Decor tips: Why modern bathrooms are focusing on innovation and sustainability?

The bathroom is becoming a true reflection of the homeowner’s aesthetic, with every surface chosen with care. (Image: Grohe)

There was a time when bathrooms were purely functional, and spaces were designed to serve a purpose. But fast forward to today, and they’ve undergone a striking evolution. The modern Indian bathroom has become a personal retreat, a quiet sanctuary that reflects not just aesthetics but also values and intent. No longer just a place to rinse and repeat, it’s now a space where clarity of design, material innovation, and environmental mindfulness converge.

The bathroom is becoming a true reflection of the homeowner’s aesthetic, with every surface chosen with care. The most telling shift in Indian bathrooms today is not just visual; it’s philosophical. Much like how cars have evolved from being mere modes of transport to extensions of identity and lifestyle, bathrooms too are being reimagined, notes Priya Rustogi, Leader (Managing Director) LIXIL India. Innovations have become part of this silent evolution, products that enhance well-being without shouting for attention.

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Design with deliberation:

It’s no longer just about design, but about designing with intent and bathrooms are becoming highly evolved with technology. Materials are expected to work harder looking good is just the starting point, informs Priya. She explains, “Design is leaning toward restraint and harmony. We’re seeing a clear preference for clean lines, floating forms, and subdued palettes. Finishes like brushed graphite, matte black, and warm metallics are gaining traction, chosen not for their opulence, but for how quietly they elevate a space. Anti-smudge finishes, recycled composites, tactile textures, and water-efficient ceramics are becoming essentials. It’s a move from decorative to deliberate, each surface selected for what it brings to the experience. Technology, too, has become seamless and expected. Intuitive controls, touchless hygiene, and intelligent comfort are quietly transforming the user experience.”

Being planet-friendly:

Environmental consciousness is also playing a big role in how sanitaryware is being developed and adopted.  Water is at the heart of the sanitaryware industry, both as a resource and a responsibility. Priya mentions, “As environmental challenges intensify and consumers become more aware of their footprint, the industry is being called to respond with solutions that are efficient, intelligent, and future-ready.  From touchless faucets and smart thermostatic mixers to leak- prevention technologies and usage analytics, we’re enabling a more responsible relationship with water. Sustainability, for us, is embedded into every stage, from how a product is imagined to how it performs in daily life.”

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Colour coded:

Colour is having its moment in Indian bathrooms, and homeowners are moving toward palettes that evoke calm, confidence, and individuality. Finishing shades like brushed warm sunset, matte and graphite are gaining momentum. They complement a wide range of interior styles and add quiet character to the space. Priya informs, “What we’re seeing now is a more intentional design language; where colour, texture, and finish serve both function and feeling. Classic white continues to hold relevance; it now shares space with warmer neutrals, soft metallics, and tones that bring depth and elegance. Texture is also being layered more thoughtfully. Materials like Caesarstone, fluted glass, terrazzo, wood laminates, and natural stone are being used to add tactility and warmth, creating bathrooms that feel refined yet grounded. Our approach to colour has always been organic, never seasonal. The goal is long-term harmony, not short-term attention.”