Outdated Bathroom Layouts in 2025: Designers' Preferred Modern Alternatives for a More Freshened-Up Space
Navigating the labyrinth that is bathroom design can be a challenging task. After all, these tiny personal havens are awash with a myriad of fixtures and features, ensuring that arranging everything to fit in snugly while keeping a natural flow is no small feat. Once your tub, shower, vanity, and throne are all installed, space is at a premium, and the slightest misstep in your layout can leave you with a bathroom that feels constricting and outdated.
To avoid this pitfall, steer clear of these five bathroom layout mistakes that have long outlived their shelf life:
1. Vanity Units That Cramp Your Style
Vanities might not seem like a big deal when considering bathroom layout ideas, but a poorly-styled one can have a significant impact on your spatial design. A bulky vanity that encroaches on your floor space doesn't just cause a visual imbalance, but it can also severely restrict it.
Sally Bettison, Design Manager at Tissino, advises, "Vanity units should complement your bathroom, not overwhelm it. Gigantic, high-gloss units are becoming increasingly dated as they tend to close a space rather than open it up. Although once perceived as practical, these oversized units often occupy too much visual space, making bathrooms feel cramped and confined, particularly in smaller or less spacious layouts."
The Solution
If you want a vanity that adds to your bathroom's aesthetics, opt for a sleek, streamlined design. A neutral vanity with minimalist fixtures that's mounted to the wall, leaving ample space underneath, is much more contemporary and offers far better functionality. According to Sally, "Wall-hung vanities, fluted textures, and natural finishes are leading the way, allowing bathrooms to feel more like living spaces than utilitarian spaces."
Tissino, an Italian-inspired bathroom brand with over 25 years of experience, champions the motto "designed to inspire, made to experience."
2. Boxy Bathrooms
Ideally, you want a bathroom to evoke a sense of spaciousness rather than one that feels confined, even in the face of limited space. Careful consideration of your layout is crucial to achieve this goal.
"A well-designed bathroom is about design as much as it is about practicality," says Louise Ashdown, Head of Design at West One Bathrooms. She adds, "Choosing to have two smaller bathrooms over one larger one doesn't provide the space to accommodate necessary bathroom products, creating a truly tranquil bathroom experience."
The Fix
To imbue the illusion of extra space, streamline your bathroom to the bare essentials. Consider knocking down walls to enlarge the room during remodeling, if possible.
Louise highlights, "We are witnessing homeowners requesting to transform unused bedrooms into bathroom sanctuaries. This transformation grants you ample space to integrate luxury features such as steam showers with built-in seating, bathroom lounges, and freestanding tubs."
Established in 2022, Beams simplifies home renovations and makes them more eco-friendly by streamlining every step of the process, from design to finding trusted contractors.
3. Outdated Blueprints
A bathroom layout that requires you to zigzag across the floor as you traverse from the door to the toilet to the sink can be a recipe for disaster. Not only does it create a chaotic vibe, but it also increases the risk of water spills and germ transfer.
Fabrizia D'Autilia, Trade Marketing Manager at Villeroy & Boch, states, "Modern bathroom trends swing towards sleeker spaces with multi-functional features or bespoke storage solutions that really maximize every inch. You don't necessarily need a spacious bathroom to create a functional layout with optimal efficiency."
The Solution
A user-friendly bathroom layout should prioritize functionality, with intuitive zoning, integrated storage, and open spaces that encourage airflow. Fabrizia explains, "Think light-reflective materials, organic shapes, and wellness-focused design."
She says, "A compact space doesn't mean having to compromise; a few smart swaps, wall-mounted fixtures, sensor lighting, and sleek mirrored storage can significantly modernize even the most awkward layout, without requiring an extensive renovation."
Natalya Wilson, Designer at Beams, affirms, "There are now clever fixtures available, like short, deep tubs, that allow you to soak comfortably in tight spaces. Look for bath fittings designed for compact spaces: Japanese-style soaking tubs, corner basins, and wall-mounted toilets can all help free up space."
4. Off-Centered Toilets
In today's world, there's no reason for a bathroom layout that showcases the toilet as its centerpiece. While this may have been a common arrangement in the past for ease of installation, it sends an unappealing message in modern times.
Keeley Sutcliffe, Design Manager at BC Designs, asserts, "It's not the first impression you want people to see."
The Fix
A more contemporary bathroom layout would prioritize positioning your hero products – such as your bathtub, shower, or vanity unit – on display. "We understand it can be expensive and laborious to adjust pipework, but it can make a massive difference," Keeley suggests.
5. Boxed-in Showers
Enclosed shower cubicles can physically consume more space and, visually, appear clunky and outdated. The same goes for some built-in bathtubs in smaller bathrooms.
Simon Ribchester, Head of Design at Beams, advises, "Breaking up the room with boxed-in showers can create clutter, not functionality. Traditional showers, with their bulky trays, doors, and partitions, often divide the room and make it feel smaller. These layouts can feel especially clunky in narrow or awkwardly-shaped bathrooms."
The Solution
Opt for walk-in shower ideas that provide a cleaner, more open appearance. Simon recommends a shower with a single glass screen or even none at all. "This creates a more unified, minimalistic look. It also improves accessibility and allows for more flexibility in where you place fixtures and furniture."
In essence, to achieve a bathroom layout that feels modern and current, focus on streamlined spaces with multi-functional features, hidden storage solutions, and intuitive blueprints that facilitate easy movement throughout the room. By adopting these modern design elements, you can create a bathroom that is both stylish and practical.
As Simon puts it, "Thoughtful changes such as opening up unused space or simplifying how the room flows can make even a confined bathroom feel more spacious and easier to live with, even in small spaces."
It's these subtle details that can truly breathe new life into your bathroom.
- The trend toward contemporary interior design has shifted the focus from large, high-gloss vanity units to sleek, streamlined ones that complement bathroom spaces.
- Kitchens and living rooms are increasingly influenced by the incorporation of natural textures and colors, as people seek to bring a sense of life and personality to their home-and-garden spaces.
- Mirrors, as functional art pieces, have become essential in modern bathroom design, adding an element of elegance while also serving practical purposes, such as enhancing natural light.
- In the realm of lifestyle choices, the preference for tiles with organic shapes and patterns reflects an appreciation for nature and a desire to create serene, soothing ambiances in various rooms, including bathrooms and kitchens.
- To reflect the growing interest in design and aesthetic, furniture in the home-and-garden sphere is trending towards minimalist styles, with clean lines, neutral colors, and compact dimensions, allowing for easy rearrangement and integration to suit changing needs.
- Artplay, an up-and-coming home-and-garden store, curates a diverse selection of artwork, featuring both established and emerging artists, promoting a fresh approach to home decor and serving as a destination for those who wish to infuse their spaces with modern art.
