Bathroom design is becoming more considered, comfortable and individual. While clean lines and practical layouts remain important, the focus is shifting towards bathrooms that feel more like relaxing spaces rather than purely functional rooms.
About Design Time
With over 25 years of experience designing and fitting bathrooms in Nottingham and the surrounding areas, Design Time has helped homeowners create bathrooms that combine style, practicality and quality. From traditional bathrooms and timeless designs to contemporary spaces, the team can help you make the most of your room and choose products and finishes that suit your home and lifestyle.
As experienced bathroom designers and fitters, Design Time understands that a successful bathroom is about more than simply choosing attractive tiles and sanitaryware. The layout, storage, lighting, materials and way the room will be used all need to work together. Whether you already know what you want or need some inspiration, the team can provide free advice and design ideas to help you create a bathroom that works for you.
As we head into 2027, expect to see more natural materials, warmer colours, statement tiles, better storage and a greater emphasis on creating a relaxing atmosphere. At the same time, practical features such as walk-in showers, wall-hung furniture and clever lighting will continue to make bathrooms easier to use.
Here are some of the bathroom design styles and trends expected to make an impact in 2027.
1. Warm and natural bathroom colours
Cool grey bathrooms have dominated bathroom design for years, but warmer colours are becoming increasingly popular.
In 2027, expect to see more earthy shades such as beige, cream, taupe, terracotta, warm brown and muted green. These colours can make a bathroom feel softer and more relaxing without making the room appear dated.
Warm colours also work particularly well alongside natural materials. A beige or off-white bathroom can be combined with timber-effect furniture, stone-effect tiles and brushed brass fittings to create a comfortable, cohesive look.
For those who prefer a stronger colour, deep green, navy and earthy blue can provide an effective alternative to traditional white and grey.
The trend is not necessarily about using bold colours everywhere. A feature wall, vanity unit or section of tiling can be enough to introduce colour while keeping the rest of the bathroom relatively neutral.
2. Natural materials and organic textures
The desire to bring natural materials into the home is extending into bathroom design.
Stone, timber, natural-looking tiles and textured finishes can make a bathroom feel warmer and less clinical.
Wood-effect bathroom furniture is particularly useful for introducing warmth while still providing the durability needed in a bathroom environment.
Stone-effect porcelain tiles can also provide the appearance of natural stone while offering a practical and easy-to-maintain surface.
Combining several natural textures is likely to be a key part of bathroom design in 2027. For example, warm wood-effect furniture could be paired with stone-effect wall tiles, a textured floor and brushed metal fittings.
3. Spa-style bathrooms
The bathroom is increasingly being treated as a place to relax rather than simply somewhere to get ready in the morning.
That makes the spa-style bathroom one of the most enduring design directions for 2027.
A spa-inspired bathroom does not necessarily require an enormous room or expensive features. The look can be created through a combination of soft colours, clean lines, good lighting, natural textures and uncluttered surfaces.
Large-format tiles, concealed storage, rainfall showers and understated fittings can all contribute to the feeling of a more luxurious space.
Freestanding baths can also provide a strong focal point where space allows, while softer lighting can make the room feel more relaxing in the evening.
4. Walk-in showers
Walk-in showers are continuing to grow in popularity and are likely to remain a major bathroom trend in 2027.
Their clean appearance can make a bathroom feel larger and more open, while eliminating the need for a traditional shower enclosure can create a more streamlined look.
A walk-in shower can also be designed to suit different room sizes. In a larger bathroom, it can become a generous wet-zone with a rainfall shower and built-in storage. In a smaller room, a carefully planned walk-in design can help maximise the available space.
Large-format tiles and a frameless or minimally framed glass screen can further enhance the open appearance.
5. Statement tiles
Tiles are becoming more than simply a practical surface.
Statement tiles can introduce colour, texture and pattern while creating a focal point within the bathroom.
Large-format marble-effect tiles remain popular, but expect to see greater use of interesting shapes, textured surfaces, terrazzo-style finishes and decorative patterns.
Rather than covering every wall with a highly decorative tile, homeowners can use statement tiles selectively. A shower wall, niche or area behind a vanity unit can become a feature without overwhelming the room.
This also makes it easier to combine a bold design with more timeless tiles elsewhere in the bathroom.
6. Large-format bathroom tiles
While statement tiles can provide personality, large-format tiles are becoming increasingly popular for creating a cleaner overall appearance.
