10 Trends in New Bathroom Design Products and Features
Find out what’s new in bathroom tubs, fixtures, lighting and more from the latest offerings timed to the KBIS trade show
The Resurgence of the Bathtub
1. Freestanding tubs. Anecdotally, the pandemic seems to have created a boom in bath users. Representatives at companies like Toto and House of Rohl report an increase in interest in bathtubs. Which makes sense: If you’ve been spending more time at home working side by side with a spouse and schoolchildren, there are few better places to unwind at the end of the day than in a hot bath behind a locked door.
Freestanding tubs still command a lot of the attention, partly because their silhouetted shape offers a fresh style element. Victoria + Albert added three new 60-inch tubs to its existing three styles, including the Toulouse style shown here. You can also choose from 194 colors in a gloss or matte finish.
1. Freestanding tubs. Anecdotally, the pandemic seems to have created a boom in bath users. Representatives at companies like Toto and House of Rohl report an increase in interest in bathtubs. Which makes sense: If you’ve been spending more time at home working side by side with a spouse and schoolchildren, there are few better places to unwind at the end of the day than in a hot bath behind a locked door.
Freestanding tubs still command a lot of the attention, partly because their silhouetted shape offers a fresh style element. Victoria + Albert added three new 60-inch tubs to its existing three styles, including the Toulouse style shown here. You can also choose from 194 colors in a gloss or matte finish.
Hastings Tile & Bath launched this stylish 60-inch slipper tub called Chelsea.
2. Colors. While white remains the most popular bathtub finish, we saw several new bold colors making a splash. Victoria + Albert debuted a collaboration with Wallpaper* of curated palettes that let designers and homeowners create coordinated color schemes between bathtub and sink selections.
Dune Retreat, shown here, pairs muted, sandy colors. The tub also comes in a new 60-inch version. Other curated palettes include Wavelengths, which contains mostly calm blues, and Light Industrielle, which has bold yellows and turquoises.
Dune Retreat, shown here, pairs muted, sandy colors. The tub also comes in a new 60-inch version. Other curated palettes include Wavelengths, which contains mostly calm blues, and Light Industrielle, which has bold yellows and turquoises.
Hastings Tile & Bath’s Chelsea tub also comes in the matte gray finish shown here.
3. Jetted features. We saw many pampering bathroom features highlighted this year, which we discuss in more detail below, but Toto’s new Zero Dimension bathtub certainly stood out. Product designers from Toto studied the ergonomic position of astronauts in space to come up with a tub design that mimics the feeling of weightlessness. The design allows you to rest your head on a pillow, which cascades water onto your shoulders, and position your feet and legs slightly up. Jets massage the back and legs.
Faucets
4. Two-texture finishes. Like we saw with trends in kitchen faucets, many new bathroom faucets feature the juxtaposition of smooth and rough or uneven finishes.
Riobel’s new Reflet collection, shown here, features a wavy finish that mimics water on the underside of the spout and top of the lever handles, while the remaining areas of the faucet are smooth. The undulating surface catches light ("reflet” is French for “reflection”), creating a dynamic surface. The collection will contain faucets, tub fillers, shower components and bath accessories in four finishes: chrome, brushed nickel, brushed chrome and brushed gold, shown here. It will be available in spring.
4. Two-texture finishes. Like we saw with trends in kitchen faucets, many new bathroom faucets feature the juxtaposition of smooth and rough or uneven finishes.
Riobel’s new Reflet collection, shown here, features a wavy finish that mimics water on the underside of the spout and top of the lever handles, while the remaining areas of the faucet are smooth. The undulating surface catches light ("reflet” is French for “reflection”), creating a dynamic surface. The collection will contain faucets, tub fillers, shower components and bath accessories in four finishes: chrome, brushed nickel, brushed chrome and brushed gold, shown here. It will be available in spring.
The new Tenerife line by Rohl features textured crosshatching on the levers and faucet base. The collection will also contain faucets, tub fillers, shower components and bath accessories in five finishes: polished chrome, polished nickel, satin nickel, matte black and antique gold, shown here. It will be available in spring.
The new 1920s-inspired Central Park West collection from Kallista by Kohler features levers and nozzles with subtle fluting. An “H” and “C” are engraved on the handle bases to denote hot and cold.
5. Two-tone finishes. In addition to combining two textures, faucet manufacturers are also combining two finishes for a more varied and interesting look.
