RESIDENTIAL

By: Justin Storm

Consumers are more willing than ever to invest in products that create a life well-crafted.

After a virtual experience in 2021, the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) returned in full swing in February, showcasing the latest innovations within the kitchen and bath space. Thousands of designers, architects and distributors attended to get a glimpse of new industry products, network in-person, and learn about current and upcoming trends.

With many homeowners continuing to spend much of their time at home, ensuring their spaces are relaxing or invigorating is of great importance, especially for the kitchen and bath. With an emphasis on health and wellbeing, consumers are more aware of how the body and mind are equally impacted by their surroundings and are willing to invest in products that create a life well-crafted.

At House of Rohl, we’re focused on enabling whole home styling through our portfolio of five global brands and have identified the following key trends in the world of kitchen and bath design:

Product personalization is essential

Customization is a popular trend in the kitchen and bathroom space and allows homeowners to showcase their style as they select products for their home. Over the past two years, consumers have experienced firsthand the importance of the home and desire high-quality products that are a personal reflection of the individual.

In fact, a House of Rohl survey from last summer found that 63% of respondents are more likely to select bathroom fixtures if they can personalize them, whether that’s through faucet handles, materials or product colors.

The same can be said for the kitchen space — as the heart of the home, we’re seeing interest in kitchen sinks that go beyond the standard white or beige colors, and many homeowners are opting for sinks that allow them to choose bold colors or graphic elements and patterns to display their unique flair.

House of Rohl’s Gallery by Shaws collection is a great example of how homeowners can customize their kitchen sink – the collection provides beautiful design options for Shaker and Lancaster apron-front sinks, offering consumers the opportunity to embellish their sink with graphics such as organic lines, patinas and natural flora to further enhance their space.

It’s more than a bathroom

As homeowners place emphasis on holistic wellbeing within their homes, bathrooms are moving beyond just being a bathroom – they’re a space where one can relax and recharge. They are now settings that help erase the everyday, and spa-like bathrooms are rising to the top of industry trends.

Soaking tubs in particular emulate the spa experience and offer a serene sanctuary, making a statement of indulgence in the bathroom and granting homeowners with a luxurious bathing experience. At House of Rohl, we’ve seen increased interest in freestanding, deep tubs that provide roomy comfort, as well as tubs that include shapes like sloping waves or minimalistic angles. Homeowners are also bringing soothing colors into the bathroom, like blues, greens and greys.

House of Rohl’s Victoria + Albert, a freestanding tub brand, enables homeowners to choose from a suite of 224 RAL colors that can be applied to all Victoria + Albert tubs to further inspire relaxation.

The showering experience has also changed to be more rejuvenating, and bathing isn’t simply an act of cleaning anymore. Showers offer a calming escape where homeowners can refresh and revitalize. Because of this, showers that emulate nature with gentle rains, mists and vigorous waterfall sensations are trending, as are expansive, open showers that create a boundless bathroom interior. Homeowners also want the ability to customize their shower through temperature controls, trims, décor and lighting while maintaining ease of use. To further give homeowners the ability to create their own ultimate shower, House of Rohl has simplified its valve offering to support highly-desired shower configurations across three House of Rohl brands – ROHL, Perrin & Rowe and Riobel – to support a basic shower, simple spa and dream spa. This enables consumers to easily customize their shower experience with a multitude of shower head, body spray and handshower variations.

Additionally, the attention to bathroom décor is now equal to that of bedrooms and living rooms, with daybeds, armchairs and benches providing a place to lounge and prolong the spa experience. Homeowners are also giving more thought to bathroom hardware and how these pieces affect the overall aesthetic of the bathroom. Drawer pulls, towel bars and other accessories are no longer an afterthought – they are critical elements to the space and complement the rest of the room as would a precious piece of jewelry.

Functionality in the Kitchen

The kitchen is an intersection between dining and home entertainment, which creates the need for multi-purpose functionality unlike any other room in the home. Because the kitchen is a popular gathering, homeowners look for products that fit this space in a way that appeals to both guest entertaining and more intimate family occasions.

House of Rohl’s simplified valve offering makes it easier than ever for homeowners to customize their shower experience.

Because of this, workstation and low-divide double bowl kitchen sinks have quickly risen in popularity. These are the perfect solution for homeowners who love to cook, yet also want to simplify prep and clean up.

House of Rohls’ the Culinario collection includes a colander, a drying rack and a chopping board to seamlessly combine cooking prep, cleaning and hosting tasks. It’s also made from industrial-grade, thick-gauge stainless steel that stands up to wear and tear.

Workstation sinks are ideal for chef-level tasks and bring functionality to a new level with interchangeable kitchen tools. Low-divide double bowls offer practicality in the kitchen and gives homeowners the ability to use each bowl for a dedicated purpose. For example, one side could accommodate the washing of large pans and baking sheets, while the other side could be used to place clean dishes. This trendy style can be seen in the new Shaws Shaker undermount fireclay sink from House of Rohl, which also boasts double glazing that creates a bacteria-resistant surface.

About the Author

Justin Storm is the Group Product Manager for House of Rohl. For more information, consumers and designers can discover the latest luxury decorative plumbing innovations and offerings from the House of Rohl portfolio of brands at houseofrohl.com.

Photos courtesy of House of Rohl.