BATHROOMS & WETROOMS 29 CHOICES IN THE BATHROOM
Making the right choices when designing a bathroom can make all the difference in a successful development. With more options available than ever before, Lisa Ward of Bristan looks at how housebuilders can best meet consumers’ rapidly evolving needs.
ike all interior design trends, consumer preferences in the bathroom are constantly changing to fit with modern lifestyles. It is up to housebuilders to adapt to these changes with new ideas that are attractive to consumers, fast and efficient to install, and which maximise the space available. Market reports consistently show that choice is increasingly important when it comes to specifying bathroom products, and having a variety of bathroom set-ups available within a large-scale development can be a highly beneficial sales tool for housebuilders. From innovative wetroom layouts that offer convenience, to new shower technology that caters for multiple- generation households, bathroom design can be a make or break factor in a buyer’s decision-making process. With this in mind, it’s important for housebuilders to be aware of the rapid advances in bathroom technology that the sector has experienced in recent years, and how these impact different buyer demographics.
L WETROOM OPTIONS
Demand for wetrooms has increased significantly in recent years, and they continue to grow in popularity. They are no longer the preserve of upmarket homes with several bathrooms, but in fact can provide a stylish and practical option at almost any market level. To put it into context, in value terms the wetroom market is predicted to grow between three and five per cent per annum to 2021, representing an increase of 18 per cent when compared to the market size in 2017.
As an open-plan alternative to the traditional bathroom, wetrooms provide a space-saving and design-led solution that is regarded as a luxurious and accessible feature in the home. This makes the wetroom an ideal option for aspirational design-led buyers, and also for those with reduced mobility, capturing two markets in one.
SPACE-SAVING SHOWERS
Another bathroom trend that is proving popular in modern housing developments is concealed showers. The minimal, modern look of a concealed valve adds a sense of sophistication to the bathroom, which is bound to appeal to house hunters looking for an emphasis on style.
In the past, developers were faced with a number of challenges around the installa- tion of these units. When fitting a concealed shower valve into a solid wall, the brickwork needed to be chased out to allow the valve to sit at the correct depth, receive the water supply pipes and allow connection to the water outlet –
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