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Kitchens might be the heart of the home, but bathrooms are definitely the muscle. After all, which room in your home has to double as a dog wash and a makeup station? Of course, making your bathroom one of your favorite rooms in your house has as much to do with style as it does function. As you work to create a bathroom that is fashionable and functional, you’ll want to know about all of the latest 2019 bathroom trends. We’ve rounded up some of the trends that are on their way in and some on their way out.

Statement wallpaper makes the most of a small space. Image: yampi/Shutterstock

Instead of paint, try statement wallpaper

After years of being out, wallpaper is back in a big way. And while you might not want to commit to wallpaper in a large space like your living room, the bathroom is the perfect place to experiment. Try a statement wallpaper in a powder room by opting for a bold, graphic print with plenty of contrast. Instant style update!

Black painted bathroom with natural accents

Black is a fresher take for 2019. Image: PlusONE/Shutterstock

Instead of gray, try black

It’s one of the oldest pieces of interior design advice: use lighter colors to make a room feel bigger. But darker colors can actually convey more depth, which is a great choice for bathrooms. Skip the gray and paint one wall black to make a room feel deeper, or opt for black fixtures to increase contrast and call attention to the room’s features.

Exposed pipes and a masculine design bring more style. Image: PlusONE/Shutterstock

Instead of glam, try industrial

Glam bathrooms (think all-pink, heavy chandeliers and gold features) are on their way out. One of the biggest 2019 bathroom trends is the complete opposite of glam. Industrial chic means heavier fixtures, metal and a more masculine aesthetic. Something as simple as swapping out lighting or even leaving exposed pipes makes a bathroom look more stylish.

A wet room makes your bathroom feel more spa-like. Image: ImageFlow/Shutterstock

Instead of a separate tub and shower, try a wet room

If you have the luxury of designing your bathroom from scratch, consider going with a wet room approach. A wet room is basically a separate tiled space in your bathroom that contains a shower and tub. It makes your bathroom feel more spa-like while still being incredibly easy to clean. An added bonus? It creates separation so someone can use the rest of the bathroom, including sinks, even when someone’s in the shower.

A floating vanity creates a sleek look. Image: Beyond Time/Shutterstock

Instead of a console vanity, try a floating vanity

Console vanities are inexpensive and easy to find. But for some bathrooms, they can look clunky and limit storage options. For a 2019 bathroom trends update, check out floating vanities. By bolting the vanity directly into the wall, the result is streamlined and modern. Floating vanities also let you store smaller things inside while tucking larger items (think baby tubs or step stools) underneath.

Metal mirrors streamline your bathroom style. Image: Peshkova/Shutterstock

Instead of fussy frames, try mod mirrors

The overdone carved mirror is out. Let’s face it: a mirror with nooks and crannies isn’t always the best choice for bathrooms. They’re hard to clean and can collect dust. For 2019, it’s all about the mod mirror. Metal frames and even frameless mirrors are both streamlined and easy to wipe down. Simplifying your bathroom to-do list? Very 2019.

Use tile to bring color and texture into the room. Image: Image Flow/Shutterstock

Instead of subway tile, try statement tile

For the last five years, subway tile has reigned supreme. From kitchen backsplashes to shower surrounds, subway tile is always a classic choice. But for 2019, the tile trend is leaning toward making more of a statement. Patterned tiles are less overwhelming in small doses, so they’re great for limited spaces in showers or around tubs.

Wood tones make a more organic bathroom. Image: Wolfgang Zwanger/Shutterstock

Instead of stained cabinets, try natural wood

Natural wood tones are back in a big way. If your goal is to make your bathroom feel more spa-like, lightly stained natural wood is a great option. It looks best when accented with light tile and other natural elements like bamboo or cotton. Try opting for a light pine vanity or bring in natural tones with wood shelves piled high with fluffy towels.

Use paint to update a vintage tub. Image: sylv1rob1/Shutterstock

Instead of a jetted bath, try a colored tub

Jetted tubs are one of those polarizing topics: you either love ’em or you hate ’em. But personal preferences aside, the heyday of the oversized jetted tub is coming to an end. Instead, tubs are becoming less utilitarian and more of a statement piece for your bathroom. Colored clawfoot tubs put a modern spin on a classic fixture. They’re essentially painted on the outside but still porcelain on the inside. Some of our favorites are coral, turquoise or even terracotta.

