The rising incidence of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms that exhibit multiple resistances to various groups of antibiotics has prompted many researchers to focus their investigations on alternative and more effective products with lasting antibacterial effects, minimizing the risk of resistance development. This review outlines the key approaches to developing effective antibacterial coatings. It emphasizes the highlights of significant achievements made in recent years, along with future challenges and perspectives in this field. The examples presented illustrate both the application potential and the issues associated with traditional and innovative materials. We hope that this review will inspire researchers to develop effective and practically useful antibacterial coatings.