Bathtub Trends for 2026 and 2027: What Is In, What Is Out, and Whether to Keep Your Tub

This is Badeloft's guide to where the bathtub stands right now: the trends shaping the tubs people are buying, and the growing case for not having one at all. It comes from the team that designs and builds freestanding stone resin tubs, led by founder Eric Jensen, so we have a stake in the answer and we will show our work.

We lean on the trade data rather than our own opinion. The National Kitchen and Bath Association's 2026 Bath Trends Report, built from nearly 700 designers, remodelers and manufacturers, found that 55% of them now rank a bigger shower above having a bathtub. That is the backdrop for every trend below.

When we say bathtub trends, we mean both the look of the tub (shape, material, color) and the bigger question of whether a tub still belongs in your bathroom. If you're remodeling a primary bath and wondering whether the tub earns its floor space, this answers that first. If you have young kids and one tub in the house, there is a resale rule you should know before you tear it out. And if you already know you want a tub and just want it to look current in five years, the trend sections are for you.

By the end you will have a clear verdict for your own house (keep the tub, move it, or remove it), a read on which tub styles are gaining ground and which are fading, and a way to work out what a tub really costs you per bath.

We start with the out-of-style question, then walk through 13 tub trends grouped by form, material and color, and function, then look at where tubs are headed in 2027. So, are bathtubs actually going out of style?

Are Bathtubs Going Out of Style?

No, but the tub is moving. Fewer homes want a tub in every bathroom, and many primary baths are trading the tub for a large walk-in shower. What is fading is the alcove tub-shower combo and the tub nobody uses. What is holding on is one tub the household actually soaks in, and one tub somewhere in the house for kids and resale.

The evidence cuts both ways. The NKBA figure above shows the trade leaning toward showers. An older Houzz survey points the same way but more gently: in 2017, about 27% of the more than 1,200 homeowners working on a master bath removed the tub, and 91% of those did it to fit a larger shower. That also means most renovators kept theirs. The design press is split too, with pieces arguing tubs are on the way out running alongside roundups of the best new freestanding tubs.

The people who have lived with the decision are the most useful guide. In one Houzz forum thread on tub removal, most respondents said they would take a great shower over a primary-bath tub, as long as another bathroom kept one. Another homeowner described using a master tub three times in twenty years. Resale advice on Quora and in forums lands in the same place: a house needs at least one bathtub to sell easily, because families with small children bathe them in one.

The Keep, Move or Remove Verdict

We sort every tub decision into three verdicts, and the deciding factors are who lives in the house and how many tubs it has.

• Keep the tub if it is the only tub in the house, if you have children under about eight, or if you plan to sell within a few years. Removing the last tub narrows your buyer pool more than any finish choice can make up for.
• Move the tub if you soak often but hate the tub-shower combo. Pull the tub out of the shower alcove, give the shower the full footprint, and set a freestanding soaking tub where it can be a destination rather than an obstacle.
• Remove the tub if another bathroom keeps one, nobody in the house takes baths, and you are staying put. A larger, low-threshold shower is the better daily fixture, and it is the safer choice if you plan to age in place.

Picture a couple with two kids under six and one full bath upstairs plus a primary bath with a jetted tub they never use. The hall tub stays, because that is bath time for the kids and the resale tub. The primary gets the verdict to move: the jetted tub comes out, the shower grows, and if a soak still matters to one of them, a compact freestanding soaker goes under the window. The house keeps a tub where it counts and loses the one that was only in the way.

If you are planning to stay in the home as you get older, weigh step-over height and floor clearance above style. The National Institute on Aging's home safety tips for older adults recommend grab bars in the tub or shower, so leave wall space for one and choose a tub you can step into without strain.

To reach your own verdict:

1. Count the tubs in the house and note which bathroom each one is in.
2. Ask who actually takes baths, and how often, over a normal month.
3. Decide whether you are likely to sell in the next five years.
4. Run the three answers through the verdict tool below before you commit to demolition.

