The 2026 Bathroom
Let’s face it, there are some design trends that have withstood the test of time, and there are others that have not. I think designers and architects know when they are riding the trend and others might be self-denial. The “graying” of everything in of the past seven years has been a good example and nowhere has this been more evident than in the house flip, not the fault of designers and architects perhaps, but some people don’t realize they’re in the middle of a trend. Going into these renovated houses and it’s white and gray everywhere, as if a color doesn’t exist. I get it, mass appeal, “color is too personal.” Thankfully, when the actual homeowner is providing input, we get color and often from a palette of blues to soft greens, and yes, some nice grays! When I travel through Italy, I love the warm earth tones we get from variations on ochre and sienna. The house colors and materials are very in touch with nature and the natural surroundings. Back here though, take for example the photo, we have a natural cherry vanity and mirror floating above a neutral floor, set against a medium blue background. It reminds me of the earth against and evening sky. The fully tiled accent wall set against the white painted walls along with the glass enclosed shower, keeps the room bright and airy. The color is not over the top or overwhelming.
There are also patterns that will stand the test of time. We may change the size of the tile, but the classic subway or running bond pattern is here to stay. Herring bone on walls and floors has been around forever and a great way to add some “movement” to a wall. Stacked tiles are another great look, and it may have come about with the addition to the market of so many small rectangular tiles and is probably a counter trend to the small horizontal mixed glass and stone tiles that were so popular in the early 2000s. Using penny rounds or small mosaics or hexagons on the floor provide a great contrast to the pattern on the walls.
No one can say for sure what’s going to stand the test of time, but looking back on past projects, there are many examples that still work and look great. Using stone or marble helps keep that natural feel people love. The classic black and white bathroom isn’t going anywhere. Using quality fixtures will leave a lasting impression. They will age better and often have better design choices. On the other hand, there were some bold color choices for fixtures in the 1980s. For example, we had a bathroom suite on display in our showroom featuring Raspberry Puree, one of many bold statement colors from the decade of excess. It wasn’t my favorite display, but it was an eye-catcher.
While white remains the most popular color choice for fixtures, finishes for faucets and fittings offer a wide selection, including Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass and French Gold from Kohler, which are making a return. Polished nickel, chrome and brushed stainless remain popular finish choices.
Finally, one desire that often gets overlooked but is important to the design is ease of cleaning. Surfaces and materials should be easy to wipe down and clean. Clients want simple cabinet doors, and fewer nooks and crannies to clean. This contributes to a simpler, cleaner design aesthetic.