Fewer grout lines can make walls and floors look less busy and can help smaller bathrooms appear more spacious.
Large tiles are particularly effective when using stone or marble-effect finishes, as larger surfaces allow the pattern and veining to flow across the room.
They can also make cleaning easier by reducing the amount of grout that needs regular maintenance.
For a contemporary bathroom, combining large-format wall tiles with a simple floor and understated sanitaryware can create a sophisticated look without relying on lots of decorative details.
7. Wall-hung bathroom furniture
Wall-hung furniture is becoming an increasingly popular choice for modern bathrooms.
Floating vanity units and wall-hung toilets can create a cleaner appearance while making the floor underneath easier to clean.
They can also create the impression of more floor space, which can be particularly useful in smaller bathrooms.
Wall-hung vanity units can provide valuable storage for toiletries, towels and cleaning products while keeping the worktop relatively uncluttered.
For 2027, expect to see more bathrooms combining floating furniture with concealed storage and integrated lighting for a streamlined finish.
8. Statement bathroom furniture
The vanity unit is becoming a major design feature rather than simply a practical place for the basin.
Furniture in natural wood tones, deep green, navy, muted blue and other stronger colours can provide a focal point within an otherwise neutral bathroom.
Fluted doors and textured finishes are also helping bathroom furniture become more visually interesting.
A statement vanity can be particularly effective because it combines style with useful storage. It allows homeowners to introduce colour or texture without having to change every other element of the room.
At Design Time, bathroom furniture can be incorporated into the wider layout so that storage, basin position and available space are considered together rather than as separate decisions.
9. Freestanding baths
Freestanding baths continue to be associated with luxury bathroom design and are likely to remain popular in 2027.
A freestanding bath can act as the centrepiece of a larger bathroom, particularly when positioned beneath a window or against a feature wall.
There are now many different styles available, from traditional roll-top designs to simple contemporary shapes.
The important consideration is the space around the bath. A freestanding bath can look impressive when it has room around it, but squeezing one into a small bathroom can make the space feel cramped.
Good bathroom design is therefore about choosing features that suit the room rather than trying to include every current trend.
10. Brushed brass and warmer metal finishes
Chrome has long been the standard choice for bathroom taps, showers and accessories, but warmer metal finishes are becoming increasingly popular.
Brushed brass, brushed nickel, bronze and other softer finishes can add warmth and character to a bathroom.
Brass fittings work particularly well with green, blue, cream and earthy colours, while brushed nickel can provide a more understated contemporary appearance.
Coordinating the finish across taps, shower fittings, handles and accessories can help the room feel more cohesive.
However, mixing finishes can also work when done deliberately. A combination of metals can add depth to a more characterful bathroom rather than making everything look overly matched.
11. Better bathroom lighting
Lighting is becoming increasingly important in bathroom design.
A single central ceiling light is rarely enough to create the right atmosphere for a modern bathroom. Instead, different types of lighting can be combined for different purposes.
Bright task lighting around a vanity or mirror can make everyday routines easier, while softer ambient lighting can create a more relaxing atmosphere.
Backlit mirrors and illuminated bathroom furniture can provide both practical and decorative lighting.
For a spa-style bathroom, subtle lighting underneath wall-hung furniture or around a bath can create a softer evening atmosphere without needing the main lights on full.
12. Backlit and statement mirrors
The bathroom mirror is becoming more than just a functional necessity.
Backlit mirrors can provide useful illumination around the face while adding a modern design feature to the room.
Different shapes are also becoming more popular. Rounded, arched and organically shaped mirrors can soften bathrooms dominated by straight lines and rectangular tiles.
Large mirrors can also help reflect light and make a smaller bathroom feel more spacious.
In 2027, expect mirrors to play a bigger role in the overall design rather than being treated as an afterthought.
13. Clever bathroom storage
Good storage is one of the most important elements of a successful bathroom.
Bathrooms can quickly become cluttered with toiletries, towels, cleaning products and everyday essentials, so having somewhere to put everything away is essential.
Vanity units, tall bathroom cupboards, mirrored cabinets and recessed wall storage can all help keep surfaces clear.
Shower niches are another useful feature. Rather than relying on freestanding bottles and shower caddies, a recessed niche can provide dedicated storage within the shower area.
The best storage solutions are usually incorporated into the design from the beginning rather than added once the bathroom has already been planned.
14. Wet rooms and open-plan shower areas
Wet rooms continue to offer an attractive option for homeowners who want a contemporary bathroom with a more open feel.
