Top Takeaways From the 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study
See which design styles and features homeowners want in their master bathroom remodels now
When homeowners remodel a master bathroom, changing its design style is often on their wish list. Modern is the most popular choice for the refreshed room, but transitional and contemporary are nearly as prevalent, according to new research from Houzz. And half of homeowners renovating their master bathrooms these days are going without a tub. Meanwhile, many are investing in their showers.
Read on for more details on these and other master bathroom trends in our recap of the 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
Read on for more details on these and other master bathroom trends in our recap of the 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
Many Homeowners Look to Relax in Their Master Bathroom
It’s been a stressful year, and 2 in 5 homeowners (41%) are turning to their refreshed master bathrooms for rest and relaxation. Among these homeowners, the bathtub and shower are equally important: 55% say soaking in the tub helps them relax, while 54% enjoy long showers.
That said, showers seem to be rising in appeal compared with tubs, given that half of master bathrooms don’t have tubs after they are remodeled. That’s because homeowners remove the tub in 23% of remodeled bathrooms, while another 27% of these rooms don’t have tubs in the first place — and the homeowners don’t add them.
It’s been a stressful year, and 2 in 5 homeowners (41%) are turning to their refreshed master bathrooms for rest and relaxation. Among these homeowners, the bathtub and shower are equally important: 55% say soaking in the tub helps them relax, while 54% enjoy long showers.
That said, showers seem to be rising in appeal compared with tubs, given that half of master bathrooms don’t have tubs after they are remodeled. That’s because homeowners remove the tub in 23% of remodeled bathrooms, while another 27% of these rooms don’t have tubs in the first place — and the homeowners don’t add them.
Shower Upgrades Coincide With Greater Spend
Notably, master bathroom projects that include a shower upgrade coincide with higher costs than those that don’t. The median national spend on master bathroom remodels overall remained $8,000 in 2019. Yet homeowners whose remodels include a shower upgrade have a median spend of $14,000. Homeowners who don’t touch the shower spend a median of $4,500, just under one-third the median price tag for remodels with a shower upgrade.
As a reminder, the median refers to the midpoint spending level nationally, self-reported by homeowners. Because it is the midpoint spending level, it indicates that half of renovating homeowners spend more, while half spend less.
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Notably, master bathroom projects that include a shower upgrade coincide with higher costs than those that don’t. The median national spend on master bathroom remodels overall remained $8,000 in 2019. Yet homeowners whose remodels include a shower upgrade have a median spend of $14,000. Homeowners who don’t touch the shower spend a median of $4,500, just under one-third the median price tag for remodels with a shower upgrade.
As a reminder, the median refers to the midpoint spending level nationally, self-reported by homeowners. Because it is the midpoint spending level, it indicates that half of renovating homeowners spend more, while half spend less.
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Accent Walls Are a Focus for Some
Accent walls come and go in home design, and right now they are definitely here. In fact, nearly 2 in 5 homeowners remodeling their master bathrooms add an accent wall. Some place it outside the shower (19%), others within the shower (18%).
There are a multitude of ways to make an accent wall stand out. The most popular way for homeowners remodeling their master bathrooms and including an accent wall is with a surface material (51%), such as tile or stone, that’s different from the room’s other walls. Other strategies include using color (45%), pattern (41%) or texture (28%).
When it comes to color, a sizable share of homeowners improving their master bathrooms with an accent wall choose blue (19%). More than 1 in 10 (12%) goes with multicolored.
Accent walls come and go in home design, and right now they are definitely here. In fact, nearly 2 in 5 homeowners remodeling their master bathrooms add an accent wall. Some place it outside the shower (19%), others within the shower (18%).
There are a multitude of ways to make an accent wall stand out. The most popular way for homeowners remodeling their master bathrooms and including an accent wall is with a surface material (51%), such as tile or stone, that’s different from the room’s other walls. Other strategies include using color (45%), pattern (41%) or texture (28%).
When it comes to color, a sizable share of homeowners improving their master bathrooms with an accent wall choose blue (19%). More than 1 in 10 (12%) goes with multicolored.
Homeowners Prioritize Lighting in Remodeled Master Bathrooms
Lighting is a wonderful way to make a master bathroom feel like a relaxing spa, so it’s not surprising that 8 in 10 homeowners remodeling this room upgrade their lighting fixtures. Doing so helps fix some of the pre-renovation pet peeves they name, like insufficient lighting (29%) and no natural light (10%).
For upgraded lighting, wall lights (58%) and recessed lights (55%) are the top choices. Metal-and-glass combinations are the top material blend for upgraded light fixtures.
Lighting is a wonderful way to make a master bathroom feel like a relaxing spa, so it’s not surprising that 8 in 10 homeowners remodeling this room upgrade their lighting fixtures. Doing so helps fix some of the pre-renovation pet peeves they name, like insufficient lighting (29%) and no natural light (10%).
For upgraded lighting, wall lights (58%) and recessed lights (55%) are the top choices. Metal-and-glass combinations are the top material blend for upgraded light fixtures.
High-Tech for Faucets and Toilets
Technology is making its way into the home, sometimes in subtle ways. Almost half of all new faucets (48%) and 1 in 3 toilets (34%) include high-tech features in 2020, but you might not notice all of them immediately. Popular faucet technology features for updated master bathrooms include water efficiency (28%) and materials that show no fingerprints (16%). For toilets, self-cleaning systems (14%) and heated seats (13%) are among the more popular choices.
The 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 1,594 Houzz users who reported that they were homeowners age 18 or older who had completed a master bathroom remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded between June 24 and July 9, 2020.
Download the full study here
More on Houzz
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Read stories about bathroom design
Shop for bathroom products
Technology is making its way into the home, sometimes in subtle ways. Almost half of all new faucets (48%) and 1 in 3 toilets (34%) include high-tech features in 2020, but you might not notice all of them immediately. Popular faucet technology features for updated master bathrooms include water efficiency (28%) and materials that show no fingerprints (16%). For toilets, self-cleaning systems (14%) and heated seats (13%) are among the more popular choices.
The 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 1,594 Houzz users who reported that they were homeowners age 18 or older who had completed a master bathroom remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded between June 24 and July 9, 2020.
Download the full study here
More on Houzz
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Read stories about bathroom design
Shop for bathroom products
Nearly 9 in 10 homeowners (89%) who renovate their master bathrooms change the room’s design style. Given that 69% say their top pet peeve before remodeling is “an old and outdated look,” it follows that they’d want a fresh design.
The most popular design styles for renovated bathrooms are clean-lined and current looks, including modern, chosen by 20% of homeowners renovating their master bathrooms, transitional (18%) and contemporary (18%). (Last year, transitional was the No. 1 style pick and modern was No. 2.)
Another 12% of remodeling homeowners choose traditional style, while 5% pick farmhouse.
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