Interior designers share 5 bathroom trends that’ll be huge next year and 3 that will be out

Kara Thomas, interior designer and founder of Studio KT, believes there will be a “heavy trend” of incorporating tech into bathrooms next year.

“Regardless of the square footage, people need a space to decompress, and people are going to be wanting to spend more intentional time with themselves in their bathroom,” she told BI.

For that reason, she believes an array of useful, high-tech features that aid self-care — like voice-activated shower controls, deodorizing smart toilets, and heated floors — will be taking over home bathrooms in 2026.

Though medicine cabinets haven’t exactly been a consistently popular home feature, they’re not going anywhere this year, according to Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors.

“Even for clients with bigger homes and multiple bathrooms, medicine cabinets are still incredibly useful,” she said.

Whether they’re custom or ready-made, recessed or mirrored, “space is very important, and having any type of hidden storage space is gold,” the interior designer added.

Danielle Chiprut, interior designer and founder of Danielle Rose Design Co., believes that bathrooms with personal, expressive touches — such as statement tiles — are trending upward.

“Patterns like plaid, soft geometrics, or dimensional fluting bring a tactile richness that instantly gives the room character,” she said. “People are craving spaces that feel crafted rather than ‘standard issue,’ and tile is a beautiful way to layer in artistry without overwhelming the room.”

On a similar note, hand-painted tiles will also be making their way into bathrooms next year, said Torres Portnof.

Most designers agree that there’s a growing trend toward more layered designs, with cohesively blended colors, patterns, textures, and lighting taking priority over lifeless, cookie-cutter motifs.

Chiprut has noticed a decline in enthusiasm for “ultra-coordinated” packages with matching fixtures and cabinetry.

“Homeowners are moving away from that catalog feel and toward spaces with layered materials and lighting that tell a more personal story,” she said.

According to Thomas, the trend won’t involve clutter, but rather more intentional layouts and decor — this could look like an antique piece of art above the toilet, or an accent rug next to the tub.

Bathrooms can sometimes feel too stark, which is why it’s essential to incorporate multiple lighting sources for balanced illumination and a cozy, welcoming feel, said Torres Portnof.

“Just like in any other room in the house, it’s important to have overhead lighting and accent lighting like sconces,” she told BI.

In 2026, we’ll likely see more integrated LED lighting in bathrooms, with a particular shift toward backlit mirrors and under-vanity strips, according to Molly Miller, principal designer and founder of Molly Miller Interiors.

“Bright-white, clinical bathrooms and stark-gray palettes are losing steam,” Miller said.

Instead, she expects a shift toward earthier tones, like soft clays, muted greens, and warm taupes.

She also sees earthy palettes being paired with materials like honed natural stone, warm oak or walnut, and unlacquered metals, which she says will help make the space feel more grounded and restorative.

As earthy hues and natural materials dominate home spaces, Chiprut sees synthetic materials, such as plastics like acrylic, losing favor in bathrooms next year.

Instead, people might opt for dark-stained oak, wabi-sabi wood, or marble.

“Natural materials carry a quiet longevity that man-made surfaces rarely replicate,” she said. “I think many homeowners are moving away from plastics and overly engineered finishes simply because they want a deeper connection to what surrounds them.”

Materials like marble and wood can add a sense of warmth, she added.

Ultra-glossy finishes may have been popular in 2025, but Chiprut believes that bathroom trend is on its way out.

“For a while, there was a push toward everything looking polished and reflective, but those surfaces can feel a bit cold and one-note,” she said.

Instead, she’s seeing her clients gravitate toward more tactile, matte textures that feel calming and authentic.