The Moody Bathroom Trend in Bay Area Homes
As we photograph hundreds of homes across the Bay Area each month, there’s one trend that never fails to catch our eye: black bathrooms and black bathroom vanities. Whether it’s an all-black powder room or a light and bright bathroom with a dramatic black vanity, we’re seeing homeowners embrace this bold design choice in all types of home, from modern San Francisco condos to updated Craftsmans in Berkeley – and the trend seems to be sticking.
What We’re Seeing in the Field:
Black Vanities
Black vanities have emerged as a favorite among homeowners who want to update their bathrooms without a complete overhaul. In one stunning San Anselmo home (pictured above), the black vanity anchors the spa-like bathroom without overwhelming it.Soft gray walls and abundant natural light set the stage. Against this backdrop, the dark vanity makes a bold yet balanced statement.The dramatic black cabinetry anchors the space. It’s beautifully balanced by the freestanding white tub and garden views. Together, these elements show how dark features can feel both luxurious and harmonious.
Black Bathrooms
Choosing a black vanity might be considered dippine one’s toe into dramatic home styling. However, embracing an all-black (or nearly all-black) bathroom makes a bold, uncompromising statement. These fully noir spaces in Bay Area homes feature black tile, fixtures, and even wall treatments. The effect is undeniably luxurious, creating spaces that feel like private sanctuaries in high-end spas or boutique hotels.
In the Oakland home pictured above, the bathroom expertly demonstrates how to use black walls and flooring without creating a heavy or oppressive space. The design succeeds through its thoughtful balance of light and dark elements: abundant natural light streams through large windows, while a statement circular chandelier and warm wall sconces provide layered illumination. The dramatic charcoal walls serve as a sophisticated backdrop for the creamy stone freestanding tub, light-colored vanity, and gleaming chrome fixtures. Rather than feeling dungeon-like, the space achieves a luxurious atmosphere through its careful mix of textures and materials, from the sleek black marble floors to the white tufted ottoman and artistic paintings. The result is a bold yet welcoming space that feels both modern and timeless.
Why Are Homeowners Choosing Black Bathrooms and Black Vanities?
Homeowners may choose completely black bathrooms (or bathrooms with black vanities and other black accents) for a few reasons:
- Practical Appeal: Homeowners may appreciate how black vanities hide water spots and daily wear—a practical consideration for busy households.
- Design Flexibility: We’ve photographed black vanities paired with everything from brass fixtures in Victorian homes to minimalist chrome in modern spaces. The versatility is impressive.
- Modern Sophistication: In luxury listings throughout the Bay Area, we’re seeing black bathrooms used to create dramatic, spa-like environments.
Considerations Before Going Dark
Based on what we’ve observed in the field, here are some practical insights to consider before embracing the trend in your own home:
Natural light matters: The most successful black bathrooms we’ve photographed tend to have excellent natural light sources. Take this Walnut Creek home below, for example. The huge window over the tub area lets in abundant natural light. Thankfully, the tree outside provides enough privacy so that shades, blinds, or curtains are unnecessary and therefore don’t obscure the lighting at all.
Balance is key: Many homeowners are opting for partial black elements rather than fully dark spaces. In this bathrooms, the fully black wall on the sink side of the room and in the shower are balanced out by the white wall in between, as well as the white ceiling. The fun and colorful accents in the room, such as the painting and rug (and the calming presence of wood tones) balance the dark walls beautifully.
Lighting design: The most photogenic black bathrooms feature well-planned lighting schemes. This bathroom benefits from an eye-catching light fixture on the ceiling, recessed lighting in the ceiling above the sink, and, if you look closely, you can see that the mirror also has lighting installed on either side.
In addition to the natural light and artificial light discussed, there are several mirrored surfaces in the bathroom which reflect the existing light even more. There’s nothing dark and dungeon-y about this bathroom!
Design Tips We’ve Learned from Photographing Black Bathrooms
Through photographing countless Bay Area bathrooms, our team has picked up some valuable insights for making black bathrooms work beautifully:
- Light and Contrast: The most successful black bathrooms we photograph aren’t entirely dark. We often see designers and homeowners incorporating bright elements like white marble countertops or light-colored tiles. This creates a stunning contrast and prevents the space from feeling too cave-like.
- Texture is Key: Plain black walls can fall flat in photos and in person. The most captivating black bathrooms we’ve captured feature interesting textures. Textured black granite, sophisticated black wainscoting, or even dimensional tile work that adds depth and visual interest.
- Start Small: Not every homeowner goes all-in with black right away. Many start with a black vanity or black accent wall. We’ve seen beautiful bathrooms where homeowners used bold wallpaper featuring black backgrounds with metallic or colorful patterns. These are great ways to incorporate the trend without committing to solid black surfaces.
Need some more pointers? Plenty of blogs feature tips and tricks for designing the perfect black bathroom. Check out this post of “14 Ideas for a Modern Black Bathroom” for more inspo and instructions for designing your very own moody space.
The Verdict
Whether it’s a moody, luxurious bathroom in a modern San Anselmo estate or a traditional black-tiled bathroom in an Oakland Craftsman, the trend of dramatic and bold black bathrooms and black bathroom vanities is a trend that continues to adapt and evolve across different home styles and neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area.
