From Maximalist Wallpapers To Biophilic Design: 5 Bathroom Trends That Are Anything But Basic

Once confined to sterile whites, staple neutrals, or the occasional bold pop, bathrooms have often been probable sanctuary, more about routine than reflection. However, with a shift towards holistic wellness, bathrooms are stepping into the limelight, shedding their utilitarian past to transform into retreats rooted in hedonism and innovation. From tropical printed tiles to lush biophilic charm paying homage to ancient yoga practices,  these bathrooms reflect the inhabitants’ personalities, whether they choose to muse, sing, or simply go about their daily chores. DP curates five bathroom trends that will make you linger a little longer.

1. Revisiting The Roots At Omnia By Nestates

Set against the bucolic landscape of Bengaluru, designer and yoga instructor Sujay Reddy, founder of Omnia by Nestates, crafts a wellness-focused holiday home for stillness and self-discovery. Rooted in the philosophy of balance and breathwork, this retreat features three villas: Prana, Dhyana and Asana, each borrowing references from yoga, with architecture reflecting the harmony of duality, strength and softness. From repurposed teakwood doors and vintage architectural details sourced from Karaikudi to an open-to-sky courtyard and reclaimed antiques, every element invites inhabitants to slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace a more conscious living.

At Omnia, the bathrooms adhere to the villa’s biophilic ethos, melding the boundaries between indoors and outdoors to create a serene sense. In a nonconformist move, the bathroom—drawing inspiration from Hatha Yoga—was crafted first, before the rest of the home fell into place. “In Hatha Yoga, practices like Shatkriyas are performed to purify the body and mind before engaging in physical practice and pranayama,” explains Sujay Reddy of Omnia by Nestates. Breaking free from the norms of compact and cloistered urban washrooms, these expansive spaces offer a breath of openness and tranquillity. Embracing natural light and ventilation, the bathroom is a breezy retreat with the shower and WC neatly tucked into corners to reduce doors and raw material use. “The plants are positioned close to the pathway leading to the shower, so they gently touch the body before and after bathing,” Reddy notes. He adds, “This simple gesture is part of ‘Smarana,’ or self-remembrance, encouraging guests to reconnect with the joy and beauty of nature.”

2. A Sultry Illusion At The Oberoi Grande JVLR

Borrowing nuanced inspiration from the bold ambience of the Art Deco movement, a 1,500-sq-ft. Home takes shape in the heart of Mumbai. Designed by Hipcouch Studio, this abode reflects the inhabitants’ penchant for classical charm while incorporating subtle contemporary touches. It walks a tightrope between old-world and contemporary charm, blending walnut herringbone flooring, intricate mouldings, and antique brass accents with sleek archways, frosted glass doors, and rich textures of green marble, soft upholstery, and warm wood.

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“At its core, the design revolves around a dynamic interplay of textures and colours, carefully curated to achieve a seamless yet dramatic visual identity,” explain the designer duo, Ridhi Agarwal and Parikshat Hemrajani of Hipcouch. The tropical-inspired design comes to life in the printed tiles, evoking the feel of lush greenery through their tactile quality. “The dramatic printed tiles on the wall create a bold visual statement, while the ceiling-mounted spout that drops down to the basin introduces an element of drama,” share the designers. The countertop and fittings are sleek black granite, imbuing a touch of dramatic glam. Overheard, a striking black ceiling ties everything together effortlessly in chic harmony.  “The intention behind this selection was to achieve a wallpaper-like effect with a tropical feel while ensuring minimal maintenance,” the designers reveal. Meanwhile, the black sugar-finish tiles on the other surrounding walls offset the flooring’s flat finish. Paired with the dim lighting, the intriguing shadows sculpt the space and infuse the room with a sense of mystery.

