Bathroom design trends come and go, but two styles continue to dominate UK bathroom renovations year after year: traditional bathrooms and modern bathrooms.
Whether you're renovating a Victorian property, updating a compact family bathroom, or designing a luxury ensuite from scratch, choosing between a classic traditional look and a sleek modern design is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Many homeowners begin by browsing popular categories such as Wall Hung Toilets, Close Coupled Toilets, and WC Frames & Cisterns to decide which style best suits their home.
In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between traditional and modern bathrooms, the pros and cons of each style, typical costs, the best products for both looks, and how to decide which approach works best for your home.
Why Choosing the Right Bathroom Style Matters
Your bathroom style affects:
- The overall feel of your home
- Which fixtures and furniture you can use
- Cleaning and maintenance requirements
- Long-term resale appeal
- Renovation costs
- Future flexibility
Many homeowners start a renovation without deciding on a clear direction, which often leads to mismatched finishes and expensive design changes later on.
The best bathrooms feel cohesive from the start. If you're still exploring styles, it’s worth browsing both the Modern Toilet Collections and more traditional Close Coupled Toilets available at Empress Bathrooms before planning your layout.
What Is a Traditional Bathroom?
Traditional bathrooms are inspired by classic British design, often drawing influence from Victorian and Edwardian interiors.
Typical features include:
- High-level or low-level cistern toilets
- Freestanding baths
- Crosshead taps
- Decorative flush pipes
- Traditional vanity units
- Chrome or brass finishes
- Wall panelling or half-height tiles
- Softer curves and more decorative ceramic shapes
Traditional bathrooms work especially well in:
- Period homes
- Character properties
- Cottage-style interiors
- Luxury classic renovations
- Larger bathrooms with higher ceilings
The overall look feels warm, timeless, and elegant, particularly when paired with classic fittings from the WC Frames & Cisterns Collection.
If you're designing a more classic bathroom space, browse our WC Frames & Cisterns Collection for traditional-style toilets and cistern packs.
WC Frames & Cisterns Collection
What Is a Modern Bathroom?
Modern bathrooms focus on simplicity, clean lines, practicality, and minimalism.
Typical features include:
- Wall hung toilets
- Concealed cisterns
- Floating vanity units
- Walk-in showers
- Rimless toilets
- Matt black or brushed brass finishes
- Large-format tiles
- Frameless glass
- Minimal detailing
Modern bathrooms are extremely popular in UK renovations because they maximise space and create a cleaner, more contemporary appearance. Products such as Wall Hung Toilets and Rimless Toilets are especially popular in contemporary bathroom renovations.
They work particularly well in:
- New builds
- Small bathrooms
- Contemporary homes
- Loft conversions
- Minimalist interiors
- Compact ensuites
Explore our modern toilet collections including Wall Hung Toilets and Back to Wall Toilets.
Traditional vs Modern Bathrooms: The Main Differences
| Feature | Traditional Bathroom | Modern Bathroom |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Decorative and classic | Clean and minimal |
| Toilet Design | Exposed cisterns and classic shapes | Wall hung or concealed systems |
| Furniture | Freestanding or detailed cabinetry | Floating or handleless furniture |
| Taps | Crosshead or lever taps | Square or minimalist mixers |
| Colours | Warm neutrals and heritage tones | White, grey, black, stone |
| Cleaning | More detailing to clean | Easier maintenance |
| Space Saving | Less efficient in small rooms | Excellent for compact spaces |
| Installation Cost | Can be higher for specialist items | Wide price range available |
| Best For | Period homes | Contemporary homes |
Which Bathroom Style Is More Popular in the UK?
Modern bathrooms are currently the most popular overall because they suit smaller UK homes and offer better space efficiency.
Features like wall hung toilets, floating vanity units, and walk-in showers continue to grow in popularity because they make bathrooms feel larger and easier to maintain.
However, traditional bathrooms remain highly sought-after in premium renovations and period properties.
One of the biggest bathroom trends right now is combining traditional and modern features together.
The Rise of Modern Traditional Bathrooms
One of the strongest bathroom trends at the moment is combining classic design with modern practicality.
