INDUSTRY VIEWS INDUSTRY
VIEWS
Designs on mixing and matching
We’ve seen an increasing confidence from consumers to use finishes and colour to create design-led, individual bathroom spaces. Indeed, warm metallic tones, such as Brushed Bronze or Brushed Brass, have already had a strong impact in bringing a softer edge to bathroom designs.
This year we expect to see dual tone products or combinations of tones take this even further. For instance, Polished Gold pitched against Polished Black Chrome in striking brassware, or a Brushed Bronze shower featuring alongside a Matt Black surround to bring increased interest into the space.
And showrooms have a pivotal role to play in bringing a client’s vision to life here.
This approach demands an expert eye to ensure complete cohesion, giving bathroom designers the opportunity to explore combinations of expressive materials to generate stunning bathroom spaces that work on many levels, appealing to sight and touch, and enhancing feelings of wellness.
Kitchen lighting brings contrast, influences mood, and promotes relaxation in 2026
Fully integrated smart lighting has gained significance in modern kitchen design, as open plan living environments continue to focus on the relationship between the user and a product.
Comment by Jay Phillips, Managing Director, Hansgrohe UK and Ireland
In 2026, accent lighting moves away from purely functional to artistic expression, with a focus on layered lighting schemes with a rise in reactive solutions that sense when the user is near to ensure the area is only illuminated when in use like a pull-out drawer, breakfast cupboard or larder. The very best kitchen designs are incorporating a curated mix of accent lighting, which highlight signature design elements such as glass display units, cabinets and drawers, shelving and cubbyholes, wall niches, worktops, island units and plinths, fitted larders, coffee stations and more! Fuelled by a growing desire for greater customisation of lighting solutions that can be operated by remote control, the latest statistics show that the UK smart home market is expected to soar to £25 billion by 2030, with kitchen lighting dominating this category.
Comment by Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations, Rotpunkt
Accessibility is no longer an afterthought Regardless of physical ability, everyone deserves more than basic functionality in a washroom. For too long,
accessibility was treated as an afterthought, with designers forced to compromise aesthetics to meet compliance. Thankfully, that mindset is changing. Modern accessible bathrooms no longer require a trade-off between style and practicality. As inclusivity becomes a priority across commercial and hospitality sectors, designers now have access to considered solutions that balance aesthetics, safety and regulation. The result is demand for accessible spaces that feel luxurious, uplifting and dignified for all users.
Innovation is driving this shift. From level-access showers and zero-threshold designs to smart technology, sensory-friendly features and advanced materials that improve hygiene and safety, accessible design is evolving rapidly. Finishes such as matt black, satin brass and brushed bronze further support seamless integration into high-end schemes.
By combining intuitive planning, premium materials and compliance with standards including Part M and BS 8300, designers can create accessible bathrooms that go beyond compliance and deliver genuinely luxurious experiences.
Comment by Bradley Culmer, Business Development Director, Fitzroy of London
BKU JANUARY 2026
5
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
