PRODUCT FEATURE | Spa bathrooms
Grohe Atrio Outdoor Shower Concept in Satin Graphite
Caesarstone and flooring brand Parador collaborated in this calming design
recommends sintered stone due to its high durability, as well as its low maintenance, which can be used for countertops, flooring and on the walls to create a cohesive look. This will also be non-slip. For those working with a stricter budget, Steph Harris, product manager at Showerwall, points retailers towards its wall panelling solutions in marble, terrazzo or tile effects without the cost, grout or sealing of traditional tiles.
Lighting is another crucial consideration, as it will set the whole tone and ambience. Soft, diffused light promotes relaxation and enhances the overall spa-like experience. “It serves as the backbone of the design,” HiB’s Filipiak adds.
Of course, its important to have a mix of ambient and task lighting and a source of natural light is ideal, if possible, particularly if you want to create a nature- bathing/biophilic aesthetic.
Showroom strategy
Moving on to how retailers can present spa bathroom ideas to maximise sales, most of our contributors agree showrooms should try and recreate the spa experience as far as possible, with working products that can be demonstrated.
“Creating immersive displays with elements such as spacious showers, freestanding bathtubs, floating vanities, and ambient lighting all help here,” says Rak Ceramics’ UK sales and marketing director, Ben Bryden. He continues: “Incorporating soft music, subtle lighting and aromatherapy diffusers help to create a calming atmosphere and can help customers visualise the environment of a spa bathroom in their own homes.”
Stefan Gesing, CEO of Dornbracht, adds: “A fully working shower is as close to experiential as possible in a showroom; presenting each jet type and allowing customers to see how it feels on their hands helps them understand the effect on the body. Offering the chance to play with controls also helps customers visualise how a product could work at home.” Also ensure displays are fully dressed with things like towels and candles to create a feeling of calm. Finally, each of our contributors agreed that sustainability has to be part of the conversation, and noted that, with modern technology – low flow, flow restrictors, air injection and clever bath design, as well as energy-efficient lighting and recycled and recyclable “cradle-to-cradle” materials, including some metals and other proprietary materials such as those offered by the likes of Kaldewei and Bette. Abode’s design manager Paul Illingworth thinks
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sustainability should be part of the client discussion, by selling the properties of materials such as brass, which he says offers “amazing eco-credentials”, as it can be recycled repeatedly and retain its durability, anti-corrosion and heat-resistance benefits. Looking to the future of spa bathroom design, sustainability will no doubt continue to play an increasing role in decisions, and technology will help facilitate more sustainably luxurious designs Grohe’s Neathey predicts that more homes will begin to future-proof their bathrooms with shower toilets, particularly as their associated hygiene benefits begin to be more widely understood. Finally, Bathroom Brands’ Hernandez finishes with the idea that the future includes the democratisation of spa features such as steam, UV, chromotherapy and hydrotherapy to the average home. “Why shouldn’t we be able to integrate these features into any space?”
STEAM DREAM
CRL says its bespoke showers are ideal for creating a spa bathroom
A highlight of the new Scope Bathrooms’ showroom (featured as this issue’s Showroom of the Month on page 64) is its working Steamist steam shower, deliberately designed with an accessible footprint to suit most consumer bathrooms. “It’s a great talking point for the sales teams because aromatherapy oils can be added to really sell the luxury,” general manager Derek Miller explains. “Additionally, it provides a chance for the team to demonstrate our technical ability as it needs to include bespoke glass, with a fully tiled ceiling.”
• June 2024
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