New homes in England could be fitted with mandatory water-saving showers and toilets under government proposals aimed at conserving water.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation seeking feedback on proposed changes to Building Regulations 2010, Part G.

It comes as five areas of the UK still battle drought. The Environment Agency has confirmed the UK experienced the driest March to July period since 1921 across central and north-east England, and that public water supply reservoir storage levels are still falling for most reported reservoirs.

The government states that the proposals would have a negligible impact on user experience, yet may reduce water usage by approximately 20 litres per person per day, resulting in a saving of £100 per year on household bills.

Additionally, the consultation examines the potential integration of water reuse systems in new developments to enhance water efficiency further.

Industry professionals, developers, housebuilders, and the public are encouraged to participate in the consultation, which remains open until December 16, 2025.

The latest UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study* reveals that 58% of respondents increased the size of their shower during renovations, with a quarter expanding it by over 50%. Overall, bathroom footprints are also growing, with 21% enlarging their bathrooms during renovations (21%).

Most shower room expansions take space from bedrooms (28%) or from home extensions (18%). While smaller bathrooms still dominate – 39% are under 5five square metres – the share of larger bathrooms has grown, with those between 10 and 14.99 square metres and 15+ square metres each rising by 3 percentage points year on year (13% and 7%, respectively). 

“We’re seeing a notable shift toward larger bathroom footprints, suggesting that homeowners may be rethinking the role of this room in the home,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist.

“Rather than focusing purely on function, many are turning to professionals for help creating spaces that support relaxation and daily comfort, with changes to showers and layouts playing a central role.”

Corner showers remain the most popular choice (32%), while walk-in showers with low thresholds (29%) or no thresholds at all (14%) continue to gain popularity, compared to last year (28% and 12%, respectively).

While functional issues remain the top trigger for renovation (51%), this is down from 59% in 2024. Aesthetic updates are a key driver – with 35% aiming for a more stylish space and 28% customising after home purchase.

Reliance on home professionals continues to be high, with nearly 9 in 10 homeowners (89%) hiring professionals to assist with their bathroom renovations. Tradespeople were hired most frequently (51%), followed by bathroom fitters and builders (43% and 36%, respectively). On the design side, more than a quarter of homeowners hired bathroom designers (28%).

Additional trends from the study include:

• Minimalist Styles on the Rise: Contemporary (38%) and modern (26%) remain the dominant bathroom styles; however, Scandinavian and Japandi styles are growing in popularity, each increasing by 3 percentage points to reach 4%, showing a preference for minimal and natural aesthetics.
• Double Basins Are More Popular: The share of homeowners incorporating more than one basin rose 3 percentage points year on year to reach 13%, reflecting how increased bathroom space enables more luxurious layouts.
• Sustainability Is Mainstream: A significant 87% of homeowners added sustainable features, motivated by cost-effectiveness (73%) and environmental impact (65%). LED lights were the most common features incorporated to support sustainability (72%), followed by water-efficient fixtures (42%) and timeless design elements (35%). 
• Freestanding Vanities Gain Momentum: Floating vanity units remain the top choice (53%), though they are down slightly year on year (55% in 2024). Freestanding vanity units gained traction, rising 7 percentage points to reach 28%. More than 1 in 5 homeowners opted for semi-custom or completely custom vanities (22%). 

You can download the full 2025 UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study here.

*The “2025 UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study” is a report of homeowners who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a bathroom renovation. The online survey was fielded to UK Houzz users from May to June 2025. n=330.

Photography by: Amy-Hunt-Interior-Design

Bathroom distributor Smiths Briten has been appointed as an additional distribution partner for lighting and bathroom specialist Sensio, a move both parties say will strengthen their presence in the bathroom, retail, and merchant markets.

The partnership, officially launched this month, sees Sensio’s full product range, including mirrors, cabinets, and lighting, added to the Smiths Briten Portoio.

