A relaxing retreat, an experiential space and an emotionally driven ambience; bathrooms today are much more than rooms designed to disappear into the background of a home. They are increasingly being designed as wellness spaces rather than purely functional rooms. “Today, luxury is tied to privacy, comfort, and a feeling of being restorative. Bathrooms are among the few spaces where people are completely alone with themselves,” says Pooja Bihani, principal architect and founder, Spaces & Design, a Kolkata-based architecture and interior studio. “Clients now want spaces where they can slow down and disconnect from constant stimulation.”
Mindset shift
“The shift is largely driven by changing lifestyles, with greater emphasis on personal wellbeing,” says Ansh Goel, founder, Studio Reset, a multi-disciplinary design studio based in Delhi. “People are spending more time at home and are increasingly looking for spaces that support relaxation and mental rejuvenation.”
According to Nayan Shah, founder of Mumbai-based multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design studio Palindrome Spaces, people are seeking experiences rather than just aesthetics. “Natural light, fresh air, tactile materials, and a stronger connection to the outdoors contribute significantly to that experience,” Shah says.
Trends in vogue
The most dominant palettes this year are warm neutrals and nature-inspired tones. Think soft beiges, limestone, warm greys, muted terracotta, olive undertones, and earthy browns. “Earthier and more layered palettes are becoming popular. Greens, muted burgundy tones, and softer stone shades are being used extensively because they create a sense of depth and warmth,” says Disha Subramanium, principal designer of Design by Disha Subramanium, a multi-disciplinary interior design studio based in Delhi.
“Texture plays a very important role,” she adds. “Fluted surfaces, brushed metals, handcrafted finishes, liquid metal textures, and layered marbles are helping spaces feel more tactile and immersive.” Oxblood tones, chalky neutrals, and deep jewel tones are trending too, as they create emotional depth.
Challenges
Balancing visual drama and aesthetics with longevity and functionality
Factors such as waterproofing, ventilation, maintenance and long-term durability
Ensuring longevity; materials must perform well in humid conditions while maintaining their visual appeal over time
Working with natural light — it requires planning in terms of privacy, heat gain, and maintenance
Careful coordination between design, engineering and execution in bathrooms
In terms of materials, natural stone remains highly sought after, particularly onyx, marble, travertine and textured limestone. These timeless choices bring richness and individuality into a space. Wood accents are being incorporated to soften the overall composition.
Smooth surfaces alone no longer feel enough; spaces feel richer when materials interact with light differently. This explains the popularity of ribbed stone, textured plaster, woven details, patinated metals, and veined marble, all of which contribute to a layered experience.
Lighting has become far more atmospheric, layered and intentional. “Rather than relying solely on bright overhead lighting, we are seeing a renewed focus on daylight as a design element,” says Shah. “Skylights, in particular, can dramatically transform a bathroom by introducing changing patterns of light throughout the day, creating a more dynamic and immersive experience than artificial lighting.”
Shah also adds that alongside natural light, concealed lighting, sculptural fixtures, backlit mirrors, and ambient illumination are being used to create a softer environment. The focus today is less on visual impact and more on creating an experience,” he says.
Fittings and smart tech
Fixtures and fittings are becoming far more design-conscious today. There is a clear inclination towards sculptural forms and finishes that feel warmer and more refined.
Brushed brass, gunmetal, antique bronze, and matte finishes continue to remain popular because they add character while ageing beautifully.
“Concealed drainage, minimal shower partitions, floating vanities, recessed storage, and cleaner edge profiles contribute to a more cohesive spatial experience,” says Subramanium. “Custom-designed basins and statement mirrors are also being treated almost like furniture or art pieces within the bathroom.” She adds, “Another interesting shift is the use of mixed materials within fittings and accessories. Stone, wood, metal, and textured glass are being combined in subtle ways to create spaces that feel curated.”
Wall-mounted fittings, seamless shower systems, integrated niches, concealed cisterns, and clean-lined sanitaryware continue to gain popularity. Homeowners are also looking for products that visually recede into the architecture, allowing materials and spatial quality to take center stage.
Freestanding bathtubs remain aspirational where space permits, while customised vanities, integrated storage solutions, and larger-format mirrors are becoming essential requirements rather than luxury additions. “Clients are increasingly opting for automated WC systems, anti-fog mirrors, temperature-controlled showers, motion-sensor lighting, underfloor heating, and integrated sound systems,” says Bihani.
Quick fix
Proper segregation: An ideal bathroom layout must have clear division of the wet and dry areas, space allocated for storage and an area for grooming. In small bathrooms, maximise vertical space. This means using wall-mounted fittings, large mirrors and a light colour palette.
