Renovation Trend: Spa-Style Bathroom Makeovers

There was a time when the bathroom was purely functional. A place to get ready and get out. That era is officially over. In 2026, homeowners are reimagining this once-overlooked space as a personal sanctuary, and at Fox Homes, we're seeing spa-style bathroom renovations top the wish list for a lot of clients. 

People are craving a place to slow down, even if it's just for the length of a shower. The result is a wave of bathroom renovations designed less like a utility room and more like a five-star hotel suite. Here's what's driving the trend, and how you can bring a little of that spa magic home.

Freestanding Tubs Take Center Stage

Nothing signals "spa retreat" quite like a freestanding soaking tub. Unlike built-in tubs tucked against a wall, freestanding models become a design centerpiece. Often positioned near a window, beneath a statement light fixture, or angled to catch the best natural light in the room. 

Beyond aesthetics, freestanding tubs also give homeowners more layout flexibility. They don't require built-in surrounds or tile skirting, they're often easier to install than you'd expect, and they instantly elevate the perceived value of a bathroom, which is something worth keeping in mind if resale is on your radar.

Frameless Walk-In Showers for an Open, Airy Feel

Boxy, curtained showers are giving way to expansive, frameless glass enclosures that let light flow freely through the room. The appeal isn't just visual. Walk-in showers with minimal or no threshold are more accessible, easier to clean, and create a sense of spaciousness even in smaller bathrooms.

Pair a frameless shower with a rainfall showerhead, a built-in bench, and large-format tile that runs floor to ceiling, and you get something that feels much closer to a boutique hotel than a standard home bathroom. Many homeowners are also opting for dual shower heads or body jets, transforming a quick rinse into a full sensory reset.

Heated Floors: The Upgrade You Didn't Know You Needed

If there's one feature that consistently surprises homeowners with how much they love it, it's radiant heated flooring. Stepping onto a warm tile floor on a cold morning is a small luxury that makes an outsized difference in daily comfort and it's becoming a near-standard request in higher-end bathroom remodels.

Heated floors are typically installed under tile using electric mats or hydronic tubing, and modern systems can be controlled with a simple programmable thermostat, so the floor is warm exactly when you need it and off when you don't. It's an upgrade that's relatively unobtrusive to install during a renovation but delivers comfort every single day.

Mood Lighting That Sets the Tone

Harsh overhead lighting is out and layered, adjustable lighting is in. Today's spa-style bathrooms often combine several light sources - recessed ceiling lights, backlit mirrors, under-cabinet strips, and dimmable sconces - to create a space that can shift from bright and energizing in the morning to soft and calming at night. Warm-toned LED strips built into niches or behind mirrors add a subtle glow that makes the whole room feel more intentional and less clinical.

Bringing the Trend Home

Not every homeowner needs a full gut renovation to capture this trend. Swapping in a freestanding tub, upgrading to a frameless shower enclosure, or adding heated flooring during a routine remodel can each make a meaningful impact on their own. For those ready to go all in, combining several of these elements creates a bathroom that feels less like a room you pass through and more like a destination.

We can help homeowners turn everyday bathrooms into personal retreats. Whether you're planning a full remodel or a few targeted upgrades, there's never been a better time to bring the spa home.