10 Bathroom Trends That Experts Say Will Be Outdated in 2026

A bathroom renovation is an exciting endeavor—and a significant financial investment—so the last thing you want to do is select things that will instantly make the space look dated. Over the last few years, stark whites, open shelves, subway tiles, and the farmhouse aesthetic were go-to bathroom looks, but according to designers, these design elements are on their way out.

Bathroom trends are moving away from monochromatic color palettes, predictable tile shapes and layouts, and default neutrals. Instead, 2026 will be all about embracing a layered aesthetic through warm colors, interesting tiles, richer stones, and textured materials. If you don’t want your bathroom to feel flat and dated, here are the bathroom trends experts say it’s time to leave behind.

1. All-White and Stark Black and White Color Schemes

“Overly crisp, all-white bathrooms and stark black and white combos that once felt bold are starting to feel flat and predictable,” says Sarah West, the founder and principal designer at Sarah West Interiors. What once felt fresh and created dramatic contrast now looks tired and overdone. Michelle Accetta, founder and principal designer at Michelle Accetta HOME, agrees, adding gray color schemes to the mix of black and white, too. “The achromatic look gives a post-pandemic time stamp to a space, because the trend was so widespread it’s now starting to feel dated,” Accetta says.

2. Taj Mahal Quartzite and White Oak Pairing

The Taj Mahal quartzite and white oak pairing is one that West says is a safe go-to, but is beginning to feel overplayed. “The trend is shifting toward moody, tonal spaces: richer stones, deeper woods, cobblestone or textural floors, and layered finishes that feel personal, collected, and quietly luxurious,” the designer explains. Rather than striving for perfection in 2026, lean into bathroom designs that have warmth, texture, and character.

3. Farmhouse Aesthetics

The farmhouse aesthetic is one of the most enduring trends of the past decades, spanning interiors and exteriors, bathrooms included. “As we move toward 2026, the good ole farmhouse aesthetic—specifically white subway tile, dark gray grout, and shiplap—is definitely out,” says Jennifer Homeyer, the owner and CEO of The Design House. She says that cool-toned gray and white color schemes make a bathroom instantly feel cold and dated. Homeyer predicts that we will continue to see warm neutrals, textures, and moody colors lead the charge in 2026.

4. Ultra-Glossy Finishes

“High-gloss cabinetry, acrylic wall panels, and shiny synthetic finishes are falling out of favor,” say Daniel and Jill Siegel of LAVISH kitchen + bath. Instead of ultra-glossy finishes covering every bathroom surface, the experts say matte, honed, and tactile finishes are adding a more timeless and grounded quality for a relaxed feel.

5. Large-Format Tiles with Harsh Contrasting Grout

When it comes to bathroom tile trends that look dated, West suggests opting for smaller sizes. “Large-format gray tiles with harsh, contrasting grout and faux materials are showing their age and can feel forced or artificial,” she says. Instead, the designer recommends textural flooring such as cobblestone, moody shower walls, and surfaces with subtle tonal variation across walls, floors, and fixtures for a more lasting impact and a calm, elegant, and layered bathroom design.

6. Cold Bathroom Walls that Fall Flat

It’s time to retire the stark, icy wall colors that have been making bathrooms feel cold and lifeless. “Instead, people are gravitating toward moody, tonal palettes: muted greens, deep plums, warm neutrals, and earthy shades that feel layered and lived-in,” West shares. To take bathrooms from cold and dated to fresh and stylish, the designer suggests creating an inviting and livable design by pairing textured flooring with a moody tile in the shower, and a soft mix of metals.
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7. Subway Tile Everywhere

“Classic subway tile isn’t inherently bad, but when it’s the only surface used—especially in a basic stacked layout—it can feel generic and overdone,” the Siegels share. The experts note that bathrooms are heading in the direction of layered surfaces, varied scales, and subtler textures. Instead of defaulting to subway tile on every surface, explore other options for a fresh take on bathroom walls and flooring.

8. Harsh Single-Source Lighting

Lighting is not just a practical component of a bathroom design, it presents a fantastic opportunity to add style and introduce a new shape or material to the space. “Bathrooms relying solely on overhead recessed lighting or overly bright fixtures feel uncomfortable and outdated,” the Siegels say. Instead, they recommend taking a layered approach to lighting to maximize both function and atmosphere. Think wall sconces, backlit mirrors, and indirect illumination.

9. Cool Pastel Tiles in Predictable Layouts

“In 2026, instead of icy pastels, the colors trending now are warmer and more sophisticated: blush, clay, cocoa, soft greens, and other earthy tones,” says Lindsay Fluckiger, host of Tile Trends x Tile Club. It’s not just the icy pastel colors of the tiles that are feeling outdated, it’s the predictable layouts that tiles, such as small-format square tiles, are arranged in.

“Designers are using the format in updated layouts such as stacked patterns, taller wall heights, and pairings with handmade trims or natural stone,” Fluckiger says. The arrangement creates a space that feels nostalgic, but still current according to the expert.

10. Too Much Open Shelving

The open shelving trend inspired many people to rip out their upper cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms. While open shelves can create an airy feel and provide storage surfaces in a visually appealing way, overdoing the look isn’t practical, or in keeping with the current bathroom trends. “While a little open shelving can definitely work, bathrooms designed with mostly open storage may not age well,” Siegel says. They share that open shelves tend to feel cluttered over time and at the end of the day, they typically don’t support real daily living.