Your home's about to get a serious upgrade—here's what's hot right now.
Last week, I was chatting with Marie, a Verdun homeowner who'd been planning her bathroom renovation for months. She pulled up Pinterest on her phone and said, "I'm so confused—everyone's showing me different trends. What's actually worth doing in 2025?"
Great question. Because let's be honest: not every trend deserves your money.
I've watched hundreds of Montreal homeowners navigate renovations over the past year, and some patterns are absolutely worth jumping on. Others? They'll look dated by 2027. So let me walk you through the 10 trends that are actually making homes more beautiful, functional, and valuable right now—plus which ones might not be right for you.
1. Floating Vanities Are Taking Over (And Your Back Will Thank You)
Walk into any modern bathroom in Outremont or Griffintown, and you'll spot the same thing: vanities that hover off the floor like they're defying gravity.
Wall-hung vanities aren't just a pretty face. They make small bathrooms feel 30% larger (your brain registers that visible floor space as extra square footage). Plus, cleaning becomes ridiculously easy—no more contorting yourself to mop around cabinet legs.
The Montreal advantage: With our slushy winters, having that exposed floor means salt stains and melted snow don't collect in hidden corners. You can actually see what you're cleaning.
One thing though—installation requires proper blocking in your walls. We don't handle installations, but any licensed contractor worth their salt knows how to anchor these securely. Don't skip that step.
2. Matte Black Faucets Finally Look Good (Here's Why)
Remember when matte black fixtures looked cheap? Those days are over.
The 2025 versions have better coatings that resist fingerprints and water spots—two things Montreal's hard water loves to create. They pair beautifully with white vanities and lighter flooring, creating that contrast designers charge thousands to plan.
Pro tip: If you've got young kids, maybe hold off. Toothpaste shows on dark faucets like snow on pavement. But for adult bathrooms or powder rooms? Gorgeous.
3. Wide-Plank Flooring Makes Rooms Feel Bigger
Here's something most people don't realize: plank width affects how large your space feels.
Narrow planks (under 5 inches) create visual busyness—your eye counts each line. Wide planks (7+ inches) let your brain relax and perceive the room as more spacious. It's the same square footage, but the experience changes completely.
Our SPC flooring comes in gorgeous wide-plank options that work beautifully in Montreal homes. They're 100% waterproof (crucial for our humid summers and basement moisture issues), and they handle temperature swings without warping.
Real talk: Hardwood looks stunning, but in bathrooms or basements? SPC or WPC flooring will outlast it by decades in our climate.
4. Smart Toilets Aren't Just for Tech Nerds Anymore
I know what you're thinking. "A toilet with buttons? Really?"
But hear me out. Montreal winters mean cold toilet seats at 6 AM. Smart toilets solve that. They also include heated seats, automatic lids, built-in bidets, and night lights—basically everything that makes midnight bathroom trips less miserable.
The models we carry have gotten so much more reliable and affordable. They're not the $5,000 behemoths from five years ago. And during Quebec's occasional water restrictions, the efficient flush systems actually matter.
5. Freestanding Vanities With Legs Are Making a Comeback
Plot twist: after years of wall-hung domination, freestanding vanities are having a moment—but with a modern twist.
The new versions sit on sleek metal or wooden legs (not those chunky cabinet bases from 2010). They give you storage without the heavy, furniture-look of traditional vanities. Think mid-century modern meets contemporary spa.
Why Montreal homeowners love them: Easier to install than wall-mounted options, plus you can take them with you if you move. And they work in older homes where wall reinforcement might be complicated.
6. Warm-Toned Engineered Hardwood Is Replacing Grey Everything
Remember the grey flooring epidemic of 2018-2022? It's finally ending.
Warm honey tones, caramels, and natural wood colors are flooding back into Montreal homes. People realized grey floors made their spaces feel cold—especially during our long winters when you're desperate for any visual warmth.
Engineered hardwood gives you that rich, authentic look with better moisture resistance than solid hardwood. It's perfect for main floors where you want beauty but need durability against tracked-in snow and humidity swings.
Temperature note: Keep your home between 18-24°C year-round. Engineered flooring handles Quebec's climate beautifully, but extreme temperature fluctuations can still cause issues.
7. Textured Finishes Are Replacing High Gloss
High-gloss vanities looked sleek in 2020. By 2025, they show every fingerprint, water spot, and dust particle like a crime scene investigation.
Textured and matte finishes are dominating because they're gorgeous AND practical. They hide daily wear while still looking sophisticated. Our bathroom vanity collection includes tons of these newer finishes that Montreal families actually love living with.
8. WPC Flooring Is Winning the Basement Battle
Let's talk basements. Montreal's groundwater situation means most basements see moisture at some point. Maybe not flooding, but enough humidity to make traditional flooring nervous.
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) flooring is thicker and softer underfoot than SPC, with an extra foam layer that makes it comfortable even over concrete. It's completely waterproof, installs directly over your existing floor, and won't grow mold if moisture sneaks in.
