The trend for matt bathroom cabinets is not over yet

You decide it's finally time to give your vanity a makeover. Or maybe you're designing your bathroom from scratch and thinking about the best bathroom vanity colors. Regardless, there's no better place than the bathroom to be bold, and luckily, these cabinets provide the perfect setting for it. In this case, by bold we mean matte black.

“Matte black is a very trendy and dramatic option for furniture right now,” shares design historian Sarah Bilotta in an exclusive interview with House Digest. It's eye-catching but not overpowering, modern yet equally timeless and, more importantly, it fits a variety of design aesthetics. “Black is neutral, so you don't necessarily have to go for a moody look to use matte black cabinets in your bathroom,” explains Bilotta. While it's fun to pair them with matching bathroom amenities (think showerheads and door handles), you can also make your black cabinets the focal point of the room. All you need are light floors and walls and bright gold or brass fixtures to create a dramatic contrast.

So what's the catch? “I love the look of matte black cabinets, even though I'm not a fan of their practicality,” Bilotta tells us. Making fingerprints easier to recognize is just one of them. That being said, she believes this finish will continue to reign supreme in 2025 as many people love the drama and impact it brings to small spaces like bathrooms. With that out of the way, let's take a look at the cons in question to find out if this bathroom trend is right for you.

It's probably no surprise that maintenance is the first concern. In an exclusive conversation with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta found that steam accumulates on the dark, matte surface and becomes more noticeable than on a lighter, less matte material. Another downside to the increasingly popular matte black cabinet trend? Dirt and imperfections are ten times more visible, especially if the black paint is just a blend. This means more cleaning to keep them looking their best.

You also need to consider your existing bathroom design concept. Yes, matte black cabinets suit any bathroom style, from a rustic powder room to a lavish, spa-like modern bathroom. However, that doesn't mean they can't be difficult to use coherently and effectively. “Until recently the trend was towards light and airy bathrooms. “So you may have to do a lot of work changing the paint, flooring and other furnishings before you can incorporate black cabinets,” reveals Bilotta. “The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms in the house to remodel. So if you decide to replace such cabinets, it may be costly to install such dramatic cabinets in the future.” Her verdict was clear: she doesn't recommend matte black furniture for bathrooms – unless it doesn't bother you and you prefer it dramatic color choices, but don't necessarily want to choose a warm or bright color palette.

2024 saw big changes in bathroom vanities (like matte black finishes), so we had to ask Sarah Bilotta for her predictions for 2025. “Bright neutrals have been very popular in bathrooms in recent years, and will likely continue to be,” the decor expert exclusively told House Digest. “Because it's often a small, windowless space and needs to be easy to clean, homeowners often prefer a light, earthy color palette in the bathroom.”

However, there may be a slight deviation from this in 2025. According to Bilotta, rosy pinks, sage greens and dusty blues could become popular cabinet colors for those willing to experiment with the double color trend in their bathrooms. She also believes alternative cabinet materials are becoming increasingly popular in luxury homes. “Cabinets made of natural stone in earth tones offer a discerning design clientele an elegant interpretation of tradition,” says Bilotta as an example.