10 Bathroom Trends Designers Say Will Be Outdated in 2026 – Better Homes & Gardens

 By Maria Sabella · Better Homes & Gardens · January 20, 2026.

“Light is not a utility in a well-designed bathroom. It is a material.”

Better Homes & Gardens asked leading designers across the country which bathroom trends professionals are actively moving away from in 2026. Daniel and Jill Siegel of LAVISH kitchen + bath contributed expert perspective on four of the ten trends identified—each one pointing in the same direction: away from surfaces that perform for photographs and toward spaces designed to be lived in, day after day, without apology.

On ultra-glossy finishes (#4)

High-gloss cabinetry, acrylic wall panels, and shiny synthetic finishes are falling out of favor. In their place: matte, honed, and tactile surfaces that add a more timeless and grounded quality to the space—finishes that reward touch rather than reflect light.

On subway tile (#7)

Classic subway tile is not inherently the problem. The problem is when it becomes the only surface—repeated in a basic stacked layout across every wall, every shower, and every floor. Bathrooms are moving toward layered surfaces, varied scales, and subtler textures. The instinct toward restraint should govern material selection, not default to the familiar.

On harsh single-source lighting (#8)

Bathrooms that rely solely on overhead recessed lighting or a single bright fixture feel uncomfortable and dated. A layered approach—wall sconces, backlit mirrors, indirect illumination—serves both function and atmosphere. Light is not a utility in a well-designed bathroom. It is a material.

On open shelving (#10)

Open shelving can work. Bathrooms designed around mostly open storage rarely age well. Shelves that look considered on day one tend to feel cluttered over time, and they do not support the rhythms of real daily life. Cabinetry designed with intention—where everything has its place before you need it—is the more durable answer.

Read the full article at Better Homes & Gardens.