These 2026 Bathroom Trends Are Making Personal Style a Priority

According to the 2026 Bath Trends Report from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), all signs point to personalization being top of mind. “Bathrooms are evolving from standardized luxury toward deeply personalized spaces that reflect individual lifestyles, routines, and aesthetic preferences.” With earthy color palettes and natural materials still dominating the foundation of most bathroom styles, trends for the year ahead are focused on complementary updates: more warmth, character upgrades, and personalization that's also functional.

1. Warm Accents

For a quick bathroom refresh with an on-trend impact, look for ways to layer in warm textures and finishes. “Homeowners are seeking designs that feel elevated yet attainable. Warm metals combined with organic materials strike that perfect balance, adding sophistication and comfort,” says Peter Wells, senior principal designer with Amerock. 

Wells specifically points to the warm tones in brushed brass, gold, and bronze, recommending softer finishes for hardware, rather than highly polished sheens. Lighting and plumbing fixtures will also embrace these rich metals. 

Natural accents like cognac-hued leather and modern wood grains will be used to amplify the effect of these finishes, according to Wells. “Layer in textured accents—such as leather-wrapped pulls or fluted glass—to reinforce a refined, luxurious look,” says Wells. “These elements pair seamlessly with the growing trend toward neutral, earthy color palettes in kitchens and baths.” In addition to hardware and fixtures, look for countertop accessories that embrace these textures, materials, and warm undertones. 

2. Eye-Catching Faucets

According to the 2026 NKBA Bath Trends Report, faucets will be used as a visual element to add personal style to primary baths. Jamie Chappell, VP of brand and product at Fireclay Tile, is expecting to see style-forward updates to these everyday plumbing fixtures. 

“Faucets and showerheads are becoming functional art, with expressive silhouettes and tactile details,” says Chappell. With this in mind, Fireclay recently launched the Foundry Collection, which offers the Pebble and Groove handle options for both faucets and showers. These knobs have a sculptural visual and tactile design—plus, the ceramic knobs options are available in multiple colors and finishes, allowing a genuinely personal touch. This trend is bringing bold new looks to an everyday fixture at the heart of primary baths and powder rooms alike. 

3. Microcement Surfaces

An emerging trend identified by designer Denise Merbeth of Denise Merbeth, LLC, is the use of microcement, a textured decorative coating. “Inspired by traditional Moroccan Tadelakt plaster, it is waterproof and can be used on virtually any bathroom surface, and simply wiped down to clean. It can even be installed over existing tile,” says Merbeth. This surface has a mix of textures and neutral colors that make it an easy addition to more recently popular styles, ranging from minimalist spaces to contemporary rustic charm.

Merbeth says styles like organic modern rely on minimal visual clutter and continuous colors and materials, features that microcement and other similar plaster styles offer. Applied in a warm neutral hue, it adds movement through a simple surface. 

4. Craftsmanship-Forward Hardware

With more minimalist designs reigning in recent years, cabinet hardware has long been trending toward sleek, practical designs. But as personalization drives design changes, Wells says cabinet hardware is getting a quiet upgrade to more interesting details. “Knurling, fluting, coined edges, and hammered finishes are subtle yet impactful details that signal precision and quality craftsmanship,” says Wells. 

“These tactile designs align with the rise of ‘quiet luxury,’” says Wells. “Hardware that feels bespoke and intentional, transforming everyday touchpoints like knobs and pulls into curated design moments.”

To capture that subtle aesthetic shift, Wells says it’s important to update cabinet hardware with the surrounding environment in mind; it should look balanced rather than dramatically stand out. “Keep finishes timeless with matte, brushed, satin, or natural appearance, so the craftsmanship shines through in an understated way,” advises Wells. 

5. Artful Tile

In recent years, baths have been dominated by large-format, low-maintenance tiles. While these tiles still top requests, homeowners are increasingly seeking more color and pattern as they create spaces unique to them. 

“Handmade-feeling glazes with movement and complexity are surging as design leans more personal and collected,” says Chappell. Fireclay’s Manzanita Gloss, for example, adds dynamic variation and organic richness to simple shapes and neutral colors. But it’s not all subtle: Chappell is also calling out the return to pattern tile, including “checkerboards, sweeping layouts, and mosaics in rich, moody palettes,” says Chappell. 

The 2026 NKBA Bath Trends similarly identified the rise in popularity of patterned and textured tiles, with the majority of respondents voting that statement-making design elements will have a mass appeal in bath design in the coming years. If you're wondering where to begin, the report also specifically noted a growing demand for custom tiles on sink backsplashes. 

6. Individualized Wellness

The bath has evolved from a spa-like retreat to a space designed for personalized wellness, becoming one of the most customizable areas in the home. “Today’s technology enables homeowners to program their plumbing fixtures to their personal preferences,” says Merbeth, noting that key fixtures like showers, bathtubs, toilets, and bidets offer settings ranging from preconfigured to totally customizable, giving you more control over your experience. 

But this trend is more than personalized settings; it also involves bringing features into the home that meet our individual needs. “Saunas are becoming a popular request for their health benefits,” says Merbeth, adding that steam showers and whirlpool tubs are being selected for therapeutic properties, too—even cold plunge tubs made the 2026 NKBA Bath Trends Report. This trend is not about a specific feature but a broad approach to bath design that addresses individual wellness.

Although primary baths are popular for customizable fixtures and wellness needs, Merbeth points out that these features are so desirable that homeowners will seek a different location in the home, such as a basement, for a sauna. Looking ahead, the 2026 NKBA Bath Trends Report anticipates outdoor connections emerging, perhaps creating greater access to hot tubs, cold plunge baths, and other related outdoor wellness features. 

7. Ritual-Driven Vanities

As customization and wellness combine in personal rituals and self-care, such as skincare routines and makeup applications, bathroom storage is also evolving to meet individual needs. “Vanities are leaning toward high-end furniture styling without sacrificing practical storage needs,” says Erin Sullivan, director of product development at James Martin Vanities. “Storage solutions for everything from towels to beauty products to jewelry are increasingly important,” Sullivan says

Vanities in 2026 will emphasize flexible, built-in storage for hair styling tools, makeup, and medication, as well as electrical outlets and countertop space with room for daily routines. When a custom vanity or additional surface isn’t available, look for easy wins that still add personalized functionality. “One easy way is to introduce a small, intentionally designed 'beauty zone,'” offers Sullivan. “A simple floating shelf paired with a decorative mirror, such as our Platform Mirror, can instantly create the feeling of a dedicated vanity area without requiring significant space or renovation.”