Every few years, bathroom design makes a noticeable shift. The all-white, subway-tile-and-chrome look that dominated the 2010s is giving way to something warmer, more personal, and more intentional. Across Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, and Edina, I'm seeing homeowners ask for bathrooms that feel less like a showroom and more like a retreat.
Here's what's actually trending in Twin Cities bathrooms in 2025 - and more importantly, what's worth doing versus what's a passing fad.
The Shift Toward Spa-Inspired Spaces
The biggest macro trend I'm seeing is the desire for a bathroom that genuinely feels restful. After years of homeowners spending more time at home, people have realized their bathrooms are either a place of calm or a place of frustration - and they'd like it to be the former.
This doesn't mean spending $100,000 on a luxury renovation (though we do those too). It means making thoughtful decisions about materials, lighting, and layout that prioritize how the space feels to be in.
Walk-In Showers Are Replacing Tub/Shower Combos
In master bathrooms especially, the old tub/shower combo is going away fast. Homeowners are opting instead for large, curbless walk-in showers with either frameless glass enclosures or open wet-room designs. These feel more spacious, are easier to clean, and accommodate aging-in-place needs as well.
If you have a separate soaking tub, that's a different story - a freestanding tub continues to be a beautiful focal point. But the standard alcove tub that's also your shower? It's going the way of the popcorn ceiling.
Heated Floors Are No Longer a Luxury
In Minnesota, electric in-floor heating under tile has crossed the line from "fancy upgrade" to "obvious choice." The cost to add radiant heat during a tile installation is relatively modest - typically $8–$15 per square foot for the heating element itself - and the payoff in comfort on a February morning is genuinely life-changing.
I install heated floors in the majority of bathroom projects I do in Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Chanhassen. If you're already tearing up the floor, it's almost always worth adding.
Materials and Finishes Trending in 2025
Warm Neutrals Over Stark White
Bright white tile and white everything has been the safe choice for years, and it still looks clean and classic. But the trend in 2025 is clearly toward warmer tones: creamy whites, warm greiges, soft taupes, and earthy terracottas. These feel cozier, photograph beautifully, and age better because they don't show every water spot and smudge.
Think warm white subway tile with a cream grout (instead of bright white grout), or large-format porcelain in a warm stone look.
Large-Format Tile
The era of 4x4 and 6x6 tiles is fading. Today's bathrooms favor large-format tile - 12x24, 24x24, or even larger slabs in high-end projects. Large tiles create a cleaner, more seamless look, especially in showers. They also have fewer grout lines, which means easier cleaning (a practical win for families in busy households).
On floors, the 12x24 tile laid in a brick pattern is probably the most popular choice I'm installing right now. It works in nearly any bathroom, from small guest baths to large master suites.
Matte Black and Brushed Gold Fixtures
Chrome was the standard for decades, and it's not going anywhere entirely - it's classic and budget-friendly. But matte black and brushed gold (sometimes called champagne bronze) have become serious contenders.
Matte black looks sharp in modern and transitional designs, pairs well with white tile and warm wood tones, and hides water spots better than chrome. Brushed gold adds warmth and a touch of luxury without feeling over the top.
The main thing to watch: mixing metals intentionally is fine, but mixing randomly looks chaotic. Pick one dominant finish and use a second as a deliberate accent.
Floating Vanities
Wall-mounted floating vanities create a cleaner, more open look and make small bathrooms feel larger. They also make cleaning the floor dramatically easier - something every parent of young children appreciates.
In terms of installation, they do require solid blocking in the wall, which is straightforward to add during a renovation but harder to retrofit. If you're already doing a full bathroom remodel, this is a good time to plan for one.
Features Worth the Investment
A Good Showerhead (or Several)
This is one of the most cost-effective upgrades in any bathroom. A quality rain showerhead with a hand wand on a slide bar transforms a daily shower into something you actually look forward to. Budget around $300–$800 for a solid set from brands like Kohler, Moen, or Delta.
If you're already opening up the shower walls, adding a second body spray or a steam unit is much more affordable than doing it later.
Smart Storage
Mirror medicine cabinets with built-in lighting are making a comeback - and for good reason. They solve the storage problem elegantly while providing excellent task lighting for getting ready. Recessed niches in the shower are another storage staple that look custom and clean.
One thing I see homeowners underestimate: electrical outlet placement. Think carefully about where you plug in your hair dryer and where you'll charge your devices. Adding outlets at the right locations is easy during a remodel and annoying to add after the fact.
Proper Ventilation
This might not sound glamorous, but bathroom ventilation is one of the most important investments you can make in a Minnesota home. Our wet winters and the humidity from daily showers create serious potential for mold and structural moisture damage if the ventilation system isn't doing its job.
Upgrade to a quiet, high-CFM fan (the Panasonic WhisperCeiling series is a favorite of mine) and make sure it's vented properly to the exterior. This is especially important in older homes in Burnsville, Lakeville, and Apple Valley where original exhaust fans may be venting into the attic - a situation that creates real problems over time.
Trends I'd Approach With Caution
Overly Trendy Tile Colors
Deep forest green, navy blue, and sage tile are having a moment right now. Some of it looks genuinely beautiful. But in a bathroom - a room where bold choices are hard to change - I'd encourage you to think about whether you'll love that color in ten years as much as you do today.
One approach that works well: use the bold tile as a single accent wall or in the shower only, and keep the rest of the room in a more neutral palette. You get the visual interest without committing the whole room.
Open Shelving for Everything
Open shelving can look stunning in a designer bathroom. In real life, with real towels and half-empty shampoo bottles and kids' bath toys, it tends to look cluttered within a week. Think carefully about whether your actual daily reality matches the Instagram version before you commit to all open storage.
What Twin Cities Homeowners Are Budgeting
For a full master bathroom renovation in the Shakopee / Eden Prairie / Chanhassen area, most homeowners are spending between $18,000 and $45,000 depending on size and finishes. A quality guest bath or hall bathroom renovation typically runs $10,000–$20,000. These numbers include demo, labor, tile, fixtures, vanity, and all the behind-the-wall work.
If you want to explore what a bathroom renovation would look like for your home specifically, take a look at our bathroom remodeling services for more detail, or check out where we work across the Twin Cities metro.
Let's Create Your Ideal Bathroom
Whether you're dreaming of a spa-worthy master bath or just want a functional, beautiful guest bathroom, I'd love to help you make it happen. Get in touch with us for a free consultation and let's talk through the possibilities. The best bathroom remodel is the one that fits your home, your family, and your life - and that's exactly what we help you design.