18 Major Bathroom Design Mistakes Pros Always Avoid

"A space should evolve, not expire. Choosing overly trendy tiles or bold color choices can date a bathroom quickly. We always recommend grounding the design in timeless materials and a refined palette. Layer in personality through art, textiles and accessories that can easily be updated as your style shifts." — Lindsey Colhoun, Lindsey Colhoun Design

"One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is underestimating their storage needs, leading to countertops crowded with toiletries and towels with no home. When designing a bathroom, we incorporate a variety of storage solutions with custom interior organizers. One of our favorite options is a powered pull-out in the vanity to house hot tools and hair products so the drawer can simply be closed after use without anything remaining on the counter. A clutter-free space will feel larger, calmer and more inviting." — Stephanie Martin, Stephanie Martin Interior Design

"A mistake in the bathroom is placing sconces at the wrong height. When selecting lights, be sure they make sense where they are being wired. Some lights are shaped with the bulb lower than the junction box, and some are the opposite. Be cognizant of this and be sure that you are paying attention to where the actual bulb of the light fixture will be. Once you know that, work backwards, and then you'll know where the light should be wired into the wall." — Alex Azat, Plaster and Patina

"Fixtures are the jewelry of the bathroom. While low-quality faucets or hardware might seem like a cost-saver upfront, they rarely stand the test of time or elevate the experience. We always recommend investing in pieces that feel as good as they look—beautifully crafted, functional and built to last. When fixtures fail, it often means tearing into stone or walls to repair them, which can become far more costly in the long run." — Lindsey Colhoun

"Light marble is gorgeous, but it's prone to staining from personal care products when installed on shower floors, even when sealed. The solution: Use a ceramic tile or a less porous stone on the floor and save your marble for the walls." — Jeanne Barber, Camden Grace Interiors

"A bathroom filled with only hard surfaces will echo like a stairwell and feel just as sterile. Adding linen, woven textures or even a single rug helps absorb sound and soften the experience. Thoughtful acoustics refine the environment and shape how the space is perceived." — Lauren Saab, Saab Studios

"We often refer to bathrooms as 'jewel boxes' within the home. These small, contained spaces offer an opportunity to make bold choices or incorporate more elaborate finishes that homeowners might be hesitant to use on a larger scale in other areas. Patterned tiles, dramatically veined stones, statement light fixtures, vibrant color drenching and wild wallpaper can be perfectly placed within a bathroom. These elements add personality and a 'wow' factor that can transform a utilitarian room into a truly special statement." — Stephanie Martin

"Natural light is really the best so if during construction you have a means of improving your window situation, or even adding a skylight or sun tunnel to your ceiling, this goes a long way to creating a wonderful ambience in your bathroom — not thinking about this when you have walls open is a huge fail!" — Caroline Kopp, Caroline Kopp Interior Design

"If we had our way, we'd do away with recessed can lights altogether, but that's not a practical reality for most. Overhead lighting must be paired with decorative sconces and flush mounts, pendants or chandeliers to give a bathroom warmth and layered light. People look a lot better and can see themselves better, getting ready with the light glow coming from in front of them, than just a single can overhead." — Pierce Jordan and Evan Krenzien, Shane and Pierce

"A common mistake people make when designing their shower is not bringing the tile (or slab) all the wall to the ceiling. This cheapens the whole bathroom, making the shower look unfinished. Not to mention that the drywall above the tile will likely take on quite a bit of moisture, potentially leading to mold in the future. Always bring your shower tile all the way up!" — Lina Galvao, Curated Nest Interiors

"Homeowners often feel trapped, thinking everything must match in a small space. This can make your bathroom feel flat and generic. A more sophisticated approach is to coordinate and layer, not match. You can confidently mix two different metal finishes by following a simple rule: choose one dominant finish for the major pieces like the plumbing fixtures, then consider adding in accents for hardware or lighting. Similarly, mixing in a variance of textures and tones within the tile, stone and millwork finishes create a more dynamic and visually interesting bathroom." — Stephanie Martin

"One of the biggest mistakes I see with marble-look porcelain tile is not laying it out beforehand. Always take the time to arrange the tiles on the floor before installing them on the walls—this lets you ensure the veining flows naturally and avoids a pattern that feels too random or repetitive." — Amy McCoy, McCoy Design Studio

"Dimmers are critical for creating ambience! While you may be inclined to install super bright lights in your bathroom for utilitarian purposes, gentle lighting is just as important for moments of relaxation or peace. While bright lights may be useful when putting on makeup or doing hair, you may want to enjoy a spa like bath with softer lighting. More and more, bathrooms are becoming a space to embrace wellness and all sorts of daily rituals." — Lina Galvao

"When adding wallpaper to a bathroom, there are several things to consider. Are you using the correct type of wallpaper (traditional wallpaper that's primed and installed by a professional versus peel-and-stick that may not adhere)? What's the level of use of the bathroom (a simple powder, water closet or guest bathroom that's used once a month versus an everyday primary bathroom)? Where are you installing the wallpaper (on the ceiling is a 'no' based on humidity and steam, and splash-heavy areas may require a vinyl wallpaper quality)? Keep these things in mind to prevent mishaps." — Amber Guyton, Blessed Little Bungalow

"While placing the shower controls directly beneath the shower head may seem intuitive to keep everything aligned, it usually results in having to step into a stream of cold water just to turn it on. A more functional approach is to separate the shower head from the valves, placing the controls near the entrance of the shower so you can easily warm up the water before stepping in." — Brieanna Cunningham, C&C Partners

"One of the mistakes I see people make in their DIY bathroom designs is giving up valuable cabinet space to accommodate mirrors or sconces and not utilizing prime real estate for items like storage towers and organizational items like pull-out make-up stations. Every bathroom should be created in zones and have outlets within cabinets to accommodate electric toothbrushes and hairdryers, keeping the counter clear every day." — Autumn Pochiro, Autumn Dawn Design

"Another big mistake: all-white grout on a shower floor. It may look crisp on day one, but it tends to show mold and grime quickly. Opt for a slightly darker grout to keep it looking cleaner, longer." — Amy McCoy

"Sliding doors mounted on exterior tracks are often pitched as clever space-savers, but they fall short where it matters most. They don’t seal, they offer no sound privacy and they feel more decorative than functional. Bathrooms need closure, quiet and privacy. A solid-core swing door delivers all three." — Lauren Saab