Spa like ambience: Incorporate fittings such as oversized rainfall showerheads, soaking bathtubs, body jets, steam generators, heated towel warmers, bubble jets and mood lighting to create a luxurious ambience.
Diffuser: Use a diffuser to infuse scents like lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus and jasmine, which are perfect to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and nice.
Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation through exhaust fans and windows that open. This will improve indoor air quality by removing contaminants, odours and excess accumulation of moisture.
Adjusting light warmth according to time of day, creating preset shower experiences, managing acoustics, or controlling humidity automatically; bathrooms are not just becoming futuristic but also intuitive. “Smart toilets with bidet functions, self-cleaning capabilities and water-saving technologies are gaining traction. Beyond convenience, these innovations contribute to sustainability by reducing water and energy consumption,” adds Goel.
Here is a look at four statement bathrooms.
Orchard House, Design by Disha Subramanium; Delhi
One of the standout bathrooms in this 15,000 sq.ft. residence is the powder room, which is a lesson in the exploration of layered green hues and immersive materiality. “The palette moves through several shades of green, from deep forest tones to fresher herb-inspired hues, creating a rich and enveloping atmosphere. Gucci wallpaper, liquid metal textures, layered marbles, onyx, and a high-gloss partition come together to create a space that feels dramatic yet deeply tactile,” says Subramanium.
Disha Subramanium
The lighting was designed to heighten this layered effect, allowing surfaces to glow softly and reveal different textures throughout the day. “The bathroom almost feels like a jewel box within the home — compact in scale yet emotionally very expressive. Every element was carefully curated to create a sense of intimacy, depth, and visual richness,” she says.
Ashira, Spaces & Design; Kolkata
The master bathroom in this 5,000 sq.ft. Kolkata residence is designed as a luxurious wellness retreat, where natural materials and bespoke craftsmanship come together to create a serene and immersive experience. “Richly veined marble flows seamlessly across the floors and walls, lending depth, continuity, and timeless elegance to the space. A distinctive timber ceiling, embellished with handcrafted turned-wood bead details, introduces warmth and artisanal character while becoming the defining visual feature of the room,” says Bihani.
Pooja Bihani
| Photo Credit:
Ravi Mistry
The custom-designed vanity combines layered stone and wood elements, balancing functionality with refined aesthetics. Delicate globe lighting and suspended display shelves add a sense of lightness and sophistication. “Frameless glass shower enclosures maintain openness and allow the beauty of the materials to remain uninterrupted,” says Bihani.
Villa Anantya Vapi, Palindrome Spaces; Gujarat
The bathroom at Villa Anantya is envisioned as a private wellness retreat where natural light is the primary design feature. “Rather than treating the bathroom as a closed, utilitarian space, we wanted it to feel open, calming, and connected to the rhythms of nature,” says Shah. “A large skylight positioned above the bathing area allows sunlight to filter into the space throughout the day.”
The quality of light constantly evolves, from the softer tones of early morning to the dramatic shadows of the afternoon, ensuring that the bathroom never feels static. “This relationship between architecture, daylight, and materiality became central to the experience of the space” he adds.
Nayan Shah
The palette is intentionally restrained and timeless, comprising natural stone, warm neutral tones, tactile surfaces, and carefully curated textures that create a sense of quiet luxury. Each material was selected not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for how it responded to changing light conditions throughout the day.
Layered lighting complements the natural daylight, allowing the space to transition seamlessly from an energising morning environment to a softer setting in the evening. “Luxury sometimes is about introducing something elemental. In this case, it was the sky. Rather than relying on overt gestures, the design celebrates quiet luxury through proportion, materiality, natural light, and a strong connection to the outdoors,” concludes Shah.
Casa Paradiso Studio Reset, Delhi
At Casa Paradiso, the bathrooms are designed as part of the larger suite experience, with each incorporating a dedicated bathroom alongside a lounge and a walk-in wardrobe. The design language follows the material palette seen throughout the residence, with marble, wood and tactile finishes. “A particularly interesting aspect is the daughter’s suite, where the generous ceiling height enabled a two-level walk-in wardrobe connected by a glass bridge, creating a unique relationship between the dressing and bathing zones,” says Goel.
Ansh Goel
What makes these bathrooms stand out is not any singular feature, but how they form part of a cohesive luxury living experience, where materiality, scale and careful planning come together to create spaces that feel both functional and indulgent.
The Bengaluru-based freelance writer is passionate about all things design, travel, food, art and culture.
