Posts Tagged ‘bathroom’

Top Bath Trends From the 2025 NKBA Design Awards

The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is the world’s leading authority in kitchen and bath design, always at the cutting edge of industry trends. Here’s a look at the winners from their 2025 Design Competition—and the design elements that caught our attention.

Here’s the top bath trends from the NKBA Design Awards that stood out to us.

Best Overall Bath & First Place Powder Room: “Knotty Potty”

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath with custom quartz onyx sink and unconventional design elements inspired by the client's love for burled wood and gemstones

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath with custom quartz onyx sink and unconventional design elements inspired by the client's love for burled wood and gemstones

A bold and unconventional design, but we can still appreciate the custom details inspired by the client’s love for burled wood and gemstones!

Bath features/trends that stood out to us:

  • Custom quartz onyx sink
  • Full-length mirror layered behind slabs 
  • Backlighting behind the vanity and mirror–this was a feature in almost every winning design! 

Powder Room, Second Place: “Tranquillo Santuario”

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a teak panel wall, full-height tiled backsplash, and a floating white quartz vanity with black veining.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a teak panel wall, full-height tiled backsplash, and a floating white quartz vanity with black veining.

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a teak panel wall, full-height tiled backsplash, and a floating white quartz vanity with black veining.

  • Teak panel tambour walls with hidden storage—See the tambour wall in our Fieldstone Project.
  • Floor-to-ceiling tile and mirror
  • Indirect lighting behind the mirror and vanity
  • Floating vanity—you’ll see this feature in several of the winning designs. 

Powder Room, Third Place: “Paradise Found”

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a curved backsplash, large-scale gold-leaf wallcovering, a black vanity, and gold accents.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a curved backsplash, large-scale gold-leaf wallcovering, a black vanity, and gold accents.

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath featuring a curved marble countertop.

NKBA 2025 award-winning powder bath with abstract floral line drawing in the sink basin.

  • Large-scale wallpaper mural
  • Scalloped backsplashes and curved cabinets—rounded edges are big this year.
  • Note the “abstract floral line drawing in the sink basin”

Secondary Bath Winners

Secondary Bath, First Place: “Midsummer Night”

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring indirect cove lighting and botanical tree wallcovering that extends from the bathroom walls into the shower.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a botanical wallcovering, ornate gold mirror, curved marble backsplash, and floating vanity.

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a botanical tree mural tile in the shower.

  • Maximalism design—bold textures and patterns throughout
  • Large-pattern wallcovering extends from the walls into the shower
  • Another curved backsplash
  • Indirect lighting in the shower—also known as cove lighting

Secondary Bath, Second Place: “Cenote Bathroom”

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom with a moody aesthetic featuring black tile backsplash, round backlit mirror and vessel sink.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring custom floating vanity, zero-entry glass-walled shower, and in-wall toilet.

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a black tile backsplash, backlit mirror, and vessel sink.

  • Floating vanity and vessel basin
  • Zero-entry or curbless shower
  • In-wall toilet for a clean, sleek design—one of our clients just selected a similar style for their bathroom renovation
  • (Another) backlit mirror

Secondary Bath, Third Place: “Sharing is Caring”

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a black and white motif with a distinct tile design.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring shiplap walls and striped tile pattern.

NKBA 2025 award-winning bathroom featuring a black and white motif with shiplap walls and striped tile.

  • All-black fixtures from lighting to plumbing
  • Distinct tile design—we love this tile!
  • Hidden linear drain in shower floor—do you see it?

Primary Bath Winners

Primary Bath, First Place: “Tranquillo Sanctuario”

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with warm, spa-like design featuring pony wall shower and flat slab-front cabinets.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring a pony wall shower and a tiled ceiling with a rainhead shower system.  Close up of the shower in the NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom, featuring a mix of honed marble and fabric-effect ceramic tiles.

  • Partial shower walls or pony walls—provides a functional divider while keeping the space feeling open
  • Flat slab-front cabinets (Compare to traditional cabinet doors, such as Shaker-style. This style gives a more modern look.)
  • Tiled ceiling with rain head shower system—we love the ceiling design!