Examples include:
- Traditional vanity units paired with wall hung toilets
- Freestanding baths with contemporary brushed brass taps
- Classic metro tiles with modern frameless shower screens
- Traditional-style taps on minimalist basins
- Heritage colours with clean contemporary layouts
- This hybrid approach gives homeowners the warmth of a traditional bathroom without sacrificing convenience.
Which Style Works Best in Small Bathrooms?
In most cases, modern bathrooms work better in compact spaces.
Features such as:
- Wall hung toilets
- Floating furniture
- Walk-in showers
- Concealed cisterns
- Large tiles
all help create the illusion of more space.
If you're renovating a compact bathroom, browse our space-saving options including Wall Hung Toilets and Back to Wall Toilets.
Traditional bathrooms can still work beautifully in smaller rooms if the design is carefully planned.
Compact cloakroom basins, slimline vanity units, and low-level cistern toilets are often good compromises.
Which Bathroom Style Is Easier to Clean?
Modern bathrooms are generally easier to maintain.
Wall hung toilets and floating vanity units expose more floor area, making cleaning simpler.
Minimal detailing also means:
- fewer dust traps
- fewer hard-to-clean edges
- less grout
- easier wipe-down surfaces
Traditional bathrooms often feature more decorative detailing, exposed pipework, and shaped ceramics that require more regular cleaning.
Rimless toilets are especially popular for homeowners looking for improved hygiene and easier maintenance.
Browse our Rimless Toilets Collection for easier-cleaning modern toilet designs.
Are Traditional Bathrooms More Expensive?
They can be.
Traditional bathroom products are often more specialised and may include:
-
Decorative brassware
-
Ceramic lever handles
-
Ornate brackets
-
Exposed flush pipes
-
Freestanding baths
-
Premium furniture finishes
Installation can also take longer depending on the complexity of the design.
However, modern luxury bathrooms can easily cost just as much when using premium brands, large-format tiles, concealed systems, and premium brassware.
The final cost usually depends more on product quality and installation complexity than style alone.
Best Toilet Styles for Traditional Bathrooms
Popular options include:
- High level toilets
- Low level toilets
- Close coupled traditional toilets
- Decorative cistern packs
- Comfort height traditional toilets
Traditional toilets work particularly well with:
- Victorian floor tiles
- Wall panelling
- Chrome flush pipes
- Heritage brassware
You can browse our Close Coupled Toilets Collection for traditional-inspired bathroom suites.
Best Toilet Styles for Modern Bathrooms
The most popular choices include:
- Wall hung toilets
- Rimless toilets
- Back to wall toilets
- Compact projection toilets
- Concealed cistern systems
Wall hung toilets remain one of the best options for creating a premium modern look while also making smaller bathrooms feel more spacious.
Explore our modern toilet collections including Wall Hung Toilets, Rimless Toilets, and Back to Wall Toilets.
How to Choose the Right Bathroom Style
The best approach is to look at:
1. Your Property Style
A sleek ultra-modern bathroom may feel out of place in a Victorian home.
Likewise, an ornate traditional suite can sometimes clash with a highly contemporary property.
The bathroom should feel connected to the rest of the home.
2. Your Available Space
Small bathrooms often benefit from modern layouts.
Larger rooms give you more flexibility to use freestanding baths and traditional fittings.
3. Your Cleaning Preferences
If easy maintenance matters most, modern bathrooms are usually the better option.
4. Your Long-Term Plans
If you're renovating for resale, modern bathrooms tend to appeal to the widest audience.
If you're renovating your forever home, personal style matters more.
Our Recommendation
If you're unsure, a balanced modern-traditional approach is usually the safest choice.
It avoids the risk of a bathroom feeling too clinical or too dated.
A timeless bathroom usually combines:
- clean layouts
- quality materials
- practical storage
- classic neutral colours
- carefully selected statement pieces
rather than following short-term trends too aggressively.
Final Thoughts
Both traditional and modern bathrooms can look incredible when designed properly.
Traditional bathrooms bring warmth, character, and timeless elegance.
Modern bathrooms offer cleaner lines, better space efficiency, and easier maintenance.
The right choice depends on your home, your budget, your lifestyle, and the atmosphere you want to create.
If you're planning a bathroom renovation and need help choosing the right products, layouts, or styles, browse all toilets at Empress Bathrooms for modern, traditional, wall hung, rimless, and back to wall options.