Freestanding as the Gold Standard

The freestanding bathtub has solidified its position as the undisputed centerpiece of the modern luxury bathroom. No longer relegated to a corner or an alcove, the freestanding tub is intentionally placed to create a powerful focal point, often in the center of the room or positioned to take advantage of a window view. This placement transforms the tub from a simple fixture into a deliberate design statement, signaling a commitment to luxury and relaxation. Its popularity is a key driver behind the trend of expanding bathroom footprints, as a freestanding model requires more surrounding space to achieve its full visual impact. The style is versatile, appearing in everything from modern, sleek slipper designs to classic clawfoot models, which are making a major comeback with updated finishes like matte black or brushed gold.

The dominance of the freestanding tub marks a definitive conceptual shift in the bathroom's hierarchy. In the past, the vanity or the shower might have been the primary design focus. Today, the bathtub commands that role. This is because the freestanding tub, more than any other element, symbolizes the bathroom's transformation into a space for leisure and indulgence rather than mere utility. Its very form, unattached and sculptural, implies that it is an object of contemplation and a destination for relaxation, not just a tool for hygiene. Its presence declares that the room's primary purpose has evolved to include unhurried, restorative experiences.

The clean, modern shape is where interest is moving fastest: "modern freestanding tub" is among the fastest-rising freestanding tub searches in Google Trends this year, up 90%. Buyers are skipping ornate feet and heavy rolled rims for simple ovals and soft rectangles that sit quietly in the room.

A freestanding tub is not the right call for every room, though. It needs clearance on all sides to look intentional and to clean behind: if you cannot fit a hand and a cloth between the tub and the wall, dust and water will collect where you cannot reach. If your room is under about 5 by 8 feet, a freestanding tub usually crowds it, and a well-designed alcove or a walk-in shower serves you better. If the room is larger, or you are borrowing space from a closet, freestanding is where the payoff is.

Say you have a primary bath that is 9 by 11 feet and you want the tub under the window. Leave enough room behind it to clean, center it on the window rather than the room, and let the floor-mounted filler stand at one end. The tub becomes the first thing you see from the doorway, which is the whole point of going freestanding.

The Sculptural Statement: Tubs as Functional Art

The modern bathtub has evolved far beyond its utilitarian roots to become the centerpiece of contemporary bathroom design, a true sculptural statement that merges form and function. Today's designers increasingly treat the bathtub as a work of art, using it to anchor the entire visual composition of the space.

What makes a tub read as sculpture is mostly proportion and surface. A thin, even rim, a single unbroken curve from base to lip, and a matte stone resin finish that softens light instead of reflecting it do more than any decorative detail. That is the brief we design Badeloft tubs to, and it is a useful test in any showroom: stand back three steps and ask whether the tub would still look deliberate with the faucet removed.

The ascent of the sculptural tub is intrinsically linked to the cultural phenomenon of "quiet luxury." This ethos prioritizes understated elegance, superior craftsmanship, and personal experience over overt displays of wealth. A statement bathtub is the perfect embodiment of this concept. Unlike a luxury car or a designer handbag, it is an intensely private indulgence, its value derived from the personal sanctuary it creates rather than its visibility to the outside world. The investment in a high-cost, high-craftsmanship piece that resides in the home's most intimate space signifies a focus on sophisticated taste and personal well-being. It represents a new way of expressing affluence: not through public consumption, but through the private, daily experience of artful living.

The Therapeutic Soak: Japanese-Inspired and Extra-Deep Designs

Driven by an intense global focus on wellness, a significant demand has emerged for bathtubs engineered for deep, immersive, and therapeutic soaking. This trend manifests in two primary forms: the compact, upright Japanese-style soaking tub (or ofuro) and other Western models designed with extra depth for full-body submersion. Both prioritize the restorative benefits of hydrotherapy over the simple act of bathing. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has described bathrooms evolving into wellness spaces built around self-care, with deep soaking tubs among the features driving that shift. You can see the idea in Japanese-style soaking tubs, which trade length for depth so you sit upright and submerged to the shoulders in a smaller footprint.

Searches for "japanese style soaking tub" are up 60% in Google Trends over the past year, and the appeal is practical as much as aesthetic: a deep, short tub fits bathrooms that could never take a 67-inch soaker.

