4 Controversial Throwback Trends Coming for Your Bathroom

You’re not the only one making a New Year’s resolution. When it comes to bathroom trends, designers are stepping outside the predictable motifs and welcoming throwback elements with open arms. 

We asked 140 interior designers to give us their insight with Apartment Therapy’s 2026 State of Home Design Survey. And while some of the bathroom trends the pros are predicting may raise an eyebrow for previously being thought of as “so over,” they can work in unexpected ways. 

“Kohler just showed their vintage colored bathroom products, and I think designers and homeowners are becoming more open to colors that match the rest of their decor instead of just a plain white,” says designer Marlaya Ross of Studio One Nine Design. Colorful fixtures are just the start, though. Shower curtains and even carpeted bathroom floors are also making comebacks. See what the pros have to say here. What’s old is new again. 

Remember when you smirked at your grandma’s pastel tub? Not anymore. Tubs, sinks, and toilets in shades of pink, yellow, and green — as well as moody hues like navy and oxblood — are a quirky design move worth considering. “We’ve all gone neutral, but a deep enamel green or even burnished copper feels fresh, collected, and just a little rebellious,” says designer Evan Millárd, who does not underestimate the power of a statement tub. 

Designers like Paige W. Dick of Paige Designs and Cara Fineman of DAG Design are also embracing the bathroom fixture shades of the 1970s. “When they’re done in muted tones like olive, clay, or sand, they add warmth and history instead of feeling retro,” adds designer Lauren Swabb of Swabb Studios.

The vintage bathroom vibe is further enhanced with fabric shower curtains over contemporary glass doors. Even better, no major renovation is required to embrace this trend if you already have a tub/shower combo. “A controversial feature I’m ready to see make a comeback is shower curtains instead of glass,” says designer Diane Roth of The Rath Project. 

Using such a prominent textile in your design scheme gives a bathroom a more organic, softer feel on the whole. I’ve even seen shower curtains installed from the ceiling down or behind an arched opening, with the drapes artfully around the tub. It’s a design feature that plays well with another 2026 trend, the alcove bath. The more fabric, the more dramatic the installation. 

White subway tile, a tried-and-true classic, has its place, but designers are moving toward bolder territories. “I’m ready for colorful tiles to take center stage again — but in a more refined, organic way,” says designer Cathryn Erickson of Cathryn Lindsey Design. She suggests shades such as earthy greens, ochres, and inky blues that feel collected rather than loud. “I love the look of hand-painted or artisanal tile, too, with a bit of variation and depth,” Erickson adds. “It instantly adds warmth, craftsmanship, and character to a bathroom.”

Hear me out. Carpet in the bathroom can work, as long as you approach it the right way. “Think textured wool or sisal underfoot, paired with stone insets and impeccable ventilation,” says Jordan Vaughn of Alayna Louise Interiors. “It’s about warmth, intimacy, and breaking the sterile spa aesthetic.” 

One look at the “incredibly chic” carpeting in Lily Allen’s Brooklyn bathroom, which was designed by Billy Cotton, is a true testament to this throwback trend, adds designer Kevin O’Gara of Kevin Francis Design. This one isn’t for everyone, but if you can find a way to make it hygienic and modern, feel free to go for it! The risk could be worth the design reward.