A reassessment of outdated bathroom tile design, showcased by Nate Berkus' vintage bathroom, demonstrates how the appropriate materials can transform the look into a chic trend for 2025.
In the world of bathroom design, 2025 has seen a significant resurgence of traditional tile trim styles, blending old-world craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. This trend, spearheaded by designers like Nate Berkus, is characterized by the incorporation of artisanal tile looks, such as Moroccan-inspired zellige tiles, and the return of classic tile arrangements like wainscoting-style tile walls and checkerboard patterns.
The design of a bathroom, showcased this year, embodies this revival perfectly. The space features a tile-drenched approach, with off-white tiles and black marble trim, creating a standout feature that instantly brings a vintage feel to the space, while still feeling warm and inviting. The tile trim around the shower niche, a controversial yet effective detail, adds character and charm to the design.
The bathroom design is not just about tile trim; it's a blueprint for getting a traditional bathroom right. Brassware used for the faucet, shower head, and curtain pole adds warmth to the vintage design, while the striped shower curtain softens the harder, more angular lines of the space, offering a more tactile element. Tiles have been used from floor to ceiling on the walls and around the alcove bathtub, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
A honed marble design with subtle white veining is recommended for adding an elevated finish to shower areas, pairing seamlessly with cream subway tiles. The simple addition of the black trim running down the edge of the shower area and perpendicular to the edge of the bathtub is intentional and effective, providing a practical and elevated touch.
The bathroom design defies this year's bathroom trends, proving that traditional styles can coexist with modern adaptations. The tile-trimmed bathroom creates a vintage feel, but it's far from being outdated. Designer Nate Berkus has revived the use of bold tile trim in modern-day bathrooms, offering a great way to bring in pattern and balance classic and playful styles.
Bathroom textiles, such as the striped pattern in Nate's design, are another way to incorporate pattern and balance classic and playful styles. The marble tray, which can elevate surfaces and have a similar effect as adding marble trim and shelving, is another thoughtful detail in this design.
In summary, the 2025 trend in tile trim for bathrooms highlights a revival of traditional artisanal styles—such as Moroccan zellige and wainscoting—with modern adaptations like matte finishes, larger tiles, and creative pattern mixing. This reflects a broader movement towards personalized, textured, and craft-forward bathroom designs that honor historic tile work while appealing to contemporary tastes.
The interior design of the bathroom showcases a blend of old-world tile trim styles and modern aesthetics, contributing to the lifestyle trend of personalized, textured, and craft-forward home-and-garden designs. The use of brassware, striped shower curtain, and honed marble design with black trim accentuates the vintage home decor, yet maintains a contemporary feel in the space.
