Kitchen and bathroom design post-Covid | FOCUS
Alno believes we will see the use of more antibacterial surfaces in kitchens
Sales are picking up again, but how has Covid-19 and lockdown affected what buyers are looking for and what are manufacturers doing to meet that demand? Chris Frankland finds out
T here are unmistakable
signs of an upsurge in demand for kitchens
and bathrooms. With people having spent so much time at home, not going out, not going on holiday and not commuting, they are coming out of lockdown with a desire to spend the money they have saved on home improvements. And some research has the put the figure for the amount consumers have saved at an average of £500 a month. This is confirmed by Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at Rotpunkt, who says: “Figures in June were up year on year for us. I believe this is based on the pent-up demand to buy and the inevitable
spike in new
enquiries as retailers reopen their doors – not forgetting the need to clear the backlog in the wake of lockdown.” Egger Group’s head of design and
September 2020 ·
POST-COVID WORLD
Kitchens and bathrooms in a
décor management Klaus Monhoff agrees: “In the next six months, consumers will start to settle into the new normality. While their consumption levels have been low during the pandemic, we expect to see an increase in demand as consumers refresh their living spaces and adapt to new guidelines.” Everyone is
talking about a ‘new
normal’, so we asked our experts what they believe that will be for kitchen and bathroom design in the future.
One overwhelming trend concerns the use of materials and designs to promote cleanliness and hygiene. Keeping areas free from bacteria and viruses will be a long-term priority for manufacturers and designers alike. Graeme Smith, head of retail and commercial design at PWS, picks up on that trend: “Hygiene can come in both obvious forms and more subtle design elements. Easy-clean surfaces that are durable – such as quartz – give consumers the peace of mind for worktops, while handleless kitchens may be sought for their ease of cleaning.”
This is echoed by Tom
Communicating the USPs of independents will be critical to success and there will be a focus on managing customer expectation
Matt Phillips, head UK operations, Rotpunkt
Howley, design director of the kitchen showrooms that bear his name: He says: “We love
quartz worktops in our projects, its non-porous texture doesn’t allow bacteria to grow. It’s easy to clean, making it less
susceptible to staining.” Rotpunkt’s Phillips comments: “Surfaces that promote new levels of hygiene and sustainability are going to influence
the future kitchen design.” He adds: “I believe special treat-
ments and new laminate finishes that ensure a high resistance against scratches and chemicals, along with anti-fingerprint properties, will become a favourable option for minimising the spread of unwanted germs.”
Handwashing
Another trend spotted by our experts is the inclusion of a second sink for handwashing. The 1810 Company’s national sales manager Daryl Southwell says: “The pandemic has left many of us needing more assurance. We require kitchens to be as safe and hygienic as possible. “Now, customers frequently ask for
a second sink to be installed as a prep sink and/or a handwashing
„ 53
of post-Covid
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
