Designer advice: In or Out? Interior Trends for 2026

15 Jan

As we step into 2026, interiors are shedding the static minimalism of the early decade, embracing spaces that feel grounded, tactile, and deeply personal. Nowhere is this evolution more striking than in bathrooms - rooms once relegated to function are becoming sanctuaries of comfort, craft and character. Here, Leanne, Designer from *Ripples Newbury, unpacks the key ins and outs shaping design this year.*

IN: Sensory materials & tactile layers

Bathrooms in 2026 are about feel as much as look. Gone are slick, cold surfaces - in are materials that invite touch and create sensory depth.

Textured stone and honed finishes replace glossy tiles in many schemes, lending a natural, calm presence.
Terrazzo with oversized aggregate brings warmth and playful scale underfoot and on vanity tops.
Hand-finished plaster and limewash walls add a soft, nuanced backdrop without the sterility of large-format slabs.

This pursuit of texture extends into hardware too, with matte metals, brushed bronze, satin black and soft aged brass, that feel substantive and timeless.

OUT: Sterile minimalism

The sterile, monochrome minimalism of years past, where white-on-white surfaces and ultra-sleek lines dominated, is fading. Now, minimalism is meaningful, not bland: pared-back layouts with carefully curated materials, not empty expanses devoid of personality.

IN: Warm, grounded colour palettes

Colour is having a renaissance in bathrooms - but in grounded, subtle ways.

Earthy greens, from olive to moss, pair beautifully with natural wood and stone.
Warm neutrals like clay, sandstone and latte tones are replacing stark greys.
Deep blues and charcoals anchor contemporary spaces with richness without heaviness.

These palettes take cues from nature, making bathrooms feel like extensions of holistic interior schemes rather than isolated functional zones.

OUT: Ultra-gloss primary colours

Loud primary colours and high-gloss plastics that once marked bold bathroom statements feel out of step. The trend now is refined colour confidence: hues with depth, complexity and a sense of tranquility.

IN: Spa-like wellness features

Bathrooms are overtly wellness-forward in 2026. The focus shifts from looks alone to enhancing wellbeing.

Steam showers, integrated chromotherapy and acoustic design (think subtle soundproofing) create restorative environments.
Warm lighting strategies, including layered LEDs with adjustable warmth, transform bathrooms from harshly lit spaces to places you dwell in.
Freestanding tubs with sculptural profiles double as design focal points and comfort havens.

Wellness isn’t a buzzword here - it’s the infrastructure of space design.

IN: Softer architecture & curved forms

In 2026, interiors are embracing gentler architectural details that soften how spaces look and feel. Curves are everywhere - from arched doorways and rounded niches to softly curved vanity units and sculptural furniture. In bathrooms, this shows up through fluted basins, curved shower screens and organic mirror shapes that break away from harsh lines.

This move towards softer architecture isn’t about decoration for decoration’s sake. It’s about creating interiors that feel more fluid, calming and human. Spaces that invite you in rather than box you out.

IN: Subtle pattern & quiet detail

Pattern is returning in 2026, but in a much more refined and understated way. Rather than bold statements, designers are leaning into quiet pattern. Think micro-checks, gentle stripes, softly veined stone and handmade tiles with natural variation.

In bathrooms, this might be a delicately patterned tile used across a shower wall, or subtle tonal variation within stone or terrazzo that adds depth without overwhelming the space. These details reward closer inspection and add richness without visual noise.

In 2026, bathrooms are becoming personal refuges. Spaces that balance sensory joy, pragmatic comfort, thoughtful sustainability and an increased focus on wellbeing. More broadly, bathroom interiors are growing warmer, quieter and more personal, moving away from cold, overly engineered perfection towards environments that feel layered, lived-in and emotionally comforting. Every material, colour and finish is chosen not just for performance, but for how it supports daily rituals and enhances a sense of calm. Whether you’re designing a serene family bathroom or a luxurious ensuite, these trends point towards interiors that are deeply intentional, beautifully considered and designed to support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Book a design appointment with your local Ripples showroom today and discover how heating can transform your bathroom into a sanctuary.