Cottagecore vs Spa Bathroom: Which Style Is Right For Your Home?

Pinterest and Instagram may set the pace for bathroom trends, but two styles continue to dominate: the country cottage bathroom and the spa-inspired retreat. Both offer escapism, but in very different ways.

A 'Cottagecore' or 'modern country' inspired bathroom is characterful and nostalgic. It feels more collected rather than designed.

Key Elements Include:

• Soft pastel palettes and wallpaper

• Handmade-style tiles, such as Zellige or natural stone

• Antique or vintage mirrors

• Aged brass, nickel or bronze fixtures

• A claw foot or period style bath

• Patterned floor tile

• Warm timber vanities and painted panelling

• Soft linens and layered textures (rattan baskets)

  
  

This style of bathroom often has earthy undertones of blush pinks and sage greens, making them feel more inviting and less clinical.

Natural materials remain essential along with as many plants as you can look after (I have found this house plant feed a wonder.)

Timber, stone and un-lacquered metals all age beautifully, ensuring your bathroom feels timeless rather than trend-driven. Colourful Zellige & encaustic cement tiles, bespoke panelling and feminine pretty wall lights (check location for IP rating requirements) will also add detail. The Cottagecore trend is the design equivalent of a digital detox and its all about creating a cosy rural farmhouse feel so aged brass or even copper is a must. If you are worried about the natural patina of aged brass or that some brass accents are too 'gold' for you, then I find Nickel is a sophisticated middle ground, bridging the gap between modern chrome and traditional brass and also cleans easily if thats important to you.

Another loved bathroom style across Instagram is the spa-like retreat or 'Japandi' vibe. Where less is more, this style has more of a 'zen' feel. If you like wet rooms, curved architectural details, seamless finishes and a restrained colour palette, this is the style for you. Waterproof wall finishes such as Microcement or Forecrete are increasingly popular alternatives to traditional tiling, creating uninterrupted surfaces that feel calm and contemporary and are really practical as they require very little ongoing maintenance. If you love texture without busy detail, this is the bathroom for you.

Key Elements Include:

• Soft, layered lighting

• Integrated niches and minimal joinery

• Warm neutral tones

• Natural stone basins or timber vanities

• Sculptural freestanding baths

• Rainfall showerhead

While these are some of the most liked bathroom styles of 2026 currently, the real luxury is designing a space that reflects how you live. I love our Imperium Plinth bath from Albion but my husband prefers an outside cold shower so we had fun designing a home to include both.

If you like some but not all elements from these trends, you can combine them into a 'Scandi cottage' design. This features the clean lines of a spa but adds the warm wood and soft textiles of a cottage. Trends change, but I find when the permanent items are more neutral and classic, the bathroom tends not to date quite so quickly. You can still have some fun with soft furnishings, like towels and even paint and wallpaper, as these are all relatively inexpensive to update.

Your bathroom should feel deeply personal, regardless of trends. The most successful interiors are rarely ever about what is liked most online, they are about how a space makes you feel every single day. If you'd like some help with your bathroom update, get in touch via my Contact form, I'd love to hear from you.