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The bathroom trends making a splash in 2024
18/12/2023
Creating warm and inviting spaces that ooze personality is key as we head into 2024. But so is sustainability as water-saving is integral to all bathroom design.
Like other rooms in the home, the bathroom now presents a prime opportunity to push the boundaries of design. It’s an exciting time in the bathroom industry as clients seek to be more imaginative with their spaces and designs, and retailers and manufacturers meet demand with innovative ideas and product offerings that are arguably wider and more creative than ever before. From colourful fittings and customisation options to a suite of accessories and clever storage, the possibilities are endless. Add that to the vitally important mission to reduce water consumption and encourage water efficient purchases and there’s a lot to talk about.
Ahead of what’s to be a very exciting few days at kbb Birmingham 2024, we look at the trends rising up in bathroom design…
Accentuated curves
From basins and baths to shower screens and accessories, rounded edges and artistic curves are a growing trend in bathrooms. Organic profiles are expected to dominate bathroom design in 2024 and we’re excited to see how this look brings a softer look to a space. Roca’s Ruy Ohtake collection of countertop basins sums up the appeal of this softer look perfectly. Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake was inspired by the natural world so the shape of the six basins in the range are reminiscent of the curves of waves and the ever-changing horizon. Accessories can play a leading role here too, including shapely mirrors like the Slim Organic by Origins Living, for example.
Sofia Charalambous, sales and marketing director at Origins Living comments: “In an era where growing evidence emphasises the profound impact our environment has on our wellbeing, the importance of having thoughtfully designed bathrooms has never been greater. Our mirror designs for 2024 reflect the move towards breaking free from the conventional rigidity found in bathrooms - introducing fluid styles that effortlessly encapsulates both the essence of nature and the evolution of society. The irregular, organic shapes of our mirrors gracefully replicate the meandering curves of a river, while our Arch designs pay homage to the architectural splendour of enduring archways. Each contour is meticulously sculpted to engage and enchant the senses, creating a harmonious fusion of form and function.”
Art in the bathroom
Linked with the consumer’s desire to personalise a bathroom, fittings become pieces of art in their own right. Pushing the boundaries through collaboration is a great way to introduce something new. Kaldewei has teamed up artist Bethan Laura Wood to create the striking Avocado Dreams collection of steel enamel bath, shower tray and washbowl in almost psychedelic patterns and colours, adding something completely different to the brand’s portfolio. Statement features that elevate a space are set to be in demand, such as the Lavabo Amazonite countertop basin by Dune Ceramica or stand-out wet panel designs by Showerwall, for example. Tiles play a big part in an artful approach too. Monogrammed or slogan creations are truly personal, while Delft-like illustrative designs are more delicate, such as Ca’Pietra’s collaboration with one of its artist in residence Sasha Compton.
Earthy shades
The pared-back look is staying, but it’s warming up with richer tones of rust, plaster, warm beige, browns that can be paired with sage greens for a natural feel that remains calm and sophisticated. Trend forecasting experts WGSN predict that Intense Rust and Cool Matcha are among the colours set to be strong for 2024, with both exuding tranquil qualities. Acquabella has launched its Season Colours palette including rose, burgundy, mint and forest that can be applied to its range of shower trays, baths and basins, while Scudo’s Colour By Scudo offers a complete solution for coordinated brassware and accessories from one supplier, including brushed bronze and brushed brass. Roca’s Tura furniture by Catalan designer Andreu Carulla includes Light Terracotta which evokes the Mediterranean landscape and nods to the rise in popularity of earthy shades in bathroom design.
Tactile finishes
Slatted furniture, reeded bath panels or baths and basins that have been cast with fluted detailing add a tactile nature to the bathroom and, again, encourage a step away from the typical, more minimalist looks we’re traditionally used to seeing for this space. “Whether it’s through a vanity unit, wall panelling, vertically stacked tiles or details on the fittings themselves, texture is a key look to continue into 2024,” says Hayley Robson, Founder of kitchen and bathroom designers Day True.
Tapping into the trend, the internationally acclaimed designer Patricia Urquiola reveals the third generation of Laufen’s SaphirKeramik, taking the material into a new dimension with the Sonar collection featuring delicately grooved basins and a bath, while Scudo has introduced the Labyrinth back-to-wall and freestanding baths with a fluted exterior. For furniture, VitrA’s Root Groove offers a contemporary bathroom design with matt colour options and stylish door detail, while tiles from Verona’s Waldorf and Laurent ranges and Ca’Pietra’s Petite porcelain designs that are ideal for vertical stacking all fit the brief.
Water-saving fittings
“It has never been so important to encourage consumers to make water-efficient purchases for their bathroom to reduce household consumption” says Tom Reynolds CEO of the BMA. “The bathroom sector is committed to helping make homes more water and energy efficient and product innovation can deliver a great user experience with a lower environmental impact.”
Innovations are coming thick and fast with manufacturers like Ideal Standard, Roca, Nobili, Flova and Imex putting emphasis on fittings that reduce water use. All Imex cisterns are set at 6/3 litre flushing capacity, but with an eye on the environment, WCs with the Imex Eco marque mean they use as little as 4/2.6 litres when flushing, without compromising the effectiveness of the flush. Roca’s Smart Shower blends water-saving with technological advancements as it connects to the Roca Smart Shower app to allow users to set their own profiles, see consumption statistics and control functions from their mobile phone. Meanwhile, Nobili’s innovative 50% two step tap cartridge puts sustainability at the forefront. It’s designs such as these that are continuing to put sustainability at the heart of bathroom design.
For more information, please contact Wildwood Plus: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1293 851115
About kbb Birmingham
kbb Birmingham is the UK's largest gathering of the world's best kitchen, bedroom and bathroom brands and the established industry gathering. The show features new product launches from over 300 exhibitors and welcomes 15,000+ buying professionals. kbb Birmingham is a biennial event held at The NEC Birmingham.
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