Last Updated on March 5, 2026
Home trends in 2026 are being guided by the concept of “silent luxury”: the point where luxury design meets aspirations of longevity. Home features from saunas and cold plunge pools to biometric controls are allowing luxury homeowners to invest in lifestyles calibrated to their wellbeing.
In the bathroom, silent luxury manifests as a strong focus on wellness, comfort, and personality. This trend is pushing out other existing styles that no longer serve those goals. In place are new features and designs for today’s trend-focused homeowners.
Here’s what’s out and in for bathroom design in 2026.
OUT: Black and white
Black hardware and white tile will always look timeless and clean. But they can also look cold and sterile. Today’s homeowners are interested in a look that’s more personal and welcoming.
IN: Moody colors
Warmth and safety are extending into the bathroom, and the easiest way to accomplish this is through color. Homeowners are decorating with warm tones, pops of color everywhere, and big personality.
OUT: Floating vanities
Practicality is taking precedence over minimalist design. A consequence of this is that fewer homeowners are choosing floating vanities, which often favor aesthetics over storage and function.
IN: Custom cabinetry
Statement pieces in the bathroom are now coming in the form of custom cabinetry, more often with warm-toned hardware. Whether adapting an antique piece or customizing for shape and color, custom pieces are in.
OUT: Wetrooms
There’s nothing homey about locker room-style wetrooms in your home, nor do they offer a thoughtful use of the space at hand. Many homeowners are opting for unique (and dry) storage and shelving instead.
IN: Shower Rooms
Architecturally enclosed shower “rooms” add sophistication to a home’s bathroom while offering the practical side effect of minimizing the appearance of soap scum. Steam showers are in, as well.
OUT: Builder-grade looks
More organic aesthetic combinations are now favored over the standard builder-grade look where every element of the bathroom needs to coordinate and match. The more unique, the better.
IN: Invisible aging-in-place design
Homeowners are in it for the long haul right now, and they are using home design to plan for their futures. Features like zero-threshold showers, wider circulation paths, and integrated grab bars can accommodate all ages without looking “adapted”.
OUT: Minimalist decor
If it’s not clear already, today’s homeowners want to live in their homes and make their homes feel lived in. Impractical minimalism is out in favor of functionality, comfort, and personality.
IN: Wrapped walls
Wallpaper doesn’t always work in humid spaces like bathrooms. Instead, decorators are wrapping spaces like showers in stone or using methods like “tile drenching” to add contrast and color.
OUT: Backlit vanities
Backlighting (as found behind vanity mirrors) may look futuristic, but that lighting doesn’t do anyone any favors. Instead, today’s homeowners are opting for longevity and functionality in their lighting design.
IN: Layered lighting
Layers of lights (particularly LED lights) “create a compelling sense of ambiance as well as function.” Programmable lights that adapt as the day progresses are being hailed as gamechangers.
OUT: Subway tile
Subway tile has been the king of the bathroom, kitchen, and beyond for a number of years, but his day in the sun is waning. Its overuse has rendered it uncreative in the eyes of many designers.
IN: Unique architectural features
Whether we’re talking about undermount bathtubs, carved stone sinks, integrated vanities, or custom tilework, homeowners are working to make their bathrooms shine with originality in 2026.
Get in touch today to learn more about bathroom design trends and how to boost the value and appeal of your home before you put it on the market.
Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate is the #1 real estate company in the Carolinas, with more than 80 offices and 1,800 agents serving communities across North and South Carolina and Georgia. As part of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the largest family-owned and operated real estate company in the United States, Howard Hanna Allen Tate offers a full suite of real estate services, including mortgage, insurance, title and relocation. For more information, visit howardhannatate.com.