Primary Bath, Second Place: “TNAH 23”

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with glass-walled, cedar-clad sauna, and dual floating vanities.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

Cedar sauna from the TNAH 23" primary bathroom

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring marble-lined wet room with high narrow window.

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring dual floating vanities.

  • Glass-walled, cedar-clad sauna—Home saunas are increasing in popularity because of their health benefits
  • Back-to-back dual floating vanities
  • High narrow window in shower—brings in natural light but maintains privacy
  • Additional luxury features: Heated floors and comfort-height smart toilets with music

Primary Bath, Third Place: “Scandi Retreat”

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom featuring a hidden closet door within a tambour wall made of white oak slats.

Source: National Kitchen + Bath Association

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with spacious, spa-like layout featuring large-format concrete-look tile and minimalist design.

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with floating white-oak vanity, floor-to-ceiling tile, and backlit mirrors.

NKBA 2025 award-winning primary bathroom with luxe shower featuring large-format concrete-look tile and minimalist design.

  • Hidden closet door within tambour wall, this one made from white-oak slats
  • More backlit mirrors—Five out of the eight winning designs feature backlit vanity mirrors!

The 2025 NKBA winners highlight the top bath trends like maximalist design, curved elements, and indirect lighting. Which of these trends are you loving?

All photos courtesy of NKBA. Submit a design request to start creating your dream bathroom with Kirkendall Design today.

As Seen in TulsaPeople: Florence Park Midtown Attic Bathroom Renovation

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We’re thrilled to share that our Florence Park midtown attic bathroom renovation has been featured in TulsaPeople! This nearly 100-year old attic bathroom transformation was a labor of love—turning a cramped, awkward layout into a luxe home spa with a spacious two-person walk-in shower.

Check out the before and after photos below to see the dramatic change, and read the full story for all the details on this stunning renovation.

The Best ROI Home Improvement Projects From an Interior Designer’s Perspective

bathroom vanity with oval mirrors interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

Interior Design in Tulsa, OK by Kirkendall Design | Updated December 11, 2025

At Kirkendall Design, we believe your home should be a place that supports the way you live today while adding lasting value for the future. We guide clients to make thoughtful home improvement decisions—choices that elevate both daily living and long-term return on investment (ROI).

Below, we’re sharing the home improvement projects that consistently deliver the strongest ROI, paired with the design insight that helps them shine.

Kitchen Remodels: Up to 98.5% ROI

Spacious and bright open concept kitchen design with white cabinets, interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

As the heart of the home, a well-designed kitchen is one of the best investments you can make. Here are Kirkendall Design, we specialize in kitchen renovations of all scale. A minor kitchen remodel, averaging 98.5% ROI, often includes fresh hardware, upgraded appliances, new lighting, or a cabinet refresh—simple updates that create a brighter, more functional space. Check out our favorite kitchen design must-haves here.

A major kitchen remodel (about 91% ROI) takes the transformation further with custom cabinetry, new countertops, and sometimes a reimagined layout. Our design team guides you through the process with design boards and photorealistic renderings, helping you visualize how a timeless, livable luxury kitchen will look and feel before the first hammer swings.

Bathroom Remodels: Up to 102% ROI

Black and moody bathroom, interior design by Kirkendall Design, Tulsa OK

Bathrooms are among the most impactful rooms to update. A minor bathroom remodel, averaging a 102% ROI, focuses on new lighting, mirrors, paint, and updated fixtures—fresh details that instantly elevate the space.

A major bathroom remodel (about 93.2% ROI) can reshape the entire experience. Think custom showers, soaking tubs, new flooring, and vanities that bring a true spa-like atmosphere to your home. Our Tulsa interior design firm specializes in creating bathrooms that feel luxurious and timeless.

Explore bathroom trends here.