3. Tropical Revelry At Sanctuary

Downsizing from a family home to a bachelor pad, this 1,650-square-foot residence in Kolkata reimagines a conformist family space as an open, airy retreat for entertainment and relaxation. Crafted by AB Designs with a monochromatic grey palette accented by blue undertones, this abode—aptly dubbed ‘Sanctuary’—exudes the sybaritic allure of quiet luxury. Marble-topped tables, concealed bars, and sculptural lighting ensure that every space, from the intimate den to the airy study, feels chic and warm, all while reflecting a distinct personality.

While the home embraces a monochromatic aesthetic, the bathroom introduces tints of blues and greens, drawing inspiration from nature’s palette. With a beige console offsetting a verdant tropical wallpaper, this space exudes “a whimsical, nature-inspired charm that makes a lasting impression,” explains Aanchhal Bhuwalka of AB Designs. She adds, “The tropical-themed wallpaper creates vibrancy, complemented by matte deep blue walls that anchor the design.” A silver rimmed mirror, an antique faucet and “(an) artistic basin with printed details serves as a unique focal point,” transforming this powder room into the ethereal getaway. “The interplay of matte paint, ribbed wood, and the art-printed basin creates depth and intrigue,” the designer muses.

4. An Ode To Craftsmanship At Choir Of Memoirs

Basking in the golden sunlight and the sea’s salty breeze, a 2,400-square-foot apartment materializes in Mumbai’s Nariman Point. Monikered ‘Choir Of Memoirs’, this home, designed by Unbox Design Studio, is a seamless blend of heritage and non-conformity. A warm sanctuary, it’s punctuated with treasured heirlooms hobnobbing with contemporary trinkets, paying homage to the inhabitants’ past. The exposed structural layout and vibrant hues evoke nostalgia while infusing a playful, hygge-inspired vibe. 

In keeping with the home’s aesthetic, the powder room is drenched in warm hues, courtesy of deep magenta subway tiles (a rectangular, thick, low-fired, glazed ceramic tile) serving as a backdrop for a pink veined marble accent. “The space’s centrepiece—a stunning basin—showcases the beauty of Indian artisanal skill, hand-carved from a single block of marble by a Rajasthani Karigar,” reveal Hemal Kothari and Apurwa Pandit of Unbox Design Studio. The basin’s fluid form of marble illustrates a cascading character, seemingly caught in motion—an artful illusion. Smooth-textured tiles on the remaining walls wrap the bathroom in a cocoon of a cozy vibe, while raw elements like a concrete-finish pendant and rugged marble contrast sleek flooring for a dynamic visual interplay. “To create a sense of continuity, the Living Room’s flooring extends seamlessly into the Powder Bathroom, blurring the lines between public and private spaces,” the designers add.

5. A Surrealist Canvas At Frenchie Haus

In Mumbai, where every minute brims with hustle, a 1,650-sq-ft spirited sanctuary unfolds with a dash of whimsy and playful character. Designed by Purple Backyard for a couple and their two beloved French Bulldogs, this abode is a masterclass in balancing personality with functionality, where every design choice resonates with the couple’s journey and joie de vivre. From a Morse-coded wall concealing personal milestones to a celestial wallpapered bedroom ceiling, this home orchestrates a symphony of functionality and jarring personality. Its deck with a statement bar and layered greenery is a reflection of the inhabitants’ penchant for hosting and their deep-rooted connection to nature.

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A lilac-hued walk-in closet leads into the bathroom, transitioning the space into a whimsical sanctuary. Concealed within the walk-in closet, “The bathroom’s design is intimately connected to the master bedroom’s aesthetic, continuing the zen-like simplicity that complements the couple’s taste,” explains Kumpal Vaid of Purple Backyard. With a striking jade wallpaper illustrating surrealist illusions, a Panda marble sink against the grey tiles, the master bathroom exudes a maximalist vibe. The monochrome flooring framed with printed tiles injects a touch of whimsy into the space, playfully mimicking the wallpaper’s maximalist character. The sumptuous textures, finishes and maximalist illustrations are) chosen to create a sense of understated luxury—smooth marble, precise tiles, and a handcrafted element combine to produce a space that feels both refined and personally curated,” Vaid remarks.