Kohler’s Artifacts Deco handles, which were previewed last year, are now available. Choose from Howlite marble, shown here, or Nero Marquina marble.
Kohler’s Artifacts Deco handles, which were previewed last year, are now available. Choose from Howlite marble, shown here, or Nero Marquina marble.
Moen’s new Cia collection includes its first touchless lavatory faucet. Wave a hand in front of the sensor on the side to turn the water on and off. The matte black finish comes with a brass gasket for a two-tone effect.
Engineered Surfaces
6. Thin slabs. As we’ve mentioned in previous trends coverage, many engineered-surface manufacturers have created thin profiles that are easier to install and can be used for applications other than kitchen countertops. One of the more popular areas of the home for these slab installations are bathroom walls.
Dekton launched its Optimma shower slab collection, shown here, which features lightweight 4-millimeter precut slabs in various colors.
6. Thin slabs. As we’ve mentioned in previous trends coverage, many engineered-surface manufacturers have created thin profiles that are easier to install and can be used for applications other than kitchen countertops. One of the more popular areas of the home for these slab installations are bathroom walls.
Dekton launched its Optimma shower slab collection, shown here, which features lightweight 4-millimeter precut slabs in various colors.
7. Integrated sinks. Some manufacturers are also leaning on engineered surfaces to create vanities with integrated sinks, such as Silestone’s new Evita washbasin, shown here.
The new Urban Duplex vanity from Hastings Tile & Bath includes a countertop with an integrated sink option, shown here in the Fenix color.
Hastings’ Urban Morris solid-surface vessel basins include a removable drain tray that coordinates with the countertop material to give the appearance of integration.
Lighting
8. Hidden LED. While decorative light fixtures and chandeliers aren’t going anywhere, hidden LED strip lighting is showing up in a lot of new features. Robern by Kohler introduced the PL Portray medicine cabinet shown here in a version backlit by warm LED light that turns on when you open a door.
Another cool feature of this mirror is the digital lockbox seen on an upper shelf. You can use it to lock away prescription medicines, passports or expensive creams you don’t want your teenager using. Control the lock from a keypad on the box or from your smart phone, through which you can also receive alerts if the box is being tampered with.
8. Hidden LED. While decorative light fixtures and chandeliers aren’t going anywhere, hidden LED strip lighting is showing up in a lot of new features. Robern by Kohler introduced the PL Portray medicine cabinet shown here in a version backlit by warm LED light that turns on when you open a door.
Another cool feature of this mirror is the digital lockbox seen on an upper shelf. You can use it to lock away prescription medicines, passports or expensive creams you don’t want your teenager using. Control the lock from a keypad on the box or from your smart phone, through which you can also receive alerts if the box is being tampered with.
Häfele’s new Loox5 lighting system includes thin LED strips that can be used in a variety of applications, as seen in this bathroom inside the vanity, around the tub and in a ceiling cove above the tub.
Toto’s Zero Dimension tub, mentioned earlier in this article, includes hidden lighting below that gives the tub the appearance of floating.
9. Midcentury modern style. Kohler Lighting introduced two collections inspired by the midcentury design era. Arendela, shown here, features multifaceted glass shades and metal arms.
The Vorleigh collection, also by Kohler Lighting, nods to Streamline Moderne style with adjustable metal disk-like shades that allow you to control the direction of the lighting.
Experience
10. Pamper-me features. Houzz research shows that many homeowners are looking to their bathrooms for rest and relaxation. And when you consider some of the pampering features out there, it’s easy to see why. Kohler previewed its Moxie shower head in 2020, which has a removable waterproof speaker that magnetically docks in the shower head. Moxie is now available and includes integration with Amazon Alexa for voice-activated assistance.
10. Pamper-me features. Houzz research shows that many homeowners are looking to their bathrooms for rest and relaxation. And when you consider some of the pampering features out there, it’s easy to see why. Kohler previewed its Moxie shower head in 2020, which has a removable waterproof speaker that magnetically docks in the shower head. Moxie is now available and includes integration with Amazon Alexa for voice-activated assistance.
Moen announced updates coming this year for its Inly Aromatherapy shower head, which allows users to swap in pods (similar to Keurig coffee pods) of scented oil that’s then infused into the shower spray. Scents range from calming to invigorating.
Aquia by Toto is a new toilet with a bidet function. The unit includes a heated seat, oscillating and pulsating rinse wand, deodorizer and dryer and an electrolyzed water feature that cleans the bowl and wand after every use.
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