5 Bathroom Decorating Trends Designers Totally Regret Trying in 2025

While many homeowners prefer to keep their bathrooms and powder rooms peaceful, zen spaces, others see this space as a great place to take risks. After all, the bathroom is a part of the home others might not see, and a powder room is small enough to play with design choices you might not make in the rest of your home.

But that doesn’t mean every trend works out. We checked in with a few design pros to find out which bathroom trends they tried and regretted or skipped all together.

Textured Stone Vessel Sink

As biophilic design rose in the design world, textured stone vessel sinks seemed to be everywhere. In fact, interior designer John Stivale admits he fell for it—and regretted it.

“Gorgeous in theory, but impossible to clean and always splashing water everywhere,” he says. “Let’s just say we’ve since rekindled our love for practicality.”

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Limewash Paint 

Interior designer Lauren Lerner says she tried limewash paint in her bathroom, but she’ll never do it again—especially near a bathtub or if kids are involved.

“It looks amazing at first, but the minute water splashes, you’re left with permanent water spots,” she says. “It’s just not worth the maintenance.”

Instead, Lerner says to opt for something durable that can handle moisture.

Micro-Mosaic Tile

A beautifully tiled wall can be a showstopper, but interior designer and futurist Steven Graffam says he quickly regretted once installing a micro-mosaic design.

“Stunning in photos, but a nightmare to maintain,” he says. “Every tiny grout line became its own personality! It taught us that sometimes bigger tiles really do mean bigger peace of mind.”

Cement Tile

While cement tile can look beautiful in the right space, Lerner says this is one bathroom decor pick she’ll never choose again.

“It stains, it dulls, and it loses its charm fast,” she says—and the same goes for matte black floor tile. “Every water spot shows, no matter how often you clean. It’s beautiful in theory but exhausting to live with.”

Dark Paint

Moody, dark bathrooms certainly had their moment, but it’s one Stivale says he really wishes they skipped.

“We once tried a moody charcoal in a small bathroom thinking it would feel chic and dramatic,” he says. “Instead, it felt like showering in a cave.”

While dark bathrooms and powder rooms can be a stunning design choice, Stivale says it’s important to consider lighting and scale first. If you don’t have the space for it, you’ll definitely regret this pick, too.

“Looking ahead, we’re excited about warmer, tactile materials and layered lighting that feel luxurious yet timeless,” he says. “The future of bathrooms is as much about comfort and experience as it is about style.”