This preference for therapeutic tubs is a clear reflection of the broader consumer shift from a goods-based economy to an "experience economy." In this model, consumers increasingly prioritize spending on activities and memorable events over material possessions. A deep, meditative soak is not just a bath; it is a ritualized experience of relaxation, mindfulness, and escape. By installing a Japanese-style or extra-deep tub, homeowners are effectively "insourcing" a recurring, high-value spa experience into their daily lives. The product becomes a facilitator for a ritual, aligning perfectly with the desire to integrate repeatable, high-quality wellness moments into the fabric of the home, which has become the primary venue for self-care.

The Embrace of the Curve: Organic and Flowing Forms

Across bathroom design, the dominance of sharp, angular lines is receding, making way for soft, organic, and curved silhouettes that evoke a sense of calm and a connection to the natural world. Bathtubs are at the forefront of this movement, with oval shapes, asymmetrical profiles, and fluid lines becoming increasingly prevalent. As Natalie Bird, brand marketing manager at Roca, observed of the 2025 design year, "bathroom design will continue to move away from the dominance of harsh, angular lines in favor of softer, more organic shapes… today's interpretation is more fluid and connected to nature." This trend extends beyond the tub itself to encompass curved mirrors, arched faucets, and rounded lighting fixtures, creating a cohesive and gentle aesthetic throughout the space. Oval tubs, in particular, are noted for their sleek, elegant look that works in a variety of design contexts. Even stone, a traditionally rigid material, is being reinterpreted into fluid forms, with designs featuring basins that "curve inward as if drawn by water" and bathtubs that "swell at one side before tapering away."

This widespread adoption of curves is a powerful, if often subconscious, application of biophilic design principles. Biophilic design focuses on strengthening the human connection to nature within the built environment to improve well-being. While often associated with plants and natural light, it also incorporates "natural analogues": forms, patterns, and materials that mimic the natural world. In nature, harsh right angles are a rarity; curves, waves, and gentle, flowing lines are the norm. By choosing a curved bathtub, designers are tapping into an innate human preference for these non-threatening, organic forms, which many designers credit with making a room feel calmer. This trend is therefore more than a stylistic preference; it is a sophisticated design strategy to craft a space that feels inherently serene and restorative.

Material Honesty: The Reign of Stone, Wood, and Solid Surfaces

Authenticity in materials has become a cornerstone of luxury bathroom design, with a clear preference for substances that are both beautiful and true to their nature. Bathtubs are now being crafted from elemental materials like natural stone (stone resin, marble, granite, onyx), warm woods, and high-performance solid surfaces. These materials add texture, warmth, and a tangible sense of permanence that acrylic and fiberglass often lack. Stone baths, particularly those carved from a single block of marble or granite, are prized for their organic feel and artistic presence. Richly veined marble is experiencing a significant resurgence, celebrated for its dramatic and unique patterns. Simultaneously, wood bathtubs are emerging as a surprising but compelling trend, with darker woods like walnut and mahogany adding an "old-world charm" and lighter oaks contributing to a "mountainside spa" feel. Complementing these natural materials are solid surface composites, which blend stone resin with pigments to create a non-porous, seamless, and often matte finish that can be molded into virtually any custom shape. How each one wears over years of use is covered in our guide to bathtub materials.

This focus on natural and tactile materials is a direct response to the sensory deficit created by an increasingly digital and screen-based world. As daily life becomes dominated by the smooth, cold, and textureless surface of glass screens, there is a profound and growing craving for rich, physical, and multi-sensory experiences in our personal environments. The bathroom, as the ultimate space for embodiment and physical care, is the natural arena to satisfy this desire. The value of these tubs is not just visual; it lies in how they feel to the touch. The retained warmth of a honed stone tub, the tangible grain of a wooden surround, or the velvety smoothness of a matte solid surface all provide a grounding, tactile feedback loop that is conspicuously absent from our digital interactions. This material trend is a form of sensory nourishment, a deliberate and sophisticated counter-movement to the sterile nature of the digital realm.

The Dark and Moody Bathtub: A Dramatic Departure

A bold counter-narrative to the enduring all-white spa aesthetic has emerged: the dark, moody, and dramatic bathroom. This trend sees bathtubs and their surroundings enveloped in deep, saturated colors that create an intimate, cocoon-like atmosphere. Designers are embracing a palette of oxblood, deep burgundy, emerald green, rich charcoal, and matte black to craft spaces that feel both luxurious and profoundly serene. It is a striking departure from the light, bright, biophilic interiors that dominated in previous years. The look is often completed with bold, veined marbles, dark wood vanities in walnut or mahogany, and matte black or brushed brass fixtures that add layers of texture and warmth. Interior designer Emily "Bird" Lambert confirms this shift, noting that clients are increasingly asking for "moody colors paired with dark woods, warm metals, and stones full of movement" to create spaces that feel "cozy, intimate, and a little bit sexy."

