Bathroom Remodel Trends 2026: What’s In, What’s Out

What’s actually changing in bathroom design right now — and what’s quietly on its way out before you commit to it.

There’s a shift happening in bathrooms right now. Not just in design, but in how people think about the space itself. The bathroom used to be purely functional — you get in, you get out. That’s changing. Homeowners are treating it more like a personal retreat, and the bathroom remodeling projects we’re doing at Knutson reflect that.

Here’s what’s actually trending in 2026 — and what’s quietly fading out.

Wet Rooms Are Taking Over Walk-In Showers

A few years ago, the walk-in shower was the must-have upgrade. It still is — but the concept has evolved. More homeowners are asking about wet rooms: fully waterproofed spaces where the shower area blends seamlessly into the rest of the bathroom floor.

No curb. No glass enclosure. Just a clean, open space with a linear drain recessed into the tile.

It looks stunning. It’s also incredibly practical for aging-in-place design, which is something more Minnesota families are thinking about.

If you have the square footage, a wet room gives you more flexibility with layout than a traditional shower enclosure ever could.

Natural Stone Is Back — But Differently

Marble never really went away. But the way people are using it has changed.

The trend used to be marble everywhere — countertops, walls, floors, all matching. Now the approach is more considered. People are choosing one or two focal surfaces and making them count.

A marble accent wall behind a freestanding tub. A stone slab custom bathroom vanity with matte concrete tile on the floor. It’s about contrast, not saturation.

Travertine is having a big moment right now. It’s warmer than classic white marble, more forgiving with staining, and it photographs beautifully. We’re also seeing a lot of honed finishes — flat, matte stone instead of the polished look that was dominant for years.

If you’re set on marble but worried about maintenance, consider using it only where it won’t take daily abuse. The shower floor and vanity countertop see the most wear. An accent wall sees almost none.

Warm Tones Are Replacing the All-White Bathroom

The crisp, all-white bathroom had a long run. It still works — but it no longer feels fresh or distinctive.

What’s replacing it? Warm, earthy palettes. Terracotta. Warm greige. Sage green. Deep, muted blues. These colors feel calming in a way that cold white simply doesn’t.

The shift is partly about texture too, especially when paired with well-designed bathroom cabinets. Instead of smooth white subway tile, homeowners are choosing handmade-look tile with slight variations in color and surface. It adds depth without being loud.

Hardware is following the same direction. Brushed brass and unlacquered brass are everywhere right now. Matte black has settled into its place as a reliable choice. Polished chrome, which dominated for decades, is being used much more sparingly.

Freestanding Tubs: Still In, But Smarter

Freestanding soaking tubs remain popular, but the approach to them has matured. In the early 2010s, people dropped them into any space regardless of how it looked. Now there’s more thought about proportion and placement.

A freestanding tub works best when it has breathing room. Tight against a wall in a small bathroom, it can feel forced. Given space — ideally beneath a window or centered against a feature wall — it becomes a real focal point.

One thing worth knowing: a soaking tub you use once a week isn’t worth sacrificing a shower you use every day. The smartest layouts either keep both, or choose based on honest use habits rather than what looks good in a listing photo.

What’s Going Out

Some things are quietly fading, and it’s worth knowing before you commit to a full remodel.

Farmhouse sinks in bathrooms. They had a moment. They’re now too strongly associated with a specific era of design.

Chevron and herringbone tile patterns everywhere. These layouts were everywhere for a decade. They’re not timeless — they date a space. Simple brick layouts, straight-set large-format tile, or truly unexpected patterns are a better bet now.

Gray everything. The all-gray bathroom — gray tile, gray vanity, gray walls — became so common it stopped feeling like a design choice. Warm neutrals are taking its place.

Vessel sinks. Once a statement piece, now they read as dated. Undermount and integrated sinks are cleaner and easier to live with.

What Makes a Bathroom Feel Timeless

Trends are useful for direction, but no remodel should be entirely trend-driven. Bathrooms are expensive to redo. You want something that holds up.

The things that age well: natural materials, quality fixtures, good lighting, and layouts that prioritize function. The things that date quickly: strong colors, heavily patterned tile used as a primary surface, and trendy hardware that’ll look dated in five years.

A good rule of thumb — use trending elements as accents. Let the bones of the space be simple and neutral. Then layer in the personality through things that are easier to change: mirrors, lighting, accessories.

The Direction We’re Heading

The clearest thread through all these trends is intentionality. Homeowners aren’t just picking finishes anymore. They’re thinking about how the space should feel at 6am, how it ages, how it functions for everyone in the family.

That’s a good shift. The best bathroom remodels we’ve done aren’t the ones with the most dramatic before-and-after. They’re the ones where everything just works — and the homeowner still loves it years later.

If you’re thinking about a remodel and want to talk through what direction makes sense for your space, we’re happy to walk through it with you. No obligation — just a real conversation about what’s possible.