Landscaping: 100% ROI

Outdoor spaces have become an essential extension of the home. Landscaping upgrades, which offer a 100% ROI, can dramatically improve curb appeal and everyday enjoyment. As part of our outdoor living services, we source high-quality outdoor furniture, lighting, and decor to create spaces that invite you outside—perfect for quiet mornings or evenings spent with friends and family.

Attic Bedroom Conversion: 93.5% ROI

attic bedroom, interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa OK

Converting an attic into a bedroom is a smart way to gain valuable square footage without building an addition. With an average 93.5% ROI, this project can transform unused space into a cozy guest suite, children’s room, or private retreat. With our team’s extensive construction knowledge, we simplify the process from initial concept to final installation. Check out our Florence Park project for a stunning attic bathroom transformation.

Entry Door Replacement: 90.7% ROI

A beautiful entry door sets the tone for the entire home. Replacing it can enhance curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency, with an average 90.7% ROI. We can help clients select doors that complement their architectural style while adding a thoughtful touch of personality.

Luxury Design Changes That Truly Pay Off

Whether you’re dreaming of a kitchen refresh, a more functional bathroom, or a home improvement project that adds value and comfort, choosing the right updates makes all the difference. At Kirkendall Design, we guide Tulsa homeowners through every step—from initial vision to final installation—ensuring the process feels seamless and the results feel deeply personal.

Ready to explore a project that balances beauty, functionality, and smart ROI? Get started with a design request.

Blue bathroom, interior design by Kirkendall Design, Tulsa OK

 

Source: Fortune Builders Top 10 Home Improvements with the Highest ROI

 

5 Bathroom Trends to Consider for Your Next Renovation

We’re excited to talk about some of our favorite interior design trends that are making waves in bathroom design this year. Whether you’re planning a complete bathroom renovation or a simple refresh, these trends will help you elevate your space to new heights of style and functionality.

2024 Bathroom Trends

Japanese Wet rooms & Doorless Showers 

Japanese wet rooms have emerged in American bathrooms in response to the rise of minimalism and personal wellness. By combining the tub and shower in one enclosed space, it creates a more spacious atmosphere and spa-like experience. If you’re not quite ready for a full wet room, doorless showers offer a visually stunning alternative that also promotes relaxation.

doorless shower bathroom interior design by Kirkendall Design

doorless shower bathroom interior design by Kirkendall Design

Free standing tubs

While some bathroom design trends can become outdated, freestanding tubs are an example of a timeless interior design choice that will never go out of style. There are so many styles to choose from and they help create a more airy and relaxing bath experience.

free standing tub interior design by Kirkendall Design

 

Steam showers

One of the prominent bathroom trends we see clients wanting is a spa-like atmosphere, not just for aesthetics, but to support overall wellness. There are many benefits to steam showers but a few include improved metabolism, circulation, detoxification, stress-management, and respiratory health. We designed this client’s steam shower with a transom-style glass panel at the top to regulate the steam when in use.

Bold Paint & Wallpaper

At our interior design firm, we love crafting vibrant bathrooms for our clients! Nothing tells a client’s unique story quite like bold color choices and playful patterns. Bold bathrooms are right up our alley, and you can explore more of our projects in this blog post on bathrooms.

Aging in place 

In the last two decades, we’ve seen a significant rise in using the aging in place approach in interior design, which focuses on design elements that adapt to people’s evolving needs and abilities over time. For example, in this bathroom project, we integrated non-slip tile, a curbless shower, and accessible bathtub, ensuring both aesthetics and long-term safety.

 

If you are ready to upgrade your bathroom, let us help! With 30 years of interior design expertise in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and beyond, we’re here to guide your next bathroom renovation. Submit a design request to schedule your complimentary discovery call to get started!

A look at our favorite bathroom styles

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A Look at Our Favorite Bathroom Styles

black and white bathroom interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Great interior design tells the story of the people who live in that home. From the front door all the way to the more utilitarian spaces of the home, your home should reflect who you are and how you want your home to feel. This month, we are talking about bathroom styles while highlighting some of our favorite interior design projects in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As interior designers we are constantly asking ourselves, how can we tell the story of your life through design? We have recognized bathroom designs that stand the test of time. Let’s take a look at our favorite bathroom styles that do just that. I’d love to know…which would you choose?