The tub itself is following: "black freestanding tub" is up 80% in Google Trends over the past year, one of the fastest-climbing freestanding tub searches. A black tub against a lighter floor is the easiest way to try the moody look without painting the whole room dark, and a black freestanding tub reads as a single sculptural object rather than a dark hole.

This trend toward dark, enveloping bathrooms speaks to a deeper psychological need for a true retreat from the sensory overload of the modern world. These spaces function as "womb rooms," offering a sense of security, privacy, and introspection that a bright, open-plan room cannot provide. The dark palette minimizes external stimuli, encouraging a state of deep relaxation and mental quietude. It appears the "spa-like" ideal is bifurcating into two distinct expressions: the light, airy, nature-connected spa that energizes and revitalizes, and the dark, intimate sanctuary that protects and restores. The dark and moody trend caters to the latter, recognizing that for many, true restoration is found not in expansive brightness but in quiet, protected solitude. It is a sophisticated evolution of the wellness trend, acknowledging that the ultimate luxury can be a place to shut out the world entirely.

The Rise of the Wet Room Concept

A highly functional yet luxurious trend gaining significant traction is the "wet room," a design that integrates the shower and bathtub into a single, waterproofed enclosure. This approach eliminates the need for a separate shower curb or enclosure, creating a seamless, open-plan bathing area. According to Zillow's 2025 home trends report, wet rooms were featured in 19% more listings than the year before. This design is particularly effective in both large bathrooms, where it creates a grand, spa-like zone, and in smaller bathrooms, where it allows for the inclusion of both a separate shower and a tub in a space that might not otherwise accommodate both. Typically, a freestanding tub is placed within the tiled, waterproofed area next to an open, walk-in shower.

The wet room trend is the ultimate resolution to the ongoing debate between the practicality of a shower and the luxury of a bath. For years, homeowners have been removing bathtubs to make way for larger, more practical walk-in showers. However, this often comes at the cost of losing a dedicated space for soaking. Andrew Hancock, President of Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, notes that while the tub-shower combo is disappearing, the bathtub itself is "evolving into a luxury feature rather than a standard one." The wet room provides the "best of both worlds," allowing homeowners to have a spacious, modern walk-in shower for daily use while also featuring a luxurious soaking tub as a separate, dedicated element for relaxation, all within a cohesive and visually expansive design.

Imagine a 5 by 9 foot hall bath that currently holds a tub-shower combo. Split into a separate tub and shower, it would feel cramped. As a wet room, the glass panel and curb disappear, a compact soaking tub sits at the far end inside the waterproofed zone, and the shower shares the same floor. The room keeps its tub for the kids and gains a real shower, which is why the wet room so often wins in exactly this size of bathroom.

Tech-Infused Tubs: The Smart Soak

Technology is being seamlessly integrated into the bathing experience, transforming the bathtub into a high-performance wellness tool. Today's smart tubs move beyond basic jets to offer a suite of features designed for ultimate comfort, convenience, and personalization. Key innovations include self-warming surfaces that maintain a consistent water temperature for extended soaks, eliminating the need to constantly add hot water. Smart controls, often managed via a smartphone app or voice commands, allow users to draw a bath to a precise temperature and depth before they even enter the room. Furthermore, sensory enhancements are becoming standard in high-end models. Integrated chromotherapy systems use a spectrum of LED lighting to influence mood, while built-in Bluetooth speakers provide a soundtrack for relaxation. Some models even feature built-in aromatherapy diffusers that infuse the water or steam with calming essential oils.

This infusion of technology represents the next frontier of personalization in wellness design. The goal is to create a bathing experience that is perfectly tailored to the user's specific needs and preferences at any given moment. The ability to control every variable, from temperature and lighting to sound and scent, allows the bathtub to function as a responsive and adaptive environment. This trend is not about technology for its own sake; it is about leveraging technology to remove friction and enhance the sensory experience, making the act of bathing more immersive, restorative, and effortlessly luxurious.

