for the rest of the bathroom. The tile installer ended up laying the herringbone horizontally instead of the classic vertical configuration, but this added to the quirkiness we had envisioned.

The bathtub was removed and replaced with a freestanding shower. Andrew is 6’3”, and was thrilled when he discovered the ceiling could be moved up by a foot, allowing the showerhead to be mounted several inches above his red curls. For the shower floor, I chose a simple porcelain penny tile, trying to match one of my favorite hues: Yves Klein blue. To tie this rich color back to the rest of the bathroom, we painted the walls with custom-matched semi-gloss paint.

Making a small space feel open

I sourced all of the bathroom components myself. The pre-fabricated glass shower door plays with the geometric theme using varying sizes of rectangles. Its frosted glass helps to diffuse the light while providing a modest cover. I carried this into the blocky console sink with exposed legs. Above it, the round vanity mirror with a medicine cabinet ties back to the round penny tiles. Due to the small size of the bathroom, it was important to open it up as much as possible. So we avoided closed cabinets. This also forced us to be more mindful of our clutter.

For the most part, I was conscious of not over-spending on the decorative components. We did splurge with the pieces for the sink and shower. And with the pièce de résistance: a Japanese-style toilet and bidet with seat warmer, air dryer, and warm water setting. Andrew doubted the necessity of this but now can’t imagine life without it.

“The tile installer ended up laying the herringbone horizontally instead of the classic vertical configuration, but it only added to the quirkiness we had envisioned.”

The finishing touch was the porcelain basketweave floor tiles in black and white. I thought this would be a nice way to ground the complexity of the rigid and organic shapes with one last element.

Bringing the deck inside

When we’re home, we find the most joy watching the sunset from our deck that looks over the neighborhood. Our goal was to bring that view into the home itself, so we decided to replace the two living room windows with a set of pre-hung French doors. The best feature of the doors is that the blinds are set between two panes of glass, making it ideal for thwarting a mischievous, climbing cat. Velcro loves to play! Now all three of us can lie on our rugs and pillows on the floor, watching the sunbeams stream into our home. We even got a retractable screen door so that Velcro, too, can enjoy the fresh air from inside.

We’re very happy with the progress we’ve made on the home so far. It feels more like ours every day! That being said, we’re still not done. Next project: kitchen redo! As a home chef, this is my most sacred space. Stay tuned for more!

Thank you, Cory and Andrew, for sharing your hillside home with us!

Renovation Materials

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Shower tile, penny porcelain floor tile, basketweave porcelain floor tile, and bathroom wall tile: LA Tile and Stone. Sink faucet and shower fixture: Moen. Bright Showers rain shower head in oil rubbed bronze: Amazon. DreamLine French Linea Avignon shower glass door in satin black; Swiss Madison Claire 24″ console sink; Woodbridge Revel Smart Washlet toilet bidet; Golden Lighting Hines black and seeded glass lights; Pegasus medicine cabinet; Steves & Sons fiberglass mini blind patio doors: The Home Depot. Custom paint: Sherwin Williams.

Updated on April 26, 2023

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ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

The post A Bright Blue Bathroom Remodel (Plus Walkout Deck) in Los Angeles appeared first on Sweeten.

Adding a Second Bath for Convenience

Craig Kellogg — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:43:10 +0000

A growing family prompts a layout change: adding a second bath and bedroom

“After” photos by Pixy Interiors for Sweeten

Project: Transform a one-bedroom unit by splitting the master bath into two; adding a second bathroom and an extra bedroom.

Before: When Jeanne and Philip found out they were having a baby, it was just the incentive they needed to renovate. Changing the layout of their 1,000-square-foot apartment would be more efficient for their growing family. They wanted more space to enjoy while raising their little one—without being on top of one another. Luckily, with the help of Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects, they posted their project and found a contractor who could help fulfill their vision of adding a second bathroom and bedroom by splitting up the master bath.

They discussed turning their one-bedroom into a two-bedroom and splitting their master bath into two with their contractor. Luckily, there was enough square footage to play with. The previous owner had taken a closet next to the master bathroom to make a large walk-in shower. The couple’s Sweeten contractor would use some of that space to make a guest bath and second bedroom.

After: The couple decided a design-build firm would be a good fit since maximizing their apartment’s limited space would be tricky. Plus, the contractor handled the architectural documents required by the co-op board and filed for city permits. The family’s main goal was to turn the guest bath into an ADA-compliant space. To do so, they had to add a step up due to underlying drains. Without it, the room would not be able to function in such a capacity. An ADA-compliant space follows a federal guideline to provide greater access to people with limited mobility.

SLIDESHOW:

“I asked the designer to come up with different looks, then mixed and matched,” Jeanne says. “We wanted to be a bit more forward and get funkier.”

Bonus: A new wall-hung toilet takes less floor space than a traditional toilet would.

Style finds: Toilet: Kohler. Vanity: Fresca. Sin/faucet: Grohe. Medicine cabinet: Robern. Toilet paper holder and a hand towel hook Ginger. Subway tile and herringbone mosaic: Nemo Tile. Flooring Daltile. Rain shower and hand-held system: Hansgrohe.

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Give new life to your kitchen. Here’s what you need to know on the renovation costs for a kitchen in NYC.

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