PRODUCTS | Market and design trends


Liberty hinged door with in-line fluted glass and black detailing by Roman


in a range of colours, but particularly matt black, will continue to be popular. Multifunctionality again, will be key, so taps that offer hot/filtered/cold water will keep selling well.


Bold finishes will be popular for sinks too – both in metallic and coloured finishes. Quartz will also do well, as will more traditional Belfast sinks. Head of marketing at Blanco, John Robinson, adds that although homeowners will more be experimental with kitchen design, “it doesn’t mean classic stainless-steel sinks are declining in any way – it is still the most popular sink material overall, and looks set to continue that way”.


In 2023, new Government legislation that will see every UK household will receive a separate weekly food collection may help focus consumers on other solutions, such as waste disposal units. At Insinkertaor, Anne Kaarlela,


marketing communications and customer service manager for Europe and Russia, comments: “Kitchen specialists may witness an increase in requests for a food waste solution. For disposing of food waste safely and hygienically, why not specify a food waste disposer rather than a food waste caddy? It fits neatly under the sink, out of sight, removing the need to specify multiple bins and separate food waste compartments. It reduces food waste to landfill and also helps to reduce greenhouse gases and the household’s carbon footprint.” In bathrooms, key themes will be ‘tranquillity’, ‘renewal’ and the ‘spathroom’. The trend for larger and walk-in showers/wet rooms will continue to grow, comments Craven Dunnill’s Talbot, so seamless floors running from bathroom into shower areas are becoming more popular. This is backed up by Houzz, which


Houzz hot tips for 2022…


Kiya Kelly, communications manager for Houzz UK and Ireland, shares some of the hottest emerging trends from homeowners, design enthusiasts and home professionals using the platform


1. Kitchens with character Homeowners want to inject personality into their interiors and this is evident in what people are browsing for on Houzz. The search term ‘unusual kitchens’ more than doubled in popularity in 2021 and the photostream is flooded with examples of colourful cabinetry, unique flooring choices and tactile materials. 2. Cosy country kitchens Rural living is becoming increasingly popular. A third of those aged between 25 and 39 who plan to move told us they’d like to swap their urban neighbourhood for a rural one. Homeowners on Houzz are also seeking out those cosy country interiors for their kitchens too, with the search term ‘country kitchen’ rising by 54% over 2020. 4. Repurposed and vintage vanity units The search term ‘bathroom vanity’ rose by 50% in 2021, compared with the same time in 2020. More and more projects show creative and stylish designs, with repurposed and upcycled furniture pieces featuring more heavily.


44


Elite is Mermaid Panels’ most advanced collection yet


says the search term ‘walk-in shower’ rose in popularity by 71% in 2021 versus 2020, and there were 57% more searches for ‘wet rooms’. Of course, you can’t have a ‘spathroom’ without a bath, and ideally, homeowners want to luxuriate in a statement, freestanding tub. On Houzz, the search term ‘freestanding bath’ rose by 152% in 2021 compared with 2020. Baths are taking centre stage and the most popular photos on Houzz are featuring designs that incorporate unique shapes, colours and materials.


Sustainability


Consumers are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious, so they are looking for great quality products that will stand the test of time and may also now be more open to saving water when it comes to the showering experience.


Merlyn head of marketing Eileen


Slattery comments: “There has been a notable shift in both behaviour and spending. Quality and longevity are now front of mind, so we are seeing people move away from fast fashion and throwaway design to make more considered purchases.” In terms of design trends, a pared- down and serene approach is likely to be favoured, with natural and raw materials providing texture, while tactile surfaces, such as wicker pots, wood floors and cotton fibre accessories, will be on-trend. Slattery adds: “Materials that bring the outdoors in will continue to dominate, with a ‘less is more’, calming element.” And, in keeping with the outdoor theme, we’re also likely to


No one is expecting this year to be easy, but there is optimism in the fact that


investing in the home continues to be a top priority


Jo Sargent, sales and marketing director, Franke


see botanical and floral prints, as well as plants in the bathroom. As for sanitaryware, more organic,


curvier shapes may dominate over harder lines and, according to Roca Group’s head of marketing David Bromell, coloured sanitaryware is proving popular and will continue to be so. “The use of subtle, organic designs and colours will ensure a timeless design, easily integrated into interior schemes,” he adds.


In the showering space, focusing first on brassware – trends will follow finishes in the kitchen, with matt black and brushed metallics, including brass and nickel. Roman’s managing director David Osborne also predicts that matt white will be a popular finish in 2022. These metallics won’t just be seen on taps and showers, but all the hardware – from handles to hinges. In terms of functionality, hygiene has been another huge driver in the development of new technology for bathroom taps and sanitaryware finishes. One of the most significant recent launches in this area has to be


· January 2022


Photo Chris Snook


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72