The Top 2022 Bathroom Trends to Consider in the Months to Come

In 2022, home designer Summer Thornton, president and creative director of Summer Thornton Design, says the bathroom is becoming a cozy extension of the home. “Whether that means continuing color, bringing in more textiles and wall treatments, or incorporating a fireplace, I like bathrooms that feel like living rooms, not just all business,” she explains.

Speaking of coziness in the bathroom, Thornton reveals full-length draperies are bound to have a major moment in 2022. “They bring in a textile moment and soften the space from feeling too cold,” she explains. “If there is space for it, draperies can make a bathroom feel more like a dressing room and tie the space in visually to the rest of your house.”

Another 2022 bathroom trend that ties into bringing personal style to this utilitarian space? Vintage elements. Designer Heather Weisz of HW Interiors says she’s seeing a mix of vintage pieces (including unique light fixtures, lighting, and more) incorporated into more modern, clean-lined bathrooms. “The tension really seems to highlight the pieces and create artful moments and vignettes,” she explains.

Bathrooms are often outfitted in calming, spa-like palettes. Weisz says 2022 is the time to rethink that though. “We are definitely seeing rich, deeper colors coming into the bathroom,” she shares. “The formative years where everyone wanted everything very stark white and gray across the board seems to have passed. People want their sanctuaries to exude warmth.”

One way to embrace color in this space is with bathroom wallpaper. “Wallpaper is still coming in hot, and we are seeing so many amazing large-scale patterns,” Weisz says. “Murals are also going to appear more and more in bathrooms this year.”

While some designers are tying homey elements into the bathroom, others are fully restructuring the space to flow directly into the bathroom. “Clients are asking for combined bath and closet spaces that are equal in size to the master bedroom itself,” designer Roger Higgins shares. “More seems to be more these days.”

As beautiful as crisp white marble is, 2022 is all about embracing bold bathroom elements—including bolder stone. “I am a big fan of the bolder, the better for stone surfaces,” Thornton says. “We are currently slabbing an entire bathroom in a rich malachite green marble. The floor, the walls, the sink will all be wrapped in this gorgeous stone!”

While stone is top of mind, Weisz says natural stones of all textures and colors, as well as bathroom plants, are being used to establish a connection with nature. “Also zellige tile and handmade elements,” she adds. “Of course, natural stone is timeless and has never been out, but we are seeing a trend towards more statement and rich in color slabs.”

So much attention is paid to living room lighting and bedroom lighting, but bathroom lighting often gets overlooked. Not in 2022! “Creating the perfect ambiance in your bathroom sanctuary with lighting will also be another trend that we will continue to see in 2022,” Weisz says. “Whether it be pendants, sconces, flush mounts, or statement chandeliers, lighting is where it’s at.”

Pedestal tubs can be stunning; there’s no debate. However, according to Higgins, 2022 is witnessing an emergence of beautiful tubs that “can feel either traditional or transitional. They’re simplified and elegant.”

That said, they’re not all white resin and marble. Instead, Weisz says to expect metallic and statement color freestanding tubs. “A shift away from the white pedestal tub seems to be happening,” she points out.

While many people view the bathroom as a place to enjoy a bit of quiet solitude, Higgins reveals televisions are making their way into the space. “We are seeing a lot of televisions embedded in bathroom mirrors; people just seem to want to be connected at all times now,” he says.