Bathroom Design Predictions – Specifier Review

By interior designer Tayla Exter, director at SEVEN & CO, exhibiting at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show

As homeowners, we rarely stop to consider just how much time we spend in our bathrooms each day. It’s one of the most personal spaces in the home, yet often one of the most overlooked. As we move into 2026, the bathroom is firmly stepping into the spotlight, with new product releases and evolving design values shaping a more thoughtful, character-driven approach.

Below we share our top three-bathroom design predictions for 2026—trends that prioritise depth, individuality, and longevity.

Prediction 01 — Layered Tile Design

The use of multiple tile types is set to become a defining feature of bathroom design in 2026. Layering tiles naturally elevates a space, allowing you to introduce contrast through texture, finish, and scale.

By using more than two tiles, you create visual interest while subtly zoning areas such as showers, vanity walls, and floors. These design choices often work on a subconscious level, guiding how the space is experienced without the need for physical divisions.

For 2026, we’re designing bathrooms with a minimum of three different tiles, creating depth through thoughtful material combinations rather than relying on a single surface throughout.

Prediction 02 — Sustainable & Repurposed Materials

There is a growing awareness that many modern bathroom products lack character and contribute to unnecessary waste. In response, 2026 will see a continued shift towards sustainable and repurposed materials.

Whether it’s an antique console repurposed as a vanity, reclaimed tiles used for a feature wall, or salvaged stone reintroduced into a new setting, these elements bring individuality and soul to a bathroom. Beyond sustainability, they create spaces that feel collected rather than manufactured bathrooms that truly become personal sanctuaries.

Prediction 03 — Brushed Nickel Finishes

Shiny chrome and high-gloss finishes are making way for something softer and more timeless. Brushed nickel is emerging as a leading choice, offering a subtle nod to traditional design while still feeling contemporary.

Now widely available from mid- to high-end suppliers, brushed nickel provides flexibility across a range of budgets. It’s also a practical option—particularly in high limescale areas—where water marks are far less visible than on polished chrome or matte black finishes. The result is a finish that is both beautiful and low-maintenance.

A SEVEN & CO Example

In our Blacksmith Heritage Bathroom project in Surrey, we brought these principles together by layering two different tiles alongside a stone shower tray, creating three distinct hard surfaces. This was paired with a repurposed antique console used as a vanity, reinforcing both sustainability and character within the design.

To celebrate winning Best Bathroom Design – Surrey at the UK Property Awards this January, Seven & Co is offering discounted rates on bathroom design and project management packages for projects signed during the month.

For anyone planning a bathroom renovation in 2026, SEVEN & CO offers a considered, design-led approach to creating spaces with lasting character.

Free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show are available at www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/, where the team will be exhibiting at Stand F107 at the Farnborough International Centre from 17–18 January.