Market and design trends | PRODUCTS


The search 152%


terms ‘freestanding baths’ rose by


in 2021 Houzz Silestone Ethereal Noctis


Grohe’s infra-red taps, which came on to the market in 2020. These offer both improved hygiene as well as a sustainable element – two of the biggest driving factors for current consumer purchasing behaviour. “With no need to touch any surfaces,”


says Lixil Emena leader


category UK, Elina Enqvist-Twomey, “infra-red taps are an ideal solution for those wanting to decrease the chance of spreading germs. Another benefit is


a slim profile and minimalist form, which makes them an ideal solution for smaller bathrooms or cloakrooms.” Consumers are generally more interested in smart, tech-savvy solutions in the bathroom and this will extend increasingly to showers too. It is likely that being able to preset the temperature and control the rate of flow could be popular both for convenience and for water-saving. Rimless WCs and smart loos have


Tech it to the limit


Virtual Worlds managing director Nathan Maclean (left) and Compusoft UK managing director Alex Ainge (right) give their unique insights into how showroom operations have changed and adapted over the past two years and how this might impact the future…


NM: “As showrooms were allowed to open once again, we saw that retailers were very keen to embrace technology, to drive footfall from customers, offering something different that couldn’t be replicated with an online retailer. 4D virtual reality offers this vital point of difference, which is more important than ever in the showroom. Consumers have become more savvy when it comes to technology and they have had lots of time on their hands to think about what they want in terms of their dream kitchen or bathroom. The 4D VR experience of seeing and experiencing their room in the showroom environment is more compelling than ever as home- owners look to make their dream homes a reality. “Retailers who are embracing this technology are finding that their sales conversion rates are improving, but importantly I truly believe that it will be impossible to sell kitchens or bathrooms any other way in the future.”


January 2022 ·


AA: “One thing that we noticed was that people who had more time on their hands, were spending much more time evaluating and pondering over their kitchen designs. Lots of our dealers saw increasing requests for multiple variations of their designs and quotes for their kitchens. Winner Flex and Showcase360 were invaluable for allowing our customers to


quickly and easily make


changes and rearrange designs and then share these new designs with the end customer. As all the quoting is done automatically, offering different price options is also easy. Design@Web, our online design tool, was also useful for many of our retailers who used this as another avenue of communication with their customers. With showrooms closed, the internet was even more important as that first touch point for potential buyers. End users could submit their ideas, generating vital leads for retailers.


Roca’s Smart Shower allows up to three users to preset their desired settings


also become increasingly popular over the past few years and will continue to be so as prices come down. It’s recognised now that these are more hygienic, as there are fewer places germs can lurk – and they’re generally more


sustainable, as many are


designed in such a way that less water is needed for each flush.


Many manufacturers have also been coming up with improved surface coatings for their sanitaryware to repel


germs or to make it easier to clean. Roca has designed and introduced a material for its WC seats called Supralit – “a resin with zero porosity and a revolutionary antibacterial treatment, making it ultra-hygienic”. Meanwhile, Laufen’s Clean Coat or LCC, is designed to provide lifetime protection and is said to be exceptionally hygienic, smooth and hard-wearing with a finish that’s easy to clean and “practically indestructible”.


Ventilation Finally, on bathroom trends HiB’s Bennett brings up ventilation, saying: “Improved air flow and the reduction of condensation, prevents damp and the build-up of bacteria. “With this in mind, ensuring that the customer is aware of the different options and features available is important, so they can make an informed decision on which ventilation system is right for them.” In conclusion, Bill Miller, managing director of the Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group, offers an optimistic outlook: “With so much time spent at home over the past 18 months and the change to home working, this has resulted in consumers wanting to invest in their home. In the future, although there will be more demands on the household budget, such as foreign holidays and the increasing cost of living, I do not think that this trend shows any sign of lessening as we move into 2022.


“So, despite the obvious challenge of product and skills shortages, the future for independent kitchen and bathroom retail looks bright.”


45 Bette Oval Silhouette bath


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