October 9th 2021

Oh, bathrooms. We use you so often, depend on you like crazy, and perhaps don’t always show you the love you deserve. Sure, we may have a Pinterest board with cool ideas on how we’ll upgrade you someday (like finding that perfect vintage wallpaper on a trip to Paris). But it has occurred to us lately that maybe it’s time to give these special rooms the zhuzh they deserve right now.

Of course, we always need some on-trend inspiration before tackling a project, so naturally we turned to Instagram to see what the bathroom decor posts getting the most hits are all about.

Turns out, bathrooms are one of those spaces that can level up easily from pure function to posh—with even just one small change. Whether it’s swapping out your bathroom tiles, redoing one wall to be more of a statement, or even simply adding some fresh greenery, this week’s Instagram trends are all about the design hacks that really make a difference.

Here are our five favorite looks from Instagram this week, and all the details on how you can steal the style.

1. Herringbone-patterned tile

Who knew that changing the direction of shower tile could make such a difference?

“Installing tile in a herringbone pattern is a great way to make a design statement using a classic material like subway tile,” says designer Autumn Stankovsky, of FLOOR360. “And by using a strong color like jade green or turquoise blue with a high glaze, the installation can make a bold statement in any bathroom. This follows the maximalism design trend of making adventurous design choices that can also reflect a personal style.”

2. Mirror wall motif

Sometimes all you truly need to change the look of a bathroom is to switch up your mirror and make it part of a larger motif like in this gorgeous design from @rublevadesign.

“When homeowners with a need for self-expression are looking for design elements that say ‘more is more,’ installing a mirror wall in the bathroom is a perfect choice,” says Stankovsky. “It’s true what they say about mirrors giving the illusion of more space.”

3. Basket planter

If smaller changes are more in line with your budget, check out these amazing basket planters from @jkath_designbuild.

“Whether your design taste is farmhouse, worldly, tribal, or boho, basket planters can be the secret sauce to pull your look together,” says designer Susan Bourassa, of Coast to Coast Interiors. “Basket planters are the most on-trend way to add texture to a space, and the added organic touch brings instant calm to any room. Perhaps the best part of this design trend is how readily available it is at any price point.”

4. Shower bath

On the flip side, installing a shower bath like this one from @eleven_views_ certainly isn’t the cheapest decor change you can make, but it might be one of the most impressive.

“The ‘shower bath’ is all the rage when it comes to bathrooms,” says Bourassa. “These bathing rooms allow you to have the best of both worlds, even in a small space. You no longer need to decide between the luxury of a soaking tub or spa shower, because this trend marries both of these desirable features within the same footprint. It’s also beyond practical when it comes to the dreaded bathroom cleaning, bath product storage, and the inevitable soak and rinse.”

5. Terrazzo floor

Is there anything more festive than that confetti look of terrazzo floors? We think not, and we’re loving the look in this bathroom by @theinteriorfox.

Terrazzo may be a nod to mod designs of the past, but mixing this element with today’s modern design features provides instant fun and interest to any space,” says Bourassa. “It’s a subtle way to add pops of color without dominating the space. The end result is a clean look with tons of visual appeal.”