Bathroom Design Trends
Zero entry shower pan
Zero entry shower pans, otherwise known as curbless shower pans, offer a seamless alternative to the more commonly seen curbed option. With no curb the shower becomes much easier to access especially for the elderly or anyone with mobility issues. With a large enough shower wheelchairs can even be moved directly in with no barrier. Another advantage is the seamless look. Your space will look larger since there is no partition between the shower and the rest of the room. A cleaner more open look tends to lead to a more modern aesthetic.
Kite set shower pan
Kite set shower pans or envelope cut shower pans, are another option that can give your room a more open and modern aesthetic. This is when a large tile, most often the same tile as the rest of the room, is used for the shower pan. They are often used in conjunction with a zero entry shower design. Most tile showers use smaller mosaic tiles for the shower pan. Because the shower pan must slope to allow the water to flow to the drain. The sloping effect can also be achieved by making specific cuts into the tiles from the corners of the shower to the drain. In this way you can keep your design more cohesive by using the same tile throughout. It also has the advantage of less grout lines to clean. One thing to keep in mind with this design, however, is that eliminating those extra grout lines means there is less for your feet to grip onto. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose a tile with some grip and texture so that you will not slip when using a kite set pan.
Free-Standing Tubs
Gone are the days of built-in tub decks that take up half your bathroom. For most people a free standing tub is much more elegant and space saving option. Free standing tubs can be purchased in a large variety of sizes that can be worked into many different bathroom layouts.
Accent Walls
Accent walls are a nice way to add a pop of color or a different design element into your bathroom. You can add a completely new tile or simply use your same tile in a different layout. One common accent wall technique for showers is to extend the design of the floor up onto the shower wall. This creates a nice flow between areas and a modern look.
Metal Trim
One modern design trend is to use metal trim for the edges in a shower design. Most commonly the trim will match the finish color of the rest of the bathroom. Which can help make certain aspects of a design stand out, like the edges of a niche. It’s an easy way to add a sleek looking design element into a bathroom. Occasionally an alternative trim option is required if your tile doesn’t come with trim tiles. Metal trim is often the best solution for such a problem.
Large Format Tiles
As the technology has improved, tile sizes have grown larger and larger. The most common large format size in the past has been 12”x24”. While this is still the most widely used size, tiles that are 24”x24”, 36”x36” or even 24”x48” are starting to be more and more common. Using a larger size tile can help your room look larger. There are also cleaning advantages, since there are fewer grout lines to worry about. Overall any project with an extra large tile tends to have a more modern and more luxurious feel.
Corner Benches & Shelves
Utility is one thing that can be lost when aiming for a sleeker or more modern look. A corner bench is something that can add utility back into your design. Corner benches take up less visual and physical room than a full size bench and can come in a floating style that meshes well with a modern aesthetic. If you don’t think you need a place to sit in the shower you may consider a smaller corner shelf to get a leg up instead. These can be installed to hold shower bottles or as a ledge to place your foot while washing.
Floating Vanity
One way to create a more open design in a bathroom is to go with a floating vanity. The extra space below that vanity can make a room seem less closed off. It also gives a room a very modern aesthetic.