13 Outdated Bathroom Vanity Styles And Colors To Avoid In Your Space

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Decorating your bathroom can be a daunting task. From color and flooring to your vanity and cabinets, there are a lot of crucial decisions to make. What colors are "in," for example, and should you choose a bathroom vanity for aesthetic or practicality? It's also important to ensure your bathroom matches the style and decor of the rest of your home. What's more, bathroom trends are regularly changing, and you don't want your space to fall out of style.

There are a few outdated bathroom vanity styles and colors you should definitely avoid. Those old-school Hollywood bulb lights? Big no. Light blue and dusty rose are two colors that are definitely out. Even the hardware you have in your bathroom can date your space (any guess on which metal is out for bathrooms in 2026? Keep reading to find out). If you're eager to renovate or update your bathroom, and want to stay up-to-date on the trends, check out our list below.

We've all seen Hollywood-style vanity lights. The exposed bulbs had their time to shine, but no longer. Their origin in 1920s Hollywood was a major breakthrough for theater and entertainment, and they eventually had a place in everyday bathroom design. Even so, today they can feel like an outdated bathroom lighting option. Bare, exposed bulbs in this style are no longer a popular choice.

Not only is it a very plain and straightforward design, but Hollywood bulb lighting can also give your bathroom a sterile vibe because it lacks depth. Plus, there are so many alternative lighting options for bathroom vanities. For example, one moody trend replacing bright bathroom lighting is putting bathroom lights on dimmers and layering light sources. Statement lighting fixtures are also in, along with smart or LED lighting.

The reign of the bright, all-white bathroom is officially over. Although once considered an incredibly on-trend choice offering a clean, chic aesthetic, white cabinets can now come off as sterile and cold. No one wants their bathroom to give the same vibes as a doctor's office. Plus, maximalist design is very "in," so it's a good idea to skip the white vanity.

Rather than opting for a monochromatic white bathroom, consider adding a pop of color to your bathroom vanity. Not only does it make your bathroom interesting and inviting, it can also modernize the space. If you don't want to go too bold, a cream or off-white color is a great choice. Alternatively, go moody with a dark toned finish, or opt for mid-toned wood finish. 

Once the go-to alternative to white, gray was recently considered a great neutral option for bathroom decor. But gray's cool tones are at odds with the warm, inviting atmosphere becoming more popular in bathroom design. Although not as sterile as bright white, a flat gray may still give off a clinical feel, which should definitely be avoided in the bathroom if you're aiming for a look that doesn't timestamp your bathroom. 

Instead, go for warm tones on your bathroom vanity. If you're in love with gray, you can still capture the color with a warm hue, such as greige. This trendy tone is a wonderful mixture that falls somewhere between white, beige, and gray, and can create a serene, spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom. Who wouldn't want to come home to that? You can also pair greige with warm wood accents to heighten the comfort factor.

Although warm tones are popular for vanity colors, they're in some ways a fading fad for hardware. By warm-toned fixtures, we primarily mean materials such as brass and copper. After a strong dominance of chrome, brass made a big comeback in recent years, but its massive revival was actually also downfall. It may now even be considered overused in certain areas of the home. So, come 2026, don't default to choosing warm-toned hardware for your bathroom. Instead, think about what metal will work best in the overall space and suit the architecture. 

And before you panic about switching out all the hardware in your bathroom, we have a few great suggestions for updating your decor. Mixing metals is actually a great solution if you don't want to buy new hardware everywhere. Here's proof that your bathroom features don't have to be a single type of metal — matte black and brass can actually create a dramatic, elegant look in your space — and silver-colored metals are a trendy bathroom hardware that's having a massive comeback.

Although white oak is a fairly standard choice for bathroom vanities, it may actually be dating your space. White oak, ash, or even maple are light-toned woods commonly used for vanities. Often, light wood tones can bring an organic, subtle warmth to a bathroom, giving your space a relaxing feel. However, emerging trends are pushing this type of wood out.

To stay up to date in 2026, opt for wood with a darker, richer finish. Even a natural wood tone may be a little more on trend than a super-pale surface. To update your wood bathroom vanity, consider staining it a darker color or adding a few different wood tones for variety. Be sure to check out our tips and tricks to make staining your wood cabinets a breeze before tackling this project. Alternatively, if you're busy choosing a new vanity for a bathroom space, lean into the darker wood tones (yes they might feel a little scary right now, but in a few months or a year, they're likely to be bang on trend). 

We're not saying super-ornate vanities are completely off the table, because maximalism is very much in. Paired back, plain details in the bathroom are definitely out of style. But, if you're considering buying and installing a new vanity that is detailed or imitates a generic historic style, that could give your bathroom a tacky '90s Tuscan feel. This should be avoided, especially if it clashes with the architecture or style of your home.

