INDUSTRY VIEWS INDUSTRY
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Quiet luxury speaks volumes
Quiet luxury is increasingly influencing kitchen design, with consumers favouring spaces that feel considered, cohesive and effortlessly functional. Rather than relying on overt statements, the focus is on a less-is-more approach, where every element works together to create a refined and harmonious whole. Co-ordinated finishes play an important role, helping appliances
and kitchen components sit comfortably alongside one another while supporting a calmer, more streamlined aesthetic. Technology is also becoming quieter in more ways than one. Beyond reduced noise levels, consumers are looking for intelligent features that work discreetly in the background, simplifying everyday routines without dominating the kitchen. Synchronised
technology is part of this evolution, allowing different elements of the kitchen to communicate and work together more intuitively. For retailers, quiet
luxury presents an opportunity to demonstrate the value of thoughtful design and intelligent integration, helping customers create sophisticated kitchens where performance, technology and aesthetics exist in perfect harmony.
Why warm metallics are taking over the bathroom
For years, chrome was the automatic choice for bathroom fixtures and fittings. That’s changing. Across kitchens and living spaces, warm metallic tones - brushed nickel, brass, bronze - have been steadily replacing cooler, harder-edged finishes, and bathrooms are now following suit. The shift reflects a
broader move towards softer, more residential-feeling interiors, where bathrooms are designed to feel like an extension of the home rather than a purely functional space. Warm tones pair naturally with the timber, stone and matt surfaces now more common in bathroom interiors, and they photograph and age more forgivingly than high-shine finishes. For specifiers and designers, this means finish choice is no longer an afterthought -
Comment by Sonia De Gioia, Sales Director (Showrooms), Geberit
Comment by Chris Gallagher, Sales Director, Franke UK
it’s central to how a bathroom reads as a whole. We’ve leant into this movement, having recently extended our collection of Sigma flush plates, creating a new brushed nickel finish across our Sigma40 and Sigma70 ranges.
Demonstrating Value in a
Challenging Market The bathroom market remains challenging, with homeowners taking longer to make purchasing decisions and paying closer attention to overall project costs. Rising installation and labour costs mean a greater share of the budget can be absorbed before customers select products, increasing demand for more competitively priced options. However, customers are not necessarily willing to compromise on the features associated with
premium products. They still expect practical storage, durable materials, easy-to-maintain surfaces and a strong choice of colours, finishes and configurations. This means manufacturers and retailers must communicate what customers gain by investing a little more, rather than simply competing on price. Clear product information and well-planned showroom displays can help demonstrate value.
When viewed as part of the overall cost of a bathroom renovation, the additional cost of a premium vanity unit can be relatively small, while offering better design, greater choice and lasting quality that customers will appreciate every day.
Comment by Tom Shaw, Marketing Executive, Ambiance Bain UK
BKU OCTOBER 2026
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