Leading interior designers and architects have identified key bathroom design trends set to shape 2026, emphasizing spaces as personal retreats. Experts highlight a shift toward wellness-focused features and expressive materials. These trends aim to transform bathrooms into luxurious, functional havens.
Interior designers, architects, and experts predict that bathroom designs in 2026 will prioritize creating retreat-like spaces for relaxation. Kate Bowen of Fabrikate notes, “Our clients are increasingly seeking bathrooms that feel retreat-like and transportive, rather than purely utilitarian or functional.” This approach involves using fewer elements with high-quality craftsmanship, as Shaun Tulk, Australian MD of Roca Group, suggests, focusing on clean lines, tactile finishes, and striking architecture to ensure a calming atmosphere. Georgina Wilson adds that balancing personality with restraint will make spaces feel elevated and enduring.
Wellness features are becoming central, with the bathroom evolving into a ritual space for restoration. Jillian Dinkel observes a growing demand for designs supporting health and longevity, including hydrotherapy baths, steam showers, and zones for skincare routines or wellness tech like light therapy masks. Georgina Wilson describes it as “a daily ritual space focused on restoration and longevity,” with integrated elements such as infrared saunas inspired by luxury spas and boutique hotels.
Designers also foresee bathrooms expressing personal character through bold materials. Clients are choosing expressive floor tiles, statement stones with strong veining, and sculptural fixtures like monolithic vanities or curved bathtubs, according to Shaun Tulk and Georgina Wilson. David Hicks points to a monolithic look using a single marble across surfaces, while brushed nickel tapware offers a timeless contrast.
To enhance comfort, bathrooms will incorporate furniture such as chaise lounges, upholstered stools, and warm timber, making them feel like proper rooms rather than tiled zones. David Hicks compares this to 1950s designs focused on relaxation, and Kate Bowen emphasizes spaces where “comfort and personal expression coexist.”
Finally, bold colors and custom mosaics will add vibrancy, as Jillian Dinkel predicts, countering digital saturation with tactile reality. Kate Bowen expects “warm, layered materials, tactile finishes, and thoughtful colour infusion,” including innovative options like fibreglass wallpaper for wet areas.
