Last updated on
Let’s face it. COVID-19 changed everything, and the design was not spared. A huge shakeup in interior trends occurred since people were forced to stay indoors all the time.
Most want to focus less on fashion and more on stress relief and practicality. But when it comes to the bathroom and kitchen, it’s all about cleanliness. Germs are feared much more than before, and that’s having an influence on our design choices from raw materials to accessories.
And hey, that’s not a bad thing, right? A cleaner bathroom is a better bathroom.
That’s exactly what these trends embody. We’ve got a few design trends below that help you keep a cleaner space without the effort. And of course, they look great!
What's Inside
Antimicrobial Towels
Switching out standard bathroom accessories for antimicrobial alternatives is a fast way to improve the cleanliness of your bathroom without having to do any work.
The most popular choice is antimicrobial towels, as a study recently revealed that towels are one of the dirtiest objects in the home. Towels contain hundreds of times more bacteria than a toilet seat just a few days after a wash. And, they can carry COVID-19 for up to 7 days before the virus dies.
One of the most popular brands is Soji Towel, which raised nearly quarter-million USD on Kickstarter in 2020.
Soji are ultra-plush bamboo towels infused with antimicrobial silver. Silver is a naturally antimicrobial element that kills 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus, allergens, and more on contact.
Silver is infused into every fiber of Soji, so the towels remain completely germ-free and sterile for life, no matter how often you wash them.
Soji are also extremely comfortable thanks to the use of extra-fine bamboo fibers and a traditional Japanese weaving technique. Bamboo is much finer than cotton, giving it a silky feel. Its weave allows for optimal airflow, making the towels extra plush.
Soji are heavier and larger than normal towels and feature 2x the thread count of other brands.
They’re made for luxury bathrooms, but you can still get them at their Kickstarter discounted rate before they hit shelves. If you order a set soon, you can get Soji Towels for 50% off.
Floor Drains
Bathroom floor drains are common in hot countries like Italy as well as most countries in South and Southeast Asia.
Now, they’re becoming more popular in western bathrooms.
A floor drain is just what it sounds like. Instead of making your shower separate from the rest of the bathroom, it shares floor space with it, and all the liquid drains into one or more drains on the floor. Think of it like a locker-room-style setup.
Normal bathroom floors are easily damaged by moisture, and they can develop issues with mold, mildew, and bacteria. Floors with drains are much easier to clean, and they can be constructed out of stone or tile that is immune to mold. All you have to do is spray down the floor after a shower to keep your space clean.
Large Tile
Large tile is a better choice than small tile for cleanliness. Larger tile means less grout, and less grout means less cleaning and less discoloration.
Small tile used to be popular for the style, but that’s not the case anymore. Minimalism is in, and larger tile creates a feel that’s less busy and more tranquil.
Large slate and ceramic tile are some of the most popular in bathrooms today. Slate has a striking black color, but it’s not without texture to provide depth.
Ceramic provides plenty of possibilities for color and pattern, and it’s also possible to treat ceramic tile to make it antibacterial and antiviral—a bonus in the post-COVID age.
Concealed Cistern Toilets
One of the dirtiest places in your house is the area around the toilet. We’re sure that we don’t need to tell you why. The buildup of all the germs around that area is exacerbated by the fact that getting behind the toilet and into those cracks between the wall and the cistern is really tough.
To eliminate a lot of hassle, germs, and time spent cleaning, many are choosing concealed cistern toilets. The water tank behind these toilets is located in the bathroom wall, so you cant see it, and it won’t be exposed to any germs from your toilet.
It’s a great look for modern bathrooms in the contemporary or Japanese style. The lack of a cistern takes the focus off the toilet and makes the bathroom a little more relaxing and spa-like, especially in open-concept spaces.
Minimalism for Miles
If there’s one thing that all post-COVID bathrooms have in common, it’s an embrace of minimalism. When there’s less stuff in your bathroom, there’s less to clean. And there are fewer places for germs to hide and reproduce.
Not only that, but a bathroom without clutter is more relaxing. For many of us living in lockdown with others, the only escape we could get was a little solitary time in the bathroom. Relaxing minimal design makes this escape more enjoyable and rejuvenating.
Some have even started adding home-spa elements to their bathrooms like aromatherapy vaporizers, bamboo accessories, and natural stone décor.
In Post-COVID Bathrooms, Clean = Comfortable
The need for cleanliness defines post-COVID design for so many spaces, but none so much as the bathroom. Even after COVID has receded into history, these design elements are likely to last. And that’s not a bad thing. A cleaner bathroom is safer for everyone in your family, and it makes your space more comfortable and presentable to guests.
Many of the trends on this list require a renovation to your space, but some are easy to implement in your bathroom now. For example, you can switch to antimicrobial towels for a big boost in cleanliness. Towels like Soji Towels keep your bathroom cleaner, and they also boost your overall health by preventing bacteria and mold from getting on your clean skin after a shower.
Soji is having a spring sale now, so you can get a set of Soji Towels for 50% off. Visit sojitowel.com to learn more about antimicrobial protection and to bring a little luxury to your bathroom.
