Bathrooms have evolved from being purely utilitarian spaces to private retreats, places to decompress, recharge, and get refreshed. A great way to change the look and feel of a bathroom is panelling, if these are clean tiles, more textured wall finishes, or continuous surfaces. In fact, a 2024 UK home interiors survey found 72% of homeowners said the bathroom was one of the most important rooms to renovate for comfort and value. A report from Houzz also found that of bathroom remodelling, nearly 1 in 3 include a full upgrade of wall cladding or panels, clear evidence that this trend is only growing!
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With so many exciting options available to us now, bathroom panelling is not just a way to protect walls from water. It has become another way to express our style. Bathroom panelling is now everything from big and bold wallpapers to classic mosaics. Here are 10 bathroom panelling ideas that are sure to be trending in 2026.
1. Seamless Large Format Panels
Larger is better is official in 2026. Large format panels and tiles produce a minimal grout look and bring together a distinctive design style and a clean, hotel feel to your bathroom. Oversized porcelain slabs that emulate a marble base are not only desirable, but you get the look and experience of luxury without the cost of real marble.
| Quick Fact: There are some panels that now reach 3 metres high. With this in mind, large format panelling allows walls big and small to be covered in one single panel or sheet on their entirety, which reduces maintenance of grout and produces a flawless, continuous finish. |
This technique also makes smaller bathrooms feel bigger with less delineation in the space, which hits home if you’re trying to bring style and primarily cleaner aesthetics into your newly renovated bathroom.
2. Soft, Tactile Finishes
Minimalist bathrooms are still in fashion, but now with an extra layer of warmth. Textured finishes, such as limewash, polished plaster, or micro-resins, create a soft touch effect that feels more natural than plain paint.
Not only do the new textures look great, but they also serve a purpose. They are breathable, mould-resistant, and easy to clean, perfect for bathroom use in a humid environment.
| Stats: From 2023 to 2025, sales of lime-based decorative finishes in the UK grew by 18% in part due to homeowners seeking sustainable, non-toxic alternatives to synthetic paints. |
Limit yourself to calming palettes, warm greys, beige, and chalky whites. This can help maintain an airy and spa-like quality.
3. Waterproof Wallpaper
Yes, wallpaper in bathrooms is now not only possible but trendy. With advances in materials, waterproof wallpapers can resist steam, splashes, and cleaning products. It’s a great way to bring personality into a bathroom without serious renovations.
Brands such as Wall&Deco and Glamora are leading the way in producing wallpaper for wet areas such as showers. Imagine tropical patterns behind your bathtub, geometric designs in your shower niche, or even mural-style prints for a luxury spa feel.
| Fun Fact: Waterproof wallpapers can often be applied directly over old tiles, so it’s a fast solution for people wanting an update, without the hassle of tearing everything out. |
4. Small-Format Tiles with Creative Patterns
Small doesn’t mean dull. Compact tiles incorporating herringbone, vertical, or diamond patterns add life and dimension to your bathroom. Just right for feature walls, compact tiles can be an effective way to highlight mirrors, alcoves, or shower areas.
| Stat: The trend report for 2025 published by Pinterest reports that in the UK, searches for “herringbone bathroom tiles” increased by over 60% year on year. |
Regardless of whether you select bold colours or neutral tones, the pattern of layout becomes the statement. Vertical tiles, for example, create an optical illusion of elongated walls, making ceilings look higher.
5. Mix and Match Styles
Why limit yourself to one style when you can mix and match? Mixing tile and grout colours is one of the largest trends of 2026! You can create texture by adding glossy and matte tiles together and maintain viewer interest by mixing different sizes.
Using grout for contrast, for example, black grout against white tiles, can enhance the design by incorporating the grout line as part of the overall design. Alternatively, you can stay subtle with tone-on-tone grout for a uniform overall appearance.
| Pro Tip: Use mix-and-match tiles to define different zones in the bathroom (e.g., the vanity wall or shower area). Practical and stylish! |
6. Wainscoting Effect
Half-height tiling is making a big comeback, particularly in the bathroom with a classic twist. This style, known as wainscoting, is a good option if you’d like the feeling of elegance, without needing to tile right to the ceiling.
