Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2024 - 17

FIVE KEY TRENDS SHAPING
THE FUTURE OF THE BATH
Gone are the days when the bathroom was a
place to get in and out of quickly while preparing
for school or work. Today's spaces are those in
which homeowners want to spend quality time
and relax.
1. Lifestyle/Wellness. Clients want spaces they
have seen on vacation and those that nurture
their health and wellness - both physical and
mental. Designers are replacing walls with
windows to bring the outdoors in and adding
spa-like elements like cold water plunge tubs
and saunas.
2. Space. Primary baths are larger than ever
and include such amenities as wine bars and
gyms. Clients are opting to remove tubs to
enlarge showers, take down walls to increase
the footprint, connect baths to the closet/
dressing area and include a separate space
for the toilet. They want skylights to make
the space feel larger.
3. Technology/Innovation. Smart options include
everything from shower systems and
heated floors to chromatherapy and smart
toilets with heated seats. More clients are using
home automation to control lighting and
window treatments and integrate sound.
4. Lighting. Layered lighting can take a space
from ordinary to extraordinary. It also offers
new levels of ease, safety and comfort. It can
be used to make a bathroom safer, can also be
seen as the jewelry of the room and can be used
to set the mood in a space.
5. Focal Points. Attention-grabbing elements
in the bathroom may include tubs, vanities,
oversized showers and chandeliers. Sinks can
be a focal point with a colorful style, as can
faucets and mirrors.
Key Takeaways:
NKBA PRESENTS:
THE EVOLVING LUXURY CUSTOMER
It used to seem like luxury was out of reach
for certain demographics, and now it is expected
in some way, shape or form by almost
everyone. According to Pamela McNally, SVP
marketing & digital, NKBA, these days luxury
is defined by an authentic experience and the
feelings it conveys. It is also about individualization
and having something different than
everyone else.
Younger generations - who are driving the
luxury shift - equate with elements that
are organic, unique and exclusive.
Luxury retail stores are coming back because
people want the experience of visiting
a location and touching the products.
Luxury is more about self-expression and
less about status.
Simple, clean designs; wood and metal
accents; and high-tech appliances define
luxury today.
Future asks will include outdoor chef
kitchens, home gyms with sauna/steam
and home theaters.
Luxury is about the freedom to be who
you are, live in a space you like and travel
where you want.
Sustainability is also part of the luxury
experience; these clients want long-lasting
products.
Technology is wave of the future for luxury
because of its convenience.
KBBONLINE.COM
17
Designer Kathleen Donohue,
CMKBD, of Neil Kelly Co.
in Bend. Ore., had more
than one focal point in this
primary bath, including the
decorative light fixture and
the floating vanity. Photo
credit: Tim Cotter/Tim Cotter
Photography
http://www.KBBONLINE.COM
Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2024
