31 January 2025
Top 8 washroom trends
1. Sustainable Washroom Design
Planned preventative maintenance is gaining popularity in commercial design trends as it aligns with the growing emphasis on future adaptability in building refurbishments.
By utilising adaptable, repairable, and easily replaceable washroom products, building owners can offer tenants the reassurance of a long-term investment backed by a reliable maintenance and replacement strategy. This assurance fosters tenant confidence in the building’s ongoing upkeep and efficiency, making it more attractive for long-term use.
Architects increasingly seek washroom solutions that deliver professional reliability, ensuring the products remain fit for purpose over time. Such plans, like S3 By Dolphin, also support the principles of a circular economy, reducing waste and promoting sustainability, which further drives their adoption in modern building practices.
2. Smart Washroom Technology
SMART washroom technology is transforming commercial design trends by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and user experience.
Advanced products like SMART taps and Behind Mirror Systems integrate with Building Management Systems, providing real-time insights for proactive maintenance and resource management. These systems support environmental goals, reduce costs, and cater to the needs of tech-savvy users, making them a key feature in future-ready washroom designs.
3. Wellness and User Experience
The wellness trend is redefining commercial washroom design, with a growing emphasis on creating washrooms that prioritise relaxation, promote wellbeing, and thoughtful design for user experience.
When it comes to wellbeing, commercial design trends include soothing colour palettes, biophilic elements such as greenery and natural materials, and spa-inspired design features which have long been popular choices, valued for their ability to promote mental and physical wellbeing. These elements help reduce stress, elevate mood, and contribute to overall better health, making them a timeless and impactful addition to modern developments.
Additionally, the pursuit of WELL certification and the broader focus on health and sustainability are driving the integration of wellness elements into commercial interior design trends, making them an increasingly important part of modern architectural projects.
Commercial washrooms are evolving from purely functional areas into calming environments that promote a sense of tranquillity and care for enhanced user experience.
4. Bold Washroom Design Statements
2025 commercial design trends are also all about bold, eye-catching design.
Architects are incorporating vibrant accent colours, unique shapes, and bold tiles to create public and commercial washrooms that leave a lasting impression.
Whether through pill shaped mirrors, luxury white gloss finish washbasins, striking wall textures, or custom designed commercial washroom products, designers are finding ways to express creativity in every corner.
5. Superloo Design
Superloo layouts are a growing trend in 2025, emphasising accessibility and inclusivity in public and commercial developments.
These self-contained, fully-equipped toilet rooms remain popular, though compliance with regulations like Document Part T—requiring single-sex washrooms with no shared basins—may add complexity to washroom designs that do not meet the transitional provisions of Doc T after 1 October 2024.
What you need to know about Approved Document T
As the design landscape evolves this year, obtaining clearer guidance on washroom design regulations from an experienced commercial washroom company will be key to ensuring inclusivity and compliance without sacrificing style or functionality.
6. Designing for Maintenance and Longevity
Although architects address maintenance concerns as part of the initial conversation based on client briefs, the focus is increasingly on designing washrooms that are not only stylish and functional but also easy to maintain.
By selecting the right washroom products and commercial interior design elements, long-term costs associated with maintenance and repairs can be reduced.
For example, specifying toilet flush plates that double as access panels allows for easier servicing of internal cistern components, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Similarly, choosing wall plates like Dolphin’s Strataplate enables seamless access to working parts of commercial sensor taps and touch free soap dispensers, providing quick solutions to any operational issues.
7. Trending colours
2025 commercial design trends are embracing a refined colour palette that blends earthy tones with sophisticated textures.
Aged bronze and rich browns are making a strong statement, offering a warm, timeless feel. Lighter shades of grey, including tones even lighter than Dolphin’s pewter grey Ceramic coating, continue to be popular for creating a soft, calming atmosphere. A forest green is emerging as a key colour, bringing a touch of nature and tranquillity into commercial washroom designs.
Meanwhile, champagne hues add a subtle luxury, perfect for creating an elegant, modern washroom design.
Together, these colours reflect a balance of warmth, freshness, and sophistication, setting the stage for chic, contemporary commercial washrooms.
8. Washroom fittings special finishes
A Ceramic coating is the talk of the town when it comes to commercial design trends. Its popularity stems from its versatility, durability, and timeless appeal.
Ceramic coating offers a unique texture in a wide range of trending colours, making it suitable for various design styles, from sleek and modern to more traditional looks.
It is also prized for being easy to maintain, providing both aesthetic and practical benefits. As a result, Ceramic coating has become the preferred choice for maintaining timeless elegance in washroom fittings.