Hot Home Trend: All-Marble Bathrooms
Realtor Magazine November 1, 2021 By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Marble is being used by renovating homeowners this year more often than before. It’s adding a luxurious touch all throughout a bathroom—from the countertops to surrounding bath and shower walls and the flooring.
Marble in whites with gray or beige veining tend to be the most popular. This look has been trending in kitchen countertops too, but quartz is more commonly used to resemble marble there.
Bathrooms have become popular spots to renovate during the pandemic, particularly to outfit with more spa-like features, according to the 2021 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study,(link is external) a survey of nearly 3,000 homeowners planning or who have recently completed a bathroom renovation.
Other bathroom remodeling trends uncovered in the report:
Bathtub upgrades: The percentage of homeowners who relax in their renovated bathroom by soaking in the bathtub is up by six percentage points this year, reaching 61%, the survey finds. That outpaces the 54% share who unwind with long showers. Popular bathtub upgrades include added space for two or silent whirlpool baths. The most common shower upgrades are rainfall showerheads, dual showers, body sprayers, and thermostatic mixers, which maintain a steady temperature.
Photo credit: Lucy Call
More greenery: Nearly one-third of homeowners added plants to their bathroom after a renovation for the aesthetics as well as plants role in creating a calming environment and help in purifying the air.
Colorful vanities: White continues to be the most popular choice, but it is getting more colorful competition. Blue and wood vanities are gaining in popularity. The share of homeowners opting for blue vanities has doubled compared with last year (8% in 2021, from 4% in 2020), while medium and light wood tones are becoming more common (14% and 8%, respectively in 2021).
Lighting priorities: More owners are adding lights to their bathroom upgrades. Wall lights and recessed lights remain the two most popular upgrades. Also gaining popularity this year are lighted mirrors, such as those with LED lighting and anti-fogging systems, pendant lights, and chandeliers. Dimmable lighting is also contributing to a more spa-like atmosphere.
Commode upgrades: More than a third of homeowners who upgraded their toilets during renovations added technology. Bidets remain the most popular tech feature added by one in five homeowners, followed by self cleaning mechanisms, heated seats, overflow protection, and built-in nightlights.
Custom medicine cabinets: Nearly one-third of renovating homeowners installed custom or semi-custom medicine cabinets. Many of these cabinets also included features like hidden plugs and lighting on the inside.