BRASSWARE & ACCESSORIES Rob Pattern


hib.


BKU’s Matt Broughton spoke with Rob Pattern, Head of Product Development at hib.


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026 has been a really positive year for hib, with a strong focus on listening to


its customers and continuing to evolve the range around how bathrooms are actually being designed and sold today. “One of the biggest moments has been the


launch of our ‘hib Retailer Listening Lab’, where we spoke to bathroom retailers about everything from changing customer behaviour to the role of the showroom,” explains Rob. “Seven in 10 told us the showroom has become more important to customers over the past two to three years. “Alongside that, we’ve continued to develop


the portfolio, with greater choice across finishes, shapes and those smaller design details that help bring the whole bathroom together. We’re seeing much more confidence in how different elements are combined, with complementary finishes increasingly taking the place of the expectation that everything has to match exactly.” 2026 has been about understanding what


customers need, and responding meaningfully – listening to retailers, understanding what consumers are asking for and making sure both hib’s products and the support around them make life easier for its retail partners. “Alongside developing the range, we’ve


invested in practical tools and content, including how-to videos and product guidance, giving


retailers the information and confidence they need to advise customers,” says Rob. “The Listening Lab strengthens that approach by giving us a direct line into the opportunities and challenges retailers are experiencing.”


Right here, right now “We’re really focused on the clever design details that make a noticeable difference to how a bathroom looks and works,” says Rob. “Innovation isn’t always about a big new feature; often it’s the smaller ideas that solve an everyday frustration – a larger demisting pad that keeps more of the mirror clear, integrated sockets that make getting ready easier, considered lighting or storage exactly where you need it. “We’re also thinking about the complete space,


giving people more freedom to combine shapes, finishes and details in a way that feels considered and personal. For retailers, those extra design and functionality stories can help turn “I like it” into “that’s exactly what I need”. “ I ask Rob what the big ‘surprises’ have been in


tastes over the last couple of years: “Probably the growing confidence around mixing finishes, materials and shapes. There has been a move away from the idea that every metallic element in a bathroom needs to be an identical colour. They should complement, rather than match.


“We’re also seeing much more attention paid


to lighting, texture, warmth and how individual pieces interact. Mirrors and lighting in particular are becoming part of the overall design language of the room, rather than simply functional additions.”


Modern finishes as living materials “Chrome created an expectation that metallic finishes should match perfectly. But finishes such as brushed brass, bronze and gunmetal behave differently,” says Rob. “Rather than chasing an exact colour match, look for tonal harmony. Does the undertone work? Do the textures complement one another? How does the finish respond to the lighting and wider material palette?” That thinking is influencing hib.’s product


development, creating more opportunities to combine complementary finishes and details across the bathroom and giving designers, retailers and consumers greater freedom.


2027 expectations Rob expects that more individual, layered approach to continue: “Lighting will be really important. We’re moving beyond thinking about bathroom lighting as purely functional and towards using it to create ambience. The right lighting can completely transform how a space feels – bringing warmth, highlighting materials and textures or creating a softer, more relaxing environment. “The showroom has a big role to play here too.


Consumers may be gathering more inspiration from AI and social media, but experiencing lighting, finishes and materials in person becomes even more valuable when creating that sense of atmosphere.” Rob says to expect more of that combination


of listening and innovation as we move through 2026 into next year: “Our expansion into lighting is an exciting next step, and we’ll continue exploring how lighting, finishes and clever design details can work together to create a more personal bathroom. “Alongside product development, we’ll keep


listening to and supporting our retail partners, giving them the products, tools and stories to have those conversations confidently in the showroom. Ultimately, we don’t want to dictate one particular bathroom ‘look’. We want to give people the tools to create their own.”


34 BKU OCTOBER 2026


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