Matte surfaces are easier to keep clean. Image: Archi_viz/Shutterstock

Instead of high gloss, try matte finishes

From your fixtures to your tile, one of our favorite 2019 bathroom trends is the pivot toward matte finishes. A matte marble tile or matte showerhead adds a layer of texture and sophistication. It’s also easy to take care of since you’re not constantly trying to achieve a high shine. It’s one of those trends that is functional and fashionable, the holy grail for bathroom trends.

From home haircuts to pre-party primping, your bathroom is the true workhorse in your home. By keeping up on some of the best 2019 bathroom trends, you can combine fashion and function to come up with a space that works for you, your family and your design style.

The post 2019 Bathroom Trends: What’s In and What’s Out appeared first on Freshome.com.

When you’re designing a bathroom, you’re probably going to view the 2019 trends in bathroom technology and the latest faucet trends for inspiration. A water closet is another bathroom feature that is popular among some homeowners — but it’s considered unnecessary by others. So, how do you know if it’s the right choice for your home?

If you’ve never heard of a water closet, Elle H-Millard of the National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) explains, “The water closet is basically a toilet in its own room.” Do you need a toilet in its own room? Let’s find out.

Advantages

A water closet provides privacy. Image: Sisoje/Getty Images

Nathan Outlaw, President at Onvico, a general contracting and design-build company in Thomasville, GA, tells Freshome that he always recommends water closets for master bathrooms. “They help add privacy for the toilet user and allow a spouse to continue to use the bathroom when it may have been too embarrassing otherwise.”

In fact, H-Millard says homeowners could even have two water closets in the master bathroom. “You could have water closets off to the side and you can have two — his and hers — guaranteeing each person their own true privacy.” This would be an ideal scenario in a Jack and Jill bathroom, too.

A water closet can be quite stylish. Image: fiphoto/Shutterstock

She says that water closets are trending. “This is a very European movement that is taking the U.S. by storm.” Ironically, H-Millard says Americans are opening up their showers just as they’re cordoning off their toilets. “The shower zones are totally exposed, but we are closing off the more private functions in the bathroom,” she explains. “Bathing in front of others seems to be more acceptable but we are still needing our privacy when using the water closet.”

A water closet puts distance between the commode and your toothbrush. Image: MartinPrescott/Getty Images

One advantage of a water closet is that it can make your bathroom more sanitary. For example, toothbrush holders are one of the “Nasty 9” — the nine germiest places in your home. When we spoke with Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona who is better known as “Dr. Germ,” he warned against storing your toothbrush holder close to the toilet. When the toilet is flushed, all of those particles sprayed through the air may land on the toothbrush holder. A water closet ensures that your toothbrush — and other toiletry items — are a safe distance away from the commode.

Disadvantages

A small water closet can induce claustrophobia. Image: zilber42/Getty Images

So, how much additional space does a water closet take up? Not much, according to H-Millard. “If it’s not an ADA-necessary water closet, they can be as small as 3’ x 5’,” she says. But when they’re too small, they might make the user feel claustrophobic.

Another concern is that water closets can sometimes take up valuable space that could be used for something else.

Sometimes, water closet space could be better utilized. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

“We have several master bathrooms that we have removed the water closet from to help open up the bathroom,” Outlaw says. “In some cases, the addition of the water closet just takes up too much space and makes a bathroom feel dark and cramped.”

However, he has another solution. “In these cases, we generally recommend a freestanding shelf or some type of furniture to help block the view and provide privacy to the person using the toilet.”

Other considerations

Looking at the mirror, you can see that this water closet has windows. Image: pics721/Shutterstock

A water closet can be as small or large as you need it to be. However, always consider resale value if you’re thinking about making it expansive. Homebuyers may not appreciate that it’s taking up valuable bathroom space.

Even though it’s a small room (within a room), don’t skimp on design. There are several types of fabulous bathroom wallpaper designs that can make the water closet the bathroom’s most stylish area. A frosted glass door is another option to keep the water closet from looking bland. It will also keep this enclosed space from looking dark and drab.

Even though the water closet will have its own light fixture, keep in mind that the door will be closed when it’s in use, so make sure the lighting is sufficient. In addition, if space is an issue, consider using a pocket door.

Another consideration: Outlaw says guest bathrooms wouldn’t really need a separate closet since they’re less likely to have more than one occupant at a time.

Make sure there’s sufficient lighting in the water closet. Image: Sisoje/Getty Images

The post Water Closets: Essential or a Waste of Bathroom Space? appeared first on Freshome.com.