12 stunning shower trends that will take over in 2026

The shower is the most important aspect of any bathroom. Regardless of whether you prefer a quick wash in the morning or a long bath in the evening, this area must be perfectly tailored to your needs. Not everyone can afford a remodel, but there are certain elements you can add to your shower room that will easily modernize and personalize it and add a sense of luxury to your everyday life.

From 2025 to 2026, the general preference for spa-inspired bathrooms that feel like you're in a retreat continues, along with an interest in sustainable materials and shower systems and a move towards natural materials, color schemes and textures that can bring nature to the forefront. The ongoing debate between walk-in showers and freestanding bathtubs is less unanimous. Those who can, reject the choice and incorporate both into their bathrooms, one for practical reasons, the other for aesthetics and self-care.

Customization and its connection to more maximalist, experimental spaces have been a trend in interior design for several years and are not going away in 2026. In the shower, this philosophy manifests itself through characterful tiles that can give your room a unique feel. This tile trend that will take over showers and bathrooms encourages you to play with colors and patterns, but also with tiles that show visible signs of craftsmanship, such as vintage pieces, zellige mosaics or whimsical hand-painted Delft-inspired styles.

Accessibility is an important bathroom shower upgrade trending in 2026. Homeowners are increasingly investing in creating spaces that not only meet immediate needs but can also adapt to lifestyle changes over time. This can include anything from built-in benches and grab bars to wider doors and floorless showers. Luckily, improving your shower's accessibility doesn't mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics. Features such as benches and floorless showers are also considered incredibly modern and design-focused, allowing for customization and eliminating bulky barriers to create a seamless whole.

With a broader move toward biophilic design that emphasizes natural materials that convey the grittiness and tactility of nature, shower trends are also embracing structural elements. Finishes such as microcement, fluted limestone and rough plaster achieve this effect, giving the area a deliberately weathered, earthy look that eliminates the forced symmetry and cleanliness of classic tile walls. Microcement, in particular, is a phenomenal option for bathrooms due to its waterproof properties.

Another popular choice for adding both character and natural warmth to showers in 2026 is bold marble. Statement stone is trending everywhere in interior design and the shower is one of the best places to use it. Marble has always been a popular choice for bathrooms and is considered to be arguably the most luxurious stone in interior design. However, trends are moving away from subtle designs and opting for panels with striking, contrasting grains that can add a sense of drama and depth to the bathroom, such as Arabascato and Breccia Capraia.

A trend that goes hand in hand with the bold marble and microcement styles is the preference for large format tiles. Too many grout lines are becoming a thing of the past as people look for ease of maintenance from a pragmatic perspective and a sense of flow from a design perspective that only uninterrupted surfaces can provide. The seamless look of large format tiles is not only inherently modern, but also calm, creating the same spa-like environment that will continue to dominate bathroom trends in 2026.

Although walk-in showers are the definitive choice for bathrooms in 2026, there is also a curiosity about the luxury that freestanding bathtubs and faucets can offer. These elements give a room an incredibly high-end and tailored look and feel, even if they aren't particularly practical for everyday needs. Alternatively, more traditional models made from metals such as cast iron and copper with ornate claw feet and statement brass hardware can add vintage charm and warmth to your bathroom.

A more niche trend in the world of shower design is shower curtains. When it comes to bathroom partitions, curtains have a bad reputation because they get dirty easily and are unhygienic. But if well cared for, they offer a fantastic opportunity to add decorative flair to the bathroom while counteracting the coldness of stone and tiles. In 2026, designers are opting for floor-to-ceiling curtains for a classic, elegant look. “A longer shower curtain adds elegance to a bathroom while also increasing height by drawing the eye upward,” explained interior designer Gabriela Eisenhart in an interview with Homes & Gardens.

Sustainability is not just a trend, but a central concern in modern design and architecture. It is essential to create homes that last and make efficient use of available resources, and bathrooms are no exception. The shower is one of the most used and therefore most frequently replaced features in the home, but its lifespan can be extended with durable materials. One of the most popular options for shower hardware that is also incredibly stylish is stainless steel. This metal is corrosion-resistant, easy to disinfect, and is typically made from recycled materials, making it easy to recycle.

In addition to durable materials, another innovative way to make showers more sustainable is smart technology that can track and control water and energy consumption. These systems help homeowners make more informed decisions about their spending habits with little to no effort. But intelligent shower technology doesn't stop there. There are automatic glass partitions that can be frosted if desired, underfloor heating for added comfort and waterproof sound systems. Each user can customize the technical settings to their liking, making their shower a truly personalized, spa-worthy experience.

When it comes to wellness, lighting should definitely not be ignored. Interior design has always considered the influence of light and color on the way you experience and inhabit a space, but bathroom design goes one step further by incorporating chronotherapy technology into the shower. Chronotherapy is the use of color and light to treat the body and mind, which fits right in with the desire to transform bathrooms into sanctuaries. That's why customizable, waterproof LED lights that change intensity, heat and color are the mood-setting trend replacing bright bathroom lighting in 2026.

For the more indulgent and luxurious, sunken bathtubs are trending as a lavish alternative to traditional bathtubs and showers. According to Zoe Jones, senior creative producer at Roper Rhodes, these architectural features are more of a status symbol than anything else (according to Sanctuary Bathrooms), but are still becoming a niche interest in high-end, design-led homes. Reminiscent of Roman bathhouses and the Japanese onsen bathing tradition, sunken bathtubs also offer designers the opportunity to hide a primarily functional item in a hole in the floor, while being both classic and modern.

Just because you can't currently install an extravagant sunken bathtub or a majestic freestanding bathtub in your bathroom doesn't mean you can't get in on the personalized feel-good shower trend. The concept of bathroom design essentially means equipping your wet area, whatever it may look like, with products and accessories that will enhance your bathing experience. Think soft towels, candles in your favorite scent, intensely moisturizing shower gels and face masks. Other elements on this list, such as mood lighting and natural or characterful materials throughout, are equally crucial in creating a relaxing, exquisitely tailored atmosphere.