Jenny Marrs on 2026 Bathroom Trends
With 2026 underway, the housing market continues to grapple with familiar challenges, including limited inventory and higher mortgage rates. As a result, homeowners are choosing to invest in renovations rather than relocate, focusing on making their current homes work better and feel more personal. One of the most popular places they are choosing to update is their bathroom.
Once a purely functional space, the bathroom has become a reflection of how we want to live: calmer, healthier and more intentional. In 2026, the bathroom design trends I am seeing are shaped by three key ideas: wellness, nature-inspired comfort and smart solutions. Together, these influences are redefining what it means to create a bathroom that feels more beautiful and livable.
Wellness at Home
Photo: Re-Bath
Homeowners are craving spaces that help them slow down, reset and recharge, and the bathroom has become a natural place to step away from the pace of everyday life. In 2026, bathrooms will continue to be designed as personal wellness retreats.
Spa-worthy showers with features such as steam capabilities, rainfall showerheads and multiple spray options are becoming more desirable. Deep soaking tubs are also gaining in popularity, offering a simple yet powerful way to unplug at the end of the day.
Lighting also plays a critical role in creating a calming atmosphere. Layered lighting allows homeowners to adjust the mood throughout the day, whether they are getting ready in the morning or winding down at night. Dimmable fixtures and warm light temperatures help transform the bathroom into a restorative space rather than an overly bright one.
Nature Meets Comfort
Photo: Re-Bath
The era of cool grays and stark white bathrooms is giving way to warmer, more inviting palettes. We’ll see an increased embrace of earthy tones such as soft browns, warm beiges, muted greens and clay-inspired hues that bring a sense of comfort and timelessness to the space.
Natural materials are also playing a significant role in bringing nature indoors. Stone-look surfaces, wood-inspired finishes and organic textures help blur the line between indoor and outdoor living, creating bathrooms that feel grounded and welcoming. These elements pair wonderfully with modern design, offering warmth without sacrificing a clean, updated aesthetic.
At the same time, homeowners aren’t shying away from personality. Bold tile patterns, statement vanities and distinctive fixtures are being used to add visual interest and customization. Whether it’s a patterned shower wall or a unique hardware finish, these design features allow homeowners to express their personal style while maintaining a cohesive look.
Sustainable and Smart
What once felt like a “nice to have” has now become a must-have in bathroom design. Homeowners are increasingly aware of how their spaces impact both the environment and their daily routines, and they expect modern bathrooms to support both.
Water-saving fixtures, such as high-efficiency toilets and low-flow showerheads, are now standard expectations rather than upgrades. These solutions allow homeowners to reduce water usage and save money without compromising performance or comfort.
Smart technology is also becoming more integrated and intuitive. Smart mirrors with built-in lighting and defogging features, touchless faucets, and digitally controlled showers offer convenience while supporting efficiency. The goal isn’t technology for its own sake, but ways of making every day routines easier and more personalized.
Designing for How We Live Now
Photo: Re-Bath
The bathroom design of 2026 is less about chasing trends and more about creating spaces that support the way we live. Homeowners want bathrooms that feel calming, connected to nature and built for the future, without sacrificing the modern aesthetics.
By focusing on wellness-driven features, warm and organic design elements, and smart solutions, homeowners can invest in bathrooms that not only feel current today but will continue to serve them well for years to come, especially as younger generations are choosing to stay in their homes for longer.
In a time when staying put makes more sense than starting over, thoughtful bathroom renovations offer one of the most impact ways to refresh a home and reconnect with the spaces you use every single day.
—By Jenny Marrs, star of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, national designer and contractor for Re-Bath
