Bathroom Trends for 2026: What to Know When Designing Your Shower or Wet Room

As we move into 2026, the bathroom continues to evolve far beyond its traditional purpose. Once considered purely functional, today’s bathrooms are designed as personal sanctuaries, spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-expression.

1. Bathrooms as Wellness Retreats

One of the strongest themes for 2026 is the idea that the bathroom is no longer purely functional, it’s a sanctuary. According to trend reports:

• Homeowners are choosing spa level features: rainfall heads, bench seating in showers, ambient lighting.
• The integration of smart and comfort features (heated floors, body jets in showers, multisensory experiences) is rising.
• More texture, more natural materials, less cold minimalism.

How this applies to your shower or wet room:

• Choose a frameless or near frameless shower screen, such as CRL Serenity, to maximise openness and light.
• Use textured tiles or large format slabs, such as Ceralsio, on walls and floors so the wet room feels calm and premium.
• Consider optional extras: a rainfall or waterfall showerhead, a bench, niches for candles or plants, making it more than just a shower.

2. Natural Materials, Earthy Palettes & Biophilic Design

A connection to nature is core to design in 2026:

• Warm tones such as terracotta, deep browns, soft beige, natural wood and stone textures are front of stage.
• “Biophilic” details like greenery, wood accents, stone basins, natural clay finishes.

Application tips for your shower:

• Consider a large stone effect panel behind the shower for warmth.
• For the screen itself: minimalist and discreet hardware, like the CRL Bellagio range, so the materials around become the star.
• Use finishes that complement natural materials for example, antique brass or brushed bronze for fittings.

3. Statement Finishes & Bold Accents

While natural materials are important, so is a strong eye for finish and personality:

• Dark, moody bathrooms, deep charcoals, navy and chocolate browns provide drama.
• Mixed metal combinations or high contrast fixtures elevate the space.

Shower screen tip:

• Choose hardware finishes for your shower screen (hinges, brackets, door handles) that tie into your overall scheme.
• Keep glass clear where possible, so these metallic accents stand out rather than compete with bulky frames.

4. Wet Rooms & Seamless Transitions

Open layouts and wet rooms continue to gain momentum, especially in modern homes:

• Wet rooms offer the luxury look of a spa, with fewer barriers and a more expansive feel.
• Soft colour drenching (walls, floors, maybe even a basin) helps unify the space and makes it feel larger.

Our shower screen guidance:

• For smaller bathrooms, a well designed shower screen can give you the wet room feel without a full structural rebuild.
• Because you will likely use large glass areas: consider clear glass and flush thresholds to minimise cleaning and maintenance.

5. Personalisation & Character

More than ever, bathrooms are reflecting personality. Think:

• Custom size vanities, unique wash basins and non-standard layouts.
• Heritage or vintage inspired patterns, expressive tile layouts and statement walls.
• Designers emphasise: the bathroom should feel tailored, not generic.

How this ties to your shower screen project:

• You can tailor size, shape, glass finish and door style to fit your unique layout, not just a standard off the shelf screen.
• Think about how the glass and hardware integrate with surrounding elements, including tile patterns, vanity and lighting, to create a cohesive look.
• Mix your finishes wisely: if you have a bold tile or feature wall behind the shower, let the shower screen hardware be understated and elegant rather than competing.

Final Thoughts

2026 is about spaces that feel like they belong to you: restful, textured, purposeful, and beautifully detailed. Your glass panel, your door and your hardware should reflect the trends above and elevate your bathroom.