Designers Say These 5 Bathroom Trends Already Feel Dated in 2026

If you’re designing a bathroom, you’re probably going for timeless. No one wants to think the tile they’re splurging on is going to feel dated in just a few years. And that soaking tub you had to have? That could be an expensive lesson to learn when you realize it looks so mid-aughts just a few years after installing it. 

But there’s only so much you can do. Trends will always come and go. Just know some designers have already moved onto the next thing — and in 2026 there are a few bathroom trends they’re already retiring, which I’m bringing you here. Apologies in advance to that fluted white oak vanity that felt incredibly chic just a few years ago (but if you still love yours, then you do you!). What goes around always seems to come around in the home decor world.

A rain shower turns your morning bathroom routine into a serene experience — sometimes. But when you’re in a rush, this luxe trend can feel more annoying than indulgent. “There is one popular bathroom trend I wish would go away for good: the use of a rain showerhead as the sole water source,” says designer Diane Luna. “Because friends, I’m not always in the mood for rain drops atop my head, as if I was caught outside in a downpour.”

Plus, some people install a rain shower thinking they’ll feel as if they’ve stepped into a spa every morning only to find that the reduced water pressure makes it a pain to fully rinse their hair. Luna adds, “Bring back my trusty wall-mount showerhead along with your gorgeous overhead fixture — please and thank you.” This choice is a little more practical for actually getting clean, but a rain shower can be a great secondary water source for those days when you just need a quick rinse.

A perfectly pretty wall of tile can quickly take on a different look when a sleek line of schluter tile is added. These metal strips are a popular design choice, but they’re one some designers are ready to say goodbye to. “Another craze that I dearly hope will slow down is today’s incessant use of schluter strip, in every myriad of not-so-subtle colors, which raced onto the bathroom reno scene with gusto,” says Luna. 

As she explains, a beautiful Carrara marble tile is complemented by a similarly beautiful stone accent rather than adding a slick metal strip. And if you do want to add schluter, maybe limit your application areas. You don’t have to put it everywhere for it to have decorative impact.

Fluted cabinetry felt fresh and modern when it first appeared on the bathroom design scene. But now, in 2026, fluted vanities and muted earth tones seem ubiquitous. Maybe Gail E. Jamentz, founder of Soul Interior Design, sums it up best. “Fluted white-oak cabinetry has been popular for the last few years, but is now starting to appear dated and overdone as noted by its ubiquitous presence on social media,” she says.

Instead, she recommends choosing a timeless yet plain wood vanity or a paint-grade maple wood that’s been lacquered in an intentionally selected color.

“What is our aversion to doors?” asks Meagan Del Marmol, founder and principal at Casa Del Marmol. “Zero-entry showers with no glass or curb sound dreamy until you remember hot air rises, and all that steam escapes, leaving you freezing.” 

That’s not to mention the water that inevitably splashes around the bathroom with an open shower, turning your tile floor into a slip-and-slide situation as soon as you step outside of the designated shower area. Del Marmol suggests bringing back shower doors, and, in spaces with high ceilings, she would even drop the ceiling to create a more contained, cozy shower experience. 

Almost every finish has a time and place, but Del Marmol explains that sometimes a particular one starts to feel overdone — at least for now. And, in 2026, that finish is satin brass. 

“I’ve used it in plenty of bathroom designs,” says Del Marmol. “But too much of a good thing stops being good.”

She notes that part of the appeal of satin or brushed finishes is that fingerprints don’t show, but the trade-off is water spots. And that trade-off isn’t worth looking dated and dull.

Instead, opt for finishes that feel both classic and current. “Polished chrome, polished nickel, and unlacquered brass all carry so much more depth and personality,” adds Del Marmol.