For 2026, the bathroom is set to take centre stage in home design like never before.

In the past it has been considered a purely functional space, but there’s a growing movement towards bathrooms being celebrated as zones of luxury, relaxation and personal expression. 

But the emphasis next year will be less on trends and more on personalisation, with home owners making sure their bathroom is right for them.

That means considering bold colour choices, adding bespoke features and tactile, sensory elements that turn everyday routines into moments of indulgence. 

Homeowners are increasingly viewing their bathrooms as private retreats, a place to recharge and escape, rather than simply a room to get washed and ready in. 

From statement shower panels and freestanding baths to bold imagery and textured surfaces, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where bathrooms are finally given the attention and creativity they deserve. 

In fact, this often overlooked space is set to be transformed into the heart of the home.

Here Andrea Clewett, co-founder of Showerscape, a UK-based luxury design brand creating floor-to-ceiling bespoke photographic panels, shares her tips for transforming your bathroom into a space you won’t want to leave.

1. Re-imagine the space

Bathrooms don’t need to be purely functional but very often they are.

Yet this is probably the first place we visit in the morning and the last place we visit at night. 

It both helps wake us up to start the day and or relax us before bed. 

It’s a place we go if we’re tired and need to wash, cleanse and perform any routines before bed, or when we’ve had a hard day and need to unwind.

In fact, this space can really add value to our lives and wellbeing. 

We often focus our design attention on kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms, but the bathroom is where we prepare to face the outside world and where we retreat when we need a few moments to ourselves. 

A well-designed bathroom can offer the comfort of a spa, providing a meaningful space for relaxation, reflection and even creativity.

Whether it’s a long soak in the bath after a demanding day, or a few quiet minutes under a hot shower, the environment we create here directly influences our wellbeing.

This is why paying attention to how our bathrooms look and feel is so worthwhile. Lighting, colour, and textures can completely transform the atmosphere.

A calm, thoughtfully decorated bathroom can bring balance to our busy lives. 

2. Personalise your bathroom

Being able to customise your bathroom space is becoming easier than ever, with more choice and flexibility available to homeowners than in the past.

Rather than settling for off-the-shelf options, there is now real scope to create something truly unique and meaningful that reflects your taste and lifestyle. 

An impactful way to transform a bathroom is by introducing a feature wall.

As a manufacturer of these, we’ve seen how homeowners have stamped their individuality on the space, and turn an everyday fixture into a design statement. 

Colour also plays a key role in personalisation.

Customising the bath or vanity unit in a specific colour or shade helps tie the whole scheme together, whether you opt for deep, moody tones or vibrant, uplifting colours.

For 2026, there’s still a strong emphasis on leafy/biophilic/sensory interiors; so greens and natural colours.

It’s a peaceful and positive colour, that symbolises nature, and can be paired with blues, orange or bright yellows.

Matching these accents with accessories such as towels, mirrors, and even tap finishes creates a harmonious and considered design.

Our Copper Patina panels go really well with dark blue accessories, cabinets and towels.

While gold/brass taps and shower heads with deep forest wall panels and tile colours work really well.

Layering in warm metals, textured tiles or natural materials such as wood adds depth and comfort, ensuring the bathroom feels not just functional, but beautifully curated and inviting.

3. Use details to add warmth and colour

Adding colour and warmth to a bathroom is one of the simplest ways to transform it from purely functional into a welcoming retreat. It doesn’t need to be too costly.

Adding softer colours such as neutral stone and clay shades rather than white using towels and even refreshing your walls with a new coat of paint can make such a positive difference. 

While many bathrooms traditionally lean towards crisp whites and cooler tones, thoughtful colour choices can make it feel softer and cosier. 

Towels are a quick and affordable way to experiment with new hues: rich earthy shades, soft pastels or deeper tones can instantly change the atmosphere.

Consider swapping your towels seasonally to keep the space feeling fresh.

Textures also play a huge role; think plush bathmats underfoot, or natural materials such as wood and stone candles and toothbrush holders, which bring both warmth and tactility.

Warm lighting can help make the space feel inviting and relaxing rather than clinical.

You can achieve this with mirror lighting or candles.

4. Creating a feeling of space. 

Some people have the luxury of a spacious family bathroom, but for many that simply isn’t the case.

However, fear not, there are plenty of tricks to make a small room feel bigger.

An en-suite or guest bathroom may only have room for a shower, so think about finishes and accessories that allow your space to reflect more light, or give walls a greater depth. 

A large mirror can almost double your perceived sense of space, reflecting the wall or feature opposite, or bouncing light from a window back into the room.  

Break up the space with some textured tiling, bold and colourful wallpaper or artworks, which can also lift a space and give it some drama compared to floor-to-ceiling tiling. 

A feature shower wall can also be a great option for smaller spaces. A floor-to-ceiling photograph of a landscape, forest or artwork can give a sense of depth to an otherwise flat surface, like having a full-height window within the room. 

5. Have some fun 

Think about your favourite colours, places, animals and plants and incorporate them into the textiles in the room, the fixtures and fittings and the accessories. 

If you don’t know where to start, make a mood board of your favourite items and ideas.

Don’t be afraid to be bold and creative – there are so many different ways to express yourself even in the smallest of spaces. 

Research small independent suppliers who often give a great service and will really appreciate your custom.

Using smaller retailers can be of great benefit in terms of you being able to customise your bathroom design and talk about your ideas directly with the designers themselves, and it doesn’t always have to cost the earth. 

For more information about Showerscape, visit showerscape.co.uk