It's all about the bathroom in 2025
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Primary bathroom is a place to relax, retreat, recharge
It’s been dubbed the “RE” room: a place to relax, retreat, recharge, renew, re-centre and reinvigorate.
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“The bathroom is evolving into a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation, as the demand for spa-inspired features continues to grow in response to the stresses of modern life,” says National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Global President & CEO Bill Darcy.
“Thoughtful design elements such as ease of maintenance, optimal lighting and integrated smart technology empower homeowners to craft spaces that not only restore the body and mind but also elevate their sense of well-being.”
And the “RE” room isn’t going anywhere. According to the NKBA’s 2025 Bath Trends Report, the focus over the next three years will largely remain on wellness, with spa-like features, intentional lighting, natural colours and minimal upkeep leading the charge.
The NKBA survey that informed the report found homeowners are taking their cue from hotels and resorts, demonstrating a desire to bring high-end spa experiences into the home.
Case in point: homeowners are using their showers for rehabilitation. Think steam showers, chromotherapy and aromatherapy. Further, soaking tubs for physical healing and recovery are on homeowners’ radars.
“People are definitely showing more interest than ever now and investment in their personal spaces,” says Evelyn Eshun, founder of Evelyn Eshun Design in Toronto.
“The new information on the benefits of saunas, red light therapy and cold plunges has given people the opportunity to want to create wellness retreats in their homes.”
The NKBA member says her clients’ wish lists include soothing colours, tactile materials, surround sound, mini fridges for skin care products, and lighting that can be managed and controlled to create various atmospheres.
The NKBA report also reveals several emerging trends, including increasing the overall footprint of the primary bath and the rise of personalized design, particularly through technology. Let’s dip our toes into some key findings that promise to make a splash this year:
LIGHTING QUALITY. Task and mood lighting are both important. Skylights, windows and doors are topping must-have lists in a bid to let in more natural light. Popular lighting features continue in 2025, including dimmable LEDs, nighttime lights, motion sensors, scones/wall lights and mirrors with integrated LED or backlit. Mix and match materials are in, as finishes don’t need to match hardware, faucets or accessories.
LARGER SPACES. Homeowners want to increase bathroom space, primarily by removing bathtubs to increase shower size and taking down walls to increase the primary bath footprint. However, some walls are still wanted: separate water closets for commodes – with and without doors – are highly desired.
Homeowners also want plenty of space for two to get ready at the same time, seeking sets of two in the bathroom, from vanities, double sinks, his and her medicine cabinets and separate toilet rooms to large showers that accommodate more than one person and double shower heads – the most popular shower configuration overall.
Homeowners prefer having both a shower and a bathtub. Outside of function, the No. 1 goal of the bathtub if to make a statement and a freestanding tub is preferred over sunken and oval tops the list of preferred shapes, according to the report. Top requests in the shower, meanwhile, include handheld showers, curb-less, built-in seating, grab bars, a rain showerhead and a steam shower. Some homeowners also want to be able to bathe their pets in the shower.
NATURAL COLOURS, MATERIALS. A strong desire to connect with nature is top of mind, with organic and natural styles set to remain on trend. Specifically, 42 per cent of survey respondents expect to see a return to a 1970s colour palette with earthy, neutral colours and natural, wood grain textures for floors, walls and vanities.
The top five colours in 2025 will be white, green, blue, grey and brown. In terms of both flooring and wall coverings, warm neutrals, earth tones and wood tones will trump options.
CUSTOMIZATION. Homeowners are seeking more custom solutions in their primary bathrooms. Storage is a priority across the board in vanities and medicine cabinets as well as additional closet space. Wish lists include vanities with storage modules that can be customized to personal needs and integrated power outlets, which are becoming standard.
TECHNOLOGY. A high-tech bathroom may not yet be the norm but demand for features that offer personalized programming solutions and spa experiences are growing in demand, including smart toilets, showers, motion-controlled lighting and heated flooring.
EASY MAINTENANCE. To make living easier, homeowners want to minimize upkeep of their bathrooms, with respondents agreeing that being easy to clean is the top priority when it comes to showers, flooring, countertops and sinks. Demand for smart-cleaning toilets is expected to ramp up.
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