Accessible, Wellness-Inspired Trends Drive Bathroom Design

More than ever, homeowners are gravitating toward bathrooms that will age with them. According to home remodeling and design platform Houzz's 2025 U.S. Bathroom Trends Study, which surveys more than 1,700 homeonwers, more than two-thirds of respondents consider accessibility when it comes to the bathroom.

However, accessibility is just one piece of the puzzle for homeowners. When creating spaces that will age with them, homeowners also want their bathrooms to be a place of retreat, with 36% of respondents saying they’re incorporating wellness features into their bathroom designs.

Accessibility is a major priority for today’s homeowners

Universal design is taking off, with 47% of homeowners looking ahead at what they may need in the future, compared with 31% who are considering current needs of household members. When addressing their current accessibility needs, 41% say aging household members are their priority. Meanwhile, 11% say they are prioritizing accessible designs for household members with disabilities, and 5% are considering young children.

When considering specific features, homeowners are most commonly interested in low-curb showers, with 52% of respondents prioritizing this feature. Additionally, 31% say adequate lighting is important, and 28% say they want curbless showers.

Wellness features continue to grow in popularity

Wellness spaces have become equally as important for homeowners, with more than one third of bathrooms now having some type of wellness feature included. Specifically, 74% of homeowners say they want wellness features that support cleanliness, 65% say they’re prioritizing spacious showers, and 59% say they need more organized storage.

How can builders accommodate these requests and create bathrooms that age gracefully?

• New-Home Design Solutions for Aging in Place: From bathrooms to bedrooms and more, these homes showcase great universal design strategies.
• 11 Aging-In-Place Features That Add Value to Any Bathroom: These tips can help create bathrooms that are designed to go the distance.