Industry Trends · via Forbes

Bathroom Design Trends from National Design Press: What Charleston Custom Home Buyers Are Requesting

Forbes' recent rundown of bathroom trends falling out of favor in 2026 reads almost like a checklist of what Charleston custom home buyers have already started steering away from over the past year or two.

What's Declining, and What's Replacing It

Interior designers cited in the piece point to minimalist all-white aesthetics giving way to warm, tactile materials like stone, plaster, and zellige tile; wet-room-style showers losing ground to larger vanities with real storage; black matte hardware shifting toward unlacquered brass and living finishes that age naturally; backlit vanities being replaced by traditional sconces; and cool blue tones giving way to warmer browns, burgundies, and deeper hues.

Why This Matters for Charleston Buyers

Unlacquered brass and living finishes are a particularly good fit for a coastal climate — materials designed to age and patina naturally tend to hold up better against humidity than finishes trying to stay pristine and matte forever. Storage-focused vanity designs also matter more here than in drier climates, since coastal households tend to accumulate more gear (beach and boating equipment, sunscreen, towels) that needs a home.

What This Means If You're Renovating a Bathroom

Before committing to an all-white, backlit, wet-room design, ask whether it's really what you want to live with for the next decade or a trend that will read as dated quickly — the shift away from these choices is already well underway nationally. Prioritize vanity storage capacity in your renovation budget; it's a functional upgrade that also happens to be on-trend.

Source: Forbes, "Bathroom Design Trends Going Out of Style in 2026, According to Interior Designers," by Amanda Lauren, January 2026. via Forbes

Planning a bathroom renovation in Charleston? Contact Chris Eller directly for design choices built to last in our climate.