The Return of Rich, Warm Browns

After years dominated by cool grays and stark whites, warm, earthy brown tones are making a major comeback in bathroom design, and the bathtub is no exception. This trend encompasses a wide spectrum of shades, from rich chocolate and mocha to lighter taupe and warm wood tones. Pantone named "Mocha Mousse," a chocolate-y shade, its 2025 Color of the Year, and for 2026 it moved to a soft white, "Cloud Dancer," a sign that the warm neutrals are now settling into lighter, creamier versions rather than disappearing. Our 2026 bathtub color trends guide follows that shift shade by shade. Alex Yacavone, who manages color and finish trends in Kohler's design studio, has pointed to brown tones gaining momentum for the comfort and grounding they bring to a bathroom. This trend is expressed through tubs made of dark wood, stone with brown veining, or colored solid surfaces, as well as through the surrounding cabinetry and tiles. Designer Victoria Sass also cites brown as a major theme, but offers a word of caution: "Too much of a good thing goes the way of shiplap and poor bouclé."

The return to brown is a direct reaction against the cool, sometimes sterile, minimalism of the recent past. Homeowners and designers are seeking to create spaces that feel warm, nurturing, and connected to the earth. Brown, in all its variations, is the ultimate grounding color. It evokes the stability of soil, the warmth of wood, and the richness of stone, fostering a sense of comfort and security. In the bathroom, a space dedicated to restoration, these psychological associations are particularly powerful. The trend reflects a collective yearning for spaces that feel less like clinical showrooms and more like cozy, inviting retreats.

Material Drenching: An Immersive Experience

An evolution of the "color drenching" trend, "material drenching" involves wrapping the entire bathroom (walls, floor, and even the tub itself) in a single, continuous material. This creates a seamless, monolithic, and deeply immersive environment. The effect is particularly dramatic when using materials with inherent texture and pattern, such as richly veined marble, textured zellige tiles, or smooth Tadelakt plaster. The goal is to create a space where surfaces flow into one another without interruption, blurring the lines between different architectural elements. A bathtub might be clad in the same marble slabs as the walls and floor, making it appear as if it were carved from the room itself. Kailee Blalock, co-founder and principal designer at House of Hive Design Co., has described the look as more polished and intentional, and as one she expects to stand the test of time.

Material drenching transforms the bathroom into a complete sensory environment. By eliminating visual breaks and transitions, it creates a powerful sense of unity and calm. The focus shifts from individual fixtures to the holistic experience of being enveloped by a single, beautiful material. This technique is particularly effective in making smaller spaces feel larger and more luxurious, as the uninterrupted surfaces create an illusion of expansiveness. It represents a commitment to a singular design vision, resulting in a space that feels bold, cohesive, and profoundly tranquil.

Sustainable Soak: Eco-Conscious Materials

Sustainability has moved from a niche concern to a central tenet of luxury design, and bathtub manufacturing is reflecting this shift. The trend emphasizes tubs crafted from eco-friendly, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials. This includes tubs made from recycled materials like resin, copper, or acrylic, as well as those crafted from sustainable, rapidly renewable resources like bamboo or reclaimed wood. Natural stone sourced from local quarries is also preferred to minimize transportation emissions. Beyond the materials of the tub itself, the trend encompasses eco-friendly fixtures like water-saving faucets and tub fillers, which reduce consumption without sacrificing performance. Low-VOC finishes are part of the same shift.

This focus on sustainability is driven by a more informed and conscientious consumer who understands that true luxury is not just about aesthetics but also about ethical and environmental responsibility. Homeowners are increasingly seeking products that align with their values, and they are willing to invest in pieces that are both beautiful and built to last, reducing the need for future replacement. The sustainable soak is about creating a wellness experience that is holistic, nurturing not only the individual but also the environment. It redefines luxury as a thoughtful, responsible, and enduring investment.

