Houzz 2026 Report: The Bathroom Sanctuary Homeowners Are Scrambling For Despite Sky-High Prices

XL shower cabin, softened lighting, storage hidden behind broad façades: by 2026, the bathroom is no longer content with being merely practical. The latest Houzz renovation report shows homeowners shifting a sizable portion of their budget toward this room, far beyond simple tile replacement or fixture updates.

The study “2026 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study,” based on 1,619 respondents, confirms a shift in usage: the bathroom becomes a space where one stays. According to Real Simple, “the latest Houzz trends report shows how homeowners prioritize their budgets for a better bathroom experience, and the big takeaway is that half of renovators spend more time in this room and add features that make it the ideal place to relax and enjoy.” The decor of a true sanctuary is taking shape.

Bathroom Trends 2026: What the Houzz Report Reveals

At the heart of the 2026 bathroom trends, well-being takes the lead. The Houzz report states that “half of people who renovated their bathroom say they spend more time there than before the work.” The elements that foster this sense of relaxation often include: a shower large enough to move, a space easy to keep clean, organized storage, more natural light, and adjustable lighting that creates a soft ambiance in the evening.

This quest for comfort comes at a price. For a major renovation of the primary bathroom, the median is around $25,000, about €23,000, and the top 10% climbs to $70,000, near €65,000. In larger spaces, the median reaches $30,000 (about €28,000), versus $18,000, almost €17,000, for smaller bathrooms. These figures from Houzz studies serve as benchmarks rather than exact templates to copy.

XXL Showers, Wet Rooms and Vanities: Everyday Comfort Revisited

The first major move highlighted by the Houzz report is to enlarge the shower. About one in two homeowners increases the shower area, and nearly 26% remove the bathtub entirely to reclaim space. New showers often feature a low threshold (47%) or a threshold-free format (24%), for easy entry without stepping over. The report and the Real Simple article also point to the rise of “wet rooms,” fully tiled bathroom spaces where the shower blends into the overall volume, valued for accessibility, optimal space use, and easier maintenance.

Vanities follow suit. Houzz notes that 21% of renovators choose a vanity longer than 72 inches, about 1.80 m, and 64% opt for a double sink. Real Simple describes “oversized furniture outfitted with built-in outlets and organizers that make personal care routines easier to manage.” This duo of XXL shower plus generous cabinetry delivers tangible comfort: each person has their own space, products, and lighting without getting in the way.

Colors, High-Tech Toilets and Sustainable Options for a True Sanctuary

On the decor front, the Houzz report shows that 34% of renovators rework an accent wall in the bathroom. The wall stands out first by a motif (53%), then by color (48%), material (45%), or texture (25%). The most chosen accent hues are blue and white, each at 19%, while beige makes inroads on shower walls (13%). Real Simple confirms that the accent wall remains central, but the motif, more than the mere color, now provides the “wow” effect sought in a spa-like ambiance.

Comfort also extends to the toilet. According to Houzz, 47% of new bathrooms incorporate specialty-function toilets: bidet-type seat in 31% of cases, adjustable pressure in 30%, air-drying in 28%, heated seat in 27%. In parallel, 82% of projects include at least one sustainable choice, with LED lighting in half of the renovations and water-saving fixtures in 38% of cases. Motivations are shared between long-term savings (66%) and environmental impact (56%), which brings the bathroom a bit closer to 2026 as a sanctuary of well-being that is both comfortable and responsible.