Looking for the next big thing in bathrooms for 2026? This is where you'll want to source your inspiration. The Ideal Home Bathroom Award winners encapsulate exactly what it means to be market-leading in bathrooms for the year ahead, from clever tech to beautiful, colourful designs that will make your wash space sing.
Judged by our panel of expert editors with a fine eye for evaluating what's hot versus what's not, this selection of winners is truly impressive.
For 2026, we've judged everything from modern and classic bathroom ranges (there's something for everyone) to clever tech that upgrades your showering experience - you won't even want to book a spa day once you've invested in this kit.
You'll also find plenty of bathroom ideas for inspiration, too. No matter your taste or budget, there are plenty of fresh styles that you can take into your own home, whether you're looking for small updates or a complete renovation project.
Bathroom of the Year: Utopia Furniture Ltd HeyU Collection
The best bathrooms are those that offer flexibility and versatility in their design, which Utopia Furniture's HeyU Collection has in buckets. In 2026, bathrooms are more colourful than ever before, and the 14 shades in this collection offer a unique look for every home.
‘A winning combination of texture and colour, the HeyU collection allows you to create a customised solution that makes personalising your space easy. With four designs – Smooth, Linear, Wave (pictured) and Ripple – in 14 different finishes, the collection includes everything from storage to wash basin units,' says Heather Young, Editor-in-Chief.
Highly Commended: The Tap End - Pretty in Pink, Kallums Bathrooms - A Luminous Heaven
Best Classic Bathroom Range: Wickes Bayswater
Classic doesn't have to mean boring. The Wickes Bayswater bathroom range has high-end finishes that don't cost the earth and make the range feel super special, down to every small touch.
The traditional design elements will elevate any space and are sure to stand the test of time.
‘Wickes’ array of affordable bathroom ranges means there’s really something for everyone - your dream bathroom is closer than you think,' adds Heather.
Best Modern Bathroom Range: Vado Safari
Colour and texture is the easiest way to spruce up a bathroom and Vado’s Safari collection has this aplenty. It will instantly upgrade a contemporary wash space.
Fluted effect bathroom storage has been a big trend for the last few years, but in 2026 we're seeing a slightly different approach to texture with unique shapes, as seen on Vado's Safari range.
Highly Commended: Calypso Firova
Best Basin: Victoria + Albert Lussari Back to Wall Basins
A bathroom basin has a bigger impact on your overall design than you might think. Victoria & Albert's Lussari basins are subtle enough to blend into the background, whlie creating beautiful curves that soften any bathroom scheme.
The ergonomic edge has a contemporary look, while the straight back edge means you can make the most of every inch of vanity space. This basin offers so much flexibility too as it can be painted in any colour to match your scheme.
Best Bathroom Storage Solution: Vonhaus The Chester range
Good storage is essential in any bathroom, but without going for built-in solutions, it can be tricky to create enough room for organisation.
Vonhaus’ Chester range shows how you can fit bathroom storage into any size space. It's affordable and freestanding, offering so much flexibility to fit storage into any spare gap in your bathroom.
Best Bathroom Lighting: Corston Claremont Wall Light
Lighting is the finishing touch to any bathroom - and it deserves special attention. Designed and engineered in the UK, Corston’s Claremont wall light adds a high-quality finish to any bathroom.
‘We love Corston for high-quality products that show meticulous attention to detail. The Claremont’s hand-blown fluted glass shade delivers a soft, diffused glow that’s just what you need to create a warm and calming atmosphere in your bathroom,' Heather adds.
Best Bath: Victoria + Albert Kerid Bath
Wellness-inspired bathroom trends are ramping up in 2026, and it's possible for us all to create a spa-like setting within our own homes.
'With bathrooms getting smaller and smaller, Victoria + Albert's Japanese ofuru-inspired Kerid bath is ideal for compact, contemporary living.'
'This design features a small footprint, but with higher sides and an integrated seat so you can fully submerge yourself for a long hot soak,' says Ginevra Benedetti, Deputy Editor.
Highly Commended: BC Designs Sculptura Bath
Best Bathroom Surface: B&Q Triton Wall Panelling
Natural materials are the best way to add warmth to a bathroom scheme, and B&Q's Triton wall panelling is a simple way to achieve a design full of texture and interest. Not to mention it’s highly practical with a waterproof finish that is easy to wipe down.
