COLOURS & FINISH TRENDS Richard Shore
Utopia: Thoughtful Design. Lasting Quality
New collections, sharper service tools and a confident approach to colour are shaping Utopia’s next chapter, as Richard Shore, Head of Product Design, tells BKU’s Matt Broughton.
f 2025 proved anything for Utopia, it’s that the business is at its best when product, service and brand direction move in step. Richard describes last year as “another highly productive year”, shaped by strong progress across multiple areas. Further additions to the Qube Collection helped build momentum, while the Autumn Launch Preview event delivered a major moment for the brand with the unveiling of HeyU - Utopia’s new modular collection. Now fully launched and available to order, Richard says the response has been “overwhelmingly positive”, with retailer uptake particularly encouraging.
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Alongside product, the company has been focused on strengthening its customer service proposition. Trials of new delivery fleet options were announced towards the end of the year, designed to bring greater agility in how Utopia supports its retail partners. A review of customer support also led to the launch of the new Retailer HUB, bringing together information, resources and tools, including a new 24/7 Order Tracker aimed at improving transparency and ease of doing business. Looking ahead, Richard says 2026 will remain firmly centred on elevating customer experience through further service initiatives, alongside a detailed review and enhancement of the product portfolio.
Colour, texture and trend discipline For Richard, colour trends are not a seasonal talking point - they are fundamental to how Utopia operates. “Understanding both their current direction and future evolution is critical to our success,” he says, adding that Utopia invests continually in the infrastructure needed to stay agile, from marketing and literature to materials, machinery and range architecture. He also notes that trend awareness is shaped not only by bathroom design, but by wider market activity across fashion, automotive and interiors. Texture is just as influential. Richard describes it as “equally significant” in shaping contemporary design, and a key area of strategic focus. However, he’s clear that Utopia’s aim is not to follow what’s already out there. “Our approach is never to follow trends, but to innovate,” he says, suggesting that Utopia’s production facility allows it to
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embrace complexity and develop original techniques that challenge expectations. Even so, Richard admits that trend cycles can still surprise. “The trend market has a habit of throwing the occasional curveball,” he says, though he adds that Utopia rarely dismisses an idea without first exploring its potential. The brand’s identity remains the filter. “If a new trend or bright idea doesn’t sit comfortably within that world, it’s gently filed away in the bottom drawer… which, at this point, is getting rather full.”
Bold finishes and scalable design When it comes to colour, Richard is clear that statement design remains central to Utopia’s philosophy. “Bold statements are an important part of Utopia’s design philosophy,” he says, describing them as a way to create excitement and leave a lasting impression. But he also stresses accessibility, ensuring the range has “a point of connection for every taste”.
“Colour is transformative,” Richard adds. “The right colour scale enables us to craft striking expressions for those drawn to bolder aesthetics, while delivering quiet sophistication for those who favour a more subtle elegance.” HeyU has been designed to deliver that flexibility in one cohesive offer. “Our new HeyU collection perfectly embodies this scalable approach to range architecture,” he says, combining “statement, colour, texture, technology, and basin choice within a single, cohesive vision.” For those leaning into drama, Richard highlights the Iridescent Bronze finish, Ripple texture,
integrated illumination and the Metalux basin family. For a calmer scheme, Sandy Ecru pairs effortlessly with a refined linear texture and the elegant Halo basin.
Sustainability as a manufacturing responsibility As a UK manufacturer, Richard says sustainability is treated as a serious responsibility, with multiple initiatives already in place. “We constantly strive to engineer products with the longest possible lifespan,” he explains, framing longevity as both an environmental and consumer benefit. Manufacturing in the Midlands also plays a role. “Our cabinets don’t travel halfway across the planet,” Richard says, noting that dispatching direct from the point of manufacture saves “hundreds of tonnes of carbon every year”. Waste reduction is another focus, with offcut and sawdust waste used as biomass fuel to heat the site, and cardboard packaging cut on site to the exact size to minimise surplus and improve transport efficiency. Richard also points to a commitment to locally sourced, certified or recycled raw materials wherever possible, alongside close work with component suppliers and rigorous in-house testing to ensure long-term reliability. With service and product development both in focus, Richard suggests the year ahead will build on a clear direction: delivering collections that feel design-led and relevant, while ensuring the customer experience continues to evolve in step.
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