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Ideal Home
Ideal Home
Holly Cockburn

These are the 3 biggest bathroom trends of 2026 that are set to last into 2027 and beyond – from colour to pattern, these are the failsafe trends to try

Traditional blue abthroom with tiled shower.

Our bathrooms are often the most forgotten areas of our homes - the room that you always plan to renovate but decide money is better spent elsewhere. However, while small, they have so much potential and when designed well, will make your morning and evening routines feel much more special.

Bathroom trends are one of the easiest ways to upgrade your wash space. Being inspired by the latest bathroom colour schemes, hardware styles and tile trends provides plenty of inspiration for your own washroom, but how do you know they won't date?

As a bathroom editor with years of predicting and analysing trends under my belt, I've boiled down the top 3 bathroom trends from 2026 that will have serious lasting power through to 2027 - so that you can ensure your money goes further.

1. Sky blue hues

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Blue has really come into it's own in 2026, in both kitchens and bathrooms, and it's set to continue well into 2027. Although it's a cool-toned shade, pale blue has an undeniable warmth that has led to homeowners using it in abundance in a bathroom.

'The colour of the mind, blue, is supportive, soothing, clarifying and has an extraordinary ability to connect us straight back to nature,' explains Tash Bradley, director of interior design and colour psychologist at Lick. It's easy to see why we're all gravitating towards this sky blue shade, particularly when thinking ahead to winter.

Gone are the days of coastal-inspired blue bathroom colour schemes - the new blue deserves to be drenched, rather than decorated with. Paired with antique wooden bathroom accessories and cream tiles (as seen above), a blue palette can do all the talking.

This is the ultimate sky blue shade to drench walls, ceilings and architraves in.

This Pooky mirror provides a vintage look without needing to hunt through antique markets for it.

Wall lights are an essential part of any bathroom lighting scheme - this style from Dunelm has a high-end hotel look.

2. Bathrooms that don't feel like bathrooms

(Image credit: Future)

Spa-inspired bathrooms have always been a popular design decision for a wash room that favours relaxation, and were long thought of as the method for creating a serene environment.

However, in 2026, a more maximalist look has challenged that perspective. We've been seeing more bathrooms that look more in line with the other rooms in our homes - like a living space, rather than a highly functional wet room.

Avid use of colour is crucial in these spaces, as well as being more daring with fabrics and furniture. In larger bathrooms, add a patterned armchair, and opt for a colour-drenched space for smaller rooms.

We're not saying carpets in bathrooms are back, but rather that focusing on adding warmth through colour, pattern and texture will make a bathroom feel more in line with the atmosphere felt in our bedrooms and living rooms.

Ruggable does a range of bath mats that look almost like mini rugs. They are generously sized with a cushioned pad underneath, and easy to wash.

If you're lucky enough to have the space, a little armchair or cocktail chair will make a bathroom look so chic. Taking it from functional to relaxing space.

A side table for your bath can be all it takes to add a little flair to a functional small bathroom. Style it up with candles and a book, but we sure to leave space for a glass of wine or tea.

3. Pattern play

(Image credit: Ca' Pietra)

Patterns have held more power in our homes than ever before in 2026, and we don't see the trend going anywhere. Whether it's checkerboard, stripes or florals, going bold with a pattern in a bathroom is a simple way to add character.

Pattern layering takes this one step further by using multiple patterns in one space. The smaller the bathroom the better, and the more patterns the better. The trick is to vary the print size so that the space looks carefully curated rather than cluttered.

'Pattern layering does not have to mean putting two decorative prints next to one another and hoping they get along. Some of the most interesting bathrooms build pattern in less obvious ways, perhaps a floral or geometric tile on the wall with the movement of marble underfoot, or a checkerboard floor against a wall tile with an uneven glaze,' Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra, explains.

'One gives you a clear motif, while the other brings a softer kind of variation, so the room has plenty going on without becoming exhausting,' she adds.

I love the soft pastel tones of these patterned tiles — they would look great on the floor of a cloakroom or ensuite.

Stripes aren't going anywhere — these Piglet in Bed towels will make every shower feel like a spa day.

The handpainted effect of this wavy tumbler adds dimension into a bathroom scheme, even though it's a small touch.

As we head into 2027, it's also worth thinking about the kitchen trends that will dominate from this year into the next - these 3 kitchen trends are the ones I predict will last.

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