I Asked 5 Leading European Designers: What Makes a Bathroom Feel Expensive in 2026?

Posted by Luxury Group International Design Team / Luxury Bathtubs / February 09, 2026

You know the feeling.
You walk into a bathroom and it just hits you — that quiet, expensive calm. Not because everything costs a fortune, but because every detail whispers, this was thought about.
In 2026, the luxury bathroom has moved on from loud marble slabs and logo-heavy hardware. The new “rich” is quieter, warmer, more tactile. It feels less like a showroom and more like a private sanctuary you never want to leave.
To understand what actually makes a bathroom feel expensive in 2026, I spoke (virtually) with five of Europe’s most respected bathroom designers. Their answers were refreshingly honest—and in some cases, surprising.
Below are their exact insights, and how you can apply them to your own luxury home or hotel project.
 

The Designers Behind the Insights

1. Yiota Toumba – Senior Designer, Villeroy & Boch (Germany)
2. Jorge Hernandez – Group Head of Design, Bathroom Brands (UK)
3. Matteo Venturi – Milan-based architect specialising in wellness-focused Italian homes
4. Sophie Laurent – Paris-based designer and advocate of refined “quiet luxury” interiors
5. Lars Nielsen – Copenhagen studio, known for Scandinavian warmth with architectural precision

Each designer works across high-end residential and hospitality projects, shaping how premium bathrooms will look—and feel—well beyond 2026.
 

1. Texture Beats Shine Every Time

Insight by Yiota Toumba
“Polish is out. Honed, fluted, microcement, bush-hammered stone — these surfaces age beautifully and feel expensive because they invite touch.”
According to Yiota, the era of mirror-like surfaces is over. In 2026, luxury bathrooms feel rich because they feel sensory. Texture replaces shine. Depth replaces gloss.
Bathrooms that feel expensive now are designed to be experienced barefoot, not photographed under studio lights.

How to apply this:

1. Choose honed marble or travertine instead of polished stone
2. Introduce fluted vanity fronts or ribbed wall panels
3. Use microcement on floors and walls for seamless, spa-like continuity

The result is a bathroom that feels calm, grounded, and quietly luxurious.
 

2. Warm Neutrals + One Unexpected Accent
 

Insight by Jorge Hernandez
“Caramel, biscuit, warm taupe, soft terracotta — these are the new greige. They make the space feel expensive because they feel human.”
Jorge explains that cold greys and stark whites are being replaced by warm, emotionally resonant tones. These colours don’t shout luxury—they settle into the space.
His key advice? Keep the palette restrained, then introduce one deliberate accent.

Designer-approved accents:

1. A single brushed brass detail
2. A deep burgundy or olive towel
3. One sculptural ceramic or natural element

Quick win: Paint the ceiling the same warm neutral as the walls. It instantly increases perceived height and makes the bathroom feel enveloping and high-end.
 

3. Lighting Is 40% of the Luxury Feel
 

Insight by Sophie Laurent
“People spend €15,000 on marble and then use the builder’s downlights. That’s how you ruin a €50,000 bathroom.”
Sophie is blunt—and right. Lighting is often the weakest link in otherwise expensive bathrooms.
In 2026, lighting is layered, atmospheric, and intentional. Never functional-only

Sophie’s formula for expensive lighting:

1. One sculptural pendant or chandelier (yes, even in small bathrooms)
2. Backlit mirrors or concealed LED strips
3. Warm wall sconces at eye level
4. Everything on dimmers

Pro move: Put the shower lighting on a separate circuit. Soft glow during bathing is a five-star hotel detail most homes miss.
 

4. Hardware That Feels Like Jewellery
 

Insight by Matteo Venturi
“Brushed brass, unlacquered bronze, matte black with texture — these finishes patina over time. That’s when a bathroom starts to look really expensive.”
Matteo believes hardware is where many bathrooms reveal their budget. Cheap finishes age badly. Luxury finishes age beautifully.
Chrome and polished nickel feel sterile in 2026 unless used with intention.

Matteo’s recommendation:

1. Brushed or aged brass
2. Unlacquered bronze
3. Textured matte black

Budget-smart upgrade: Swap only taps, shower hardware, and cabinet pulls. This alone can transform the bathroom’s perceived value.
 

5. Curves, Clutter-Free Surfaces & Hidden Storage

Insight by Lars Nielsen
“Sharp corners feel cheap. Rounded vanities, pill-shaped mirrors, soft silhouettes — these make the space feel generous and calm.”
Lars emphasises flow and softness. Curves calm the nervous system and visually expand the space.
But his most important rule is about what you don’t see.

Lars’ luxury principles:

1. Rounded vanities and mirrors
2. Recessed niches instead of shelves
3. Drawers instead of open storage
4. At least 80% of surfaces left clear

The most surprising insight:

According to Lars, the most luxurious bathroom detail in 2026 is a hidden laundry basket.
“When you don’t see dirty towels or laundry, the room instantly feels five-star.”
 

Bonus: The One Thing Each Designer Would Spend On

If budget allowed only one indulgence, here’s where each designer would invest:

1. Yiota → Full-height tiled shower with built-in bench
2. Jorge → A beautifully proportioned freestanding bath
3. Matteo → Steam shower with chromotherapy
4. Sophie → Oversized round or arched mirror
5. Lars → Underfloor heating + concealed heated towel rail

Your 2026 Designer Bathroom Checklist 
 

I’ve distilled all their insights into a printable checklist you can use while planning or renovating.

Freestanding Bathtubs | Bathroom Cabinets | Vanities | Bathroom Radiators 

Luxury Showers | Luxury Lighting | Luxury Mirrors

Which Tip Surprised You Most?

Was it:

1. Painting the ceiling the same colour?
2. Spending more on lighting than stone?
3. Or hiding the laundry basket entirely?

Drop a comment below—and save this post if a bathroom project is on your horizon.
P.S. Want the exact products these designers are using in 2026 projects?
Reply “2026” and I’ll send you the curated moodboard + shopping list.
Here’s to bathrooms that feel like a quiet hug from a very expensive hotel.