Interior Designers Highlight Emerging and Declining Bathroom Trends for 2026

Home design trends evolve annually, and the year 2026 brings fresh styles that promise to transform personal spaces like bathrooms.

Business Insider consulted with four interior designers to forecast which bathroom trends will gain popularity and which will fade away.

Discover the latest predictions for bathroom decor in 2026.

Increasing Influence of Technology in Bathrooms

Kara Thomas, the creative force behind Studio KT, anticipates significant advancements in bathroom technology next year.

She explains that regardless of bathroom size, people seek spaces where they can unwind, which will drive them to incorporate modern tech features for enhanced personal time.

Thomas expects gadgets like voice-controlled showers, smart toilets with deodorizing systems, and heated flooring to become common in 2026 homes.

Retro Revival of Medicine Cabinets

Molly Torres Portnof from DATE Interiors notes that medicine cabinets, while not perpetually trendy, continue to hold their ground this year.

According to her, even those with expansive homes and several bathrooms find these cabinets to be practical.

Whether custom-designed or off-the-shelf, and whether recessed or mirrored, hidden storage options remain invaluable.

Personalization Through Statement Tiles in 2026

Danielle Chiprut, from Danielle Rose Design Co., sees a rising trend of bathrooms adorned with distinctive, customized tiles.

She highlights that patterns such as plaid, gentle geometrics, and fluted textures add a sensory wealth to spaces, infusing character instantly.

Torres Portnof adds that next year, hand-painted tiles will make a strong appearance in bathroom designs.

Embracing a Layered and Deliberate Design Approach

Designers widely agree that there is a movement towards layered aesthetics, where carefully combined colors, designs, textures, and lighting take precedence over plain, one-size-fits-all looks.

Chiprut observes a retreat from overly-matched setups with identical fittings and furniture.

Homeowners are gravitating towards environments that tell personal stories through diverse materials and illumination.

Thomas points out that this trend is about purposeful design rather than clutter, where decor might include a vintage artwork or a distinctive rug.

Enhancing Ambiance with Varied Lighting

Bathrooms often feel austere, making it vital to introduce multiple lighting sources to achieve a welcoming and cozy atmosphere, according to Torres Portnof.

She compares this necessity to other rooms, where layered lighting, such as ceiling lights and sconces, is fundamental.

Molly Miller predicts an increase in LED features, like illuminated mirrors and under-cabinet lights, for bathrooms in 2026.

The Decline of All-White Bathroom Aesthetics

The once-popular bright white and stark gray bathrooms are losing appeal, according to Miller.

She foresees a turn towards inviting hues such as soft clays, muted greens, and gentle taupes.

Miller also pairs these earth tones with materials like natural stone, warm wood, and unlacquered metal to offer a serene, grounding effect.

Shift Away from Synthetic Materials

Chiprut emphasizes that with the rise of natural aesthetics in homes, artificial materials such as acrylics are losing their edge.

Homeowners are turning towards materials like dark-tinted oak, wabi-sabi style wood, and marble.

She notes that natural materials offer lasting beauty hard to replicate with synthetics, providing a deeper connection to one's surroundings.

These materials contribute warmth and coziness to the space.

Fading Popularity of Shiny Surfaces

The allure of shiny, reflective bathroom finishes is waning as Chiprut observes a shift towards more tactile and matte textures.

Such polished surfaces were once pushed for a sleek appearance, but they often come off as too cold and monotonous.

Consumers are leaning towards more subtle finishes that bring tranquility and sincerity to a room.