Tiles are typically around 120–150 cm high, while the rest of the wall is painted or papered. This method allows you to be playful with colour while still providing durability on the walls where splashes are inevitable.
| Fun Fact: Ceramic wainscoting was made popular during the Victorian era in washrooms and was a practical and clean way to protect walls, while providing some decorative effect. It is exciting to see this trend returning in 2026 with the same charm, while providing a contemporary twist. |
7. Classic Bathroom Mosaics
Classic mosaics always have a place and will never go out of style. Whether shimmering glass tiles or exquisitely handmade stone pieces, the quality of mosaics adds instant elegance to a space. They are ideal for shower niches, borders, or even a full accent wall.
| Stat: According to MarketWatch, the global mosaic tile market is forecasted to reach £10.2 billion by 2027, driven by demand for distinctive artisanal and decorative finishes in luxury homes. |
Choose glossy mosaics if you would like more light reflection, or more muted tones or colours to create a more subtle texture and dimension. Either way, mosaics provide a unique, high-end, custom appearance for your bathroom.
8. 3D and Encaustic Tiles
Texture and pattern are back in a big way. 3D tiles enlist movement and depth all their own, while encaustic cement tiles glow with charm through geometric and floral designs. These products celebrate handcrafted items from bygone years but fit neatly into modern interior schemes.
| Did you know? Encaustic tiles developed in Europe in the mid-19th century and can still be seen in some Victorian hallways. The tiles we are familiar with are now thinner, lighter, and easier to care for, making them very desirable in bathrooms. |
If you choose to place encaustic tiles on the floor like a decorative rug effect or opt for a more obvious statement on the wall, they offer much to any bathroom aesthetic.
9. Light Colours and Glossy Surfaces
Light tones are the oldest trick in the book, and they still remain the go-to item to create the illusion of space in small bathrooms in 2026. White, cream, and light greys reflect light beautifully and with the addition of glossy tiles or resins can bounce bright surfaces over every inch of your space.
| Stat: Research shows that light reflective surfaces create an illusion of increasing a perceived space by as much as 35% – that is huge in a bathroom. |
Now layer this with minimal grout lines, and your bathroom is fresh, open, and clutter-free.
10. Seamless Surfaces for Compact Spaces
If you’re after an uncluttered, tranquil bathing space, seamless materials (think microcement, composite panels, and solid surfaces) are perfect choices. With a seamless material, there are no joins, meaning the wall, floor, and even counter are all part of the same surface, which provides continuity.
| Quick Fact: Solid surfaces like Hi-Macs or Corian are solid nonporous surfaces, meaning 99.9% of bacteria have a hard time surviving on it, a win for general hygiene! |
They are also super durable and easy to clean, meaning they are a popular choice in family bathrooms and high-traffic areas.
Extra Tips for Choosing Bathroom Panelling
- Budget: Although slabs can make a major impact, there is also some real value in mosaics and smaller tiles for accent areas.
- Think Maintenance: If you’re going with a lighter grout colour, it may mean more frequent cleaning. Darker colours may disguise stains better.
- Plan your lighting: The way wall textures and gloss finishes read will differ under natural lighting to artificial lighting, so it is advisable to always test your samples.
- Future-proofing: Aim for classic design for the core part of the bathroom, and keep the bold designs on smaller panels, especially if you are planning to update!
How Buon Construction Can Help
At Buon Construction, we know a bathroom renovation is an important investment. Selecting the right wall and floor panels will not only transform the look of your bathroom but will also revolutionize how it feels and functions every day.
If you love luxurious large-format panels, classic mosaics, or innovative options for compact spaces, our well-versed team will help you explore the latest trends for the 2026 bathroom and adapt these for your home.
We will take your project from design through to installation, and we will ensure that we achieve a bathroom design that ticks all the boxes for style, function, and quality that lasts. Having completed renovations on homes throughout Nottingham and beyond, we know how to design a bathroom that adds comfort and functionality, and value.
Want to elevate your bathroom renovation? Contact Buon Construction today, and let’s turn your dream bathroom panelling ideas into a reality.
Final Thoughts
Bathroom panels are among the simplest ways to incorporate both style and functionality. With a wide range of designs available from minimalist slabs to textured finishes, there is a panel to meet every taste and budget.
If you are starting a Nottingham bathroom renovation, Buon Construction can make your ideas a reality! Whether you are undertaking a full renovation or simply replacing your bathroom wall panelling, we can build you a space that is stylish, high-quality, durable, and long-lasting!
