Say Goodbye To Predictable Bathroom Tiles: How To Choose Something More Enticing

If we're honest, bathroom tiles have always felt like a place where people play it safe. Are you eying your own bathroom now? It's probably tiled with pale pink or minty green, the kinds of colors that are safe and clean but are quickly forgotten. It's easy to see why this trend has prevailed, since it's the easy route to go. However, the time has come for change and one of the bathroom tile trends for 2026 entails moving away from these predicable, soft tones into warmer and bolder choices.

The host of "Tile Trends x Tile Club" podcast, Lindsay Fluckiger, told Better Homes & Gardens that in 2026 we should expect to see much more refined colors dominating our bathroom floors. "In 2026, instead of icy pastels, the colors trending now are warmer and more sophisticated: blush, clay, cocoa, soft greens, and other earthy tones," Fluckiger said. Other designers agree. This shift from the expected is something we're seeing across our home design more generally, so now it's the bathroom's time for a little upgrade. 

And it isn't just the colors where we'll see shift; layout is changing, too. Bathrooms have so long been dominated by the classic small square tile that it's almost second nature to lean in that direction, but according to interior designers, we're about to see much more stacked patterns as well as decorative trim. These trends aren't about turning the whole vibe of your bathroom on its head; it's just about injecting a little more intentionality and personality into the space.

So, in 2026 we're waving goodbye to predicable tiles, and here are the ways you can make this work in your own home. It's not actually about going futuristic or overly bold in order to make a statement; sometimes it's just about using familiar styles in different ways. There are many tile shapes and styles to try, and, in fact, leaning into the imperfect with rustic, slightly eroded edges is one tile trend that you may start seeing more of.

Height is another easy way to upgrade. This is a great call for anyone with a smaller space: Running the tiles further up the wall will draw the eyes upwards and give you a sense of height and intentionality, making the overall feel much more interesting. And texture matters, too, particularly because lighting plays a role in picking tiles more than you may expect. Going for a glossy finish will bounce light around and this is the year we're brightening up. Why? Because glossy tiles are tapped to be "in."

And if you're not ready for a full refurbishment, that's fine, too. Even just installing a tiled shower niche, backsplash strip, or accent wall can let you test some of these ideas. It isn't about abandoning classic tile trends altogether; sometimes it's just about reimagining them and putting them together in less predictable ways that really pay off.