Design Experts Predict The Chicest Bathroom Trends For 2026
By
2 weeks ago
Top tips for making your bathroom beautiful this year
New year, new bathroom? If you’ve set your sights on a major restroom renovation, read on. We asked leading interior designers and industry experts to share which trends will be shaping bathroom design in 2026.
Bathroom Trends 2026: The Lowdown
If we had to sum up the year ahead for bathroom design, it would be in one word: considered. ‘In 2026, bathroom design will continue to move toward spaces that feel considered, enduring and rooted in craftsmanship rather than short-lived trends,’ confirms interior designer Kate Bingham. ‘There is a growing focus on material integrity, proportion and detailing – creating spaces that are both practical and quietly elegant.
‘Above all, the most successful bathrooms will be those that feel appropriate to their setting – spaces that are quietly confident, well-proportioned and designed to last,’ she adds. ‘Whether in a historic property or a modern home, I believe a sense of restraint and attention to detail will define the strongest work in 2026.’
Looking for ideas? Below, we round up the top bathroom trends for 2026:
Top Trends At A Glance
- Soft Minimalism
- Practical Wellness
- Timeless Materials
- Freestanding Tubs & Fillers
- Smarter Taps
- Wellness Bathrooms
- Wallpaper Spotlight
ABI Interiors
1. Soft Minimalism
Minimalism takes a much more delicate approach this year – especially in the bathroom. ‘Soft minimalism is set to define bathroom design in 2026, offering a gentler, more organic evolution of minimalism,’ says Hannah Lichtenstein, Brand Marketing Executive at ABI Interiors. ‘Moving away from the stark whites and cool greys that previously dominated, this approach favours warm, earthy tones and softened shapes that feel inherently calming.’
It’s not just colours; shapes and silhouettes also feed into the trend. ‘Rounded vanities, curved basins and arched tapware introduce a sense of flow, while nature-inspired palettes and tactile finishes such as brushed brass and bronze add depth and warmth. The result is a spa-like space designed to soothe both the eye and senses.’
Kate Bingham Interiors
2. Practical Wellness
Speaking of the spa experience – it seems to be a pretty big bathroom theme for 2026. ‘A stronger emphasis on wellness and sanctuary is becoming more prominent in bathroom design,’ agrees Kate, ‘and it’s something I consciously try to build into every project.’
But it’s not all style over substance. As Kate tells us, some practical magic is needed to help the bathroom look and feel its best. ‘For me, it’s less about overt “spa” styling and more about how a bathroom functions and feels to use,’ she says. ‘Layouts are more carefully planned, with clear wet and dry zones, well-positioned lighting and storage that feels integrated rather than added on. The focus is on ease of use, comfort and flow, creating an overall sense of calm and serenity.’
Kate Bingham Interiors
3. Timeless Materials
Bathroom design will also be shaped by longevity, as homeowners and designers alike seek out styles, palettes and, most importantly, materials that stand the test of time in looks and durability. ‘I think we will continue to see a preference for natural materials that age well and bring a sense of permanence to a space,’ says Kate. ‘Think honed stone, marble, plaster finishes and handcrafted tiles. These surfaces offer subtle variation and texture without feeling decorative.
‘A balance between tradition and clarity is becoming increasingly important as clients look for bathrooms that will remain relevant for years rather than seasons.’
ABI Interiors
4. Freestanding Tubs & Fillers
And when it comes to the bath itself, designers aren’t shoving the tub in the corner – they’re letting them stand front and centre. ‘Freestanding tubs paired with floor-mounted fillers are enjoying a resurgence as bathrooms are increasingly planned around creating an experience that encourages pause and ritual,’ notes Hannah. ‘Positioned as a visual anchor and architectural centrepiece, a sculptural tub transforms a bath into a soaking experience that encourages slower, more intentional use of the space.’
Wellness-inspired considerations extend as far as the shape of the tub, too. ‘Organic silhouettes such as oval and egg-shaped tubs introduce a nature-inspired sensibility that feels inherently calming, and floor-mounted fillers further elevate the look, acting as a sculptural object in its own right,’ adds Hannah. ‘Paired together, these elements reflect a move towards bathrooms that feel indulgent and purposefully designed for restoration.’
Duravit
5. Smarter Taps
Speaking of water features – designers are looking for ways to make their taps sleeker, smarter and more durable. ‘Sustainable design that lasts is shaping the next wave of bathroom fittings,’ says the team at Duravit. The renowned design label cites long-lasting protection and technological features as key points of interest for the modern bathroom.
The team emphasises that the qualities that make a set of taps great go beyond the finish – instead, ‘they incorporate intelligent features, such as FreshStart and MinusFlow, which help reduce energy use and minimise water consumption without compromising performance. Other features, like AirPlus technology, enrich the water stream with air, creating a fuller, softer flow that feels luxurious while using less water.’
Kaldewei
6. Wellness Bathrooms
It’s not just taps that are getting smarter – the whole bathroom is. As we mentioned in our forecast of major interior design trends for 2026, bathrooms are working harder than ever – evolving from mundane necessity into high-tech wellness oasis. ‘As we move into the year ahead, bathrooms will continue to evolve beyond functional rooms into cosy, restorative spaces designed to support wellness and moments of everyday escape,’ predicts Hannah.
‘Bathroom design over the next year is moving decisively toward a more enduring, elevated form of luxury – one defined by craftsmanship, longevity, a sensory experience rather than fleeting trends,’ adds Adam Teal, Country Manager at Kaldewei UK. ‘Technology becomes a quiet but powerful partner in this shift.’
So what does bathroom wellness look like in 2026? Think personalised, high-tech features: smart mirrors, air quality sensors, water-saving technology (again, see the taps) and voice-activated showers. But it’s the bathtub in particular, Adam tells us, that offers the perfect platform for seeing this shift in action. Smart tubs can offer functions like infrared warmth, atmospheric lighting, and enveloping 360-degree sound that transform the bathing experience into a restorative ritual.
And they not only feel good, they look good too; sculpted, extra-deep tubs crafted from shimmering stone that are tempting enough to sink into, but when paired with all of these luxury gadgets they become impossible to ignore.
7. Wallpaper Spotlight
While calm minimalism acts as the overarching trend in the bathroom this year, some designers are seeing pops of maximalist flair when it comes to wallpaper. ‘People are increasingly experimenting with bathroom designs, which is great to see,’ Rebecca Craig, lead designer at British design house Sanderson, explains in our bathroom wallpaper guide. ‘They’re choosing bold, dramatic designs in their bathrooms – like Chinoiserie-inspired motifs, florals and tree-of-life patterns.
‘Stripes remain a classic choice, as do small-scale all-over prints,’ she adds. ‘Wallpapers with heritage designs are also popular – anything goes. Landscape and scenic wallpapers featuring animals are strong favourites, too.’
