insideout
space, then a ground floor shower room may just fit the bill. Not only does this fully comply with the Lifetime Homes initiative, it may also just widen your demographic for exactly the same reasons. “In order to create that wow factor,
housebuilders should ensure they make the cloakroom space as functional as possible,” explains Shaun Hunt, technical manager of Impey Showers. “Incorporating a shower enclosure or wetroom into a downstairs cloakroom raises the appeal for potential buyers with families or relatives that regularly stay.” And as cloakrooms don’t have the space for a bath, a clever shower enclosure that does not impede the available space is a great option. “Shower enclosures that possess sliding, bi-fold, tri-fold and crescent shower doors, for example, are an extremely sound choice for housebuilders looking to include a
shower in a cloakroom,” says Peter Dimeloe, managing director of Coram Showers. “Reason being, this style of shower enclosure has a linear façade which means it will not monopolize valuable space – which is great when space is restricted from the get-go.” But, regardless of whether you are
focusing on the cloakroom, family bathroom or en suite, and once you have the essential storage and water savings under control, then there is only one thing left to focus on – statement pieces.
“Manufacturers and suppliers need to think outside the box in terms of materials, colours and finishes in order to offer unique pieces that will stick in the mind of potential homebuyers,” states Mark Walker, UK sales director of Bagno Design. “Domestic bathrooms are now all about luxury, with the use of natural materials such as stone and timber, as well as metals such as copper and bronze, all being
THIS IMAGE The Jasper Morrision sanitaryware collection by Ideal Standard is available via Robert Lee Distribution
BELOW MIDDLE The Artelinea designed Décor furniture range from C.P. Hart consists of both wall- hung and floor standing basin units
BELOW BOTTOM The All bathroom range from Twyford Bathrooms offers a complete option for each and every member of a household
used more and more to make bathrooms really stand out.” Sam Colwill, managing director of
StoneKAST, agrees. “Luxury is a key in both environments. The family bathroom is likely to have a little more space to play with, but must be suitable for all ages, while the en suite will probably be more compact but can be turned into a spa-like sanctuary which is strictly ‘adults only’. By choosing sanitaryware as statement pieces rather than just as practical necessities, housebuilders can really stand out.” But if you need help deciding just which statement pieces you should be including, fear not. Brands such as Roca have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in design and innovation to share it with housebuilders. The influence of macro trends on bathroom and product design is one example. Such is the value that Roca places on research into changing consumer needs, behaviours and tastes, that the company established its Innovation Lab. The Lab is a hotbed of ideas, many of which develop into everyday products.
Roca’s partnership approach also includes end-to-end support that it offers housebuilders throughout the specification process. In fact, dialogue with manufacturers like Roca, from an early project stage, can help developers not only to avoid design pitfalls but to elevate bathrooms to become real selling features.
sh 94| April 2013 showhouse
CONTACTS Bagno Design
www.bagnodesign.co.uk
Coram Showers
www.coram.co.uk
C.P. Hart
www.cphart.co.uk
Geberit
www.geberit.co.uk
Impey Showers
www.impeyshowers.com
Kirby Sebastian
www.ksbathrooms.com
Methven UK
www.methven.com/uk
Moores Furniture Group
www.moores.co.uk
Robert Lee Distribution
www.rlee.co.uk
Roca
www.roca.com
StoneKAST
www.stonekast.com
Symphony
www.symphony-group.co.uk
Twyford Bathrooms
www.twyfordbathrooms.com
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