Home design: 2026 bathroom trends

Bathroom design is becoming “deeply personal,” according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA | KBIS) 2026 Bath Trends Report.

“Beyond considerations like resale value, designers are focusing on how spaces support a homeowner’s individual rituals, preferences and self-care routines,” says Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of NKBA | KBIS, a trade association that represents nearly 55,000 North American kitchen and bath industry professionals “This perspective encourages creativity, niche trends and designs that truly reflect how people live today.”

The report is comprised of data generated from a survey completed by nearly 700 industry experts, including designers, manufacturers, remodelers and architects, and explores current and upcoming trends in residential bathrooms that will have the biggest impact in 2026 and beyond.

COLOURS & MATERIALS

• ♣ Ninety-six per cent of respondents identified neutrals as the most popular bath colours, with off-white, light brown/tan and white trumping dark brown, black and dark grey/slate.

• ♣ Brown-based greens – sage and olive – are expected to be popular choices, while bolder hues – teal/turquoise and emerald/juniper – received far less attention.

• ♣ Transitional/timeless design tops the list, with 70 per cent of respondents naming it as a popular style in the next three years. The style is followed by organic/natural and contemporary/modern/minimalism designs.

• ♣ Homeowners are looking for smaller or no grout lines on the floor. Eighty per cent of respondents believe large format flooring will be the most popular over the next three years.

• ♣ Wood-faced vanities have overtaken painted in popularity.

• ♣ For faucets, matte, brushed and satin are all more popular than a polished finish.

“In 2026, bathrooms are embracing a warmer, more tactile aesthetic, with earthy stones, textured tiles and finishes like limestone, tumbled marble, warm oak and brushed brass creating a lived-in feel,” says Golara Ghasemi, creative director and principal designer of Toronto-based Studio Golara Design.

“High-gloss surfaces are giving way to matte, honed and satin finishes that convey understated luxury, while bespoke vanities and furniture-like storage elevate bathrooms into crafted, elegant spaces. Layered, mood-driven lighting – from cove and wall-grazing illumination to soft, indirect glows – adds atmosphere.”

LARGER FOOTPRINTS

Bathrooms are getting bigger to make way for wellness-centred spaces, universal design considerations and efficient storage solutions, according to 72 per cent of respondents. Fifty-five per cent say a larger shower is more important than having a bathtub. That allows for more spa-like features and amenities within the shower, including steam options, saunas, aromatherapy, chromotherapy, and integrated seating and shelving.

HOSPITALITY INSPIRATION

Tying bath design to a homeowner’s hotel or resort experience is expected to be a popular practice, according to 77 per cent of respondents. “Homeowners are increasingly drawing inspiration from boutique or luxury hotels and resort retreats, translating that experience into their own bathrooms through spa-like materials, oversized walk-in showers and freestanding tubs treated as sculptural focal points,” Ghasemi says.

“Thoughtful lighting such as backlit mirrors, toe-kick illumination and dimmable sconces mirrors the flattering ambiance of luxury suites, while elevated storage solutions with electrical drawers and hidden outlets bring the same uncluttered ease. Add in plush comforts like heated floors, towel warmers, aromatherapy and integrated sound systems and the result is a bathroom that feels more like a personalized sanctuary than a purely utilitarian space.”

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS

Smart technology is being integrated to achieve a more individualized daily ritual and as a tool to impact overall well-being. Custom storage solutions with configurable modules are being integrated into vanity and cabinetry design, according to the report.

Item-specific storage includes built-in storage for hair tools, makeup and medications; electrical integration; custom dividers and organizers to maximize drawer efficiency; and charging stations for electronic devices within vanity cabinetry.

AGING-IN-PLACE

Thirty-two per cent of those surveyed agree aging-in-place is now a mainstream trend, while 48 per cent agree it’s on its way to becoming one. Aging-in-place design elements have become so mainstream that in addition to function, universal design fixtures prioritize beauty as well, the report found. Grab bars, curbless showers, shower benches, barrier-free shower entries and wider doors are “subtle, crucial safety features” that make a primary bath look more “luxurious and elevated,” it says.

“Elegant aging-in-place design is becoming a major mainstream trend and the shift is that these features are now seamlessly woven into high-end aesthetics rather than feeling clinical or utilitarian,” says Ghasemi.

“Homeowners are asking for spaces that support long-term comfort and mobility without looking like they were designed for accessibility.” Non-slip porcelain tile, improved task and ambient lighting, lever-style or touchless fixtures, comfort-height toilets and smart temperature controls are also becoming standard, she adds.

Technology in bathrooms

The following are some of the ways technology is making its way into bathrooms, reports Golara Ghasemi of Studio Golara Design:

• ♣ App-connected ventilation

• ♣ Heated flooring and towel warmers

• ♣ Water monitoring and leak detection

• ♣ Luxury touches like chromatherapy and aromatherapy systems in showers, built-in sound systems, smart bathtubs with hydrotherapy presets

• ♣ Antimicrobial surfaces