Highly Commended: XL Offset, Multipanel
Best Bathroom Tap: Aqua by Frontline Bathrooms Mineral Flute brassware collection
The textural fluted detail of Aqua by Frontline Bathroom’s Mineral Flute collection adds interest to the smallest elements of a bathroom design, creating a tactile nature that wears well with use.
Tying in fluted details across your entire bathroom scheme will make the space feel highly curated and design-led.
Highly Commended: Booth & Co, Vado
Best Bathroom Tiles: B&Q x Ca’Pietra Exclusive Portare Range
B&Q’s collaboration with Ca’ Pietra takes the premium quality of the latter brand and makes them accessible for a range of budgets - from floor tiles to small-scale wall tiles, there really is a style for everyone.
'When two of our favourite brands collaborate, you can be sure that the results are going to be stellar. From plains and patterns for walls and floors, there’s something for everyone in this chic collection, all with a great value price tag,' adds Ginevra.
Highly Commended: The Wilding collection, Marlborough Tiles
Best Shower Enclosure: The Shower Lab
Flexibility is key in any bathroom design, particularly in a small space, and The Shower Lab’s double-hinged bifold panels make this possible. They also aid accessibility which is key for multi-generational living.
'The perfect addition to a small bathroom, these glass panels tuck away against a wall when not in use, opening the room up completely. They’re also an excellent choice for people with mobility issues, too, allowing them to access their shower easily and without complication,' Ginevra adds.
Highly Commended: Flair Verve PRO 8 collection
Best Use of Colour: Frenchic Chalk Wall Paint
Choosing a bathroom paint requires more than just deciding on a colour palette - durability is just as vital, which Frenchic have nailed with their chalk wall paint that has a water-resistant finish.
‘It’s resistant to damp and can be scrubbed or wiped down. There are 159 colours to choose from, so you don’t have to compromise style for durability,' adds Heather Young.
Genius Bathroom Innovation: Aqualisa S Range shower system
‘Allowing you to set specific temperatures for different people, this is bathroom tech at its best,' says Ginevra, of Aqualisa's winning S Range shower system.
With an eco mode that reduces water flow by a third and the ability to set specific temperatures for every household member, this shower system will instantly upgrade any bathroom experience.
Highly Commended: GROHE Sensia Pro WC, SURI Sonic Toothbrush 2.0
Best Bathroom Linen: Scooms Egyptian Cotton Towels
No bathroom is complete without high-quality towels to cocoon you once you hop out of the bath.
‘Soft, thick towels are a must for adding a sense of pure luxury to a bathroom, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with these super-plush Egyptian cotton from Scooms. In an impressive range of 22 different colours, they even have handy hanging hooks,' Heather says.
Best Shower Head: Methven's VJet Minimalist
A satisfying bathroom experience comes down to finetuning the small details, like a shower head. Methven's VJet Minimalist shower head looks sleek and unobtrusive, but provides plenty of power.
'A total gamechanger if you want a better shower without the expense of plumbing in a new suite. This screw-on showerhead allows you to switch between a gentle spray and an invigorating one, all while reducing water flow,' says Ginevra.
'One Small Step' For Sustainability: B&Q GoodHome Taps
Sustainability should be at the core of any bathroom design, and B&Q's GoodHome Taps make sure this is a priority.
'Durable and built to last, many of B&Q's taps feature built-in water-saving regulators to help reduce water and energy consumption. It’s these clever design elements that, even though these taps aren’t expensive, make sustainability more accessible for all,' says Ginevra.
Retailer of the Year: Wickes
‘Wickes’ array of affordable bathroom ranges means there’s really something for everyone - your dream bathroom is closer than you think,’ says Heather.
Saving the best until last, Wickes has won first place for the best bathroom retailer of 2026, thanks to its extensive range that prioritises both affordability and excellent design.
This pink design summises the best bathroom trends for 2026 - ample colour, textured tiles and plenty of storage.
The Judges
From bathroom tiles to spa-ready shower ideas, our judges are pros when it comes to bathroom design.
Each year we're eager to see what the world of bathroom design will offer up. This year has seen clever tech, colourful, patterned designs and space-saving solutions - we can't wait to see what 2027 holds.
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