8 Bathroom Trends Designers Say Are Outdated in 2026

Bathroom trends can be a little harder-than-average to nail down when renovating or refreshing a space; most bathroom trends tend to be a little more labor-intensive and, well, once you've updated your faucets or tiling, it's unlikely you'll want to do it all over again in the near future.

That's why it's key to stick to a bathroom aesthetic you genuinely like and not just follow trends. Trends shift with time, and bathroom trends that were considered of the moment just a few news cycles ago are already on the way out in 2026.

"Honestly, the biggest shift we're seeing is people moving away from bathrooms that feel overly polished, sterile and ‘trend' driven and toward spaces that feel warmer, more personal and actually connected to the rest of the home," explains Ann Marie Winkler, co-founder and designer at Huron Interiors, a full-service interior design studio based in Denver.

Whether you're looking to give your bathroom a refresh that'll actually still feel fresh in a few months or you just want to stay on the cusp of what's trending in bathroom design, here are the bathroom trends designers say look outdated in 2026.

1. The All-White Bathroom

"The all-white bathroom had such a long run, but now when I see one, it immediately reads builder-grade flip instead of intentionally designed," explains Winkler.

"There's a clear shift away from bathrooms that feel cold or overly sleek and toward spaces that feel more emotional and lived-in, a little softer around the edges and ultimately more collected and personal rather than perfectly untouched," she adds.

2. The Luxury Spa Look

According to Winkler, the same goes for the super generic "luxury spa" look with gray faux wood tile, LED mirrors, ultra-flat cabinetry and heavy black-and-white contrast everywhere.

"Instead, we're seeing people gravitate toward more color or earthy, grounded tones, wood vanities, natural stone with movement, plaster finishes, warmer metals, layered lighting and materials that actually age and patina over time," she explains. "Overall, I think people are craving homes with more soul right now, and bathrooms are following that same shift."

3. The Black Trim and White Subway Tile combo

"Please, enough with the black Schluter trim + white subway tile combo," Winkler laments. "It all feels a little too showroom and not enough personality (Like you could walk into 15 houses and see the exact same bathroom)."

4. The Overly Earthy Vibe

"One bathroom trend I think will start to feel dated is the very earthy, moody look. We still love warmth, but dark paint and saturated palettes are not the only way to get it," explains Barrett Oswald, Barrett Oswald Designs. "Wood tones, brass finishes and natural stone can make a bathroom feel warm without making it feel heavy."

5. The Matte Black Finish

"Matte black taps and showers peaked in 2022 and now show limescale within a week, scratch easily and are almost impossible to color-match when a single part needs replacing," explains Dimitri Zobnin, founder, House of Enki.

6. The All-Gray Bathroom

According to Zobnin, the formerly coveted all-gray bathroom with a gray vanity, gray large-format tile and chrome trim, has become the new beige and now reads as a rental flip rather than a considered scheme.

7. The Sliding Barn Door Look

"Barn doors on en-suites need to go: they leak sound, light and steam, and we're being asked to rip them out and reinstate proper pocket doors in almost every renovation that inherited one," says Zobnin. "Warm brass, clay and off-white tones and integrated 2700K vanity lighting are what's actually selling at the premium end this year."

8. Social Media DIY Hacks

"Peel-and-stick tile, faux tile sheets, and renter-friendly shortcuts surged in popularity for their affordability and accessibility-especially for those looking to avoid demo, permits and hiring pros. However, many of those solutions don't age well, particularly in moisture-heavy bathrooms. DIY isn't outdated, but DIY that looks disposable is," says Kendra Sinclair, Thumbtack's Design Trends Expert.

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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 8:15 AM.