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When you’re getting ready to list a house, you know the quality of the bathrooms can make or break a buyer’s offer. Updating a bathroom is one of the top renovations that increase home value, but with so many options to choose from, where should you start? Here are 25 popular bathroom remodel ideas for 2025.
1. Add a freestanding tub
Freestanding tubs are a flexible option when you want to express yourself with a unique look. Unlike traditional bathtubs that fit into a corner, freestanding tubs come in a variety of different shapes, styles and sizes.
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2. Introduce bold colors
For many years, preference and popularity went to neutral paint colors that made bathrooms look sterile and spacious. But in 2025, bold colors are booming, with owners choosing hues that inspire a more luxurious look.
3. Install a floating vanity
Why take up floor space when you can mount a vanity on the wall for a sleek, modern look? Floating vanities are trending now, and they come with the added bonus of easier cleaning.
4. Choose spa-like amenities
In-home saunas, steam showers, body jets and other spa-like upgrades are becoming increasingly common as homeowners seek a more relaxed experience that they can enjoy without leaving the house.
5. Swap in natural and sustainable materials
Vinyl and other plastics are affordable, durable and easy to install — but they’re among the least sustainable bathroom materials and definitely won’t help you in pursuit of that spa-like experience. For your next bathroom remodel, think about how you can utilize sustainable materials, like natural stone and bamboo.
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6. Give your bathroom an IQ boost
With technology, you can make just about any part of your bathroom more intelligent. Voice-activated features, smart controls and touchless sensors are just a few ways you can bring your bathroom into the modern age and enjoy added conveniences.
7. Mix and match metals
There’s nothing wrong with matching your metals, but in 2025, many homeowners are going against the grain and mixing hardware finishes. Try combining silver and gold or black and bronze to create a luxe look that stands out.
8. Install a glass shower enclosure
Glass shower enclosures can give a bathroom a more open feel than tiled shower walls, creating a sleeker, more modern look. Though you may have to compromise on privacy (there are ways around that, too, such as frosted glass), cleaning a glass shower is quicker and easier than dealing with tiles and grout.
9. Add a window
Adding a window to a bathroom can instantly transform drab into fab. Besides the increased aesthetic appeal, you’ll also benefit from improved ventilation and air quality. While adding a window isn’t a quick or cheap fix, it’s often a worthwhile expense that can completely change a bathroom’s look and feel.
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10. Customize storage solutions
Hanging shower caddies and personal effects strewn across vanity countertops scream dorm living and are definitely out of style in 2025. Instead, choose built-in storage options — such as drawers, recessed niche shelving and linen closets — that keep your bathroom organized and clutter-free.
11. Add a personal touch
More homeowners are opting to personalize their bathrooms with area rugs, artwork, aromatherapy and more. Adding personal touches to your bathroom can make it feel more like a room in your home and less like a place that’s reserved strictly for business.
12. Hang wallpaper in place of paint
Wallpaper gives you the power to put any design or color on your bathroom walls — and at a fraction of the cost of tile. Wallpaper today is also more durable, easier to apply, and, unlike 19th-century Victorian wallpaper, free of arsenic.
13. Go minimalist
A minimalist bathroom is timeless, easy to clean and focused on function over form. Think straight lines, neutral colors and open floor space. You can never really go wrong with a minimalist bathroom, which is why they’ll always be in style.
14. Go maximalist
The Gilded Age might feel like ancient history, but to those who love an over-the-top look, the maximalist makeover might be a perfect fit. The beauty of a maximalist bathroom is the freedom to choose. Utilizing all available spaces to layer, add variety and create a dramatic effect make each maximalist bathroom one of a kind.
15. Go modern
While modern bathrooms typically include many of the same design principles as minimalist bathrooms, they often feature more diverse or complex finishes. A modern bathroom makeover might call for integrating technology into the design, layering to create depth and mixing and matching a wider range of materials.
16. Pick patterned or geometric tiles
While simple subway tiles will always have a place in our hearts, patterned and geometric tiles create a visual curiosity that’s sure to please. Why settle for ordinary tiles when you can pick from thousands of shapes, patterns and styles?
17. Embrace biophilic design
Biophilic designs can help bring the beauty of the outdoors into homes, reducing stress and helping homeowners connect with nature. Planters, living walls and plenty of natural light can give your bathroom the look of an outdoor oasis.
18. Choose earthy and ocean tones
Browns, blues and greens can evoke a sense of calmness and warmth, blending with biophilic designs to make your bathroom feel like a natural paradise. You can add earthy and ocean tones just about anywhere in your bathroom, from paint and accessories to vanities and tiles.
Courtesy of Canva
19. Get cozy with heated floors and towel warmers
When warm colors aren’t quite enough for you to feel cozy, heated floors and towel warmers can add a spa-like element to any bathroom, along with the benefits of improved hygiene.
20. Say it loud with a statement piece
Statement pieces of all kinds are now finding their way into bathrooms, offering another opportunity to personalize your space. Benches, sconces, side tables and funky fixtures allow homeowners to express their individuality and enhance aesthetics and functionality.
21. Integrate lighting
Integrating water-resistant LED lighting can breathe new life into your bathroom, saving space and simplifying grooming and cleaning. Today, it’s easier and more affordable to integrate LED lighting into any part of your bathroom, from backlit mirrors and vanities to uplights and recessed fixtures.
22. Seek out sustainability features
As sustainability comes into focus, upgrading bathrooms with more eco-friendly solutions can not only help support the planet but also lower your utility bills. Look for energy-efficient lighting, along with toilets, faucets and showerheads bearing the WaterSense label.
23. Introduce soft textiles
Soft textiles, such as linen, cotton, chenille and bamboo, are excellent additions to any bathroom. Plush towels, curtains, rugs and bath mats — particularly those in warm tones — can help promote a luxurious look and feel.
24. Reclaim and recycle
We’ve all complained that things are made like they used to be, which is why many homeowners today are incorporating reclaimed vanities, mirrors, tiles and wood into their bathrooms. In addition to avoiding waste, recycling old or vintage materials can offer an affordable way to make your bathroom stand out.
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25. Buck the trend!
Following the trend is fun, but do you know what’s better? Bucking the trend, blazing your own trail and choosing any bathroom finishes you love. Take any of the design elements and styles you like, and combine them to make your dream bathroom.
Jonathan Pressman is a Realtor who writes on a wide range of financial topics. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram.
