Wet rooms are going to be increasingly popular in bathroom design heading into 2026, moving from a niche or high-end choice into a mainstream renovation trend — especially for people seeking open, accessible, spa-like, and modern spaces. Here’s a snapshot of where they stand now:
Growing share of projects: In recent U.S. bathroom renovation studies, wet rooms now appear in about 1 in 6 remodeled bathrooms (roughly 16%), up several percentage points year-over-year — evidence of steady growth. orbes+1
Earlier studies showed even 13% adoption, with strong interest from homeowners who value space use, accessibility, and aesthetics.
Homeowners and designers cite several reasons for the rising popularity (supported by trend reports and industry commentary):
Space optimization: Wet rooms make bathrooms feel larger and more open by removing physical barriers like shower curbs.
Accessibility & universal design: Barrier-free showers appeal to aging-in-place design and mobility-friendly homes.
Modern, minimal aesthetic: Seamless, open concepts fit well with luxury, spa-inspired bathroom design.
Spa and wellness focus: As bathrooms increasingly function as wellness retreats, wet rooms support that “home spa” feel.
✔ Wet rooms are growing and increasingly mainstream in both new builds and remodels.
✔ They aren’t yet dominant, but are well ahead of being a passing fad — with measurable uptake in renovation data and strong forward momentum in design forecasts.
✔ Expect them to stay on trend through 2026, especially in contemporary, accessible, and wellness-focused bathroom projects.
