Professional advice remains central to bathroom renovations, while homeowners are making distinct choices about layout, baths and finishes, according to the 2026 UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.

Houzz found that 88% of respondents hired a professional for their renovation. General tradespeople were the most commonly used (47%), followed by bathroom fitters (45%) and builders (35%). A quarter worked with a bathroom designer. For the bathroom sector, that reinforces the value of clear product information and good advice throughout a project, from the first design conversation to installation.

The findings also challenge the idea that homeowners are routinely replacing baths with showers. More than half of respondents (58%) were adding or replacing a bath, while 17% were removing one altogether, down five percentage points on the previous year. Among those who did remove a bath, 85% used the space to enlarge their shower. Nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) increased the bathroom’s size.

Style is another focus. More than a third (36%) were adding or updating an accent wall, most often in the shower area. Colour was the most popular way to make that wall stand out, chosen by 59% of those adding one. Wall finishes and basins were each being upgraded by 82% of respondents, while tiles remained the leading finish for shower walls.

The study offers a useful snapshot of the choices facing manufacturers, retailers, designers and installers. Customers may arrive with a strong idea of how their new bathroom should look, but decisions about space, product selection and fitting still need careful consideration. Helping them understand those choices early can make it easier to deliver a bathroom that works as well as it looks.

Houzz surveyed 569 UK users in June 2026 who had completed, were undertaking or were planning a bathroom renovation. The results describe that group and should not be read as representative of all UK homeowners.