Instead, if you're seeking an ornate bathroom vanity, consider an antique or vintage piece with lots of character. Vintage pieces are actually a bathroom trend you'll see popping up in 2026. You can also accomplish this look by adding decorative hardware to a plainer vanity, or by choosing a vanity that's rich in color.

Light blue is a common bathroom color, and that's exactly why you should skip it for your vanity. The predictable nature of this tone means it's a safe choice, and there are so many other design-forward options that can give your bathroom a little personality. Plus, light blue can bring a coastal energy to your space, which may not match the general style of your home.

If you already have a light blue vanity and you don't want to repaint, or you want to modernize it without nixing the color altogether, consider using warm colors to balance out the palette. Add a few pops of terracotta or even tomato red to give your bathroom a designer feel that's much more 2020s than 2010s. This has recently become a popular color combo, and could bring new life to a powder blue vanity.

No surprise here — minimalism is on the outs, and plain, lifeless mirrors are disappearing too. This type of bathroom vanity mirror is not only off-trend, it also brings nothing new or interesting to your space. Your bathroom is an area of the home you spend time in every day, so it should reflect your personal taste and have some unique visual charm to keep things fresh.

Wondering what to do instead? Lucky for you, the options are practically endless. Go maximalist with an ornately framed mirror, or try an oval or organic-shaped mirror to add character. Backlit mirrors or anti-fog smart mirrors, such as the Hivone LED bathroom mirror with lights, are high-tech options. If you go the backlit mirror route, choose a glass with a dimmable option, because, as you'll see below, ultra-bright backlit options can also feel a touch outdated. 

Not all backlit mirrors are outdated. LED backlit mirrors are a modern, sleek option for an on-trend bathroom. However, to keep up with decor fashions in 2026, avoid super-bright, one-note mirrors. Who wants to walk into their bathroom in the morning and be blinded by a mega-bright glare? No one. If you're obsessed with the idea of a backlit mirror, consider a dimmable option. With this function, you still get great lighting for applying makeup or running through your skincare routine, and you can adjust the brightness as necessary.

It's also a great idea to layer lighting in your bathroom. Rather than only relying on the vanity mirror as a single light source, consider adding sconces or lamps to create a soothing ambiance. These Verron modern wall sconce vanity fixtures are an excellent choice for dimensional lighting.

The 1990s may have loved a dusty rose bathroom, but the 2020s do not. You can picture it, right? The pink tile and pink bathtub that just end up looking a little dingy and outdated? We're not saying all pinks are out for your bathroom vanity — just those mauve or antique rose shades, implemented in excess.

Instead, opt for soft, neutral pink accents to add a little flair to your bathroom. The Ravinte 30-pack of 5-inch cabinet pulls in pink are a easy option for a simple bathroom update. If you're looking for other ways to add trendy pink shades to your bathroom without a whole renovation, consider pink drapes, wall art, organizers, or lamp shades. Pink accent like these are a lot easier and less costly to switch out compared to things like tile and flooring. 

Vessel sinks are bold and can be a statement piece in a bathroom. However, this look has been leveraged extensively over the last couple of decades, to the point where vessel sinks are starting to look less like a design statement and more like a time stamp. Vessel sinks are also often an impractical choice. The large bowl sitting on top of a counter can actually make cleaning difficult and limit space on the vanity. The bulky nature of this sink style can make it a hindrance in a master en-suite or a regularly used bathroom. If you like the look, it's a good idea to save this design for a powder room or half bath.

Undermount sinks are much more practical and can still be beautiful. If you plan to DIY your sink, undermounts are a little more difficult to install on your own, but not impossible with a little bit of know-how. Drop-in sinks are also relatively easy to install, but are not quite as seamless. Overall, consider your personal needs and the style of your bathroom vanity when choosing the most practical sink.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Minimalism is on the decline, and that includes in the bathroom. Super-plain bathroom vanities may come off as boring or lacking personality. However, if you currently have a sleek vanity, or you lean toward minimalism in your general style, there are a few ways to make your bathroom decor a little more exciting.

Consider using contrasting or saturated colors to add interest, or use decorative hardware. Unique drawer pulls, or even faucets, can add life to a one-note vanity. There are plenty of other bathroom vanity ideas that can easily elevate your space, such as adding an eye-catching backsplash or installing some wallpaper on the wall behind the vanity — or even wrapping it around the whole space. If your vanity feels a little plain, adding visual interest to the walls can be a great way to balance this out. 

Fluting has been popping up everywhere. Unfortunately, even though it may still parade as cool and current in 2026, it has actually become a little overdone and could date your space over the next few years. If you're eager to create a stylish, trendy bathroom, you should probably skip the fluted vanity.

You can still add texture and interest to your vanity without fluting. Consider a wooden vanity with paneling to add depth and textured detail, or even transform an old dresser into a vanity for an extremely unique look. Reeded wood is another excellent choice, offering similar vertical lines and visual interest to fluting but with a slightly different feel. The Modway render bathroom vanity is a visually appealing and pleasantly eccentric option.