The Integrated Tub Ledge or Shelf

Functionality is merging with form in the design of the tub itself, leading to the rise of integrated ledges, shelves, and wide surrounds. This practical trend provides a built-in surface for holding bath essentials like soaps, candles, books, or a glass of wine, eliminating the need for a separate bath tray or caddy. The ledge can be a seamless extension of the tub's material, creating a clean, monolithic look, or it can be crafted from a contrasting material, like a warm wood ledge on a stone tub, to add visual interest. This feature is particularly common in built-in or drop-in tub designs, where the surrounding deck provides ample surface area, but it is also appearing in freestanding models with one extended edge.

This trend reflects a deeper understanding of how people actually use their bathtubs. The modern bath is not just for a quick wash; it is a ritual of relaxation that often involves multiple accessories. The integrated ledge acknowledges and accommodates this reality in a way that is both elegant and permanent. It is a thoughtful design detail that enhances the user experience by making the space more functional and organized. This seemingly small feature signals a shift toward a more user-centric design philosophy, where the practical needs of the bather are anticipated and elegantly integrated into the form of the tub itself.

The same user-first thinking is showing up in how people shop for the faucet: "freestanding faucet for tub" is up 90% in Google Trends over the past year. A freestanding tub has no deck for a faucet, so a floor-mounted tub filler is a separate purchase, and it is worth choosing it at the same time as the tub so the spout reaches the right spot over the rim.

The Whimsical Wave: Scallops and Playful Shapes

As a playful antidote to years of serious minimalism, a touch of whimsy is entering the bathroom through decorative shapes like scallops, waves, and arches. While this trend is most often seen in tile patterns, mirrors, and vanity details, it is also influencing the silhouette of bathtubs. A tub with a subtly scalloped edge or an asymmetrical, wave-like profile adds a dose of personality and artistic flair to the space. This movement is part of a broader "mood-boosting" design trend that embraces joyful colors and retro-inspired shapes to create spaces that are fun and uplifting. The goal is to inject a sense of playfulness and creativity into a room that has often been treated with a very serious design hand.

This embrace of whimsical shapes signals a growing confidence among homeowners and designers to prioritize personality over rigid adherence to a particular style. It reflects a desire to create spaces that are not just beautiful and functional but also expressive and unique. A scalloped tub is a conversation piece, a delightful surprise that demonstrates a willingness to take creative risks. In a world that often feels heavy, this trend is about finding moments of joy and lightness in our everyday surroundings, proving that even a bathtub can have a sense of humor.

Where Bathtubs Are Headed in 2027

Last year this page made three predictions for 2026. Here is how they held up, and what we expect next.

1. AI-Personalized Tubs Are Still Ahead of Us

We predicted tubs that sync with fitness trackers and draw a recovery bath on their own. App-controlled fill, temperature and lighting are real and spreading in high-end models, but the fully adaptive tub that reads your sleep data has not reached the mainstream market. Expect it to stay a luxury-tier feature through 2027.

2. Wellness Suites Are Arriving

The call that the primary bath would merge with dressing and sleeping space held up best. Zillow's 2026 home trends report counted 22% more listings mentioning "spa-inspired bathrooms" and 33% more mentioning "wellness features." Where a tub survives, it increasingly survives as the centerpiece of that suite rather than as a standard fixture.

3. The Tub-Shower Combo Is Fading in Primary Baths

We said the alcove combo would be seen as outdated in all but budget and space-constrained projects. The NKBA's 2026 finding that 55% of pros now rank a bigger shower above a tub supports that, and Houzz's earlier homeowner survey pointed the same way. The combo still makes sense in a hall bath that has to serve kids, which is exactly where the keep verdict above applies.

For 2027, the design press is already sorting what lasts from what dates. House Beautiful's September 2026 round-up of bathroom features designers say are past their prime is one sign of that shift from adding features to editing them. Our read for the year ahead: fewer tubs, better tubs. Expect the tub to leave secondary bathrooms that do not need one, and the tubs that remain to be deeper, simpler in shape, and chosen for how often someone will actually soak in them. For the rest of the room beyond the tub, see our round-up of 2026 bathroom trends.

Find a Freestanding Tub You Will Actually Use, with Badeloft

The trends all point the same way: a tub now has to earn its place. If your verdict above was keep or move, the right tub is the one sized for your room and deep enough that you will look forward to using it, which is the brief we design every Badeloft tub to. Before you choose, work out what a tub costs you per soak, then browse our modern freestanding tubs to find the one that fits your space and the way you bathe.