Are all-white bathrooms officially dead?

In this episode of Real Talk Remodeling, Pietro Merlino breaks down the biggest bathroom remodeling trends shaping 2026 and explains what's driving today's design decisions.

From spa-inspired wellness spaces and earthy color palettes to oversized walk-in showers, mixed metals, smart technology, and natural materials, we cover what homeowners are asking for and what contractors need to understand to stay ahead of the market.

Whether you're planning a bathroom renovation, designing a new home, or helping clients make remodeling decisions, this episode provides practical insight into what's trending—and what trends are fading away.

In This Episode:

✔ Wellness-focused bathroom design
✔ Warm earthy colors and moody greens
✔ Sage, olive, hunter and forest green palettes
✔ Tile drenching and large-format tile
✔ Zellige and fluted tile trends
✔ Light oak and natural wood vanities
✔ Mixed metal finishes and modern hardware
✔ Walk-in showers vs. freestanding tubs
✔ Heated floors and smart bathroom technology
✔ Bathroom trends that are officially OUT

Need Help With Your Remodel?

Merlino Consulting helps homeowners navigate remodeling projects with expert guidance, scope development, proposal review, budgeting, planning, and project consulting.

Website: www.merlinoconsultants.com

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Explore the latest kitchen design trends of 2026, including colors, materials, lighting, and layout strategies, guided by industry expert Pietro. Learn how to create timeless, functional, and stylish kitchens that reflect current preferences and future-proof your renovation.

This episode of Real Talk Remodeling, Pietro Merlino explores the booming opportunities in remodeling for 2026, ADUs, aging-in-place renovations, and multi-generational housing, highlighting regional trends and legislative impacts for contractors.

KEY TOPICS
-Remodeling industry growth and regional trends
-ADU market expansion and legislation
-Aging-in-place renovations and demographic shifts

TAKEAWAYS
-Remodeling is outperforming new construction due to low mortgage rates and homeowner retention.
-ADUs are a high-growth market with a projected value of $47 billion by 2035.
-Multi-generational housing is a significant opportunity, especially in high-cost living areas.

In this episode of Real Talk Remodeling, Real Talk Remodeling, Pietro Merlino breaks down the 2026 remodeling marke. What’s driving record spending, why growth is slowing, and what it means for both homeowners and contractors. From rising costs and labor shortages to evolving trends like aging-in-place and indoor-outdoor living, this episode gives you a clear, real-world perspective so you can make smarter decisions on your next project.

In this first episode of Real Talk Remodeling with Merlino Consulting, Pietro Merlino breaks down the real reasons why remodeling projects fail and how to avoid them.

From poor communication and unrealistic expectations to a lack of trust between homeowners and contractors, these issues can quickly turn a project into a nightmare. Pietro shares real-world insights from the construction and remodeling industry to help you understand what goes wrong and what to do differently.

Whether you're a homeowner planning a renovation or a contractor looking to improve your process, this episode lays the foundation for smoother, more successful projects.

• Why most remodeling projects fail
• How communication impacts every phase of a project
• How to set realistic expectations from the start
• The role trust plays between homeowners and contractors
• How to avoid costly mistakes and delays

Real Talk Remodeling with Merlino Consulting helps homeowners make smarter remodeling decisions and helps contractors improve how they run projects, communicate with clients, and deliver better results.

merlinoconsultants.com

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