4 Bath Trends You Might Regret (and what to do instead)

4 Bath Trends You Might Regret

Planning a luxury bath remodel?
Some of the most stylish upgrades—like open showers, freestanding tubs, or vessel sinks—end up being more frustrating than fabulous once you start using them every day. 

In this article, you’ll get a practical breakdown of 4 bathroom design trends that often look amazing online but can create daily headaches in real life.

We’ll walk you through what to watch out for, how to avoid costly mistakes, and smart alternatives that will help you build a space that’s both beautiful and built to last.

Large, open showers are popular, but often designed poorly which can cause problems. 

1. Large, Open Showers Can Be Cold and Prone to Flooding

Large, open showers are great for accessibility (aging in place) or for showering together. But it important to get the design right.

A common mistake is an open shower that is too small…. which can lead to water getting on the floor outside the shower. Open showers can also be drafty if some circumstances.

We do large, walk in showers all the time for our clients… but we are sure to go over the pro’s and cons first and we only build them where there is adequate space and we get the drainage right.

When clients are concerned about drafts we will put a glass door at the entrance… so they still have the accessibilty features without the risk of drafts.

If you love the look: Make sure the shower is large enough and make sure you get the drainage right from the start. You can always add a shower door later.

Freestanding tubs are beautiful but are tricky to get in and out and not ideal for aging in place. They can also be hard to clean around if there is not enough space. 

2. Freestanding Tubs Waste Space in Small Bathrooms

Freestanding tubs need space around them—otherwise, they’re hard to clean and become clutter traps. In tight bathrooms, pushing a freestanding tub against the wall leaves a dust-collecting dead zone. Ideally, leave at least 12″ around it for cleaning but more is better. 

They can also be tricky to get in and out of so they are not a great choice for anyone with balance or mobility issues.

Better choice: Consider a back-to-wall or back-to-corner tub for that freestanding look without the space waste.

3. Vessel Sinks: Stylish, but Splashy and Grimy

They look chic—but come with cleaning headaches and water splatter. Vessel sinks create nooks and crannys that can be hard to keep clean. We don’t reccommend them in kids baths but they can be a good option for powder rooms or even master baths if you prioritze 

If you must have one, choose a model with a curved, sloped bottom. Otherwise, go for an undermount or integrated basin for easier upkeep.

4. Vanities with Short Legs Are Cleaning Nightmares

This is one of my least favorite trends.. furniture style vanities with short legs.

A lot of designers and contractors love futniture style ‘all-in -one’ vanities because they are inexpensive and can be bought off the shelf at any big box store.

But these vanities have multiple issues:

• • They are poorly made from cheap materials – imported from Southeast Asia mostly
• • They are freestanding so things fall off the counter easily
• • The short legs make them hard to clean under

Floating vanities or full-height vanities with no legs that are ordered from semi custom or custom cabinet makers are a much better choice for the long term.

You can add furniture like features to these cabients to get the style you want without the draw backs of the cheaper import cabinets.

Conclusion

These trends might be great for your bathroom, or they might be a disaster. The important thing is to know the pro’s and con’s of each design decsions before you commit. Work with an experienced designer with training and experience in kitchen design. 

If you need advice, we are here to help.