Smiths Briten serves over 3,500 independent retailers and merchants. The company, which operates from a central distribution hub in Bolton and is supported by five satellite depots, ensures next-day delivery across much of the UK. For Sensio retailers, that means quick quotes, efficient returns and fewer delivery delays.

Gareth Jones, trade director at Smiths Briten, says: “Securing this new partnership with Sensio is an important development for Smiths Briten and one that reflects our long-term commitment to supporting the bathroom sector. Sensio is a well-established brand with a strong reputation in mirrors, cabinets and lighting, and this partnership allows us to bring that strength directly to our customer base.

“The aim now is to build on this foundation in partnership with the Sensio team. That means working together on training, providing product knowledge, and ensuring that retailers have the right tools to maximise sales. We see this as a long-term relationship, and we’re confident that by combining Sensio’s product innovation with our distribution expertise, we can create real value for our customers.”

Richard Bellwood, sales director at Sensio adds: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Smiths Briten. Their strong reputation and established customer network make them an ideal partner to help us expand the reach of Sensio’s bathroom mirrors, cabinets, and lighting solutions.

“This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to bring our innovative product range to even more retailers, merchants, and installers across the UK, and we look forward to building a long-lasting and successful relationship with the Smiths Briten team.”

In the run-up to Christmas, the Smiths Briten sales team will work closely with Sensio and their training managers on supporting new and existing customers with product training, utilising Sensio’s training centre & show van.

Ca’ Pietra has announced a new retail partnership with B&Q to launch a capsule Portare collection for B&Q – a curated edit of the brand’s design-led tiles developed exclusively for B&Q and tailored to the retailer’s customers. This B&Q-only capsule range includes 21 products, which will be exclusive to B&Q and will not be sold elsewhere.  It is positioned as an entry route into the Ca’ Pietra world, distinct from the brand’s main collections offered through independent retailers. 

The partnership is designed to broaden access without blurring channels. Portare for B&Q sits on its own pricing architecture and product edit for the DIY audience. At the same time, Ca’ Pietra’s independent showroom partners continue to offer the breadth and depth of the brand’s core ranges, specialist advice, and project-led service. This separation protects the value of the independent channel and ensures each route to market serves a clear customer need. 

Steve McGuire, group managing director at Ca’ Pietra, says: “The Portare capsule collection for B&Q is about opening our design language to more homes, in a way that suits how B&Q customers like to shop. We have taken the attention to detail that defines Ca’ Pietra and distilled it into a collection that is simple to navigate in-store, easy to love, and works in real life, while remaining separate from the ranges our independent retailers curate in their showrooms.

“This edit has been created exclusively for B&Q, at a distinct entry-level price point, and will only ever be available through their stores and online. It is not a replication of our main portfolio but a tailored range that introduces the Ca’ Pietra aesthetic to a broader DIY audience. Our independent partners remain at the heart of our brand, continuing to offer the full depth of our collections, specialist advice, and the bespoke design experience that sets them apart.

“In practice, this means we are broadening awareness of Ca’ Pietra while protecting the integrity of our core ranges and the value of the independent showroom channel. By giving B&Q customers an accessible entry into our world, we are creating new demand and recognition that, over time, we believe will flow back into the independent network as homeowners look to take on larger, more ambitious projects.”

The B&Q range combines everyday foundation tiles with statement looks, spanning marble- and limestone-inspired designs, R10-rated indoor–outdoor porcelain for seamless transitions, decorative ceramics influenced by Moroccan courtyards and period motifs, geometric patterns and parquet-style terracotta effects. Clear in-store displays and point-of-sale guides will enable customers to compare, coordinate, and take away inspiration on the same day, with availability in selected B&Q stores nationwide and online. 

Rollout of the new collection begins in September, with full national availability by mid-November 2025. Ca’ Pietra will continue to support its independent network with its existing collection, along with new and exciting launches planned for Q4.