By Maddie Cochran Interiors 15.04.2026

The Unexpected Bathroom Trend Making a Comeback

What was once considered kitsch is returning in a way that feels fresh, not fussy.

It was once an afterthought, now a room to be designed with detail and intention – the powder room (a smaller bathroom with only a toilet and a sink) has regained status as a considered space within the home.

In 2026 we’re witnessing a renewed appetite for colour, texture, and nostalgia in corners of the home that are meant to instil a sense of calm. The inherently petite dimensions of a powder room give people permission to play – to be a bit bolder with their stylistic choices, to create something cocooning.

Sitting at the top of that experimental list? Pink. It’s joyful! It’s flattering! It’s anything but dull. The perfect backdrop for your daily wellness rituals.

And this rose-coloured renaissance isn’t limited to the powder room. In full-scale bathrooms, pink is being reimagined as a statement tile choice, a tonal wall colour, or a subtle accent through towels and accessories.

Here’s how to dip your toe into the latest trend.

Start with the powder room

If you’re hesitant to commit, the powder room is the ideal place to begin. Powder rooms date back to 18th-century Europe, where they were used as private spaces for guests to “powder” their wigs and freshen up, separate from the more functional washrooms of the home. You're likely using it for different reasons now, but that sense of separation from the rest of the house as an intimate space still holds today.

Because it’s smaller, more self-contained, and not tied to your everyday routine in the same way, you can afford to be a little bolder here. Test out a bright blush-hued wall or a playful fuchsia tile before deciding whether you want to carry the look into a larger bathroom.

Wrap the walls

An accent wall is decorative. Painting every wall pink is an experience. Opt for a gentle and dusky shade to help soften joinery and blur the edges of the room. This will create a sense of depth within quite a small footprint, and totally envelop your senses. Pink has a unique ability to match your mood; in the morning (when you need it most) this colour can feel sun-drenched or energising and, come nighttime, it’s cosy and restorative.

Shop for the right shade

There is a way to add impact and warmth without making your bathroom feel busy, and that’s by working with the rest of the room. If your space receives a lot of natural light, a blush pink will provide just the right amount of whimsy. If you’ve got dark wood or rustic tones popping up elsewhere, then a berry or mauve with earthier undertones is going to work beautifully with this palette.

Let tiles do the talking

This is how you can incorporate movement and sculpture into a small space, up the walls or across the floor. Pink tiles are fun and unexpected because you also get to experiment with their form; checkerboard, zellige, pennyround, herringbone, mosaic. Make a statement while keeping things functional. Your bathroom needs tiles so it’s an easy choice to let them drive the overall design.

Have it pop in unexpected places

For those feeling a bit more hesitant, there is of course an option to pull it back, and let pink pop in smaller ways. The bathroom basin can be a powder pink, or even the hardware. Colourful bath linen can catch the eye. Wall paper with pink hues woven through is another great way to test the waters. You don’t have to go all-out in the beginning. You can build confidence with a pint-sized amount of pink.

Pick a fun colour pairing

Rumour has it pink and orange make an excellent pair. Purple works beautifully, as does emerald green. So if the phrase ‘more is more’ does not scare you, this is a great place to start. Not only will these dramatic colour combos boost your mood, it makes for an excellent conversation starter when guests finally get to step inside. Imagine the content, too. (If that’s your thing.)

Dare to drench

Now that you have the tools and inspiration to play with certain segments of your bathroom or powder room, our final suggestion is to remove overthinking and just drench the space in pink. You’re still working with different shades and textures, but this level of cohesion has a distinctly modern feel to it. The drama is equally romantic and sophisticated.