7 Bathroom Fixtures That Can Look Outdated In 2026
Your bathroom might feel modern today, but styles change faster than ever. What seems fresh and trendy now could look like a relic from the past in just a couple of years.
As smart home technology advances and sustainability becomes more important, certain bathroom fixtures are likely to fall out of favor by 2026. Here’s what might soon scream ‘outdated’ in your bathroom.
The trends mentioned reflect current industry insights and may change over time or by location.
1. Chrome-Finished Everything
Remember when every bathroom featured shiny chrome faucets, towel bars, and shower heads? Those days are numbered. Designers are embracing warmer metal finishes like brushed brass, matte black, and champagne bronze that add character while hiding water spots and fingerprints.
Mixing metals is becoming the norm rather than matching everything. Bathrooms with all-chrome fixtures will soon look as dated as avocado-colored toilets did from the 1970s.
2. Rainfall Showerheads Without Smart Features
Basic rainfall showerheads are losing their luxury appeal fast. Without built-in Bluetooth speakers, temperature displays, or water conservation technology, these once-impressive fixtures will seem primitive by 2026.
New smart showerheads track water usage, adjust pressure based on your preferences, and even integrate with home assistants. Some even remember your perfect temperature and flow settings for each family member!
3. Standard Porcelain Pedestal Sinks
Plain white pedestal sinks are quickly becoming bathroom relics. Forward-thinking homeowners are installing statement vessel sinks made from unique materials like hammered copper, natural stone, or colored glass that serve as artistic focal points.
Wall-mounted floating vanities with integrated sinks create a sleeker look while maximizing floor space. The old porcelain pedestal will soon signal to guests that your bathroom hasn’t been updated in decades.
4. Water-Wasting Toilets
Older toilets that use 3+ gallons per flush will stick out like sore thumbs by 2026. Eco-conscious homeowners are switching to ultra-high-efficiency models that use less than a gallon while providing superior flushing power.
Smart toilets with built-in bidets, self-cleaning functions, and seat warmers are becoming mainstream. Some even analyze waste for health monitoring! Standard toilets without any water-saving or smart features will soon mark your bathroom as behind the times.
5. Frosted Glass Shower Doors
Those cloudy, textured shower doors that were everywhere in the 2010s? They’re rapidly falling out of favor. Sleek, frameless clear glass panels with special coatings that repel water and prevent spotting are taking center stage.
For privacy-seekers, smart glass that turns opaque with the touch of a button is the new frontier. Traditional frosted glass now signals dated design choices rather than modern sophistication.
6. Builder-Grade Lighting Fixtures
Horizontal row lights above your vanity mirror (often called “Hollywood lights”) scream early 2000s. Bathroom lighting is evolving toward layered approaches with pendant lights, sconces at eye level, and ambient lighting that creates a spa-like atmosphere.
Color-changing LED fixtures that adjust from energizing morning light to relaxing evening tones are becoming standard. Bathrooms with single overhead fixtures or basic vanity lights will look woefully outdated by 2026.
7. Standard Bathtubs Without Jets Or Features
Plain soaking tubs without any special features are quickly becoming bathroom dinosaurs. Modern bathtubs include chromotherapy lighting, built-in bluetooth speakers, and self-cleaning whirlpool jets that won’t harbor mold or bacteria.
Freestanding tubs crafted from materials like natural stone, copper, or matte-finished composites create stunning focal points. Japanese-inspired soaking tubs with minimal footprints offer deep immersion while saving space, making standard tubs look clunky and uninspired.
