Last Updated on April 22, 2025 by Advance Design Studio – Home Remodeling
Today’s bathroom has become more than just a functional space—it’s a personal sanctuary. Whether you’re remodeling for luxury, aging in place, or resale value, these trending upgrades will elevate both form and function in your bath.
TOP BATHROOM UPGRADES
1. CUSTOM VANITY STORAGE
Upgrade your vanity with pull-out shelving, soft-close drawers, hidden compartments, and vertical organizers. These enhancements transform cluttered cabinets into streamlined, accessible storage. U-shaped drawers are a popular option for homeowners who want to maximize storage around plumbing. Drawers with built-in charging outlets for hair tools and toothbrushes keep counters cord-free.
2. HEATED FLOORS
Radiant floor heating is an increasingly popular option, especially in regions with colder months. Our design team recommends warm floors in any bathroom, especially for a master, guest, or basement bath. Floor thermostats can be WiFi-enabled, allowing you to preset and modify the temperature and timing to fit your schedule, so your floors are warm before you get up and right before bed. It’s energy-efficient and can be installed under most flooring types, including tile, luxury vinyl, and engineered wood. We’ve had clients select warm floors for entire floors of their home, or under driveways and sidewalks to melt snow quickly. Learn more about radiant heating here.
3. BUILT-IN SHOWER NICHES
Custom shower niches provide a designated space for your shampoos and soaps, so you’ll never have to deal with bulky caddy racks in your shower again. You can frame them with accent tiles, make them vertical or horizontal, and even backlight them for added drama. Fogless mirrors can also be installed in niches to make shaving easier.
4. TOWEL WARMER
Imagine wrapping up in a warm towel after your shower/bath- it’s like you’re having a spa day, every day! But a towel warmer isn’t just a luxury—it’s practical. It keeps towels fresh, dry, and mold-free, especially in high-humidity areas. They provide efficient heat while using minimal energy. We recommend Warmly Yours for all your radiant heating needs, as we partner with them on most of our projects. A wall-mounted, plug-in towel warmer can work for smaller spaces, but hardwired models with timers are ideal for remodels.
5. UPDATED FIXTURES
If you are considering changing your faucets, hardware, light fixtures, or shower fixtures, take time to think of the end result you are envisioning for your bath. Brushed gold finishes can achieve a glamorous, vintage-inspired look. If you prefer a matte black or glossy silver finish, both are classic. Mixing metal finishes can look stunning as well when done correctly. The key is to match the warmer and cooler undertones of your metals together. For example, chrome finishes often pair well with cooler gold finishes, while warm brass pairs well with black finishes.
6. FREESTANDING TUB
Replace your built-in tub with a freestanding tub to add a modern, elegant touch to your space. Going with a freestanding tub will allow more freedom when it comes to placement compared to a built-in tub, and they take up less space than those chunky corner whirlpool tubs.
7. DECORATIVE SHOWER DRAINS
The linear drain is now a staple in luxury showers because of its clean, sleek appearance. Aside from the visual appeal, a linear drain allows for the use of larger tiles and a gentle shower slope. A skilled tile installer can seamlessly integrate your shower floor tile into the drain design.
8. QUIET VENT/TIMER FAN
While bathroom fans control moisture and odor levels, they can be noisy and shouldn’t be on all the time. Quiet ventilation and timer fans are two upgrades you should consider. You won’t have to worry about leaving your bath fan on with an automatic timer, and silent ventilation will ensure that your relaxation haven isn’t diminished by a loud fan.
9. BUILT-IN SHOWER BENCH
If you’re looking to remodel for aging in place, the addition of a bench will add elegant convenience and accessibility to your shower. A built-in bench will create a spa-like atmosphere, enhancing the functionality and visual design of your shower cove. You can have your bench heated as well if you like.
10. SHOWER SOUND SYSTEM
The addition of a built-in waterproof speaker system will allow you to listen to your favorite music and connect to your smart home devices. Control the playlist and volume from your shower cove! The perfect upgrade for your family members who love singing in the shower.
11. VANITY MIRROR TELEVISION
Add an element of entertainment to your bathroom by adding a television behind your vanity mirror. When turned off, the screen magically disappears from view.
These bath upgrades are more than aesthetic—they’re lifestyle-enhancing. Whether you’re doing a full renovation or just updating a few features, think about your habits, your home’s design flow, and the little touches that bring joy. If you’re planning a full bath remodel, we’ve broken down what a typical bath remodel will cost in the Chicagoland area. Check out our Remodeling Resource Center to learn more about how to approach your bath remodel.