The Bathroom Cabinets That Will Take Over 2026 Trends

For a while, bathrooms were left plain, with an all-white scheme usually dominating the space. However, 2026 will see a shift from that norm, with nature, fun colors and textures, and patterns making bathrooms shine. One trend worth noting now is the pivot from painted cabinets to stained ones — a prime example of how people are shifting focus towards natural elements in their bathroom design. 

There are a few reasons stain is a great option in your bathroom, but the biggest two are that it makes the space feel welcoming and it lasts a long time. "Not only are stained cabinets more durable than painted, the texture and tone provide an additional layer of warmth to the space that makes a bathroom feel rich and timeless," Meg Lonergan, founder of Meg Lonergan Interiors in Houston and Austin, told Southern Living. 

Timeless is a key point here. With paint, it can seem like the colors you chose go out of fashion after just a year or two, but wood stains rarely feel outdated or don't work well in a space. They temporarily vanished in favor of bright paints but are now coming back as people realize that you can use both finishes at the same time. 

There are a few reasons why stained cabinets are exciting. Paint can peel, chip, or get scratched, and to make it look nice again, you have to take off the old paint and reapply a new layer. These issues aren't as common with staining. This type of cabinet finish also usually requires less regular maintenance to keep it looking fresh and new.

Stains are often cheaper than paint. Another positive with stained cabinets is that they allow you to take advantage of the natural textures and patterns in the wood, which are hard to replicate using paint. With nature, sustainability, and authenticity making a huge comeback in design, stained wood is the perfect way to add a bit of depth to your bathroom.

However, there are a few downsides. For one, stain limits your color choices. Additionally, it doesn't work quite the same as paint, so you need to learn how to use it (if it's your first time, check out these helpful tips DIYers will want to know before using wood stain). The lower cost of stain will also be offset by the expensive wood you'll want to buy if you want it to look nice under the finish; stain doesn't mask the natural appearance of the wood, so unsightly aspects like uneven grains and knots will stand out if the wood is cheap. 

Opting for stained cabinetry doesn't mean you have to give up paint completely. Many colors pair well with stained wood, so you can create a beautiful blend of the two finishes. For example, the popular gray-green colors like Pigeon (No. 25) by Farrow and Ball work quite well with dark-colored stains, allowing you to incorporate both into your bathroom in 2026. There are a few other wood stain and paint color combos that will look stunning in your home as well, so rest assured, you aren't limited in your choices.

Additionally, with all-white bathrooms going out of style, stains are the perfect way to create a moody atmosphere to replace the sterile brightness you used to see in bathrooms, according to Emily "Bird" Lambert of Bird's Eye Design in Atlanta. "Clients are asking for moody colors paired with dark woods, warm metals, and stones full of movement," Lambert told Southern Living.

While stained cabinetry is coming to bathrooms in 2026, that's not the only place this trend will shine. It's also a great idea for kitchens. Placing it in both rooms lets you make the most of your stain, but it also ties together multiple parts of the home. Just be sure you know all the pros and cons and fully consider your options before staining wood cabinets to avoid any regrets.