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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Megan Slack

Zendaya’s bathroom wall shows off this year’s most dynamic (and visually stunning) trend – it's a fresh, ultra-soothing twist on Japandi

Zendaya.

This may not be the first time you take style lessons from Zendaya, but it may be the first time you learn something from her bathroom. The actress is a force in the film and fashion industries, so it's only fitting that her home follow suit. Believe it ot not, the most trendy space of all is her bathroom, and we owe its sucsess to wood.

The question of whether you should use wood in a bathroom is an age-old debate among designers, but this material has become increasingly popular this year, and Zendaya's twist reminds us why. She exhibits a rich, wood-paved wall that upgrades her gray and white bathroom into a soothing, spa-like space that's textured and beautiful.

As a celebrity style editor, I've seen an increasing number of figures turn away from the paintbrush (and even tiles) and experiment with more organic, wooden features in their bathrooms and kitchens. As designers explain, it's one of the biggest interior design trends of the year, but since Zendaya's space dates back to 2017, it's clear that she was, as ever, ahead of the curve.

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As design experts explain, wooden walls (or any wooden features, for that matter) tap into not one, but two top bathroom trends for this year, starting with the rise of textured finishes.

'Texture finishes are key to adding depth and dynamism to bathrooms in 2025. Offering a way to create depth, personality, and sensory engagement within the space, materials such as ribbed wood or stone surfaces will remain popular, evoking a sense of warmth and transforming bathrooms into immersive environments that go beyond mere functionality,' comments Jorge Hernandez, the head of design at Bathroom Brands Group.

'Visual texture will also play an essential role in enhancing these finishes, adding layers of detail through patterns like geometric or organic motifs, and creating a sense of movement and flow within the room.'

Secondly, the use of natural, unpainted wood is key to mastering the 'Japandi Nouveau' look, described by Jorge as 'a refined evolution of the Japandi style'.

'This trend continues to balance Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality whilst introducing richer, more expressive elements. Soft neutral palettes, curved shapes, and echoes of natural motifs help to create the ultimate zen aesthetic, whilst conveying a sense of craft through textured finishes, artisanal details, and layered materials,' he says.

Whether you go as bold as Zendaya (with a wooden accent wall) or incorporate natural accessories to work with your current bathroom, you can be sure this look will continue to impress. Zendaya has set the bar since 2017, after all.

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