Compact bathrooms | PRODUCT FEATURE
Selling compact bathrooms
Rob Shean, head of product
development at Roper Rhodes, expands on the
popularity and importance of products that are designed specifically for compact bathrooms and cloakrooms
Q & A
Q:How do retailers benefit by selling compact products? A: Adding furniture to a compact bathroom space gives retailers the chance to upsell from what would otherwise be a more standard three- or four-piece suite. It also allows retailers to use their design muscle to create a bathroom with some identity and give the customer some needed storage solutions.
Q:What design considerations do retailers need to address in their showroom displays? A: Creating realistic displays that reflect true bathroom sizes is a key consideration. As a multi- category brand, we have the benefit of offering retailers bathroom displays that consider small space furniture, brassware, mirror and WC options, and how these can be combined in a small space setting.
Q:How interested are consumers
in and compact
bathroom solutions? A: For the vast majority of UK homeowners
renovators,
space is the first consideration when it comes to bathroom design. Consumers
want to
create practical, stylish spaces irrespective of size constraints, so the demand for products that facilitate this is steady.
Q:What are your top design tips and tricks to deal with small/compact bathrooms? A: Small but significant details, such as reversible vanity doors, are useful in compact rooms. Doors
are more practical in
cloakrooms or en suites, but opting for a unit with drawers and internal dividers, where possible, increases bathroom storage.
Short-projection WCs
can open up floor space, while slim-depth fitted furniture is good for narrow bathrooms. Illuminated mirrors can help to brighten small, dark rooms.
November 2022 · L-Shape Standard
Combination unit in Navy, from the Elation furniture range by Cavalier Bathrooms
high up, creating a feeling of space, and wet deck trays help maximise the visual floor space available”. Two-in-one solutions such as over- bath showers are also ideal for smaller spaces. Elina Enqvist-Twomey, leader, product management at Grohe UK and Lixil Emena, says: “Over-bath showers continue to be a key feature providing a two-in-one solution for compact spaces and are also ideal for shared and family living space where function, accessibility and design are crucial.”
Still on the subject of showers,
Suzannah Adey, senior product manager for mixers and digital showers at Mira, says homeowners are seeking a more powerful mixer shower. “The prevalence of high pressure systems installed in new homes guarantees a powerful showering experience and a strong flow means mixer showers are an ideal choice.”
Design
Retailers that can offer stylish designs within the confines of a smaller bathroom will do best, according to Darren Allison, MD at BC Designs. He
says: “Not everyone is lucky enough to have large spaces to play with, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t design- focused. Retailers that can get ahead of the curve by offering stylish and compact items can certainly benefit in terms of sales.”
Asker at Ripples agrees and adds:
“We can also challenge the perceptions of our clients in terms of what’s achievable within their smaller spaces – which is always fun, as a designer.” And a great design may lead to other work. Emma Mottram, Laufen brand marketing manager, says: “Selling these products is an excellent way of gaining consumer trust. Clients happy with the design and installation of their small bathroom may return with a larger project such as a bigger family bathroom or en-suite/shower room”.
A point taken up by Steven Jacques, national development manager for Pelipal at Inspired Room Design, who says: “We have seen a big demand
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Laufen’s Lua washbasin and Val wall-hung WC
The Penny acrylic bath from BC Designs Midnight Blue Fabrica cloakroom vanity unit from HiB
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