Removing the traditional shower tray and enclosure can create a more seamless appearance and make the available floor area feel larger.
Wet rooms can also work particularly well for accessible bathroom design, although the drainage, waterproofing and floor construction need to be carefully planned.
Large-format tiles, minimal glass screens and concealed drainage can create a clean and modern finish.
As with any bathroom renovation, professional planning is important to make sure the room is properly waterproofed and the layout works in practice.
15. Traditional bathrooms with a modern twist
Not every 2027 bathroom will be ultra-modern.
Traditional bathroom styles remain popular, particularly in period properties where a contemporary suite might feel out of place.
Classic sanitaryware, panelled walls, traditional taps and patterned floor tiles can create a timeless bathroom with plenty of character.
The difference is that traditional features can now be combined with modern practical improvements.
A traditional-style bathroom could include concealed storage, underfloor heating, modern shower technology and efficient sanitaryware while retaining its classic appearance.
This combination of old and new can create a bathroom that feels appropriate to the property without sacrificing convenience.
16. Dark and dramatic bathrooms
While light bathrooms will always have their place, darker colour schemes are becoming increasingly confident.
Deep green, navy, charcoal and dark brown can create a dramatic and sophisticated bathroom, particularly when combined with good lighting and contrasting materials.
A dark bathroom does not necessarily have to feel small or gloomy. Mirrors, carefully positioned lighting and contrasting lighter surfaces can prevent the room from becoming too enclosed.
Dark cabinetry can also be an easier way to introduce the trend without making the entire room dark.
For example, a deep green vanity unit could be paired with warm cream tiles, brass fittings and a natural stone-effect worktop.
17. Underfloor heating and comfort features
Comfort is becoming an increasingly important part of bathroom design.
Underfloor heating can make tiled floors more comfortable, particularly during colder months, while heated towel rails provide a practical way to keep towels warm and dry.
These features are particularly appealing in bathrooms designed as relaxing spaces.
Technology can also be incorporated into showers, mirrors and lighting, but the overall trend is towards technology that improves the experience without making the bathroom look overly technical.
18. Bathrooms designed to last
One of the most important bathroom trends for 2027 is actually about moving away from short-lived trends.
A bathroom renovation is a significant investment, so choosing a design that will still look good several years from now is important.
That does not mean avoiding trends altogether. Instead, consider using current colours and finishes alongside timeless foundations such as quality sanitaryware, practical layouts and durable tiles.
For example, a classic white or neutral bathroom can be updated with coloured furniture, statement lighting or accessories. These elements can be changed more easily in the future than the main fixtures and tiles.
The best bathroom design should therefore balance what looks good now with what will continue to work for you in the future.
Creating a Bathroom That Works for You
Bathroom trends are useful for inspiration, but the best bathroom is one that works for the people using it. At Design Time, we can help you combine the latest design ideas with a practical layout, quality products and clever storage.
Whether you are looking for a contemporary bathroom, a traditional design, a luxurious spa-style space or a practical family bathroom, the right planning can make a significant difference to the finished result.
With over 25 years of experience designing and fitting bathrooms in Nottingham and the surrounding areas, Design Time can help with everything from choosing styles and products to making the most of the available space.
If you are considering a new bathroom for 2027, Design Time can provide free advice and design ideas to help you decide what could work best for your home. You can also visit the Design Time showroom to see different bathroom styles, products, finishes and materials in person.
Contact Design Time to arrange a visit, discuss your ideas or get some free advice about your new bathroom.
What will bathrooms look like in 2027?
The bathroom of 2027 is likely to be warmer, more personal and more comfortable than the stark, purely functional bathrooms of the past.
Expect to see natural materials, earthy colours, statement tiles, wall-hung furniture, walk-in showers and better storage. Freestanding baths, brushed brass fittings and feature lighting will continue to provide ways to add personality and a sense of luxury.
At the same time, practical considerations remain just as important. A bathroom needs to be easy to clean, comfortable to use and capable of meeting the needs of everyone who uses it.
For some homeowners, that could mean a traditional bathroom with classic fittings and patterned tiles. For others, it could be a minimalist wet room with large-format tiles and concealed storage. There is no single right approach.
The strongest bathroom designs for 2027 will combine current ideas with timeless choices, creating a space that looks good today and continues to work brilliantly for years to come.
Ultimately, the best bathroom trend is one that suits your home, your taste and the way you live.