Design by Kirsten Conner; Photo by Gregg Krogstad; Thanks to NKBA
Despite the uncertainty among consumers. Despite inflation. Despite labor challenges affecting the construction industry. Despite challenges in the supply chain. Homeowners are still optimistic about remodeling their homes, and bathroom remodeling is still high on their list. That’s why I always pay attention when the National Kitchen and Bath Associationa trade association made up of 55,000 designers, dealers, renovators, installers, manufacturers and other industry professionals, publishes its annual surveys. (In the interest of disclosure, I have been a member of the NKBA for almost twenty years, but it is just one of many leading associations that I ask for research.)
The Bath trend report 2026 (free to NKBA members and available for purchase to others) was just released this morning. Here are six of the top trends worth considering for your own projects this year and next.
1. Technology trend
Not only are our homes getting smarter, but our bathrooms too! You can program your shower preferences for yourself and your partner. You can program your lighting to energize or calm, depending on the time of day. You can program the underfloor heating so that it starts as soon as you step out of the bath. You can automate privacy screens or window glass. There are also new health-oriented features associated with toilets, indicating potential internal problems.
Even if you don’t opt for any of these features, you can still use technology – as many young homeowners do – to help design the bathroom of your dreams. Artificial intelligence provides much more engagement and visualization than the inspiration sites of recent years.
Worth noting: The report lists “smart technology integration” in the “Niche Appeal” category, rather than in the “Mass Appeal” category. That means these investments, while attractive to homeowners and occupiers, may have less potential to improve sales until they become more widely desired. This can be linked to purpose, usability and affordability. It’s also worth noting that the generation most excited about technology is Gen Z, the youngest and least able to afford their own home. Give them time!
2. Personalization trend
“Bath design is becoming deeply personal,” notes Bill Darcy, NKBA global president, adding, “Beyond considerations like resale value, designers are focusing on how spaces support a homeowner’s individual rituals, preferences and self-care routines. This perspective drives creativity, niche trends and designs that truly reflect how people live today.” This has been a growing trend for a number of years, and is now being further amplified with technology features that improve personalization.
Worth noting: ‘Personalization’ appears in the report as a ‘mass appeal’ trend, but that doesn’t mean ‘anything goes’. If you plan to sell your home in the coming years, personalize with an eye to increasing personal benefits and improving the room’s design, rather than opting for exotic, hard-to-change choices that may just appeal to you.
3. Upgraded trend
Primary bathrooms are becoming larger, the report shows. This can be attributed to adding space for wellness, storage and universal design trends that support aging in place. Allocating space for primary bathrooms is a top priority according to 89% of respondents, and more than half (55%) say having a larger shower is more important than having a bathtub. (When space is limited, homeowners opt to give up the tub for a larger shower. If there’s room for both, that signals luxury, the report notes.) These expanded bathroom spaces allow for more spa-like features and amenities, including steam options, saunas, aromatherapy, chromotherapy and integrated seating and shelving.
Worth noting: “Not too big, but the standard bath size feels a bit too small. You don’t need a ballroom, just enough room for two people to function comfortably,” the report said.
4. Accessibility trend
As our population ages, so does the appeal of bathrooms that meet the needs of older users. Aging-in-place design, also called accessible design, adaptive design, longevity design or inclusive design, has become mainstream and no longer only serves to increase safety, independence and functionality. At its best, it is designed to blend in with the beauty of the room. After all, most homeowners want their primary bathroom to look and feel like a resort spa, not a rehabilitation hospital room!
Grab bars, barrier-free entry, integral drains, benches and wider doors (some with automatic openers and self-cleaning functions) are essential features that make a primary bath look more luxurious and perform well for its owners.
Worth noting: As the report notes: “The accessible design, previously considered age-specific, is now useful for everyone: from young families, to those with temporary injuries, to future-proofing life changes.”
5. Inspirational trend for catering
A long-standing trend is for homeowners to show their vacation resort photos to their designers when they return and begin their remodeling projects. More than three-quarters of professionals surveyed (77%) say they still do this! Bathrooms are shifting from utilitarian spaces to sanctuaries dedicated to physical and mental well-being, the report finds. Hospitality designers show what can be done with huge resort budgets for five-star accommodations. Visiting homeowners want these features for their own homes. Every day should feel like a vacation!
6. Custom storage trend
Primary bathrooms have long moved beyond big box vanity options, with increasing opportunities for technology integration and modular storage to accommodate a wide range of preferences. Item-specific storage includes built-in storage for hair tools, makeup and medications, electrical integration, custom dividers and organizers to maximize drawer efficiency, and charging stations for electronic devices in vanity cabinets, the report said. “Combined with personalized style inspiration, these considerations represent a profound shift toward custom living,” the authors share.
Worth noting: the report highlights that customization is now expected, with an emphasis on personalization to meet everyday needs.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online among 688 respondents, who are members of the NKBA community and target groups included: designers (making up 58% of responses), showrooms, dealers, specialists, manufacturers, kitchen and bathroom renovators/contractors and architects.
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