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Boston condos for sale: Renovation trends

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Boston condos for sale: Renovation trends

Featured Bath Renovation

Bigger, bolder, better: The top bathroom trends of 2026

Patterned accent walls, wide vanities with two sinks and enlarged showers are among the top bathroom renovation trends in 2026, according to Houzz.

Homeowners renovating their bathrooms in 2026 want their spaces to serve as oases of self-care, with half saying they spend more time in their bathrooms after an upgrade, mostly for beauty and pampering routines but also for rest and relaxation, according to Houzz.

In August, the construction and design platform surveyed 1,619 United States homeowners who undertook a bathroom renovation within the past year and found that they largely wanted their renovations to make their bathrooms more spacious, custom and organized, all contributing to a more accommodating and engaging bathroom experience.

“Homeowners want their bathrooms to work harder for them to support both daily routines and self-care,” said Marine Sargsyan, head of economic research for Houzz. “That’s showing up in the numbers, with median spend rebounding to $15,000, and nearly half of homeowners making their showers bigger.”

Additional popular bathroom upgrades in 2026 include bolder accents, specialized water features and structural changes. Here’s a look at some of the top trend’s homeowners are loving this year.

2 Signature Designs Kitchens Baths

Patterned accent walls — particularly blue and white ones — increased in popularity by 13% year over year. (Image credit: Signature Designs Kitchens & Baths via Houzz)

Patterned accent walls

Accent walls were a part of 34% of bathroom renovations, and patterns edged out color as the top preference. Homeowners also utilized unique surfaces and textures to make their accent walls stand out.

Blue and white remained the most popular accent wall color palette.

The importance of accessibility

Wet rooms are increasingly popular — up 13% from a year ago — as renovators turn their entire bathroom space into one level surface with no barrier between the shower and the rest of the room. This accessible choice is modern while allowing for homeowners to age in place as maneuvering into a tub or shower becomes more difficult with age.

Overall, 71% of bathroom renovators took future needs into account when updating their space. More than half of those homeowners were considering aging household members.

Other accessibility upgrades included renovating for a more efficient use of space and universal design, which increased in popularity by 14%. Another 29% of renovators prioritized ease of cleaning.

Wide vanities

More than one in five-bathroom renovators opted for a custom vanity larger than 72-inches, which is the widest option typically available.

Custom vanity features are also on the rise, with 83% choosing soft-close drawers and 76% choosing soft-close doors. Specialized storage features like built-in electrical outlets (32%) and hair tool organizers (19%) each increased in popularity by 7%.

Wood was the color of choice for vanities, with 31% going for the natural look.

Design Blythe Interiors Photographer Natalia Robert

Wide vanities with extra sinks are among the top bathroom upgrade this year. (Design: Blythe Interiors; Photographer: Natalia Robert via Houzz)

Two sinks are better than one

A prominent feature of those extra-wide vanities? Multiple sinks. Double sinks increased 17 percentage points year over year to 64%.

Most renovators favored undermount basins at 68%, which increased 11% year over year.

Among countertops, white was the color of choice at 43%, although off-white increased eight points year over year to 28%, emerging as a shade on the rise.

Bidets, water pressure and warmth

Custom water features are a major bathroom trend in 2026. Waterfall faucets and rainfall showerheads each increased by six percentage points to 19%, and nearly half of all renovators upgraded their toilet, with bidets and heated toilet seats all increasing in popularity by 10% year over year.

Meanwhile, convenience upgrades like self-cleaning features and automatic nightlights increased 6% each, while air dryers and adjustable water pressure increased 10%.

Interior Designer Urbane Design Custom Cabinetry Bentwood of Austin Photographer Avery Nicole Photography

Renovators want bigger, more accessible showers in 2026. (Interior Designer: Urbane Design; Custom Cabinetry: Bentwood of Austin; Photographer: Avery Nicole Photography via Houzz)

More space and structural changes

While most bathrooms maintained the same footprint after a renovation, most renovators that made their spaces larger did so through an addition at 32%. Twenty-seven percent removed a closet for expanded bathroom space, while 22% absorbed part of a bedroom.

Among structural changes, enlarged showers were the most popular upgrade: Nearly half (49%) of bathroom renovations included a shower enlargement, up 10% year over year. Furthermore, 79% of homeowners who removed their bathtub did so to make more room for a larger shower.

Additional popular structural changes included a reworked layout (40%) and modified walls (38%).

Expanded budgets

After falling to $13,000 in 2024, the median spending for a bathroom renovation jumped back to $15,000 the following year. The top 10% of bathroom renovations cost up to $75,000.

Help from pros

Nearly nine in 10 bathroom renovators called in help from professionals, up 5% year over year. General contractors were the most popular choice at 52%, followed by specialized bathroom remodelers and cabinet makers at 23% each.

So, you’re looking for ways to put your own spin on a new place and maybe there are some specific ‘problem areas’ that could use some more love than others. Well, we’ve gone ahead and looked into 2018’s hottest renovation trends and found five of our favorite ideas for you to make your own.

1. Everything but the pipes

Looking to renovate your bathroom? Cut down big time on your costs by leaving those pipes untouched while everything else gets torn up. Design and build around them so you can save time and money in your renovation process. Renovation always brings about unforeseen obstacles, so take advantage of this tip to cut down on risks as you recreate your bathroom.

2. Cork those floors!

Is the flooring in your place getting less and less flattering with every passing day? Want to go for something fresh and unique without splurging on materials? Corked floors have become one of the latest renovation trends to hit in the last year, and you won’t believe how good they look until you see them for yourself!

It is actually crazy how good they look for the money, and they’re extremely durable compared to some of the more expensive flooring options, such as traditional hardwood. According to “The Benefits of Cork Flooring” on HGTV.com, the softness and give of the cork creates less wear and tear from normal everyday foot traffic, giving it a longer life on average. Also, cork does not absorb water, so mold and moisture won’t be an issue as long as you’re using glue-down cork tiles. One benefit of cork that often goes overlooked is that it’s a natural thermal and acoustic insulator, making the environment warmer and quieter. Want to handpick your floors to suit your vision for the room? Cork comes in tiles and planks in a wide variety of colors, styles, and sizes, so you can find something different to set your floor apart from the others you’ve seen.

3. Add some ceiling beams

Ever thought about adding some decorative ceiling beams to your house? While exposed ceiling beams have historically been used for structural purposes, there’s nothing stopping you from adding them just for show. Whether you’re looking to make an environmentally conscience choice or just keep the price tag low on the project, faux wood beams also make an excellent option. You can keep the wood raw and organic looking, or sand and paint it to fit the motif of the room. The possibilities are endless and the choice is yours!

4. Get rid of that shower curtain!

The shower curtain is one thing that isn’t likely to make a comeback anytime soon. Aside from the discoloration and the smell, they aren’t exactly the most aesthetic addition to any bathroom, hence their impending disposal. The shower tub combo is as outdated as it gets, so why not spice things up a bit and go for one of the other? If you decide to go for the shower, glass doors are an elegant option for any bathroom set-up (as long as you don’t mind using the squeegee every time you shower). If you’re up to the challenge, go ahead and ditch that shower door altogether! Just make sure that the angles are working to your advantage when it comes to water flow and splash from the shower or bath. And last but not least…

5. Don’t be afraid to forage!

Certain projects allow for some resourcefulness when it comes to finding your own supplies. Whether you’re laying a pathway up to your front door or building a hearth for your fireplace, make sure to look around your property for stones before buying some. In addition to cutting cost, they’ll also make a great conversation piece for you and your guests when they come look at your newly renovated space!

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