INDUSTRY VIEWS INDUSTRY
VIEWS
The role of a radiator in creating healthier indoor environments
When it comes to perfect indoor conditions, what we’re really talking about is comfort.
It is interesting how the phrase “I feel really comfortable in here” is rarely spoken. When someone feels compelled to comment, it usually means that something in the indoor environment quality has fallen short. Internal temperature is not just a matter of comfort, it plays a significant role in both our physical and mental well-being, often in ways that we don’t immediately recognise.
When we choose our home systems with a whole-house mindset, everything works together harmoniously. Air quality and thermal comfort are both key elements in keeping a house healthy. Achieving perfect indoor conditions – without any discomfort – is about balancing the two.
Comment by Louise Randall, Business Development Manager, Zehnder Group UK
This balance comes first from extracting stale air with ventilation systems, then comes efficient heating: radiators keeping the room warm and dry. These factors combine to decrease the risk of damp and mould. Truly comfortable homes don’t just happen by accident. When everything aligns, the result is a comfortable, healthy, living space, with a sweet spot of warmth and fresh air. Achieving this takes thoughtful planning and
coordination from the design stage.
The UK Bathroom Market:
Navigating Resilience Through Partnership The UK bathroom market currently presents a tale of two extremes. With consumer confidence impacted by wider economic headwinds, the “squeezed middle” is facing significant pressure. However, two sectors remain remarkably resilient: the high-end “quiet luxury” segment, where homeowners prioritise wellness, longevity and brassware colours, and the essential commodity side, driven by urgent RMI (Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement). At Ideal Bathrooms, we refuse to participate in the downturn. While the broader industry navigates these shifts, we have achieved double-digit growth by doubling down on our core philosophy: total commitment to our customers. By providing the stock reliability, technical expertise and logistical support our partners need to win in a competitive landscape, we have turned a challenging market into a period of strategic expansion.
Our success is a direct reflection of our customers’ success; when the market gets tough, we get closer to the frontline.
Comment by Scott Cooper, Managing Director, Ideal Bathrooms
Why traditional kitchen design is evolving
Kitchen design in 2026 continues to favour character and familiarity, with traditional styles reinterpreted for today’s interiors. This renewed appetite for old-meets- new is evident in the popularity of Shaker cabinetry, statement range cookers and robust Belfast sinks, which consistently feature on Pinterest boards.
Rather than nostalgia, these classics are evolving through slimmer frames, contemporary colour palettes and updated surface details. Fluted apron-front Belfast sinks are a clear example, adding texture and visual interest while retaining the practical appeal that has long made ceramic sinks a kitchen staple.
Comment by Jennifer Townsend, Senior Category Manager, Rangemaster
Functionality remains central to this evolution, with sinks that offer more within the same footprint increasingly in demand, from deeper bowls and causeway dividers to workstation designs that support washing, food prep and cleaning in one space.
Together, these shifts point to a more considered approach to kitchen design – one where familiar designs are chosen for how well they perform in everyday family life.
BKU MARCH 2026
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