Key Takeaways:
- Some of our favorite luxury bathroom remodeling ideas in 2026 include updated lighting, modern technology, custom tile and fixtures, and timeless, architectural pieces.
- Most of these ideas can be just as easily incorporated into a smaller bathroom as a larger primary suite.
- 5blox can help you compare different layouts and material options with 3D renderings before construction begins.
It’s always a bit funny to unpack different bathroom trends year by year, as trends don’t tend to change as quickly as the weather. If that were the case, by the time you finished choosing the right layout, ordering tile, scheduling contractors, and building out your dream bathroom, you’d have to do it all again.
So as we go through these 2026 bathroom remodeling ideas, keep in mind that some of them have been popular for many years, and those that are even more timeless will likely be in vogue for the next decade or longer.
If you like what you see here, reach out to 5blox for bathroom remodeling in Los Angeles that is sure to bring your vision to life!
1. Timeless Vanity Lighting
Don’t pick vanity lighting that will instantly date your bathroom or make you look more tired than you are in the morning.
Here are some vanity trends that are on the way out:
- Bright LED overheads
- Bulky above-mirror lighting
- Exposed bulbs
- Builder-grade hardware
Go soft with your lighting. Make it blend into the architecture better.
Placing vertical sconces on each side of the mirror, if the wall space allows, is an excellent way to create symmetry. If you have a longer vanity, a picture-style overhead light can work, as long as it’s warm.
If you can, add a dimmer. You don’t need the same amount of light in the evening as you do right when you wake up.
2. Custom Storage Solutions
In our wildest interior designer fantasies, bathrooms have empty counters. But in reality, they’re often littered with toothpaste tubes, hair tools, cotton swabs, makeup, moisturizers, and someone’s retainer case.
Custom storage is one of the most functional luxury bathroom remodeling ideas for 2026 because it keeps the room looking like it would in a magazine spread. If not custom, at least better. Recessed medicine cabinets. Vertical shelving above the toilet.
You can create even more space by adding an outlet in your vanity drawer for your electric toothbrush or hairstyling tools.
3. Vintage-Inspired Tile
The 2010s paved the way for brightly colored monochromatic tiles and bolder, louder patterned tiles. It isn’t that these tiles have necessarily gone out of style. We’re still fans of a checkered tile in the right context. But more homeowners are now asking for more delicate, vintage-style tiles.
Hand-painted, Moroccan-style tiles or softer Majolica tiles. There’s something nostalgic about them.
As you’ll see, many of the 2026 bathroom remodeling ideas lean toward a more authentic, collected, non-mass-produced look.
4. Spa-Style Showers
At one point, wet rooms were on every list of luxury bathroom remodeling ideas. While many designers have come to the conclusion that there’s a more practical way to use space in a bathroom than making the entire thing a space to shower, that doesn’t mean people want to say goodbye to spacious spa-style showers altogether.
In fact, one of the main bathroom remodeling ideas we’ve heard from clients consistently in 2026 is the spa-style shower.
For some, that may mean an open-air shower with natural elements attached to a pool house. For others, it might mean dual showerheads with multiple configurations.
Focusing on comfortable, high-performance showers is now standard in bathroom remodeling.
5. Soft, Sculptural Stone
When most people think of stone in interior design, they think of granite countertops. But stone doesn’t necessarily need to be pretty and polished to work in a bathroom.
Many interior designers are leaning into natural stone in 2026. It’s warm and rugged with an earthier elegance. Ironically enough, it’s been a sign of luxury in bathrooms for centuries. Yet only recently has there been greater interest in reincorporating it.
Natural curved stone looks beautiful as a backsplash or on vanity countertops. Textured stone can be an exciting alternative to tile or laminate flooring if properly sealed.
We recently discussed the application of stone and other natural interior materials in our piece on biophilic design.
6. Hard-Working Porcelain Surfaces
We’ve all heard of porcelain tubs and sinks. But being the strong, versatile material that it is, porcelain has also become a leading choice for full-scale luxury bathroom remodeling ideas in 2026.
Larger porcelain slabs have fewer grout lines. That makes for a cleaner look with less upkeep. Compared to ceramic, it also has lower porosity.
We know you might be thinking, “But I love the look of natural terracotta and limestone.”
Well, thanks to advances in digital glazing, there are hundreds of high-quality porcelain imitations out there. Not only are they more durable, but they’re also more cost-effective for full bathroom coverage.
7. Colored Fixtures
We’re not sure who decided that every toilet, sink, and tub had to be white.
Sure, white is a classic fixture color. It works in just about any interior design capacity. But there are endless other options for those who want a more playful, unconventional aesthetic.
Jonathan Adler’s Spring Green Dream is a great example.
We realize that going bold with color choices in a small space like a bathroom can feel risky. It isn’t traditional, and from a resale standpoint, it could limit the buyer pool. There’s also the argument about why someone would make a toilet, the objectively least glamorous part of a bathroom, the focal point.
But for those who enjoy the unexpected, the nostalgic, and the whimsical, being more three-dimensional with color choices aligns with many of the bathroom remodeling ideas in 2026.
8. Strategically Integrated Smart Tech
Smart home technology is all the rage in the modern bathroom. But from an interior design perspective, it can become kitschy if it doesn’t feel intentional.
However, there are a few worthwhile upgrades that can fit appropriately into just about any design style while solving smaller functional issues:
- Heated floors on timers for cold mornings
- Smart mirrors with built-in defogging
- Motion night lights next to the toilet or vanity
- Humidity-sensing ventilation fans
- Built-in drawer outlets
Of course, many of these luxury bathroom remodeling ideas require early planning. GFCI outlets, Wi-Fi access, switches, and control timers all need to be installed and worked out before closing up the walls.
Implement These 2026 Bathroom Remodeling Ideas in Your Home
The 5blox interior design team can help you sort through which of these bathroom remodeling options will work best for your home. We provide material selection, 3D rendering, permit support, project management, and construction under one roof.
Book a free walkthrough with one of our interior design experts to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?
It can cost anywhere from a few thousand to $30,000 or more. On the high end, it can reach over $80,000. However, it really depends on the size of your bathroom, the materials you choose, and the overall scope of the project. It’s much more cost-effective to add a new vanity and additional storage to an existing bathroom than to start from scratch with the plumbing.
The best way to get the most accurate (and free) estimate is to contact the 5blox team.
What bathroom remodeling ideas are out of style in 2026?
Some of the formerly trendy bathroom remodeling styles that are on their way out in 2026 include:
- Contemporary minimalism
- Stark white
- Subway tile
- Cool blue tones
- High gloss finishes
- Overly coordinated colors
- Black hardware
What bathroom upgrades can add the most value to my home?
One of the first things to upgrade if you want to add value to your home with a bathroom remodel is your shower. Most homebuyers will pay a premium for a bathroom with a beautiful walk-in shower or spa-style upgrades. A new shower also provides easier long-term maintenance, whereas a shower that hasn’t been upgraded in decades may have moisture damage underneath.