Quick answer
The latest bathroom trends are large-format tiles, matt black and brushed brass brassware, wall-hung toilets with concealed cisterns, walk-in showers replacing baths, and warm, earthy colour palettes. Underfloor heating, integrated storage and layered LED lighting round out the look that’s leading 2026.
What’s actually trending in bathrooms right now
Trends come and go, but a handful have genuinely changed how Plymouth homes do their bathrooms over the last couple of years. Here’s our honest run-through, with a steer on which ones will still look right in ten years and which will start to feel dated sooner.
Large-format tiles and microcement
Big tiles, often 600x1200mm or larger, are everywhere for good reason. Fewer grout lines means a calmer, more seamless wall and far less to keep clean. Microcement, a thin polished render in soft greys and stone tones, gives a similar joint-free finish over walls, floors and even shower trays. Both read as modern without shouting. We’d put these firmly in the “will last” column, as long as you choose a tone you’d live with rather than a here-today colour. Our tiling and flooring work covers both, including the proper waterproofing microcement needs in a wet area.
Matt black and brushed brass brassware
Chrome is no longer the automatic choice. Matt black taps and showers feel sharp against pale tiles, while brushed brass and warm gold bring a softer, slightly heritage feel. They look fantastic in a brochure, but be honest with yourself about upkeep: matt black shows limescale and water spots more readily than chrome, and you’ll want to stick to one metal finish across taps, towel rail and shower for a considered look. If you’re torn, our piece on matt black versus chrome taps weighs it up properly.
Trends that last
- Large-format tiles in stone and neutral tones
- Walk-in showers with a low or level threshold
- Wall-hung toilets and vanities
- Underfloor heating
- Warm, earthy palettes
Trends that may date
- Very bold tile colours and busy patterns
- High-gloss everything
- Statement coloured sanitaryware
- Heavily themed feature walls
- Trend metals chosen on a whim
Layout trends: showers, baths and broken-plan
Walk-in showers replacing baths
The single biggest shift we see in Plymouth homes is the bath coming out in favour of a generous walk-in shower. For couples and anyone past the toddler years, a level-access shower is easier to use, easier to clean and makes a small room feel bigger. A walk-in shower typically runs between £2,500 and £6,500 depending on screen, tray and tiling. One sensible word of caution: if you’re the only home on the street without a bath, it can put off family buyers, so think about who’ll eventually buy before you ditch the tub entirely.
Freestanding baths as the centrepiece
Where there’s room, a freestanding bath remains a genuine want-it feature rather than a passing fad. It anchors a larger bathroom and pairs beautifully with a floor-standing tap. They aren’t for every home, though, and they ask for space and a bit of cleaning around the back. We’ve set out the honest pros and cons in our guide to whether freestanding baths are worth it.
Broken-plan and crittall screens
Black-framed crittall-style shower screens are having a real moment, dividing the showering area without closing it off. Done well it feels architectural and grown-up. Done badly it’s just more frames to wipe. We’d use it sparingly and let the rest of the room stay calm around it.
Comfort and the details that make a room feel current
Wall-hung loos, concealed cisterns and integrated storage
Wall-hung toilets and vanities with concealed cisterns give that floating, easy-to-mop-under look that defines a modern bathroom. The trade-off is a sturdier supporting frame behind the wall, which is exactly the sort of thing to get right during a proper full bathroom installation rather than retrofitting later. Pair it with built-in niches and a vanity that hides the clutter and the room instantly feels considered.
Underfloor heating and warm, earthy palettes
Underfloor heating has gone from treat to near-expected, and on a cold Plymouth morning it earns its keep. It frees up wall space too, since you may not need a big radiator. Alongside it, colour has warmed up: soft terracottas, clays, sage greens and putty tones are replacing cool greys, often with a biophilic touch of timber, stone and a plant or two. These warmer, natural palettes are the ones we’d back to age gracefully.
Smart and layered LED lighting
Good lighting quietly does more than any single fitting. The trend is layers: bright, even task lighting at the mirror, softer ambient light overhead, and warm LED strips under vanities or in niches for the evening. Demist mirrors and dimmable circuits add real day-to-day comfort. If you’re planning a refit, our note on the best lighting for a bathroom is worth a read first.
How it comes together in Plymouth
None of this works as a shopping list of features bolted together. The bathrooms that look right are the ones where finishes, layout and lighting were planned as one. That’s the heart of our bespoke bathroom design service: we steer you toward the trends that suit your home and your budget, and gently away from the ones you’ll tire of. A full bathroom in Plymouth typically lands between £4,075 and £10,870, averaging around £6,340, which is roughly 9% below the UK average, so a current, well-finished room is more within reach here than many homeowners expect.
Common questions
Which bathroom trends will date the fastest?
Bold tile colours, high-gloss finishes and statement coloured sanitaryware tend to date quickest. Calmer choices like large-format neutral tiles, walk-in showers and warm earthy palettes age far better and rarely look wrong a decade on.
Is it worth removing the bath for a walk-in shower?
For most adult households, yes. A walk-in shower is easier to use and clean and makes a small room feel larger, costing roughly £2,500 to £6,500. Just keep one bath in the home if you can, as family buyers often expect one.
How much does an on-trend bathroom cost in Plymouth?
A full bathroom in Plymouth runs between £4,075 and £10,870, averaging around £6,340, about 9% below the UK average. A wet room is £5,545 to £10,810. See our Plymouth cost guide for a fuller breakdown.
Proud Bathroom Fitters, Plymouth
Fancy a bathroom that looks current and lasts?
Tell us about your room and we’ll give you an honest steer on the trends worth your money, plus a clear quote. We cover Plymouth and the surrounding areas.