Lewis Neathey, leader, product management Lixil EMENA, and Grohe UK, takes a deep dive into how experiential design, personalisation, and the drive to be more sustainable are impacting design trends in the bathroom and kitchen.
Experiential design
With an increased awareness of wellbeing, design trends have shifted towards solutions and spaces that promote relaxation and mindfulness. This shift mirrors the evolving role of the bathroom, once a utilitarian space, now seen as a sanctuary for self-care and revitalization. Early indications of this trend are now gaining momentum, with the bathroom being reimagined as a regenerative space – a place for immersive experiences rather than just functional use. Which means refocusing the design from mere products to luxurious experiences.
This can take many forms, from finishes that bring a tactile sensation into the bathroom such as the new Grohe Satin finish due to market in SS25, to fittings that provide wellness benefits such as improved skincare. Grohe has just launched the Grohe Rainshower Aqua Pure shower that features an innovative filter invisibly integrated into the thermostat and purifies the hand-shower water of chlorine and subsequent odours – making the water exceptionally gentle on skin and hair.
Sustainability: Evergreen
Both a colour trend and a continued societal shift, the ‘Evergreen’ trend will see green, and earthy nature inspired hues become an interior staple once more, alongside increased biophilic design and eco-friendly fittings.
Shades of green, brown, and milky creams will be utilised depending on personal preference, with focus on reconnecting with nature and conscious living. Trend forecasting experts WGSN has identified ‘Transformative Teal’ as its Colour of the Year for 2026 which represents change and redirection, with focus on a complex climate challenge. Elsewhere, The Pantone Colour Institute announced Mocha Mousse as its Colour of the Year for 2025 described as ‘a rich brown hue infused with earthy refinement’. The earthy brown shade offers rich comfort, with luxurious undertones that will be seen across all touch points within the home.
Beyond colour choices, we’ll continue to see a demand for eco-friendly fittings that provide day-to-day functionality along with resource efficiency and guilt-free usage such as opting for recycled materials, and low-flow bathroom fittings such as the new Grohe Cubeo basin mixer that come equipped with water-efficient EcoJoy technology.
Customers will also seek to invest in quality fittings at the initial specification stage, as they begin to tire from excess waste generated from affordable alternatives, and look to prioritise longevity and quality, compared to an upfront saving.
Personalisation & customisation
The concept of personalisation is becoming increasingly important in bathroom and kitchen design and has been for a number of years. Individuals are seeking to tailor their functional spaces to meet their unique preferences and needs. This may involve customising the layout, fixtures, finishes, and accessories to create a space that reflects their personal style and enhances their overall wellbeing.
Over 40%1 of respondents in a recent European study Grohe stated that design and a pleasant environment in the bathroom is important. Recently, we’ve seen the design and aesthetics of a bathroom being prioritised alongside functionality, and this is being particularly shown in showers and fittings.
There are now a number of different styles and PVD colour finishes available to meet this demand, allowing designers and customers to create a bespoke environment that reflects their own personal style and individuality. Grohe offers its fully customisable range of fittings through its Atrio and Allure Private Collections that includes customisable handles and levers from pioneer of premium quartz surfaces, Caesarstone. The collection consists of over 200 individual product codes, with endless customisable options available for a truly personal design.
Alongside the personalised look and feel of the interior spaces, a personalised experience will also be prioritised. In the shower space, users are able to utilise models that provide spray options for a person’s preference with many premium models now providing multiple spray settings that can even be combined. Elsewhere, smart shower toilets are available that provide users with saved profiles, meaning their preferred settings are instantly accessible.