Fresh and Timeless

Neutral bathroom design with soaking tub and brown cabinets interior design by Kirkendall Design

Bathroom styles that are fresh and timeless are all about choosing a combination of materials that feel both new and classic. You want your new bath to look new now–who could blame you? Yet, you also want it to look new in five, ten, even 15 years! In most cases we accomplish this by keeping the color palette neutral and choosing simple, ageless fixtures and patterns.

Your tile selection is a great place to add interest to your design. (We talked bathroom tile trends here last year.) You can keep it fairly neutral, so it doesn’t look dated anytime soon. But remember, if you love it and it reflects who you are–chances are you’ll always love it!

Mixing your finishes is another way to accomplish the fresh and timeless look. If you’ve chosen chrome fixtures, consider a black or wood mirror. Not only will it add visual interest to an otherwise calm space, but it helps avoid dating your design. Win, win!

 

white bathroom with glass shower door interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, Oklahoma

odd shaped small bathroom interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

Warm and Textural


In the room where one of your main focuses is to see how you look and will present yourself to the world, you should choose a palette that will aid in enhancing your beauty regimine. Warm and textural bathroom styles will help you look and feel your best while getting ready.

You can create warm palette bathroom styles by using stained or painted wood–it doesn’t really matter as long as you choose saturated tones. Choosing marble or quartzite can also make a big impact.

Another great way to bring in warmth is with wallpaper. We’ve sourced everything from earthy botanical prints to textured leather wallpapers (image above). Any way to bring in those warmer interior design elements will help create a cozy and texture-filled bathroom style. Not only will your room look great, but you will, too!

bold wallpaper powder bath interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

powder bath with floral wallpaper, floating vanity and round mirror, interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

Relaxed and Refined

blue bathroom vanity with hexagon bold tile. round gold mirror and gold sconces interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OKWhen a client is drawn to relaxed and refined bathroom styles, we hone in on creating the most serene setting possible. This means that simplicity, luxury and rejuvenation are at the top of our list when choosing each interior design element.

When creating a spa-like bathroom style, focus on choosing calming and fresh colors, fixtures, and surfaces. Each one should complement the other in a way that primes the room for a peaceful experience.

bright bathroom with frosted window, free standing tub and white vanity interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

white marble walk in shower glass shower door interior design by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, OK

Moody Neutrals

Black is the new neutral. And, boy do I love dark and moody bathroom styles, or any room for that matter. I often have to talk clients into making this daring move. I’ve even bet a client I would pay to repaint it if she didn’t like the end result. However, I’ve never had an unhappy customer when all was said and done.

Truthfully, it doesn’t even have to be black. We recently used a coffee bean colored wallpaper (above) that still gives that dark, moody feel without being stark black.

Afraid to go dark? There are so many ways to introduce depth of color without using paint. Maybe it’s a white quartzite with an inky vein running through it. Or, a dark hide wrapped mirror for a little burst of drama.

Pops of Color

Throughout the years, we’ve done many colorful bathroom styles. There’s no better way to tell the story of who occupies a space than with bold color choices and pattern play.

In a recent new construction home project, we designed this perfectly pink bath intended for the owners’ granddaughters. From the floral wallpaper, to the patterned floor tile and pink accessories, this room screams little girls. If you want to keep the focus on the wallpaper, use a wall to wall mirror instead of a framed version. As you can see, we chose pink tile for the shower/tub wall and let the tile texture and pattern take center stage.

There is an art to mixing color, patterns, and textures in bathroom styles. When you do it well, (or with the help of an interior designer) it creates a fun and fresh look that maximizes your unique story and style.

Which of these bathroom styles is your favorite – classic and understated or the daring and bold designs? Tell us in the comments!

If you are planning a bathroom refresh or remodel, let us bring your design to life. Submit a design request to get the process started.