Heidi Caillier's recent vintage-style bathroom remodel nails one of 2025's biggest trends – it omits tile for a far chicer and cozier alternative
Ditching the tile for soft butter yellow wall paneling results in a bathroom that's both trendy and timeless


The way we design bathrooms is changing. We've moved away from seeing them as purely utilitarian rooms, now embracing them as warm, cozy, appealing spaces, which has meant that different materials are taking the place of tiles.
And if there's one particular wall finish I've been seeing more and more in designs recently, it's bathroom paneling. Textural, timeless, and suited to bathrooms modern and traditional, it's a welcome alternative to the colder materials typical of bathrooms.
It really seems 2025 is the year of paneled bathroom walls – and I for one am so here for it. And this vintage bathroom is further proof of how timeless and versatile this decorative style can be.
A post shared by Heidi Caillier Design (@heidicaillierdesign)
A photo posted by on
I am lucky enough to have some of the world's most beautiful bathrooms come across my desk, but this one is the nicest, most interesting I have seen recently. Located in an East Hamptons home designed by Heidi Caillier, truly stands out. It exudes vintage style, filled with character, personality, and unique features.
The paneled walls add so much to the overall space. Not only do they add a textural feature to the walls, but they instantly draw the eye up to the beautiful pitched ceiling. And painted in a warm white hue, it creates the perfect backdrop for the vintage-inspired furniture.
The bathroom vanity, a traditional wooden design with an organic curvaceous form, is a truly unique piece for the space. The deep wood tones paired with the brass hardware are reminiscent of an antique, perfect for introducing charm and character into a scheme.
The gray and white stone chosen for the bathroom countertop is perhaps unexpected, but it brings in a new texture that provides contrast to the wooden vanity and the paneled walls. It instantly prevents the space from feeling dated.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
A post shared by Heidi Caillier Design (@heidicaillierdesign)
A photo posted by on
But the real star of the show is the bath nook. A painted green archway – the outside covered in that same wall paneling – is a gateway to the most stylish bath area. Traditional-style bathroom tiles cover the walls and ceiling inside the nook, creating a busy but utterly charming tile-drenched design.
Paired with a classic freestanding bathtub painted dark brown and traditional brass hardware, you're instantly drawn to the nook, enticing you to sit back and relax in the chicest of rooms.
That contrast between the paneling and the tiles is a crucial element in this space, especially to create that more vintage-inspired feel. A fully paneled bathroom has a more contemporary feel to it, like Amber Lewis's paneled treehouse bathroom in North Carolina, which has a more pared-back, modern rustic feel compared to Heidi's design.
Finally, the decorative details really tie the whole space together and add traditional details. A large floral painting on the wall beside the vanity brings in a cozier, more lived-in feel, while brass faucets and a brass bathroom vanity mirror tie into the bath nook and reinforce that more vintage feel.
A large green vase filled with oversized branches topped with purple blooms brings in a new color and offers a nod to the surrounding gardens. A wooden chair taps into the bathroom lounge trend, creating a place to relax and take a quiet moment.
Every element in this space works together to create a stylish space with vintage appeal at every corner. And the perhaps unexpected but totally chic wall paneling is the base to the whole design. It really makes the bathroom feel like it's always been there.
Shop the look
A colorful vase is the perfectly subtle way to bring in a new tone to an otherwise neutral bathroom. Take inspiration from Heidi's design with a green glass design, perfect for displays of every size.
If you hadn't already been considering it, this is your sign to add wall paneling to your bathroom mood board. It's textural, timeless, and the perfect way to add more interest to your walls. It's the perfect base for schemes of every interior design style – and Heidi's design proves it's a stylish base for decorating with vintage in your bathroom.

I’ve worked in the interiors magazine industry for the past five years and joined Homes & Gardens at the beginning of 2024 as the Kitchens & Bathrooms editor. While I love every part of interior design, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most exciting to design, conceptualize, and write about. There are so many trends, materials, colors, and playful decor elements to explore and experiment with.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
This $50 gadget tests your air quality for allergens, pollutants and harmful smoke – as a home tech editor, it's a must-have for all
An air quality monitor will detect harmful air particles in your home
-
I've used this one thing in my bedroom every night for a year – as a lifelong allergy sufferer, I think I've finally found the magic cure
I wake up feeling clear, well-rested and free of allergy symptoms