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Shades of red are everywhere in the home. Just recently, we spotted a burgundy leather bench, a living room drenched in oxblood limewash, and cherry-hued kitchen windows. It’s the color everyone wants to try these days…well, except in their bathrooms. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 trends report, red is one of the least-favored colors for bathrooms.
The organization polled nearly 700 professionals, from designers to showroom employees, on what bathrooms will look like in 2026, revealing a steady love for neutrals (off-white, light brown, white) followed by shades of green and blue. Not on their radar for next year? Red. A mere 28% of respondents predicted it would be a dominant color trend for next year. But don’t be in a rush to write this less-liked bathroom color off. When used in the right way, it can make a bathroom instantly cheerful or moody, depending on the shade.
Explore Lava Stone
Dorothée Meilichzon went wild with lava stone (a natural and super-durable material that comes from volcanoes) in the bathrooms at Cowley Manor Experimental. Each space stars a different hue, but this classic red might be our favorite. Paired with a soft pink and touches of live greenery, it doesn’t feel so overpowering.
Contain It in the Shower
According to the report, of all the red shades out there that designers can get behind, burgundy is at the top. The dark red tiles in this steam shower designed by Hudson + Bloum Design add to the Deer Valley home’s cozy cabin vibes.
Pair it With Botanical Wallpaper
Louise Roe took her red bathroom, painted with Edward Bulmer’s Pomadour, in a cottage-y direction with lots of paneling and Living Quarters’ Toadlax wallpaper print.
Carry It Onto Accent Pieces
In this children’s bathroom, a bold candy-apple red vanity ties together touches of the hue that appear in the whimsical mosaic backsplash, curtains, and lighting sconces.
Take It Floor to Ceiling
A red with orange undertones, which steers it toward a muted coral, makes this cozy home office’s powder room feel extra-chic. Neutral accessories, like the soft charcoal gray sink skirt and roman window shade, balance out the boldness.
Cool It Down with Checkerboard
As this pine cabin in Brunswick, Maine, proves, there’s a whole spectrum of red to consider, and the most dramatic shades are just the tip of the color iceberg. Here, the homeowner’s use of rust-colored checkerboard tile works together with polished brass hardware and touches of wood to create an Alpine spa–like feel.
Go High Gloss in a Small Space
Neutrals are the name of the game throughout this London Victorian—until you get to this jewel box of a powder room where ruby red high-gloss paint stretches from floor to ceiling to deliciously dramatic effect.