Feature Article /
Nov 11, 2019

5 Things to Know from the 2019 Houzz Bathroom Trends Report

Bath Trends 2019

Margaret Wright Photography © 2018 Houzz.jpg

Houzz polled 1,360 homeowners with a 56-question survey to get a pulse on the biggest master bathroom trends of 2019. Here’s what you need to know.

The results are in, and an overarching theme that Houzz found is the desire to create a relaxing space with details meant to elevate the bathroom experience, such as soothing colors, custom cabinets, and smart technology. 

According to the survey, the top reasons for a remodel include outdated styles, small showers, and insufficient storage. But the remodelers focus on changing features within the bathroom rather than size, as only 8 percent make the bathroom significantly larger. 

[ Read More: WHAT ARE THE HOTTEST 2020 BATHROOM TRENDS? ]

Bath Tub 2019

Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz

 

A trendy bathroom does not come cheap, however, and Houzz found that the cost of renovating averaged $8,000 in 2018, one thousand dollars more than the previous year. San Francisco ranks as the most expensive city to renovate, setting homeowners back $15,000. Consumers are also more likely to hire a remodeler or designer who specializes in bathrooms. 

[Read More: 5 COMMON BATHROOM MISTAKES PROS SHOULD AVOID]

“Bathrooms have always been a top room to renovate, along with kitchens, and now we’re seeing homeowners double down on their master bathrooms,” Nino Sitchinava, Houzz principal economist, says. “The cost of materials including stone and tile has increased due to trade disputes, driving up master bathroom spend. Despite this, renovation activity remains strong, propped by high home equities and homeowners’ desire to stay put given the limited housing supply.”

[Read More: NKBA REPORT: SHOWER AND VANITY CATEGORIES LEAD 2019 BATHROOM TRENDS ]

Here are some key findings from the survey results: 

Bath Trends 2019 Mirrors

Heather Banks © 2018 Houzz

Homeowners want updates to be functional and beautiful

2019 trends focus on form and function. From cabinets to lighting, homeowners want them to look great while also incorporating features that improve the overall experience. In line with this, homeowners are ditching bathtubs for improved showers, which are efficient and practical for an aging in place. A majority will increase the size of the shower, and they tend to use premium materials such as porcelain and ceramic or natural stone to finish the look. 

[Read More: PRO CHAT: DESIGN TRENDS 2019]

Custom cabinets are key

Custom and semi-custom cabinets are increasingly popular as homeowners look for ways to hide pesky plugs and hair tools: 40% of people upgrading their medicine cabinets choose to customize it in some way. They are installing mostly recessed cabinets with features such as built-in lighting, hidden plugs, and mirrors. 

[Read More: 7 MEDICINE CABINETS THAT WILL UPGRADE YOUR BATHS]

Homeowners are hungry for the latest tech

Make way for the bidet on the porcelain throne. Taking cues from Japan and Europe, 34% of renovators install smart toilet technology such as heated seats, bidets, self-cleaning bowls, and overflow technology, up six percentage points from last year. Other tech features include anti-fog mirrors, mood lighting and speakers in the shower, and water-efficient sinks.  

 [Read More: DURAVIT UNVEILS ITS FIRST INTEGRATED SHOWER TOILET ]

Two is better than one

Homeowners desire a bathroom built for two. Doubling up on bathroom features eliminates the morning power struggle of who gets to use the bathroom first. Over one-third of respondents added a second sink and half install two mirrors to match. 

[Read More: IS A WALL-HUNG OR FLOOR-MOUNT VANITY RIGHT FOR YOUR NEXT BATH?]

Contemporary is out, transitional is in

Eighty-nine percent of remodelers choose to change the style of their bathroom, and a 21% of them are going with a transitional style, a blend between traditional and contemporary (both of those styles are dwindling in popularity this year). Another popular style is modern, with 1 in 5 remodelers choosing to switch to this style.

What is your favorite new trend of 2019? Let us know in the comments. 

[Read More: 17 HOT LIGHTING DESIGNS THAT WILL DOMINATE THE INDUSTRY]