INDUSTRY VIEWS
INDUSTRY VIEWS
Hardware is moving up the
design agenda One thing we’re noticing is that designers are thinking about architectural hardware much earlier in the design process. Historically, handles and other fittings could be left until quite late, but there’s a growing understanding that they have a real impact on how a space looks and, most importantly, how it feels to use. Scale, projection and ergonomics are equally important. A handle might look perfect on paper,
but if it feels awkward in the hand or isn’t right for the size and weight of the door or cabinetry, that quickly becomes noticeable in everyday use. Thinking about hardware earlier also makes it easier to create consistency across doors,
cabinetry and appliance pulls. That doesn’t mean everything has to match, but there should be a relationship between the different elements. The best hardware is something you notice for the right reasons: it looks good, feels good and simply works.”
Comment by Paul Clifford, Managing Director, Croft
The importance of showrooms
Showrooms have always come into their own when it comes to reassurance, expertise and a more personalised approach to design. And this now feels more important than ever. Consumers can easily arrive armed with inspiration from social
media, online research and AI-generated imagery. However, the real value lies in helping customers translate ideas into spaces that work for their everyday lives, thinking bigger and more holistically about how the room will be lived in and with.
There is the
opportunity to move beyond selling individual products. By understanding how customers use their homes, designers can recommend layouts, finishes, textures and technologies that deliver both practical and emotional benefits. As customer
Comment by Jay Phillips, Managing Director, Hansgrohe UK & Ireland
expectations inevitably continue to evolve, the most successful showrooms are likely to be those that focus on conversation, consultation and long- term value. Product quality remains vital, but expertise, trust and tailored guidance are increasingly becoming defining factors in the customer journey.
A warmer future for shower enclosures
Bathrooms are moving away from their clinical side. Looking ahead, I expect warm metals - particularly bronze and brushed brass - to become the new default, replacing the cool precision of polished nickel. But the bigger
shift is towards sensory, wellness-led spaces. I see the bathroom becoming less about a checklist of fixtures and more about creating an atmosphere that slows you down, resets you and feels restorative. Warmer materials, softer lighting, tactile stone and timber, natural textures and considered acoustics all contribute to a spa-at-home experience. Warm metal is
central to this shift. Brushed brass brings muted golden warmth, while country bronze offers greater depth and architectural weight. Both work naturally with travertine, limestone, timber and earthy greens. It’s about creating a bathroom that feels warmer, calmer and more connected to the wider home. Flair’s Harmony Collections reflect this direction, offering a warmer, more tactile approach to bathroom design.
Comment by Tammy Lane, Interior Design Partner, Flair Showers
4 BKU OCTOBER 2026
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