Trending Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Every winter here at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel, we can't wait for the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry show in Orlando. The KBIS  always introduces the hottest new trends in the industry and our design team is always excited to present the latest styles, fixtures, finishes, and design trends to Madison, Wisconsin homeowners. 

This year our team spotted many beautiful bathroom remodeling trends that will last well beyond 2018! Let's take a look at some of our favorite design ideas and trends that you can apply to your Madison, Wisconsin home.

View Our Portfolio of Luxury Bathrooms Designed For Greater Madison Homeowners

Customization and Creativity Lead The Way

Furniture transformed into bathroom vanities, colorful mosaic tiled floors and living walls are all features that can add a creative look and a custom touch to your bathroom remodeling project. From gleaming white tile to swirling metallic wallpaper designers are taking a bold approach when it comes to the most used room in your house. Here are some design trends to consider for your next project.

• Oversized Walk-in Showers with Clear Glass Doors

In ensuite bathrooms, more unused jetted tubs are removed than are installed. Whether you remove a standard 60” tub and install an oversized shower, or if the space is even larger, and the shower has no door at all, the bottom line is that a luxury shower is a must-have feature. The jetted tub is now an afterthought.

• Engineered Quartz Countertops and Panels

Engineered quartz has made considerable strides in recent years. While a man-made product, it can be manufactured to accurately mimic the appearance of other stones while being non-porous, extremely durable and stain resistant. Quartz is also available in large thin panels perfect for walls, floors, and tub surrounds. If you love the look of marble or granite, but don't want to commit to a porous material, consider engineered quartz. It's the perfect choice for its style and strength.

• Porcelain and Stone Flooring

Anchoring your bathroom with beautiful porcelain or stone tiles can help to give the room a classic and elegant look. It's especially useful when used in a minimalist design and color palette. With a vast selection of choices in both stone and porcelain a huge trend is to use classic porcelain tile in a simple shape. Charcoal is a hot color.

Natural stone offers the same weighty feel as porcelain, but with a greater sense of texture and luxury. The floor is a great place to use stone if you want to keep it minimal. The floor is typically smaller than many of the walls, so stone makes an impact without feeling overwhelming.

• Nickel and Polished Chrome Fixtures

While the trend of warm brass in the bathroom is far from over, we see the trend in fixtures begin to shift towards warm nickel and classic polished chrome. Brushed nickel is an especially good choice. It has a hint of warmth and minimizes water spotting. It also works well with virtually any other materials and finishes and can be mixed with brass, bronze or black fixtures for a truly eclectic, yet timeless look.

• Undermount Sinks

The trend is moving away from vessel sinks, and while there are still many beautiful options, designers are now overwhelmingly choosing a simple white undermount sink for the bathroom. With the multitude of choices for custom vanities, exotic countertops and fixtures available, the sink doesn't really need to fight for attention. Plus, an undermount sink is really easy to keep clean and doesn't take up any counter space.

• Freestanding Tubs

After years of popularity, the walk-in shower is giving way to a rise in requests for freestanding tubs. They are not only luxurious, but they also have a luxurious look and are an elegant design statement. Today, you have many choices when it comes to freestanding tubs, and they're available in smaller sizes to fit almost any space.

• Integrated Technology 

Technology has made its way into the bathroom in a big way. From LED lighting that can be controlled from your smartphone to smart controls outside the shower that allow you to choose the shower head pattern and preset the perfect temperature, technology has made customization of your bathroom experience possible. There are even smart toilets that have built-in lighting, seat warmers, bidets, and are self-cleaning to make your maintenance chores much more manageable.

• Windows in Showers

Thanks to advances in waterproofing technology and the rise of high-qualify vinyl windows, it has become common for a window to be installed in a custom ensuite master bathroom. With no wood exposed, installation of Schluter waterproofing membrane, and careful tile craftsmanship, your bathroom can easily have a window to bring in natural light and provide beautiful views to the outdoors.

• Aging-in-Place Accessible Features

This trend has had staying power for the past few years, and it's continuing to grow. Contemporary and transitional bathrooms have a neat, tidy, built-in appearance in contrast to more traditional styles. All clean lines and simple surfaces that are easy to keep looking clean and crisp.

• Contemporary and Transitional Style

This trend has had staying power for the past few years, and it's continuing to grow. Contemporary and transitional bathrooms have a neat, tidy, built-in appearance in contrast to more traditional styles. All clean lines and simple surfaces that are easy to keep looking clean and crisp. 

Transitional style has become increasingly popular as it mixes elements like paneled cabinet doors and traditional lighting with elegant finishes like stone slabs and subway tile. It's perfect if you want an eclectic look and don't want to be constrained to a single style.

• Furniture Style Vanities

More designers and homeowners are opting for wooden furniture style vanities. Some are even converting vintage dressers, sewing tables, and other unique non-traditional pieces into vanities for a truly custom look. These types of vanities give a crisp, clean bathroom a  warm, welcoming touch. Especially when wood is used with a light to mid-tome stain that allows the character of the material to shine through.

Bathroom Remodeling In Greater Madison, Wisconsin

Today, you have more choices than ever before when it comes to bathroom remodeling for your Madison, Wisconsin home. With a wide range of new cutting-edge materials, bright colors, natural wood vanities and more, you can create the bathroom of your dreams. 

Here at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel our design team is up on all of the current design trends, new materials, and hot new colors. Come and sit with our design team and let us show you the latest trends in bathroom remodeling!

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 10/31/2022.

Additional Information On Bathroom Design

• Learn Why The Barrier Free Shower Is A Bathroom Remodel Trend

• Bathroom Toilet Guide For Home Remodeling Projects

• Remodeling Ideas For Using Mosaic Tile In Your Bathroom Design