One homeowner in Rosemont told me, "We had laminate before, and it buckled after one spring. This WPC stuff? Two years later, perfect condition."
9. Dual-Flush Toilets Are Now Standard (Finally)
This shouldn't be a trend—it should be law. But here we are.
Dual-flush toilets let you choose between a full flush (6 liters) or partial flush (3 liters). Considering Montreal's water rates and Quebec's environmental targets, this matters. You'll save 20-30% on water bills, and Rénoclimat actually includes water-efficient fixtures in their rebate calculations.
The models available now are so much better designed than early versions. No weak flushes, no constant repairs—just smart water use.
10. Open-Shelf Vanity Storage (But Make It Practical)
Here's the trend with the biggest asterisk: open shelving on vanities looks incredible in photos but only works if you're genuinely tidy.
The 2025 version is smarter—combination vanities with some closed cabinet space and one or two open shelves for styled items. You get that airy, spa-like look without exposing your entire toiletry collection.
Montreal reality check: Dust accumulates FAST with our heating systems running six months a year. If you go open shelving, commit to weekly dusting or it'll look messy within days.
Quick Comparison: Which Flooring Trend Fits Your Space?
| Flooring Type | Best For | Montreal Climate Rating | Installation Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPC | Bathrooms, kitchens, basements | Excellent - handles humidity/cold | Easy - DIY friendly |
| WPC | Basements, bedrooms, comfortable underfoot | Excellent - extra moisture protection | Easy - slightly thicker |
| Engineered Hardwood | Living rooms, main floors, visual warmth | Very Good - needs stable temps | Moderate - requires acclimatization |
| Laminate | Bedrooms, offices, budget-friendly | Good - avoid moisture areas | Easy - fastest install |
How to Actually Use These Trends (Without Regrets)
Pick trends that solve problems, not just look pretty. Wall-hung vanities? Great if you have a small bathroom. Terrible if you need massive storage.
Consider your timeline. Planning to sell in 2-3 years? Stick with widely appealing trends like matte black fixtures and wide-plank flooring. Staying forever? Get weird if you want.
Think about maintenance. That gorgeous freestanding vanity with open shelves requires daily tidying. The closed-cabinet version? Shove everything inside and close the door.
Budget the full picture. Flooring costs aren't just materials—licensed contractors charge separately for installation, and prices vary based on subfloor condition and room layout. Get three quotes minimum.
Your Questions, Answered
Q: Will matte black faucets look dated in five years? Probably not. Black fixtures have staying power because they're neutral enough to work with multiple styles. Unlike the oil-rubbed bronze craze of 2008 (sorry to anyone who lived through that), matte black reads as modern without being trendy.
Q: Can I install SPC flooring over my existing tile? Usually yes, if the tile is level and firmly attached. Licensed contractors will check for loose tiles or lippage first. It's one of the easiest retrofits.
Q: Do smart toilets work during power outages? Basic functions (flushing) work normally. Heated seats, bidets, and automatic lids won't function without power. But you're in Montreal—your heating won't work either during outages, so the toilet is the least of your concerns.
Q: How do I know if my walls can handle a wall-hung vanity? You need solid blocking or studs where the mounting bracket attaches. A licensed contractor will open a small section of drywall to verify before installation. Never mount directly to drywall alone.
Q: What's the actual difference between SPC and WPC? SPC is stone-based (stone plastic composite), thinner, and extremely rigid. WPC is wood-based (wood plastic composite), thicker, and has slight give. Both are waterproof. SPC is better for high-moisture areas; WPC feels warmer and softer underfoot.
What We'd Choose Right Now
If I were renovating my own bathroom tomorrow? Wall-hung vanity with textured finish, matte black faucet, and wide-plank SPC flooring. It's practical, beautiful, and won't feel dated in 2030.
For main-floor living spaces? Warm-toned engineered hardwood in 7-inch planks. It makes the whole house feel more inviting, and it's durable enough for Montreal's climate if you maintain stable temperatures.
Just remember—we provide the materials, but licensed contractors handle installations. We're always happy to recommend qualified professionals if you need names. Reach out here, and we'll point you in the right direction.
Your 2025 Renovation Checklist
Before you start any project, run through this:
- Measure your space twice (at different times of day when lighting changes)
- Check if your project needs permits (Montreal has specific requirements for plumbing and structural changes)
- Get quotes from at least three licensed contractors
- Order samples of flooring and see them in YOUR lighting, not just store lights
- Verify your subfloor condition before choosing materials
- Confirm product availability—supply chains are better than 2022, but popular items still sell out
- Budget 15-20% extra for unexpected issues (old Montreal homes always surprise you)
- Plan around Quebec's construction holiday (last two weeks of July)
The bottom line: Trends exist to solve problems or make your life better. If a trend does neither for your specific situation, skip it. Your home should work for you, not the other way around.
Ready to start? Browse our complete vanity collection or grab samples of flooring options. We're here to help you figure out what actually makes sense for your space and budget.