While manufacturers were able to discuss broader trends in the bath and kitchen market, I got to dig deeper into what homeowners are really looking for when it comes to remodeling these spaces on the latest episode of the Plumbing Group podcast, “And So It Flows,” with Beth Rhoades of Salem, Oregon-based C&R Design Remodel, and Bob Ayer of Stoughton, Massachusetts-based PBZ Construction.
According to Ayer, the big is the latest trend — larger kitchens with larger appliances and pantries and larger bathrooms.
“Larger showers are a big trend, with steam units in the showers now,” he said. “I did a lot of steam showers 20 years ago, but now they’re coming back. I think the steam units are a little more budget-friendly than they were years ago, but still very expensive. Another thing we’re seeing is people want more natural light, so we’re doing bigger windows.”
According to Rhoades, color is the big trend.
“Greens, blues and blacks (cabinetry) are at the forefront of peoples’ minds,” she says. “Definitely looking at stronger colors in things. In plumbing fixtures, as a remodeler, I’m always a little leery putting color in fixtures simply because we rip out a lot of pink and green from the 1950s here. Trying to keep those in certain things rather than in fixtures which are harder to change. We want to look at that timeless approach so our clients aren’t having to update every five years.”
That’s an approach my husband would surely appreciate.