Carpeted bathrooms are a thing of the past; they are impractical and ugly. Right? Surely they aren't making a comeback?
This was my reaction too when I first saw an (admittedly beautiful) bathroom sneak onto my Instagram feed, adorned with a plush pink carpet. But since seeing that image weeks ago, it's stayed with me, and maybe it's the algorithm doing its thing, or maybe carpets in bathrooms are actually back for 2025.
Either way, I had to find out from designers if a carpet is a bathroom trend we should be paying attention to. Can it ever work, and should anyone be considering it when doing a remodel?
Carpets were once a very popular bathroom flooring idea. First emerging in the 1950s and really ramping up in the '70s and '80s, carpet became the go-to flooring material used to make the bathroom feel equally as cozy as other rooms in the home.
While a 1980s interior design trend may not sound initially appealing in 2025, we all know this year has been the year of comebacks, and it feels quite right that carpeted bathrooms should make an appearance this year.
There are actually plenty of examples of it working beautifully, too. Take the space designed by Penny Morrison. This is a huge space, it needs the warmth and softness that a carpet brings. There's a certain elegance to it too. I usually associate bathroom carpet with '80s colors like pale pinks and avocado greens, but this look is far more sophisticated.
Speaking of '80s bathrooms, Louise Jones, founder of Fairfax Jones, has embraced this vintage bathroom idea in her own home, pairing a pink suite with a green carpet in true retro style. And it works!
'I love carpets in the bathroom!' she tells me. 'Soft underfoot and warm during those chilly winter months. I think people have always thought them to get wet and become musty, but as long as you use bath mats and open the windows from time to time, you’re fine.'
I do think they’re only suited to period properties – the ones that have character and drafts!' she adds.
Interior designers Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen from Salvesen Graham also love the return of this retro bathroom idea, and they love incorporating carpet in their projects for its nostalgic charm.
'We often use carpet in bathrooms and feel very confident doing so,' say Mary and Nicole. Referring to a recent project pictured above, they explain 'The carpet in this particular bathroom was a waterproof sisal. It is neutral enough to be styled with any rugs on top.'
'Like a kitchen, we would always view a bathroom as another room to style and decorate like a principal room, many stop at the practical considerations. But a carpet has the effect of softening a room as well as being something warm and comfortable to step out on. In this particular room, it also has the advantage of drying out thanks to the underfloor heating.'
Designer Suzannah Lockwood says that carpets in a bathroom can work in the right setting. But she's skeptical, and believes you can create the same softness a carpet would bring without committing to a wall-to-wall rug.
'The majority of projects I work on are in historic houses, so I like to stay true to the house and use the original floorboards where possible,' she explains. 'However, I do like to treat a bathroom like another room to avoid it becoming clinical, as bathrooms can sometimes be.'
'I wouldn’t necessarily opt for a carpet unless the client specified it as a requirement, but I would opt for something of quality that was resistant to water damage if they did. Instead, I would add rugs, fabric lampshades, and artwork, etc, to introduce color and soften these spaces.'
There is no denying that the biggest impracticality of a carpeted bathroom they often don't cope with damp conditions, so if you are considering carpeting your space, you'll need a chic bath mat to stop constant moisture ruining your carpet.
West Elm is my personal go-to for stylish bath mats. My aim is that they look more like rugs that bath mats and this soft cotton design does exact that. I might not be persuaded by a full carpeted bathroom but this is perfect for adding softness underfoot.
A wooden bath mat is going to add warmth and texture to a bathroom, just like a carpet would. So even if you aren't considering a carpeted suite, a wooden bath mat ticks the same boxes.
Add a pop of color with this green and blue bath mat. It's available in a runner size too, which if you have the space for I always think looks more chic than a standard size bath mat.
While not all carpeted bathrooms are chic (some are a walking time capsule), when done sympathetically and practically, they can feel oh-so cozy and charming. Older homes pair particularly well with the style, where larger, typically colder bathrooms appreciate some soft texture.
However, if you're worried about the impracticalities of carpet in a bathroom (moisture can sometimes ruin carpets, particularly the softer varieties), it might be worth considering low-maintenance bathroom rug ideas for a similar cozy feel.
