Spa-Inspired Wet Rooms
The idea of a wet room can be traced back to spa-like bathrooms found in hotels and resorts. But now, homeowners are increasingly interested in wet rooms for their homes because of the aesthetic and accessibility benefits they offer.
Instead of having a raised curb and separate enclosure, the entire bathroom (or just the shower area) can slope gently towards a drain and be covered with waterproof materials. This type of bathroom design often features large-format porcelain tiles, stone-look tiles with a textured finish, or other types of slip-resistant tiles. Some bathrooms may also incorporate a fixed panel of glass to enclose the shower area.
Pros
· Can create a more open and seamless look that may make small bathrooms feel larger · Easier to get in and out of
Cons
· May not be worth the cost, especially for bathrooms with straightforward designs
Before getting excited about turning your bathroom into a mini spa, it’s important to keep in mind that a curbless shower may not make sense for every home. If your bathroom doesn’t have accessibility needs and you’re working with a tight budget, an enclosed shower may be a better option for you. If you’re interested in a curbless shower, make sure to discuss the following with your bathroom remodeling contractor:
· Drainage and floor slope · Waterproofing under the floor and behind the walls · Slippery surfaces · Ventilation (wet rooms can get steamy!) · Where you’ll store toiletries and towels (away from the shower, duh!)
Warmer Materials and Contrast
If cool gray bathrooms are out, what’s in? In 2026, expect to see an emphasis on softer, muted colors, thinking creamy off-whites, earthy clay tones, wood tones, and even sage green. Homeowners are also choosing warmer metals to soften the look of their bathrooms.
Instead of highly veined marble countertops, homeowners are choosing slabs with more subtle movement. Vanities and cabinets with wood-look doors and drawer fronts pair nicely with plaster-look wall coverings and matte-finished tiles. Overall, the goal is to incorporate warmer materials and earthy tones into bathroom designs to give them a softer, not rustic, and less clinical look.
While this trend may seem straightforward, it’s important to keep in mind that not all “natural” materials are created equal. Sure, a wood-look vanity could amp up the warmth factor in your bathroom, but will it hold up in a humid environment? In many cases, you may want to consider a vanity that’s been specially engineered to withstand moisture or one that’s been treated with a moisture-resistant finish. You may also want to consider quartz or porcelain countertops instead of natural stone since they don’t have to be sealed and are generally easier to maintain.
Layered Lighting
In 2026, bathroom lighting will likely move beyond one ceiling light, aka the enemy of shadow-free selfies. Instead, expect to see an emphasis on layered lighting that includes ambient, task, and accent lighting. Instead of one light fixture over the mirror, homeowners may opt for sconces on either side of their mirrors for more even lighting. Some may even incorporate under cabinet lighting or choose a backlit mirror for softer lighting that’s perfect for nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Looking to future-proof your bathroom lighting? Consider investing in dimmer switches so you can adjust the mood and brightness of your bathroom depending on the time of day.
Pro tip: Discuss your lighting ideas with your remodeler early, since bathroom design and remodels work best when mirror size and placement, electrical needs, wall coverings, and cabinets are planned together; if you’re only replacing a bulb, much less coordination is required.
Storage and Long-Term Comfort
From built-in linen closets to recessed shower niches, homeowners are finding clever ways to incorporate storage into their bathroom designs. Instead of bulky cabinets with deep and hard to access shelves, many homeowners are choosing vanities with plenty of drawers to help them stay organized. Others are opting for slim cabinets that take advantage of vertical space.
Medicine cabinets are also having a moment, but don’t worry, we’re not talking about your grandma’s mirrored cabinet. Recessed medicine cabinets, which don’t protrude as much from the wall, with adjustable shelves and mirrored doors are a great storage solution for small/shared bathrooms.
Other clever storage ideas for small bathrooms include:
· Floating vanities that create the illusion of more floor space · Recessed shelves (installed between the studs) for toiletries you use on a daily basis · A ledge by the tub so you can say goodbye to caddy/organizers
Pro tip: Before choosing a bathroom vanity, take inventory of all the products/items you’ll need to store in your bathroom (i.e. hair styling tools, cleaning products, extra towels, skincare products, kids’ bath toys/shampoos, etc.) so you can determine the type/amount of storage you’ll need.
Comfort for Long-Term Use
From curbless showers to comfort-height toilets, more and more homeowners are incorporating aging-in-place design ideas into their bathrooms, and there’s nothing institutional about these design elements! For example, instead of opting for grab bars that stick out like a sore thumb, homeowners are choosing ones that coordinate with their hardware finishes. Some are pairing handheld showerheads with shower fixtures for everyday use, while others are incorporating seating into their tiled shower walls.
Other comfort features homeowners are considering in their 2026 bathroom remodels include:
· Heated floors (perfect for chilly mornings and can help dry out wet areas in your bathroom) · Towel warmers · Water-conserving fixtures · Low-noise bathroom fans
Pro tip: Talk to your bathroom remodeling contractor about incorporating aging-in-place features during the design/planning stages of your remodel so they can account for it when determining the location of your plumbing, framing, finishes, etc. Otherwise, you may have to tear out brand new finishes/materials to accommodate these features.
Problems to Solve
Before diving headfirst into bathroom design trends, take some time to identify the pain points in your current bathroom. Is your vanity lacking counter space? Do you hate cleaning your shower? Is your lighting less-than-flattering? Does your bathroom lack proper ventilation, a moisture concern discussed by the EPA at epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home?
Once you have an idea of what’s bugging you about your current bathroom, make a list of bathroom design ideas you’d like to explore in your remodel and note which of those ideas would require plumbing/electrical work. Then, compare the pros and cons (and upkeep) of different materials/fixtures and bring that list of must-haves/nice-to-haves with you to your design consultation so your bathroom remodeler can help you develop a design and budget that will transform your problem bathroom into a dream one.
