INDUSTRY VIEWS
INDUSTRY VIEWS
Exploring the margin
potential of wall panelling Tiles have long been a staple of bathroom design, yet many retailers hesitate to offer them. From complex displays to stock management and the need for specialist trades, tiling can be more trouble than it’s worth. But what if there were an alternative - one that offers the style customers want, with fewer barriers to sale? Wall panelling is gaining traction as a simpler, more flexible solution. For retailers, it’s a
chance to rethink the traditional bathroom offering. With no need for wet trades or specialist tools, installation can be faster and more accessible - putting control back into the hands of the retailer and the end customer. As consumer demand continues to shift toward convenience and speed, panelling could present an opportunity not just for margin, but for a more complete service. Sometimes, the path to added value lies in challenging old assumptions.
Comment by Lidia Kane, Marketing Manager, Multipanel
Chrome becomes the ‘little black dress’ of today’s bathroom
Clive Griffiths, Manager at Grange Design explains, “Given the latest advancements in chrome plating technology, this much-loved finish in the bathroom continues to answer growing demand for interior design schemes, which are low-maintenance, durable and sleek in appearance. In fact, even though the latest style trends show a shift in customers’ preferences for alternative finishes, the latest research indicates that online Google searches for ‘chrome’ has become a breakout topic in the last 12 months, with a 40% upturn in searches for bath mixer taps with combined showering, and +130% for people investigating ‘chrome plating’.” Grange Design believes
Comment by Clive Griffiths, Manager at Grange Design
that Chrome’s market resilience is mainly due to its timeless appeal, able to complement various home décors, as well as protect against corrosion, tarnishing, and general wear and tear. As the latest trends in the UK shower and bath market continue to err towards eco-friendly and sustainable taps and accessories, it’s no surprise that premium brassware manufacturers offer Chrome as a core finish option in their portfolios.
Brassware shouldn’t be an afterthought
There was a time when choosing bathroom brassware meant everything had to match - chrome with chrome, from basin tap to towel rail. But today’s bathroom is more expressive, more layered and far less rigid. The rise of mix-and-match design reflects a broader shift in how we think about interiors: rules are out, individuality is in. Pairing a brushed gold tap with matte black accessories, or combining soft curves with angular forms, isn’t a mistake - it’s a design statement. For retailers and
designers, this opens up exciting creative possibilities and more meaningful conversations with customers. The bathroom is no longer a place for safe, one-note choices. It’s a space to be curated. And when it comes to brassware, contrast can be just as powerful as cohesion
Comment by Alvin Biggs, Managing Director, RAK Ceramics UK
4 BKU MAY 2025
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