Older Adults Are Rejecting These New Bathroom Styles

Open wet rooms look sleek and minimal, but boomers worry they’re not very practical. Greg Dallaire, owner and realtor, breaks down the issue with showers that don’t have curbs or doors in an exclusive chat with House Digest. “This might photograph beautifully, but tons of buyers wonder where the water ends up. It really comes down to how well it actually works. The slippery floors, cold drafts, and having to squeegee your whole bathroom after each shower are things older shoppers seriously think about,” he explains. The bottom line? This age group is concerned about the upkeep and safety risks.

If you’re head over heels for wet rooms, there are definitely ways to make them work for everyone. Dallaire suggests this approach: “When you add proper drainage, slope, and slip-resistant flooring, an open shower without a curb or door can actually be quite practical and safe.” For slip-resistant flooring, go with smaller tiles that have more grout lines, or pick tiles with a textured or matte finish. Already have a slippery open shower? You can use sticky grip products to add traction. Check out these options — they’re super subtle and barely show.

Boomers keep coming back to the same thing: they’d rather have something that works than something that just looks pretty. One modern trend that raises eyebrows is the floating vanity. “Younger generations dig the sleek look of floating vanities, but boomers think they’re missing out on real storage space,” notes Greg Dallaire. He continues, “They want to tuck away towels, cleaning supplies, and everyday items in drawers and closed cabinets instead of cluttering the counter space.” Sure, floating vanities can make a room feel bigger, but for many boomers, that benefit doesn’t outweigh losing functionality.

In a master bathroom especially, you need storage. That said, smaller bathrooms that don’t get used as much have a bit more wiggle room. If floating vanities don’t appeal to some boomers, consider trying this look in powder rooms or half baths instead. Want that sleek floating vibe without losing storage? Look for a piece like this modern unit. It’s technically freestanding, but the ultra-slim black legs give it that floating vanity feel. Or, if you’re set on a floating vanity, check out these options.

Tiny mosaic tiles are definitely trendy. But here’s the thing — while those little tiles do provide more grout for traction, they can feel like a lot of work to maintain. “A bunch of my boomer clients really aren’t fans of penny tile because of how many grout lines there are,” shares Peter Kravchuk, contractor and carpenter who founded his own company, in an exclusive chat with House Digest. “All those extra grout lines mean more scrubbing, potential long-term stains and discoloration, and way more places where soap scum and moisture can hang out.” Plus, installation gets tricky with these little guys, and the slopes aren’t always easy to hide — which can make the space feel visually busy.

According to Kravchuk, “a lot of boomer homeowners go for larger tile options with fewer grout lines instead. They’re way easier to keep clean, they create a calmer visual space, and they help homeowners keep their bathroom feeling fresh over time.” The flip side is that big tiles can be slippery if you don’t go with a textured or matte finish. Here’s a middle-ground option: use smaller tiles just on your shower floor for grip, but go with large-format tiles everywhere else. You get the practical grip and stylish look without all the extra upkeep on the rest of your bathroom. And remember, grout doesn’t have to be a hassle if you pick a premium grout formula. Epoxy grouts resist stains and mildew like champs, as do polymer-modified cement options like this one.

Younger folks love going all-in on a look. Color drenching might feel bold and exciting, but it can actually turn away potential boomer buyers. “When designing bath spaces with super intense color schemes that cover everything — walls, ceilings, trim, vanity, and sometimes even tile — it gets tough to appeal to boomer clients,” explains Peter Kravchuk. He points out that sometimes you’ll pick a color a boomer absolutely loves, but honestly, the risk is way too high that they’ll just hate that particular shade. The real issue here is the lack of visual separation. “When you have contrast, it helps people navigate the space more easily,” Kravchuk says. For safety reasons, lots of people want to “clearly see the difference between different parts of the room — like where the floor meets the wall, the vanity versus the countertop surface, and where showers and tubs end and the surrounding tiles begin.“

That doesn’t mean boomers are against a pop of color here and there. You don’t need to design a totally bland, colorless bathroom to appeal to them. Kravchuk recommends adding color in smaller touches through things like vanity finishes, paint on one wall, or a decorative tile accent. He suggests, “When the main materials keep a nice brightness and contrast level, moving around the space becomes safer and easier.” Try something like a rich blue vanity, a soft sage-green accent wall, or a fun patterned backsplash while keeping your flooring, countertops, and big surfaces neutral and bright.

Vessel sinks have that charming, vintage vibe everyone talks about, but boomers aren’t totally convinced. These sinks sit right on top of your counter instead of being built into it. They look fancy and decorative, like they’re the star of the show rather than just background. Jeremy Olsher, a South Florida real estate expert and head of his own team, shares why boomers are hesitant, in a sit-down with House Digest. “A lot of my baby boomer clients just aren’t into vessel sinks. They get especially concerned when these sinks are paired with smaller vanities,” he says. He also points out that boomer clients worry about water splashing around and having to constantly clean the counter around the base of the sink. “In my experience, my clients think vessel sinks create more hassle when it comes to keeping their bathroom clean and tidy, while they don’t really offer much practical benefit.“

Love the look of a vessel sink but want to stay appealing to buyers and keep things practical? Check out semi-recessed options instead. Semi-recessed sinks let you show off the bowl shape without creating annoying corners that trap dirt and soap. A low-profile vessel sink can also feel less trendy and worry fewer boomer shoppers. Something like this could work nicely. Just keep in mind that you might need to upgrade your countertop material to handle the extra wear, especially if you want to expand counter space to make up for what you’re losing.

Backlit mirrors definitely look fancy and modern, but boomers wonder if they’re actually doing their job lighting-wise. “While backlit mirrors look great to a lot of people, plenty of others don’t think they provide enough light for real bathroom tasks like shaving or doing makeup,” notes Jeremy Olsher. A poorly lit mirror is annoying no matter what age you are, so this is a gripe that makes sense across the board.

If you’re obsessed with the sleek, modern vibe of backlit mirrors but worried they won’t be bright enough, there are other modern options. A minimalist wall sconce, like this one, is a subtle way to get proper, direct lighting. Another ultra-contemporary choice is this style.