![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/guest-bath-min.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n Second only to kitchens, bathrooms are among the most popular spaces for homeowners to renovate. And while other home improvement projects are intended to increase ROI or impress your guests, a bathroom renovation feels more personal \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s a space where you can decompress after a long day at work or hide from your family for a couple of minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>2019 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study<\/span><\/a> sheds some light on the design choices homeowners made throughout the year \u2014 the vanity countertop materials they preferred, the plumbing fixtures they upgraded, the color palettes they settled on, and ultimately, how much it all cost. Here are eight key takeaways from the annual Houzz survey.<\/span><\/p>\n\n Photo:\u00a0michelledirkse\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing worse than a cramped shower \u2014 make any sudden movements and you\u2019ll surely knock over the shampoo. Perhaps that explains why four in five homeowners chose to upgrade their shower during a master bathroom renovation and 54 percent of that cohort increased the overall size of their shower. With an expansive walk-in shower you can now add choreography to your early morning karaoke performance.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0sitamontgomeryinteriors\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Chances are, you\u2019re switching up your bathroom\u2019s style because it\u2019s dull and dated (in fact, 89 percent of renovating homeowners do). Transitional, a blend of traditional and contemporary, and modern design styles each received a five percent boost in this year\u2019s survey, to 21 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Say goodbye to those cheap laminate countertops and hello to sleek and durable quartz!<\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0cementtileshop\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n A bathroom renovation is the perfect opportunity to take a design risk. Since it\u2019s a transitional space, you\u2019re less likely to grow tired of a boldly patterned tile accent wall in the shower<\/a> or a stretch of reclaimed wood paneling behind the toilet. According to the Houzz survey, 35 percent of renovating homeowners decided, \u2018Oh, what the hell!\u2019 and just went for it.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0tamararenedesigns_inc\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Double bathroom vanities are quickly becoming the norm, not the exception Replace a frameless, oversized mirror with two <\/span>statement-making mirrors<\/span><\/a> that have curvy silhouettes or intricate details. Three in four homeowners are seeing clearly now, having installed new mirrors during their recent renovations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0puresaltinteriors\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n We all want to feel relaxed when we sink into the tub or step into the shower, and surrounding ourselves with calming neutrals helps put us at ease. It\u2019s no wonder 34 percent of homeowners selected white vanities and 29 percent went with warm wood. White countertops were the clear winner with 46 percent of the vote, and gray and white proved popular for both flooring and paint.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0zioandsons\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n I went without a bathtub for two years and, honestly, it was a sad time for me, devoid of bath bombs, salts and rubber duckies. Fellow bath lovers will be glad to know that the popularity of freestanding tubs grew from 41 percent in 2017 to 50 percent in 2019 among homeowners who replaced or added a new bathtub.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0dede.studio\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Buying a high-tech toilet might seem like an unnecessary splurge, but it\u2019s something you\u2019ll use every single day (likely multiple times per day if you\u2019re drinking enough water). Bathroom renovations that included toilets with high-tech features grew from 28 percent in 2018 to 34 percent in 2019. Features like heated seats, integrated bidets, dual flush capabilities and self-cleaning technology make a trip to the loo more sanitary <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> eco-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n1. Showers got bigger and better<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n2. Transitional and modern styles reigned supreme<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n3. Accent walls officially became \u201ca thing\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n4. Two vanity mirrors were deemed better than one<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n5.\u00a0Neutral colors were favored for their spa-like feel<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n6.\u00a0Freestanding tubs were\u00a0highly coveted<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n7. Toilets went high-tech<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n8. Flooring preferences shifted<\/b><\/h2>\n